If you are someone who is planning to do their higher studies at an Australian university or institution, it is important that you have a good understanding of the different requirements that you are required to meet before embarking on your dream university in Australia. Making a checklist will greatly simplify the process of preparing for your trip. A good Australia study abroad consultant can help you get more clarity.

Here in this blog, we are going to point you in the right direction for your checklist. 

• English Language Requirements

To process the visa application in Australia, the student needs to get themselves a valid language test score. The Australian Department of Home Affairs recognizes five language tests, which are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Occupational English Test (OET), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), and Pearson Test of English (PTE). The required score varies depending on the course and university.

• Proof of Financial backing

Make sure that you have the financial funding in your bank account that has to be shown at the time of application. Also, have a detailed note on the expenses that will be incurred once you move to Australia, like study charges, accommodation, food, travel, and health insurance.

• Academic Requirements

You must meet the qualifications required to be admitted to your dream university. 

• Enroll

Get in touch with the university with respect to the necessary requirements and paperwork. You can also seek the assistance of a good educational consultant, such as Edroots, to assist you with the enrollment process.

• Completing the application

Examine the application materials in great detail. The application could take you a few weeks to finish. Many Australian institutions take four to six weeks to evaluate applications.

• Offer letter

Students who receive a conditional offer letter are required to fulfill additional requirements before they can receive the CoE (Confirmation of Enrollment). Students who receive unconditional offers, can accept the offer and pay the required tuition fees. 

• Conditional Offer Letter

If you are receiving a conditional offer letter, then make sure you rework your application in such a way that it meets all the requirements and complies with the prescribed conditions. Once it's completed, resubmit it before the deadline. 

• Visa

The primary document you must have in order to enter Australia and pursue your education at your dream university is a visa. There are many visas that promote the entry of people into Australia. As you are looking forward to pursuing your higher education in Australia , you should have a student visa (subclass 500) in your possession. To obtain your visa, you must follow certain procedures and have certain documents on hand. Some of the documents required for obtaining your visa include confirmation of enrollment from your university and proof of sufficient funds. You are also required to submit a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement, evidence that you meet the language requirement as prescribed by the university, and relevant health insurance to support your stay in Australia. 

• OSHC

OSHC or Overseas Student Health Cover is a must and will require to be taken at least 

10–12 months before their arrival in Australia. It might take around 12 weeks to process it. OSHC is a type of health insurance for international students that will help cover expenses for hospital stays and medical treatment while in Australia. 

• Accommodation

As said earlier, it is always good to reach Australia at least two weeks before the scheduled start date of the course. For this, you have to arrange accommodation for the two week stay. If you are taking up university housing, understand and inquire for more information on how to get there and how your room is assigned. If you plan to rent out a shared apartment, it is ideal to do that once you reach Australia. So, have a backup plan for hotel or Airbnb accommodation. This will help you calm your nerves once you reach Australia.

• Travel

You have to organize your travel way before the scheduled start date of your course. Do not book your dates right on the dot; instead, make sure you book tickets at least two weeks prior to the start of your course to get acquainted with the university and surroundings. Things can be quite trickier with the pandemic restrictions, so plan accordingly. Make sure to have knowledge of the airlines that fly to Australia and schedule your flights accordingly. If your university is in one of the major cities of Australia, like Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, you can have direct access to flights without the need for any layovers. But the same is not the case with Canberra or Adelaide; you have to make a pit stop in one of the major cities and resume your journey. Understanding your ticket itinerary and having a good understanding of the layover time is necessary to plan and adjust your travel accordingly. 

The restrictions around COVID-19 are now being gradually relaxed all around the world, but most of the countries, especially Australia, still have mandatory requirements to be followed for all people coming into the country. The rapid antigen tests and RT-PCR tests are still in place, and people are expected to wear masks all the time while they are traveling. Make sure to go through the Australian Department of Health’s website before you plan your trip to Australia.

• Examine the requirements by region.

You must specifically review the requirements in your university's region to see if there are any additional requirements that must be met. There must be requirements such as additional quarantine or testing. Check the territory specific website to get a detailed understanding of the prerequisites that have to be taken into account before setting foot in Australia.

Packing list

You need to set up your packing list. Let us take a look at the various items you have packed for your upcoming trip to Australia:

• Travel Documents

All your necessary documents will be needed at different stages of your journey and even after you reach Australia. It will be highly recommended to keep all your documents together, as they will need to be produced as and when demanded. Take digital copies and printed duplicates of the original documents with you at all times. The important travel documents are passports, air tickets, student cards, accommodation proof, enrollment confirmation, past transcripts, proof of health insurance, credit cards, student visas, college admission proof, etc. 

• Medicines

Having all your medicine supplies with you is extremely important. Healthcare can be quite an expensive affair, and getting medicines can be difficult without necessary prescriptions in Australia. If you are someone who has prior health conditions, make sure to stock up on your medicines. The basic medicine list will include paracetamol, painkillers, anti-allergies, bandages, Dettol, etc. 

• Currency

Even though all establishments accept international credit and debit cards, having liquid currency is recommended. It is necessary to make arrangements for Australian dollars and to get them from authentic sellers of foreign currency so that you do not end up getting scammed. 

• Electronic Devices

Electronic devices have risen to the top of the priority list in this digital age. The following items should always be carried: universal plugs, cell phones, headphones, tablets, chargers, laptops, USB cables, pen drives, etc. To prevent carrying any faulty equipment, make sure that all of the electronics are in good working order.

• Clothes

It is necessary to be aware of the time when you are visiting Australia. It is also good to have clothes that meet all the climatic conditions in Australia, like winter, summer, etc. Here is the list of clothes that you need to carry: jackets, sweaters, lingerie, workout clothes, formals, mufflers, caps, hats, and accessories like shoes, heels, watches, jeans, hoodies, pajamas, etc. 

• Transportation

Australia has a good network of public transport systems, including buses and trains. You should seek advice from alumni or the college's international support system to determine which options are easily accessible to you. Conduct research on how to use public transportation and where to purchase tickets.

•  Money

Money can be considered an essential component and something you should have in-depth knowledge of if you're in an unknown country. Have a prior understanding with the financial provider or bank on how to use the cards and what the commission fees are for each withdrawal from an overseas ATM. It is helpful to have some Australian dollars in hand until an opportunity to open a bank account in Australia comes up. 

Edroots International is a well-known study abroad consultant in Kerala with an impeccable track record spanning more than 15 years. We have placed more than 13,250 students abroad in coveted universities. We have professionals who are known to provide maximum support and guidance to the students who dream of studying abroad. Our success is directly related to the success of all the students who have come to us for the best start in life.