UWA College pre-arrival guide 

Watch our video to find out all you need to know about accepting your offer, including paying your deposit and other important steps for preparing to study in Perth.

You’ll need an Australian student visa to study in Australia as an international student. Normally, the visa you get will be a Subclass 500 visa, which allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years, in line with your study plan. On this visa, you’re usually allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours every two weeks during term time and unlimited hours during study breaks. 

To apply for your Subclass 500 visa, you’ll need to provide several documents as proof that you’re studying and that you have the required level of English. You may also need to have a health test. 

As an international student in Australia, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your student visa from an approved Australian health provider. UWA’s preferred provider is Medibank. You should have confirmed your OSHC when you accepted your offer to study at UWA College. 

Find out how to apply for an Australian student visa or watch our video that explains the whole process.

By joining us at UWA College, you have access to a variety of accommodation options. Choose from:

• one of three UWA on-campus residential colleges

• city center shared apartments in purpose-built student housing (must be booked directly with providers)

• a homestay experience.

You may have already selected your accommodation option when applying for your program. But if you didn’t, not to worry, UWA College can still help you find somewhere to live. 

Find out more about your accommodation options and how to book. 

When flying into Australia to study as an international student, aim to arrive a few days before Orientation Week starts. This will give you plenty of time to settle into your new city and rest up. Once you step foot on campus on the first day of Orientation Week, we'll take care of the rest and help you settle into your studies at UWA College.

When it comes to the day of your flight, remember that things may take longer at the airport – such as going through security – so give yourself lots of time. 

To help make your arrival into Australia easy and stress-free, you can take advantage of UWA's free airport transfer service to take you from Perth Airport to your accommodation.

Book your free airport transfer online through Elegant Charters at least 3 days before your arrival.

If you haven't opted for an airport pickup service, you should make your own travel arrangements. To ensure you arrive in time to attend UWA College Orientation Week, please plan your journey accordingly.

There are a number of transport options available from the airport. The Perth Airport train line operates every 12 minutes and will take you directly to the city. There are also several bus services, including the City Shuttle bus service, which stops outside each Perth Airport terminal. Additionally, taxis and rideshare options are available. Taxi ranks are located at the front of all terminals, and rideshare pick up zones are marked clearly.

For a smooth start at UWA College, complete these tasks before Orientation Week:

• submit your Commencement Form

• complete the Technology Module

• register for and attend Pre-start and under-18 webinars

• check the Orientation Week schedule and details.

Firstly, ensure you have your flight ticket and important documents in your bag, such as:

• passport

• visa

• Letter of Offer

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

• OSHC certificate

• academic transcripts.

For packing your suitcase, you’ll want to include a variety of clothing considering Perth’s warm climate. As Australia’s sunniest capital city, the average temperature in January is 31°C (87.8°F); July is usually the coldest month at a mild 13°C (55°F). You can pack t-shirts, shorts/skirts and a hat for hot weather, and sweatshirts and a coat for cooler days.

You’ll find that most students in Australia wear casual clothes on campus, such as t-shirts and jeans, or shirts with trousers or a skirt/dress. And if you’re planning to explore the great outdoors in Australia, you’ll also want to pack hiking boots, a backpack and any other kit you need for outdoor activities.

Packing tip: buy bulky items when you arrive, as well as household items such as bed linen and towels. Shopping is easy in Perth – you'll find plenty of choice and reasonable prices. 

Important note: Australia has strict border controls, which means there are certain items you can’t bring into the country. When you arrive, you must declare: 

• any food, plant material and animal items (there are some food items you won’t be able to bring into Australia, such as homemade foods, fresh fruit, rice, and some teas) 

• currency amounts of AUD $10,000 and over (or foreign equivalent in another currency) 

• some medicines (there are some medicines, including herbal medicines, that you won’t be able to bring into the country). 

For more on what you can (and can't) bring into Australia, see Study Australia’s advice and UWA College’s What to Pack guide.

We advise arriving in Perth during the weekend before Orientation Week. You may be able to arrive earlier if your accommodation contract allows.

It’s perfectly normal to miss the familiarity of your home life when you move abroad to study. Our dedicated Student Services team really care about your wellbeing and are there to provide all the support and help you need.

We understand that students under 18 need extra care and support. If you’re under 18, we’ve got you covered and have a bespoke U18’s team at UWA College who specialize in assisting students to settle into life in Perth. For any questions and advice, you can email us at uwac-under18support@uwa.edu.au

You'll receive your timetable via email, at the end of Orientation Week.

You’ll need an Australian phone number while you’re living in Perth. There are a number of different mobile phone plans to suit your lifestyle. The providers that are most popular are: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. You can purchase and activate an Australian SIM card once you are in Australia, prior to Orientation Week. You'll also need to set up an Australian bank account while you’re living here. Otherwise, you will pay a lot in international transaction fees! There are a number of banks to choose from in Australia, such as ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac. During Orientation Week, we will also bring students to the city to help them open up a bank account in person.