International students FAQs

Learn more about travelling to Melbourne, transitioning to life in the city and on-campus learning.

International students FAQs

I want to plan my travel

  • If you are enrolling in standard Semester 1 or 2 subjects, aim to arrive before Orientation starts.   

    This will enable you to

    • Make the most of the orientation activities that will be scheduled
    • Get settled before the start of your classes
    • Attend classes from the start of semester.

    Always check the teaching start date for your subjects in the subject entry in the Handbook.

  • UniTravel is the University’s own travel program, supported by ATPI. The service has many benefits including access to discounted airfares and up-to-date general travel advice. UniTravel is with you every step of the way, including rebooking flights, should your flights be cancelled or rescheduled. 

    In an added safety and wellbeing measure, flights booked with UniTravel are visible to us here at the University. This means staff can monitor any significant disruptions or delays to your journey and can support you with any changes to your travels plans, right through to your arrival in Melbourne.

    If you would like book your travel through UniTravel please contact student.unitravel@atpi.com or +61 3 9035 5666. This supported service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Like other travel services, any booked airfare will be subject to the conditions set by the chosen airline.

    If students choose to explore a booking with UniTravel, all the terms and conditions will be made clear when selecting a flight and communicated by our travel consultants.

  • Find out all about the range of accommodation options at Melbourne.

    If you are looking for accommodation close to the Parkville campus, check out the range of University accommodation options, available exclusively to students. Dedicated staff are available to assist you with your options and support your arrival in Melbourne.

  • Students with families that include young children typically organise accommodation via the private rental market in Melbourne. There are a range of commercial websites available listing properties for rent in the suburbs close to campus, and students are encouraged to contact the rental agents promoting these properties directly for support and advice on arranging an inspection once you arrive in Melbourne.

  • Find information to get started in setting up your bank account in Australia. Remember to do your own research or drop into a branch to get your questions answered.

  • Yes, airport pickup is available to new international students arriving at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine). See our Airport pickup service page for more details.

  • Study Melbourne is an excellent resource for learning about the cost of living in Melbourne. For more information, see Study Melbourne's Cost of living in Victoria page.

  • We strongly encourage students travelling to Melbourne to book a flexible ticket that allows rescheduling should you be unable to make your flight.

  • If you are planning to return home over the summer period, you should ensure you have a valid student visa and have made the necessary travel arrangements to return to Melbourne  ahead of your classes commencing.

    If you are prevented from returning due to unforeseen circumstances that arise while you are outside of Australia:

    • Apply for a Leave of Absence if you are unable to study due to compassionate and compelling reasons
    • Withdraw from your course and reapply at a later stage when you can return and meet student visa requirements.

I've recently arrived in Melbourne

  • Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network, as well as an extensive system of trains and buses. Find all the ways you can move around in Melbourne via public transport.

    Keep the link to campus maps handy during your first days on campus so you can easily plan your routes between classes.

  • Please visit our student life page which highlights featured events across semester and helpful links to get involved with campus life.

  • Yes, for information on clubs and societies, please see UMSU's Clubs and Societies page and the GSA’s Grad Group page.

Visa information

  • You should also check that your visa does not expire earlier than your expected course completion date. For more information on visas, visit the student visa page.

  • It is important that you check your student visa requirements and apply for one as soon as possible if you do not yet have a student visa to study in Australia. As you may be aware, the government is working through many thousands of international student visas so please do allow enough time for your application to be processed.  Processing times are regularly updated on the Department of Home Affairs website.

    We strongly recommend applying for a student visa as soon as you have your Confirmation of Enrolment and as soon as possible to allow enough time for processing your application to enable your travel to Melbourne in time for the start of classes.

    Visa delays can be considered compassionate and compelling, if you do not receive you visa in time to commence the half-year you can apply for a leave of absence.

  • Check the key dates for your subjects in the Handbook carefully and if need be contact  Stop 1 for advice regarding your enrolment decisions.

  • You cannot extend a visa, but you can apply for a new subsequent visa should you need longer to complete your course due to approved reasons. For information about how you extend your visa, please see Renewing your student visa (unimelb.edu.au).

Staying COVIDSafe

Support services for you

  • If you have further queries that are not answered in the FAQs above, please contact Stop 1.

  • Book a virtual or phone appointment with specialist course advisers to get questions answered about course planning and enrolment.

    Alternatively, you can contact Stop 1 to get connected with a full range of support services.

  • In the first instance, speak to your subject coordinator as it may be possible to access online material such as lecture recordings to support you in your study for the period you are away. Extensions of up to ten days can be granted by your Faculty when absences impact assessment. Beyond ten days, or if you are ineligible for an extension, existing Special Consideration provisions will continue to apply for students who experience ill health or other challenges impacting their studies.

  • If you have a medical condition that is appropriately documented via a Health Professional Report, which includes restrictions for on campus activity, contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice regarding ongoing support and reasonable adjustments.

    If your condition is not documented and you remain anxious about attending campus, you may wish to contact Counselling and Psychological Services, the University Health Service, or your local GP for further advice.

    While most courses and subjects are offered on campus, some online subjects may be available as part of your course and you can check the Handbook to see if this is the case.

    Please visit our COVID Safe campus information to find out what measures the University has put in place to support your safety and wellbeing to enable you to study on campus.

  • While most courses and subjects are offered on campus, some online subjects may be available as part of your course and you can check the Handbook to see if this is the case.

    If you are not able to find subjects to take online, contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice regarding ongoing support and reasonable adjustments in line with each subject’s delivery mode

    Please visit our Covid Safe campus information page to find out what measures the University has put in place to support your safety and wellbeing to enable you to study on campus.