Departure checklist
Before you leave your home, there are some important things you can do to prepare to ensure your arrival in Australia is as smooth as possible.
Passport
Check your passport and make sure it is valid.
Student visa
You are obligated to make yourself aware of the responsibilities attached to your student visa and ensure you do not breach your visa conditions.
Visit: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas for more information on visa conditions.
Mandatory medical examination
As part of your visa conditions, you must be examined by one of the Department’s approved panel physicians or clinics. See how to contact a panel physician by finding the immigration office nearest to you.
Medical and dental
We recommend you have an optical and dental check-up before you leave home, just to make sure you do not have optical or dental issues when you arrive.
Accommodation
Choose to live on or off-campus while you study with CDU. Whether you are moving interstate or to Australia from a different country, you’ll find your home away from home. Accommodation options can be found online here.
Travel
Book your flights, make sure you will arrive at least one week before the start of classes, so you can attend the Orientation week.
Insurance
We recommend taking out travel insurance, this is in addition to your compulsory health insurance.
Customs and quarantine
Check the Australian Customs and Quarantine website for more information about Australian regulations and pack items that you need to declare separately on arrival.
Currency
Please ensure you arrive in Australia with enough AUD currency to get you through your first few days (we recommend AU$500). There are plenty of banks and currency converters if you need to convert any currency into Australian dollars when you get here.
Paperwork
You will need to have all your paperwork organised including your visa grant notice, letter of offer from CDU and ELICOS institute (if applicable), Letter of scholarship award (if applicable) and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). These can be in electronic copy or paperwork.
What to bring with you
Aside from personal belongings and clothing, you must ensure you bring the following documents with you:
- Short-sleeve shirts, skirts and/or shorts
- Long-sleeved shirt, pants, jeans and jacket
- Rain jacket and umbrella
- Casual shoes, sandals and/or flip flops
- Dress shoes
- Running shoes
- Sleepwear
- Socks
- Undergarments
- Sunscreen and insect repellent is a must
- Hat
- Swimming suit
- Sunglasses
- Mobile phone + charger
- Comb or hairbrush
- Travel plug/adaptor
- Small sentimental items (pictures of your family& friends, personal diary)
- Doctor letters for ongoing medical conditions
- Personal medical records and any medication prescriptions
- Travel-sized toiletries (you can purchase full-sized items in Australia).
Download the planning checklist
Airport collection
We organise a free airport pickup from Darwin International Airport to your accommodation during peak arrival periods (February and July).
If you wish to access this service, please complete the Arrival and Airport Pickup Form in the link below no later than 72 hours before you depart. You will receive a confirmation email when a booking has been organised for you. This service is not guaranteed for requests that are received less than 72 hours before your departure.
Arrival and Airport Pickup Form
Learn about your new home
There's an abundance of information about Darwin, Alice Springs and Sydney available online, and it is important to do some research before you arrive.
Life in Australia may be very different from your home country and may take some adjustment. Australia is famous for its multiculturalism and is very accepting of people from other cultures.
Each city is very different, and we encourage you to do some travelling while you're here. Learn more about studying in Darwin, Alice Springs or Sydney.