Arriving in Sydney
Before you fly
Before you leave your home, there are some important things you can do to prepare, to ensure your arrival in
Australia is as smooth as possible.
When should I arrive?
We recommend booking a flight as early as possible and arrive a few weeks before enrolment. This gives you
time to arrange suitable accommodation and to adjust to life in Sydney. You should arrive to Australia no later
than 1 week before your course starts, so you don’t miss the Orientation week organised for you.
Travel insurance
We advise you to purchase travel insurance when you book your flights to Australia. Your travel insurance
should cover you for two or three days after you arrive in Australia, in case you experience delays. Your travel
agent should be able to help you organise this.
Money
It is a good idea to arrive with some Australian money. Around A$250 in cash is a good amount to start with.
We recommend that you do not travel with large amounts of cash for your safety. Note that if you bring
A$10,000 or more in cash to Australia (or equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it to Australian
customs when you arrive. You can find more information about declaring currency on the Australian Border
Force website.
It is also helpful to have a credit card for emergencies. The most common credit cards used in Australia are
Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Diners Club credit cards are also accepted by some
businesses.
Sydney Airport
If you arrive in Sydney on an international flight, you will arrive at Sydney Airport.
On the plane, you will be given an incoming passenger card. You will need to fill in your flight details and
customs information.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need your passport and incoming passenger card for the entry control
point.
When you have passed through the entry control point, you will collect your baggage and exit the terminal via
customs and quarantine.
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
E: [email protected]
Quarantine, customs and goods to declare
Australian customs and quarantine regulations restrict you from bringing certain items into Australia and you
must declare some items on your incoming passenger card.
If you are carrying any restricted or quarantine items, including food, medication, wooden material, plant
material or animal products, you must declare them. Alternatively, you can place them in the quarantine bins
when you arrive at the airport.
To declare an item, tick 'yes' on your incoming passenger card.
If you are unsure about an item you are carrying, declare it by ticking 'yes'.
All luggage is screened using a combination of specially trained dogs, x-ray machines and bag inspections on
arrival in Australia. If you do not declare any restricted or quarantine items, or if you make a false declaration,
you risk severe penalties.
For more information about what to declare, visit the Australian Border Force website and Australian
Department of Agriculture website.
Student Welcome Desk Service
When you arrive at Sydney International Airport, you will be able to visit the International Student Welcome
Desk. The Welcome Desk is staffed by student volunteers who will be able to help you with general
information and provide you with guides and maps for Sydney.
The Welcome Desk is located in Terminal 1, opposite Arrival Hall A. For detailed information on the location
please view the Sydney Airport International Student Welcome Desk Map. Open 7am-11am and 6pm-10pm, 7
days a week during semester intakes and weekends at other periods.
Transport
You can take the train or bus from Sydney Airport to your desired location.
Please remember to purchase an adult ticket as international students are not eligible for student transport
concession, and fines apply. You can find more details on the use of trains and buses at the Transport NSW
Information Page.
Train
Train is probably the easiest transport option in between the airport and the city. A single ticket can be
purchased for A$17. Airport Link is a fast and convenient way to reach the centre of Sydney. Trains run
approximately every 10 minutes and the journey to the city takes only 13 minutes. For more information
please visit http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/go/by-train.aspx.
Bus
There are many bus services that operate to and from Sydney Airport. See the options below to determine
which service best suits your needs.
For more information please visit http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/go/buses-limousines-and-shuttles.aspx.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport. The taxi stand is located outside the international terminal.
Taxis
The cost can vary between A$15 and A$70 depending on where you travel to (or more if you are travelling
beyond the inner city area). Try this Taxi Fare Calculator to get your estimate taxi fare cost from the airport to
your address.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable journey to your home away from home.