Tips for International Students Returning to Australia

Acceptance of Offer & New Student Enrollment

Competition for applications to famous universities in Australia is very fierce. With the complete opening of international borders, popular majors will be filled up faster to close the payment of fees. So students who are offered a place should arrange to pay the fees as soon as possible to confirm their place.

Online registration: Login to the school’s official website on the personal page (the school sends the Offer email ID number and initial login password (recommended to change the password after the first time to log in). According to the page prompts and requirements to fill out the questions involved, including address, mobile phone number, emergency contact and so on)

Finally, check your personal information, including name, primary name, etc., to confirm that there are no errors and click submit. (*Take the University of Sydney as an example; it may vary from school to school)

Selecting Courses and Getting a Student Card

Selection of Courses

Sister’s advice: Courses involve compulsory and elective. Some courses are only open in the first half of each semester or the second half of each semester, and many high-level courses must be completed in the case of the first level before you can choose. When choosing courses, be sure to pay attention to the requirements of each course. So it’s crucial to do an excellent job of planning the course! Check the school’s official handbook for the current year before choosing a course (don’t choose the wrong year!).

Student Card

Usually, when new students enrol, the school will send an email to provide a photo and a form to fill in the information and submit the application form according to the requirements of each school. It takes 5-10 working days to upload the photo, ensuring it meets the photo guidelines. We will also email you to remind you how to pick up your student card. Because the number of new students is large, some may need to make an appointment on the webpage to pick up their card. Then, follow the appointment time to pick up your card! (Pay attention to the documents you must bring to verify your identity, e.g. documents with Photo ID, passport, driver’s licence, etc.)

Getting a Transport /Telephone /Debit Card

Transport Card

Melbourne uses myki, Sydney uses Opal transport card, and Putrajaya uses GoCard.

There are many places to get a transport card. You can buy it at roadside top-up machines, railway stations, supermarkets and schools.

Phone Cards

Communication companies:

• Telstra | Australia’s number one operator: expensive, good signal.
• Optus | Australia’s second-largest mobile phone network operator: reasonable price, but relatively weak signal.
• Vodafone | Australia’s third largest mobile phone network operator: the best price and the first choice for many Chinese students.

Generally, in schools and shopping malls, Chinatown will also have some schools within the shop that can also provide Chinese services. It is also very intimate and convenient. So do not worry about it. Going to a regular shop is generally recommended. I need to bring my passport and other proof of identity, such as the operation of the shop in the school, there will be special student discounts, which you also need to bring a student card ~

There are two types of phone cards: Pre-Paid and Post Paid.

A pre-paid card is a card that is valid for a certain period, so you can use it for as much as you want. It is straightforward to set up a phone. There is no need to stop your phone when you leave Australia, and the card will be cancelled when the balance runs out or expires. Prepaid SIM and recharge cards can be purchased in many places, such as convenience stores, telephone companies, post offices, etc. Put a new SIM card into the card and put it into the phone. Put your new SIM card into your mobile phone and activate it to get a local Australian number at Australian rates.

To sign up for a SIM card, you must sign a contract with the telecoms company, usually for 12 or 24 months. Don’t forget to deactivate your card if you leave Australia. Otherwise, you will continue to be charged automatically every month. Requirements for Postpaid:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• To apply, you must provide various documents, including a passport, student card, bank statements, etc.

Debit Card

• Commonwealth Bank (CBA) Commonwealth Bank of Australia | National Central Bank of Australia: the app is practical and convenient, with a real-time payment function and cardless cash. You can use the phone number directly to transfer money to CBA users without BSB and account numbers.
• ANZ | A highly reputable commercial bank in the global banking industry supports Apple Pay and can handle debit cards for students over 16 years old.
• Westpac | Australia’s first bank: no fees on foreign currency exchanges
• NAB National Australia Bank | one of the largest commercial banks in Australia: smallest service area, with offices in Shanghai and Beijing.

It is possible to apply in advance, but only within a year or half a year before arriving in Australia. Applying too early may also result in the closure of the account due to a long period of inactivity. Although the account opening procedures have been completed before leaving China, the account at this time is Only! Deposit! Not! Withdraw!

However, students can only withdraw money from the account after they arrive in Australia and go to the bank in person to confirm the identity of the account.

The necessary materials to open a bank account:

• Passport
• A printed copy of your Visa
• Letter of Offer (LOA) from the university or college
• Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment eCoE
• Rental address

After the account is opened, a debit card will be mailed to the applicant, so be sure to write down the address clearly to avoid unnecessary trouble. The debit card will be mailed to the applicant in 5-10 working days. According to the instructions in the mail, activate the card and set up a password.

Exchange of Foreign Currency

Banks

The lowest risk. There is a guarantee, but relatively speaking, the exchange rate is poor, there are high fees, and there is a slow arrival. Australia’s Federal, ANZ, and Westpac can be changed. But the bank exchange rate is very ordinary.

Transferwise

P2P international remittance platform: the exchange rate is relatively good. You can achieve the exchange rate of Australia and Australia-China exchange rate swap, very convenient, the handling fee according to the amount of money exchange decision.

Panda Express 

Safe and secure: with the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department’s MSO licence, the US government’s MSB licence and the Australian government’s AFSL licence. You don’t have to worry about whether the funds are safe. However, the user registration audit process and requirements are rigorous. If it is a passport registration, you must have a valid visa in Australia to verify the success.

Alipay

Now, some Australian universities also support Alipay to pay tuition and lower fees, and the exchange process is also very convenient and fast. On the Alipay page, search ‘cross-border remittance’; you can check it.

Conclusion

If you’re coming to Australia alone for the first time, I hope you won’t be afraid and feel less uncertain because this place is rich with souls and opportunities, and you’ll be able to expand your horizons and grow up stubbornly here. Look up at the sky when you’re sad, look at the sunset when you’re confused, walk around the beach when you’re discouraged – it’s not a stop, it’s a start.

I hope you can find your ideal here, and in the end, whether you stay here or leave this land, you will love her and miss her, and she will be here waiting for you to come back to play at any time. Cheer up!