Prepare to arrive

Before applying for your visa, you will need to have accepted your offer and received your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). After that, you can apply for your student visa. 

All international students must have a visa to study at RMIT. Visa arrangements may take anywhere from a few weeks to six months to finalise depending on the assessment level of your country and other requirements set out by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Once you’ve received your student visa, you can start organising your flights!

Prior to departing your home country, you will need to keep up to date with Australia’s latest border policies on international arrivals, including vaccine requirements and Australian travel declarations. 

Visit the Australian Government Home Affairs website the to find out the latest news and updates.  

When booking flights, make sure you arrive with plenty of time to attend any registration or welcome sessions prior to your program’s commencement date.  

Melbourne gets cold and wet in winter, with an average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from June to August. It can also get hot in summer, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Summer runs from December to February.

However, Melbourne is famous for having “four seasons in one day”. We can have very cold days in summer, and warmer days in winter. So, no matter what time of year you arrive, pack clothes and shoes for all seasons including some warm pullovers/jumpers, jackets and covered/rain-proof shoes. 

Consider packing one formal outfit for any events or interviews you may need to attend. And if you wear glasses, don’t forget to pack a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your passport with student visa!

Pack a folder with of a copy of your RMIT offer letter, acceptance letter and electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), driver's license, birth certificate, emergency contact details, accommodation reference. 

If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before you leave and ask if there is anything you need from them to ensure continuity of treatment (e.g., a referral letter outlining your treatment and medication details).

You will need your banking information and bank card, it’s also useful to have a small amount of cash with you. Have a think about what valuables you would like to bring such as jewellery, camera, laptop, mobile phone or iPad. 

Before you move to Melbourne, you will need to organise your accommodation. There are many affordable accommodation options for international students in Melbourne. RMIT provides free services and resources to help you find somewhere to live that will suit your budget and preferences.

You also may want to consider temporary or short-term accommodation. This will enable you to become more familiar with the city and your surroundings so you can find long-term living arrangements that suits your needs, budget and requirements.  

It’s important to enrol in your classes before you commence your studies at RMIT. 

There are range of enrolment options depending on your program. Click the link below to refer to our International Student Enrolment webpage for detailed instructions on how to enrol into your program as an international student.

Once you’ve completed your enrolment, refer to our before semester starts checklist to ensure you’ve got everything ready to start your on-campus studies in Melbourne. 

RMIT is pleased to provide newly arriving international students with a one-off Cabcharge Digital Pass for their transportation from the airport to their accommodation.

Cabcharge Digital Pass is a single-used taxi voucher. No need to pay for anything during your travel unless your trip costs more than AU$100. 

You must have:

• Accepted your RMIT offer, received your CoE, booked your flight to Melbourne and be granted a valid student visa.
• Submitted this request at least five (5) business days prior to your arrival date.

You should submit your request one month before your scheduled arrival date.

If you submit this request with less than one business days’ notice before your arrival date, the Cabcharge Digital Pass will not be issued.

1. Once your request is approved, the Cabcharge Digital Pass will be sent to your RMIT student email within three (3) business days.
2. Check your taxi fare estimate using Taxi fare calculator. 
   
3. If your trip costs more than $100, you will have to pay for the fare difference yourself. Taxi driver can accept cash, debit and credit card. 
4. Before getting in the taxi, let the taxi driver know that you will using a Cabcharge Digital Pass and show them the Digital Pass you have on the phone. 
5. If the taxi driver refuses to take the Digital Pass, please do not get in the taxi as they will ask you to pay with debit/credit card or cash. You should then look for another taxi who accepts Cabcharge Digital Pass. 
6. If you wish to travel with a friend/s to the same destination, you can combine your Cabcharge Digital Pass with your friend/s to pay for the trip that costs more than AU$100. 
7. If you do not have an Australian mobile phone number, save your Digital Pass to Apple or Google wallet. This way you will be able to use it with any taxis. 
8. Do not add your Digital Pass to 13cabs or Silver Service booking app.

Look for the 'We proudly accept Cabcharge' sticker, which is clearly visible on both rear doors of the taxis. When this sticker is present on a car, it accepts Cabcharge. If you don’t see the sticker, the taxi may not accept Cabcharge.

• Taxi | Melbourne Airport 
• Taxi - Avalon Airport

In formal situations, it’s customary for people to shake hands when greeting each other.

People will usually introduce themselves to you by the name they prefer to be called. Australians usually prefer to be called by their first (given) name, including teachers and lecturers.

When you are in Australia, you must abide by Australian Federal and State laws. Specific laws apply against:

• swearing or spitting in a public space

• excessive noise in residential areas after 10pm and before 7am

• smoking inside public venues and anywhere on an RMIT campus.

Bribery is not part of the Australian culture – it is illegal in this country and is not accepted by society. 

When meeting someone for the first time, avoid topics about politics, relationships, sex, religion or financial income as they can be sensitive. These are personal topics that a person may not want to share with a stranger.

Topics that are okay to raise with new people include sports, films, music, hobbies, the weather etc. 

In Australia it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, social, political or religious beliefs.

Racial vilification (slandering or defaming someone on racial grounds) is also illegal.

Women in Australia are independent and may discuss a variety of issues openly. Women are equal in Australian culture and should be respected as such. 

If there is a crosswalk or crossing lights, use these to cross the road. Although it’s uncommon, you can be fined for not crossing at the lights especially in the city. 

It is polite to say 'excuse me' when trying to get someone's attention, exiting a conversation, or when trying to get past someone.

Don't forget to say 'please' when you're asking for something and 'thank you' when you receive something. 

Being on time is important in Australia, so make sure you check meeting times and places. Contact the person that you are meeting if you are running late or unable to make an appointment.

If you are late for a doctor or dentist appointment, you may have to pay a fee. 

You must form queues and wait in line when waiting to purchase something, waiting to get in a bus or tram, waiting at a bank etc. It is considered impolite to push in front of someone who was waiting before you.

Australians value their personal space so you should not stand too close when waiting behind someone or talking to someone.

Place rubbish in rubbish bins. If there are no rubbish bins, you should carry the rubbish until it can be put in a bin. You can be fined for throwing rubbish on the ground (littering). 

It is not rude to say 'no' to something you do not want. If you have been invited to go somewhere that you do not or cannot go to, say 'Thank you for the invite but I won't be able to make it'.

Do not feel pressured into drinking alcohol, taking drugs or having sex – it’s your right to say no if you don’t want to get involved. 

Smoking is prohibited on public transport and inside any public venues, including restaurants, bars, cinemas etc. and you can be fined. Smoking is also banned on all RMIT campuses.

If you’re at someone's home, it is polite to excuse yourself and smoke outside. 

Social functions such as barbeques (BBQs), dinners or parties are common and can be held in private homes, parks and restaurants.

BYO means 'bring your own' drinks or your own meat for a BBQ and will be indicated with the invitation.

When dining with a group in a restaurant, it is common for the cost to be split equally between each person in the group. 

Tipping is not compulsory or expected. Australians tip only when they feel that the service they have received has been particularly good.

RMIT offers a huge range of study support, social activities and other services for international students to help you achieve your study goals, stay happy and healthy, and know there is support and assistance when you need it.

RMIT’s range of student support services include:

• Pre-arrival support

• Social programs, events and clubs

• Study and English language support

• Career and job support

Student Connect is a one-stop service for current RMIT students to get help with a range of queries and issues. Student Connect is located on campus and online.

Student Connect can help with topics related to:

• Enrolment information

• Courses or program

• Fees or finance

• Results and graduation

• Timetables

• Wellbeing, support and housing

And many more topics. You can browse their range of support categories, find answers or submit a query on the Student Connect website.

The Medical Hub @ RMIT is a medical practice situated in the centre of RMIT’s main City campus, currently open to RMIT students, RMIT staff and the general public.  

The Medical Hub @ RMIT are open six days a week and offers GP services, vaccinations and various specialist health services. You can book your appointment online or by downloading their app.  

Direct Billing to OSHC insurers is available to enrolled RMIT students with OSHC Insurance with Medibank, AHM or BUPA.  

RMIT students with OSHC insurance not listed above will not attract an out-of-pocket fee but will be required to pay the rebate on the day of consultation and personally claim the full refund from their OSHC provider.

RMIT students must bring their RMIT Student card to every appointment for eligibility purposes only.