Your First-Week Arrival Checklist for Australia and New Zealand

Before you board: what to keep in your hand luggage

The smoothest arrivals start before you land. Keep your passport, visa grant or eVisa notice, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for Australia or Offer of Place for New Zealand, and your accommodation address in your carry-on — not in checked baggage. Have a printed or screenshot copy in case your phone is flat.

Both countries have strict biosecurity rules, but they run different systems, so check each one separately. You must declare food, plant material, wooden items and medicines on your incoming passenger card. When in doubt, declare it — there is no penalty for declaring, but undeclared items can lead to action under each country's rules. For Australia, confirm the current rules with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the biosecurity authority) and the Australian Border Force; for New Zealand, check the New Zealand Customs Service before you pack.

• Passport, visa/eVisa notice, and CoE (Australia) or Offer of Place (NZ)
• Accommodation address and a contact name/number for your first nights
• Any prescription medicines with the original packaging and a doctor's letter
• Some local cash or a travel card for the first day's transport and food

Day 1 — Airport, transport and your first night

After immigration and baggage, head to the official taxi rank, rideshare pickup, airport shuttle or train. Many universities run free or low-cost airport pickup services for new international students during peak intake weeks — check your university's international student page and book in advance if it is offered.

Get to your temporary or permanent accommodation, confirm your check-in, and rest. Note the nearest supermarket and pharmacy. Save your accommodation's full address and your university's international student support number in your phone.

Days 2–3 — Connectivity, money and essentials

Sort out the basics that everything else depends on. Buy a local prepaid SIM so you can receive calls and verification codes, then start opening a local bank account — many Australian and New Zealand banks let you begin the application online before arrival and finish it in branch with your passport and student documents.

Pick up everyday essentials: an Opal, Myki, Go Card, AT HOP or Bee Card transport smartcard for your city; basic groceries; and any bedding or kitchen items your accommodation does not provide.

• Buy a prepaid SIM and confirm your number works
• Open or activate a local bank account (bring your passport)
• Get your city's public-transport smartcard and register for concession fares if eligible
• Locate the nearest GP/medical centre and pharmacy

Days 4–5 — University check-in and enrolment

Complete your university's international student check-in or arrival registration — this is often a separate step from academic enrolment and may be needed to keep your CoE or visa status in good standing. Bring your passport, visa, and offer documents.

Finalise your course enrolment, collect your student ID card, and set up your student email and learning portal. Attend Orientation (O-Week): it is the fastest way to learn the campus, meet people, and get answers from staff in person.

Days 6–7 — Health cover, safety and settling in

Activate your health cover. In Australia, register your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) membership with your insurer and download their app or card. In New Zealand, confirm the health and travel insurance your provider requires, as the rules differ from Australia.

Save the local emergency number — it is 000 in Australia and 111 in New Zealand — for police, fire and ambulance. Note your campus security number and your country's nearest consulate. Finally, start your housing search if you are in temporary lodging, and explore your neighbourhood so it begins to feel like home.

• Activate OSHC (Australia) or confirm required insurance (New Zealand)
• Save emergency numbers: 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand
• Note campus security and your nearest consulate contact
• Begin a longer-term housing search if you arrived into temporary accommodation