Before leaving home, ensure you understand and have accepted your offer. There are some important things you should know and do before leaving, and once you arrive. Find out here about booking accommodation, pre-departure information and the International Welcome Festival.
Understanding your Letter of Offer
Unconditional offers
If you have received an offer with no conditions (unconditional) you can accept this offer at any time.
Conditional offers
- English language conditions
If you have received a conditional offer, please note that this is not a full offer. You must fulfill the condition(s) stated in your letter of offer before it can be changed to a full offer. However, you can accept this offer if you are intending to meet the English condition by completing English for Further Studies at La Trobe International College.
Please note: English test results must be no more than 2 years old.
- Academic conditions
If academic conditions apply to your offer, e.g. completing your current studies, you must provide evidence that you have met the condition before or when you accept your offer.
- Original/Certified documentation conditions
You will not be permitted to enrol without providing original or original certified copies of all academic transcripts. If you have received an offer but did not submit original or original certified copies of all academic transcripts with your application, you will be required to provide these before or when you arrive at the University.
Credit for previous studies (Advanced Standing/recognition of prior learning)
If credit for your previous studies has been approved, you will receive a letter from the relevant faculty in addition to your letter of offer. The course duration shown on your letter of offer will reflect the amount of credit received.
Deadlines
For most courses, there is no official acceptance deadline, however, we strongly advise you to accept as soon as possible.
If an acceptance deadline applies to your offer it will be specified in your letter of offer.
Student visas can take from 1 to 16 weeks to be processed, and even longer in some cases. Allow yourself as much time as possible to complete all acceptance and visa procedures. This will help to ensure you arrive by the specified commencement date.
How to accept
To accept your offer, click here for step-by-step acceptance instructions.
Please note: If La Trobe University makes you an offer of a place and you accept it, you will be issued with an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) form which you can then use to apply for a student visa at your nearest Australian diplomatic mission. A comprehensive list of diplomatic missions is available from the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade website. For more information please see the visas page
Visas
It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain and maintain a valid passport and student visa to enter Australia for study purposes. If La Trobe University makes you an offer of a place and you accept it, you will be issued with an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) form which you can then use to apply for a student visa at your nearest Australian diplomatic mission. A comprehensive list of diplomatic missions is available from the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade website. You will be required to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Overseas Student Health Cover is the minimum level of health insurance international students and their dependants are required to purchase as a condition of their student visa.
Please note that it is condition of your student visa that you maintain current OSHC for the duration of your visa. If you need to extend your OSHC (e.g. you fail some units and need to extend your time here), it is your responsibility to do this directly with the OSHC provider. You must provide proof of OSHC to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) before your visa is issued. A list of OSHC providers is available from the Department of Health and La Trobe University currently has an agreement with OSHC Worldcare, a private health fund, to provide OSHC.
Don't forget to book ahead
- Airport reception booking form
- Temporary accommodation
- If you wish to live on-campus, visit our on-campus acccommodation page
What to bring with you
- Valid passport and current student visa
- Letter of Offer, and signed Acceptance Form
- Receipts for any payments made to the University
- Letter of award of scholarship (if applicable)
- Other official identification e.g. driver's license
- Any medical records (particularly of immunisations)
- Australian currency for when you first arrive
- Your predeparture information
- Welcome Festival orientation and enrolment information
- A jacket or jumper (sweater) packed in your hand luggage in case it's cold
What not to bring with you
A number of materials are not permitted into Australia by customs. These include items such as foods like dairy products (including eggs), large sums of money, plants and more. Please refer to the government website for more detailed information.
Reminders from home
Don't forget to pack photos of your home, family and friends, as well as any items to make your new surroundings feel more comfortable and familiar. Bring your favourite music or recipes for cooking some of your favourite dishes. Even simple things like newspapers, books and magazines from home can be nice reminders.
When you arrive, check out our Arrival checklist for guidance.
Welcome Festival Orientation Program
All international students new to La Trobe University are strongly advised to attend a five day International Student Welcome Festival Orientation.
Success in your studies can depend on your adjustment to study at La Trobe University and to living in Melbourne, Bendigo or Albury-Wodonga. The Welcome Festival is designed to assist you in the first days and weeks by providing a range of important information sessions for new international students as well as opportunities to meet many other Australian and international students and make new friends.
You should plan to arrive in Australia in time to attend the Welcome Festival.