International Students

• Why La Trobe
• Courses and research
• Apply and accept
• Fees, scholarships & loans
• Predeparture and arrival
  • Before you leave
  • When you arrive
    • Arrival guide
    • Register and enrol
    • Welcome Festival orientation
    • Airport Reception
  • Settling in
  • Visas
• Accommodation & life in Australia
• Education Abroad programs
• International student services
• Contact La Trobe International

You will find useful information that will help with your arrival at La Trobe University in the My life at La Trobe guide (PDF 5.18MB), and the Arrival Checklist below.

Arrival checklist

Now that you're here there are a number of steps to take to settle into life at La Trobe. The following checklist will help you ensure you're well prepared to begin your studies.

Registration

Visit the La Trobe International (LTI) office to register your arrival and collect important arrival information. Download a Campus Map to make finding us easier.

LTI opening hours are:

• Melbourne campus: Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm.
• Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga campuses: Monday to Friday - 10am 12.30pm and 1.30-4pm

Health insurance

It is a visa requirement that students have valid Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of their course. 

La Trobe University has an agreement with OSHC Worldcare. Most students will purchase their health cover by paying an additional amount with their acceptance deposit, You will receive information on how to activate your account and receive your membership details when you register at LTI upon arrival.

If you already have OSHC, make sure you renew it. 

Most Norwegian and Swedish students hold health cover from their home government, and don't need to activate their accounts on arrival.

Enrolment

Enrolment is part of the Welcome Festival orientation. For details about enrolment visit the Register and Enrol page. Remember that it is essential that you attend your designated enrolment session.

Tax File Number (TFN)

You will need a TFN if you are planning to work, and you may also decide to pass it on to your bank. Applications are lodged at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO): Casselden Place, 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne or you can apply online on the ATO website. Remember that only students with Permission to Work (8105) condition on their student visa can work, and you must wait until your course commences before you begin working. 

Accommodation

Melbourne students:

If you are staying in temporary accommodation and need advice on finding permanent housing, visit or contact Student Accommodation Services, centrally located on the Ground Floor of Menzies College administrative offices. Make sure you attend the Accommodation (and how to find it) session at the Welcome Festival orientation. Student Housing Helpers can explain how the University's service works, how to access the accommodation database, how to call once you have found an advertisement you like... and a whole lot more.

Bendigo students:

Do you already have a place to stay? If you are staying in temporary accommodation and want advice on finding permanent housing, contact Residential Services located in the West Wing of the Old Engineering Building across from the Student Services Centre. You may wish to view the "Market Place" section of the Bendigo Student Association website in order to find off-campus accommodation with current students. Alternately you may wish to check listings with any of the local real estate agents in the Bendigo City.

Bank account

Did you open a bank account before arriving? If so, remember to go to your nominated branch and provide your identification so you can access your account. If not, you can now open an account at one of the banks or the credit union on campus, or a branch near your permanent accommodation. Be sure to ask about student accounts, as they attract lower account-keeping fees than other accounts.

Contact home

Your family and friends back home may be waiting to hear from you! Public phones can be found around the campus. Before enrolment you can access computers in the Library to email home. Once you have enrolled, you will have access to a free University email account and computing facilities.

Permanent address

You must give the University your address within seven days of arrival, and also keep us informed of any changes within seven days, as a condition of your student visa. You will be asked to provide at least your temporary address when you register your arrival.

Once you have your login and password details for StudentOnline you will be able to update your address online, but beforehand you will need to update your address at the Student Centre. You must update your correspondence address with your Overseas Student Health Cover company as well. Remember to notify your embassy too, if required, and any other relevant companies (i.e., banks, phone companies, etc.).