Pre-departure information

Coming to Deakin - your next steps

Your offer
Before you leave
Living in Australia
Contact information
Further information

Your offer

Read your Offer Letter carefully. If your offer is a conditional offer you must fulfil the conditions in your letter (such as undertaking an English language course or showing original documents). You will then receive an unconditional offer.

Forms

Complete the Offer Acceptance Form (75 KB). Send the forms to Deakin International (contact details are on the forms).

Pay your fees

Study Abroad students may be required to pay fees when accepting your offer. Please refer to your Offer Letter for details.

If you are coming to Australia for the first time, you must also pay your Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC). Please provide your payment online through Deakin Online Payments.

Organise your visa

Students paying their tuition fees through an organisation or their institution will receive their CoE with this offer. For students paying tuition fees direct to Deakin, we will send you or your agent an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE), which you will need to obtain a visa, on receipt of payment. Go to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Organise accommodation

For information about on-campus, off-campus and/or temporary accommodation, please visit the accommodation section of our website. Fill in the Housing Preference Form online by November 30 the year before for trimester 1 and by April 30 for trimester 2. Do not apply directly to any housing providers until Deakin International has allocated you a place.

Book your flight

Book your flights to Melbourne early to secure a seat. Record your flight details to put in the Notification of Arrival (NAF) Form. Remember to arrive in time for the compulsory International Enrolment and Orientation Program or the optional Beach Orientation trip.

Airport reception

Students will be met at the Melbourne Airport and transport will be arranged to your Deakin campus, or to temporary accommodation. New students must notify Deakin International of their date, time of arrival and flight details (via the online Notification of Arrival form.

Arriving in Australia

If you have requested our reception service on the Notification of Arrival form, a Reception Officer will wait for you in front of the Travelers Information desk near Customs Clearance at the Melbourne airport. You will be then taken to your campus or to a connecting campus bus. If you cannot see the Reception Officer, go to the Travellers Information Desk to inquire.

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Before you leave

Finance

On arrival in Australia you will need to have some Australian currency in case you need to make telephone calls or small purchases. It is recommended that students bring approximately A$300 for the first few days after arrival. You should avoid carrying large amounts of money. It is recommended that the rest of your money is in bank drafts, travelers cheques, credit card, or alternatively you can arrange to transfer funds electronically. For full details, go to banking matters on our website.

Health issues

It is important to know your own health history. Before departure, please ask your doctor exactly what medications you have had and in particular, what immunisations or medications you have been given in the past. It is a good idea to have this information in writing in case you become ill while in Australia. Deakin University's medical staff provides free and confidential health consultations for students. Health services available include: dietary, lifestyle, exercise, women's health, men's health, stress management, immunisation, and travel health.

Passport renewal

Before leaving for Australia, check that your passport is current. You can renew your passport at your Government's consulate or embassy. It can often take several months to renew a passport so apply for renewal at least two months before the expiry date. Australian immigration officials cannot give visas past the expiry date of the passport. Your passport must not expire until six months after your course completion date.

Visas

Student visas can take from one to twelve weeks to be issued. Conditions vary from country to country and in some countries a pre-visa assessment (PVA) is required. The necessary documents are available from Australian Diplomatic Missions or from Deakin University's local representatives and it is important that you check the criteria for your country first.

Below is a list of some important information about how to obtain a student visa:

Apply for a student visa as soon as possible after you have received your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment Form (eCOE), at the nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission (ADM) in your home country or online at www.immi.gov.au (if applicable).
Take a copy of your eCOE and the receipt confirming the payment of fees with you to the ADM. The eCOE is valid for 8 weeks only and must be processed within that time.
You will be given a multiple entry student visa valid until the end date of your course.
If you have submitted your application through one of Deakin University's representatives, they will be able to provide assistance with your application.

Conditions of student visa

The Australian Government will ask you to sign an agreement that you are seeking entry in Australia for study purposes only.
As a holder of a student visa, there are several associated responsibilities that you must be aware of including updating your address details if they change and notifying staff of changes to your study and/or study mode.
Students must study full-time on campus while in Australia.
You must meet normal health and public interest requirements for entry. Some applicants will need to undergo medical and radiological (X-ray) examinations before a visa is given.
You must tell the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) if you change your original course of study. Deakin International will give you a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment Form (eCOE) that you must send to DIMIA within six weeks.

Customs

Australia has strict Customs regulations to prevent drugs, diseases and pests being brought into the country. The Australian Customs website provides detailed information.

Personal computer

You can bring your own computer with you from home to Australia without paying any Duty or Sales Tax. However you must return home with the computer. A student does not have to declare their personal computer upon entering Australia. If you are questioned by Customs about your computer, you may be asked to:
» Sign a personal assurance that says that you will leave the country with the computer.
» Pay a cash security deposit to confirm that you will take the computer with you when you leave the country. This money will be returned to you in your home country by mail after you have left Australia.
» When you leave Australia, you must give all papers and receipts to Customs Security. Officers can then confirm that you have left with your computer. Your cash deposit can only be returned to you with this documentation.

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Living in Australia

Climate

The weather in Victoria is temperate and mild with four distinct seasons. Victoria generally does not experience severe extremes of heat, humidity or cold. Students will need to have a range of clothing to cater for the seasonal climatic conditions. During winter, students will need warm clothing. You are advised to pack a sweater/warm jacket in your hand luggage.

Living costs

In planning finances, students should allow between A$6,500 and A$7,000 per trimester for accommodation, meals, transport, books and other basic expenses. If you have a spouse and/or children, you should allow extra for living expenses. Living costs will vary according to the type of accommodation you choose, the number of people you live with, and the area you live in. The cost of living also varies between cities.
Computing equipment, software and books represent the other major costs for tertiary students. Second-hand books are sometimes available at a reduced cost. The following estimates provide general guidelines of how much it will cost to live and study for one year. You should note that living costs normally have a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% added.

Further information on living costs can be found on our website.

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