Studying in Australia: what to do in your first month

Before you fly: documents, bags and the quarantine declaration

Australia is strict about what you bring in, especially food, plant material, seeds and animal products. You complete a declaration on arrival, and the safest approach is to declare anything you are unsure about and let an officer decide. Thai snacks, dried foods and herbal products are common items students want to bring, so read the rules from the official biosecurity authority before you pack, since a fine or a seizure is a poor start to a course.

Carry your passport, visa evidence, your course offer or enrolment confirmation, your accommodation address and proof of health cover in hand luggage. Photograph them and keep a copy in cloud storage.

Your first days: reaching your accommodation and getting online

Plan the airport transfer in advance. Australian airports usually connect to city centres by train or bus, but late arrivals and heavy bags may justify a pre-booked ride. Take photographs of the building entrance and your room number, and message your host or landlord from the airport so they know you are coming.

1. 1Activate data on arrivalInstall a travel eSIM before you leave Thailand and switch it on after landing, so maps and ride apps work straight away.
2. 2Buy a transit cardEach state has its own system, so check which card your city uses and whether your student status gives a concession.
3. 3Report your addressGive your education provider your Australian address as required, because they may need to contact you about your enrolment.
4. 4Rest and eatDo not schedule appointments for the first day or two.

Student health cover and finding a doctor

International students are normally required to hold overseas student health cover for the length of their stay, arranged through the school or an approved provider. Read your policy in the first week. Find out what it covers, what you pay yourself, how to claim and whether you need to pay at the clinic and claim back later. Dental, optical and some mental health services may be partly or not covered, so ask the insurer.

Look for a medical clinic near home or campus and check whether it bulk-bills students or charges a gap. Many campuses have a student health service. This is general guidance, and your insurer and the clinic can confirm the details. In an emergency, the long-standing national number is 000, but confirm before you travel.

Bank account, cards and tax questions

Major banks offer accounts to students, and you can often start the process online before you arrive, then finish with ID in a branch. Bring your passport, proof of enrolment and your Australian address. Debit cards with tap-and-go are normal and card surcharges can apply in some shops, so check the sign at the till. Keep your Thai card active until the Australian account works, and tell your Thai bank you are abroad.

A tax file number is relevant mainly if you work, and whether and how you can apply depends on your visa conditions. Ask your education provider or read the official tax authority guidance rather than relying on a friend's story. Be cautious with any person who offers to arrange tax or a bank account for a fee.

Phone plans, eSIM and coverage outside cities

Australian prepaid plans are easy to find in shops, supermarkets and online, and most need ID to activate. A travel eSIM is a useful bridge in the first days. Coverage is strong in cities, but distances are large and some national parks, coastal drives and rural roads have patchy or no signal for any provider. Download offline maps for every road trip, tell someone your route and do not assume you can search for directions mid-journey.

Renting, bonds and household basics

Most rental agreements include a bond, a deposit that is normally lodged with a government body rather than kept by the landlord. Ask how this works in your state and keep a receipt. Fill in the condition report carefully on day one, photograph existing damage and send it back by the deadline, since it is what the landlord will compare against when you move out. Never pay for a room you have not verified, as fake listings target new arrivals.

Seasons, sun and daily life

Seasons are reversed compared with Thailand's northern-hemisphere neighbours, so a course starting in the middle of the year may begin in winter, and cities in the south can feel very cold indoors because heating and insulation are different from what you know. Pack layers. In summer, the sun can burn faster than you expect, so use sunscreen, a hat and shade, and take water on walks. Beaches have flagged swimming areas, and you should swim there and follow lifeguard signs.

Learn the wildlife basics, such as not feeding animals and checking local advice in parks. Shops may close earlier than you expect, so check opening hours on each shop's own page.

Safety, work and your budget in baht

If your visa allows work, learn the limits before you accept a shift, and be wary of jobs that pay in cash far below normal rates or ask you to give up documents. Your school and the official work-rights information are the sources to trust. Budget in Australian dollars and convert weekly into baht. Exchange rates and card fees vary, so keep a buffer for bond, bedding, textbooks and transport in month one.

See eSIM options for Australia