Excelsia College > Study > International Students > When you arrive
When you arrive in Sydney, Australia
All you need to know upon your arrival in Sydney, Australia.
Remember to fill out the Future Student Form
Immigration and Customs
Australia’s biosecurity inspection and quarantine regulations are very particular about keeping diseases and pests out of the country that could devastate the agricultural and dairy industry. That’s why there are food, plant material, animal products and some medicines that are forbidden from entering the country. Please take the time to read what items are prohibited from entering Australia.
Before you land in Australia, you will receive an Incoming Passenger Card. You must declare any food, plant material, animal products and medicines that you have with you. An officer at Customs will inspect this. Should you fail to declare, you may receive a fine. If you have items you don’t wish to declare, you can dispose of them in quarantine bins in the airport terminal. Also don’t be afraid to ask airline staff if you have any questions, they will only be too happy to help.
If you are bringing any medicine and unsure whether or not they are prohibited, please contact your nearest Australian diplomatic mission. You can locate the list of Australian diplomatic mission’s here.
If you are carrying more than AU$10,000 in cash, you must also declare this on your Incoming Passenger Card. Rather than carrying large sums of money, it is advised that you arrange for an electronic transfer of funds into your Australian bank account once it has been opened.
For more information read:
Arriving in Australia – Declare it: You must declare all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Further details can be found at the link here: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/
Arriving Travellers: The following website provides information for arriving travellers on documents required for customs clearance, information for sea travellers and items you must declare on arrival (including cash/currency) www.agriculture.gov.au/travelling/travel-agent-resources/factsheet-travelling-returning
Can I pack that? – Dangerous Goods App: Are the items you’re packing safe to fly? This app helps inform you about what you can and can’t pack in your luggage, and You’ll also receive information about how to safely bring Goods with you. Download for: Android – external site iOS
Duty-free Concessions: The following website lists the duty-free concessions available to travellers entering or returning to Australia. Information is available in multiple languages. www.sydneyairport.com.au/info-sheet/duty-free-allowances-for-arriving-passengers
Baggage Allowances
Baggage allowances flying into Australia will vary according to your carrier, flight class and country of origin. Economy passengers are generally permitted 1 x checked luggage (20-30kg depending on airlines) and 1 x carry-on (7kg) for international flights. For specific information, please check with your carrier prior to departure.
If you are travelling on domestic flights within Australia, you can only check in 20kgs. This will significantly limit the amount of things you can bring, especially if you will fly within Australia to get to your final destination. Therefore, decide very carefully what essential items you need with you. You will be able to purchase most things upon arrival in Australia but please be aware the price may be higher than in your own country.
Transport to Excelsia College
Use the Trip Planner to plan a trip on public transport:
Directions:
Go to Sydney Airport Domestic or Sydney Airport International Train Station.
At either of these stations go to the appropriate platform.
Catch the train to Central Station and change to the appropriate platform (the North Shore Line) for your train to Chatswood. Change at Chatswood for your train to Macquarie Park Station.
Travel time is approximately 1 hour.
The rail line between Epping and Chatswood was upgraded in May 2019 with a new Sydney Metro Northwest train service that now delivers high-frequency, turn-up-and-go commuter trains every four minutes at peak times!
Excelsia is well serviced by the Sydney Metro. To learn more about travelling by train to Excelsia, see below.
Timetables
Plan bus and train trips in real time by using the Transport for NSW trip planner or download any of these Trip planning apps.
Payment
Public transport to our campus uses the pre-paid Opal card system. The cost to use Sydney’s public transport network, where to buy an Opal card, how to use your Opal card and other key information can be found on the Opal card website
Weather
Summer in Australia is from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November. For most of the country the hottest months are January and February.
If you arrive in June or July, the coldest months of the year, you may need to bring or buy winter clothing and blankets. You may also need to purchase a heater once you arrive.
Mobile Phones and Laptops
Please visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority before purchasing a mobile phone, laptop, or any communication devices. Previously, students have brought in their own laptops with internal modems only to discover that they were unable to use their modem in Australia. In order to function in Australia, these built-in modems must be Austel Approved.
If you have owned and used the item over a year before arriving, they are allowed in tax-free. Please ensure you have a receipt or proof of the date of purchase with you in case evidence is required. Computers which are less than 12 months old and over the value of $400 Australian dollars may attract Goods and Services tax (GST) at a rate of 10 per cent. Consideration is given as to whether or not you intend to export the computer at the conclusion of your studies.
To satisfy the Customs Officer that you will be taking the computer out of Australia, please bring a statutory declaration (a written declaration witnessed by the certifying authority in your country) stating that the computer is for use during your studies in Australia, and that you intend to take it back with you when you complete your studies. You may be required to give an undertaking under Section 162 and provide a cash security to Australia Customs upon arrival.
