Official guides / International students
Returning home checklist
Monash University
Last checked: 25 Oct 2026 UTCWhat this page covers
Page text
Text and tables taken from the official page, with collapsed sections opened, so it can be read and searched here. Images and forms are not copied, so open the original page when you need to apply or submit something.
Start planning early
About a month before
The last two weeks
The last few days
| Topic | Action |
|---|---|
| Graduation | Make sure you apply to graduate in your final teaching period – no need to wait for your results. |
| Visitor visa | If you’d like to stay in Australia to attend your ceremony but your student visa is set to expire before your graduation, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) . |
| Academic record | If you need a copy before graduation, see academic records (transcripts) . |
| Passport | Make sure your passport and visa are both valid, and that you have the right visas if you're stopping over in other countries. |
| Flights | Book your flights home and confirm travel arrangements. |
| Packing | Allow six weeks to sort through and pack your belongings. |
| Tax | If you have earned an income and paid tax, you'll need to lodge a tax return . |
| Children | If you have children, let the school or childcare centre they attend know when you're leaving. |
| Pets | If you're taking pets with you, make travel arrangements for them. Or you may wish to give them away to a good home – you can contact RSPCA Victoria for advice. |
| Renting | Make sure to notify your landlord, estate agent or housemates in writing at least four weeks before you plan to move out of your house or flat. For more information about ending a lease or residency, go to Consumer Affairs Victoria . |
- Graduation Make sure you apply to graduate in your final teaching period – no need to wait for your results.
- Visitor visa If you’d like to stay in Australia to attend your ceremony but your student visa is set to expire before your graduation, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) .
- Academic record If you need a copy before graduation, see academic records (transcripts) .
- Tax If you have earned an income and paid tax, you'll need to lodge a tax return .
- Pets If you're taking pets with you, make travel arrangements for them. Or you may wish to give them away to a good home – you can contact RSPCA Victoria for advice.
- Renting Make sure to notify your landlord, estate agent or housemates in writing at least four weeks before you plan to move out of your house or flat. For more information about ending a lease or residency, go to Consumer Affairs Victoria .
| Topic | Action |
|---|---|
| Freight/shipping | Check freight costs and organise how to send your things home. |
| Customs | Check customs and quarantine rules to see what you can take home. |
| Fees | Don't forget to pay any unpaid University fees or fines. |
| Health cover | Submit any outstanding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) claims or apply for a refund. |
| Graduate research students | Organise how thesis corrections and binding will be handled. For more information, see thesis preparation and submission . |
| Topic | Action |
|---|---|
| Renting | Make sure you: arrange to have your phone, gas, water and electricity disconnected pay any outstanding bills clean your rental property and arrange for an inspection return the keys and request the return of your bond. |
| Topic | Action |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Update the Web Enrolment System (WES) with your overseas address. |
| Arrange for the post office to forward your mail . | |
| Keep in touch | You can register your details with the Alumni Relations office if you’d like. |
| Bank accounts | Close your bank accounts. |
| Borrowed items | Return borrowed items (e.g. library books, videos or household items). |
| Goodbyes | Leaving friends and staff with whom you've shared your University experience can sometimes be difficult. You'll want to allow time to say goodbye to them. |