International Students

• Why La Trobe
• Courses and research
• Apply and accept
• Fees, scholarships & loans
• Predeparture and arrival
  • Before you leave
    • Pre-departure guide
    • Quarantine and customs
    • Airport reception
    • Temporary accommodation
    • Banking and finances
  • When you arrive
  • Settling in
  • Visas
• Accommodation & life in Australia
• Education Abroad programs
• Student life and services
• Contact La Trobe International

To prepare you for your arrival in Australia, download the Pre-departure Guide full version (PDF 5.19MB) or the text only/print version (PDF 4.20MB).

Please note: Pre-departure guide correction p. 16 - the supermarkets Coles and Safeway in Summerhill Village are open 7am to midnight, not 6am to midnight.

Pre-departure checklist

We recommend you plan to arrive in Australia at least one week before the Welcome Festival Orientation program commences. This allows sufficient time to register your arrival with La Trobe International and to search for and/or settle into your accommodation, before activities begin. 

Book ahead:

• Airport reception booking form
  
• Temporary accommodation
  
• If you wish to live on-campus, visit our On-campus Accommodation page; consider the options and follow the links to the online forms.

Arriving on a weekend?

If you arrive on a weekend or public holiday you will find that most University offices are closed. Where possible, we recommend that you arrive on a weekday.

If you do arrive on a weekend, bring a copy of our Weekend Survival Guide. It contains important information that will help you to settle in and orient yourself:

• Weekend survival guide for Melbourne (Bundoora) campus students (pdf 59kb)
• Weekend survival guide for Bendigo campus students (pdf 59kb)
• Weekend survival guide for Albury-Wodonga campus students (pdf 37kb)

What to bring with you:

• Valid passport containing a current student visa
• Letter of Offer and Acceptance Form 
• Receipts for any payments made to the University
• Letter of award of scholarship (if applicable)
• Other official identification e.g. drivers licence, national ID card, etc
• Any medical records (particularly of immunisations), and necessary medication/prescriptions
• Australian currency for when you first arrive
• Your Pre-departure information
• Welcome Festival orientation and enrolment information
• A jacket or jumper (sweater) packed in your hand luggage in case its cold.

Before you leave home, why not:

• Listen to Australian radio e.g. via the Internet or Radio Australia
• Read Australian books, newspapers, magazines (online and hard-copy) to keep up-to-date with current affairs
• Explore publications and websites on Australian society and culture
• Introduce yourself to the Australian educational culture via publications such as Studying in Australia, B Ballard and J Clanchy, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne, 1988.
• Consider opening a bank account in Australia before you leave home. You can open a student account with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, enabling you to transfer funds to Australia before you arrive.

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.