What to book before you arrive in Australia
Being organised and prepared before you leave home will make your transition to Australia and university much easier when you arrive.
Living in Australia
Planning your arrival
When to arrive
We recommend arriving in Australia ahead of Orientation Week to give yourself enough time to settle in.
Please make sure you have secured accommodation before you arrive so you have the safety of having a place to live. Your focus once you arrive in Australia should be on recovering from jet lag and to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings.
Medication and medical devices
If you have a medical condition, we recommend you bring a letter from your doctor outlining the condition and any medicine you bring with you. Medicine for personal use is subject to controls in Australia and must be declared when you arrive. If you need prescription medicine while you are here, a doctor in Australia must write the prescription.
Read the regulations about bringing medicines and medical devices into Australia. You may like to review your Overseas Health Cover policy in relation to your medical circumstances to ensure any pre-existing medical conditions will be covered in your health policy.
Travel insurance
We recommend you organise travel insurance that covers you for theft, loss, accidents, and travel incidents. If you plan on doing any adventure activities such as scuba diving, sky diving, bushwalking or travelling in remote areas, make sure your policy fully covers these activities. Remember to bring your insurance policy details and emergency contact numbers with you. Travel insurance is in addition to your Overseas Student Health Cover.
Vaccinations
If you will be completing a placement as part of your study please check your program to ensure you meet the immunisation and health record requirements. Vaccinations are available at cost in Australia but will not necessarily be covered by your Overseas Student Health Cover policy. Before leaving your country check your immunisation status and vaccination needs with your health services.
Airports
Both Brisbane and the Gold Coast have international airports. However, you may need to fly into Sydney first, which is Australia’s main airport. Flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast or Brisbane take approximately 90 minutes. If you book a connecting flight, it is important to leave at least two hours between your arrival and departure times to allow for any unexpected delays.
Accommodation and airport pickup
International students commencing at Griffith University can apply for airport reception, which takes you from the airport directly to your Australian accommodation. You will need to book for your airport transfer at least 72 hours prior to your departure from your home country.
Please make sure you have secured accommodation before you arrive in Australia. You may need to find a temporary place to stay until you find somewhere that suits your needs. This is a very important part of your arrival plan that will make a difference in how you settle into your studies.
Clothing
To give you an idea of what to pack, clothing worn on campus is quite casual. While most students wear shorts or jeans and a shirt all year round, you may also need to pack some smart casual clothes (such as dress pants and collared shirts) for work, or formal clothes (such as a suit and tie or formal dress) for special events. For the general public, there are no laws or regulations on clothing in Australia. However, most restaurants and venues require appropriate footwear to be worn.
If you forget to pack anything, you don’t need to worry. We have plenty of clothing and department stores where you can purchase something once you arrive in Australia.
Possible things to pack
- short-sleeve shirts
- long-sleeve shirts
- jeans, pants and shorts
- jacket
- rain jacket and umbrella
- casual shoes, sandals and/or flip flops
- dress shoes
- running shoes
- sleep wear
- socks
- undergarments
- swimming suit
- sunglasses
- camera
- mobile phone
- comb or hairbrush
- travel plug/adapter
- pictures of your family and friends
- medication
- travel-sized toiletries (you can purchase full-sized items in Australia).
Remember to bring your important documents including your passport, student visa information, airport pick up details and bank and credit card documents.
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