Before you leave

Before you leave

Get ready to live and study in Australia

• Applying for your student visa
• Information for students under 18
• Health checks and medications
• Overseas Student Health Cover

Get ready with our pre-arrival webinars Join our pre-arrival webinars and feel confident about your move to Australia.Each session focuses on a key stage of your journey – from enrolling in your course and finding accommodation, to travelling, settling in and making the most of Orientation. Meet Monash staff and students, ask all your questions, and get personalised, practical tips for starting at Monash. Find out more

Home country info sessions Want to attend a pre-arrival briefing in person? We host information sessions in select home countries to help you feel confident and prepared before you start studying at Monash.

When to arrive

We recommend arriving at least two weeks before classes begin. This gives you time to settle in, explore your campus, and join Orientation activities (like our dedicated International Student Day).

• Travel arrangements
• What to pack

Accommodation: short and long-term Check out your short-term options. Or apply now for long-term on-campus, homestay or purpose-built student accommodation – places are limited.

Start building your Monash community before you leave home Your Monash journey doesn’t begin when you land in Melbourne – it starts now. To help you feel connected, confident and supported from day one, Monash has partnered with Goin’, a platform that lets you meet other international students before you arrive in Australia.On Goin’, you can make new friends, contribute to student-led conversations and join groups based on shared interests and experiences. Check out Goin’ now

Pre-arrival checklist

Before you leave home, check you have:

completed your enrolment requirements

applied for your Australian student (or other) visa

organised Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

attended a pre-arrival briefing or webinar

considered the cost of living in Australia and prepared a budget

arranged short-term accommodation if needed (a place to stay while you look for something long-term)

applied for longer-term on-campus, homestay or purpose-built student accommodation

booked your flight to arrive in time for orientation (at least two weeks before classes start)

planned how to get from the airport to your accommodation

prepared an important documents file/folder

payment methods for once in Australia (e.g. purchased AUD $500–$1,000 in cash, or arranged a travel money card, debit card or international bank card for use in Australia)

organised child care or school for your children (if applicable)

obtained an English translation of your driver’s licence (if you have one) or an international driver’s licence

familiarised yourself with Australian customs and quarantine rules

made an appointment with your supervisor (if you’re a research student).

• Living expenses and budgeting
• Students coming with family

Videos for international students

Your pre-arrival guide to study Find out what you need to do before you leave home.

How to find accommodation Discover how to find the right place to live in Melbourne.

Cost of living in Melbourne Learn about the cost of living here and how to save money.

• Before you leave
• After you arrive
• During your studies
• Looking ahead