Before you leave

Moving to Sydney to study at Victoria University (VU) can be easy and enjoyable if you are organised.

We have lots of experience helping students to settle in. Check our advice and support services for information and contacts.

To get you started, here are some suggestions on how to prepare for studying at VU.

Accommodation

The biggest decision before you move to Sydney will be choosing where to live. Sydney is a big city with many suburbs to choose from as your new neighbourhood.

Where you live influences important factors such as:

travel times to university and work
cost of accommodation
proximity to your friends and the community.

Our preferred homestay provider is Australian Homestay Network (AHN), an accommodation service run in partnership with VU Sydney, which comes with a lot of benefits of its own.

If you’re looking at private accommodation, you should arrive in Sydney at least a month before you begin studying at university. We recommend booking temporary accommodation before you arrive.

Use the Insider Guides' cost of living calculator to find out how much it costs to live in Sydney, depending on your lifestyle.

As a condition of your student visa, you must have enough money to pay your course fees, and travel and living costs, for you and any accompanying family members while you are in Australia. You might need to provide evidence of your financial capacity with your visa application.

International student checklists

Being organised and prepared before you leave home will make your arrival so much easier.

Follow our pre-departure checklist to make sure you've filled in all the application paperwork in time to study with us.

: Before you leave, ensure you:

Follow the process for accepting your offer, making sure you've supplied all the paperwork.

Make the initial fee deposit payment (as indicated on your letter of offer).

Organise health insurance, to meet visa requirements.

Apply for your student visa: Include all the relevant documents listed on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) document checklist in your visa application. This includes your letter of offer and Confirmation of Enrolment (Coe), which we will send to you once you accept your offer.

Book your flight, leaving enough time before your start-study date to:
recover from jetlag

adjust to your new environment

find accommodation

attend your international student orientation session.

Register for your international orientation session.

Read the MyVU student guide.

VU Sydney & Brisbane student guide 2024 (PDF, 2.6 MB)
: Use our packing checklist to make sure you have all the documents you need for an easy transition into university life.

Sydney experiences cold and hot weather, so pack enough clothing for both.

Essential items and documents to bring with you include:

passport (make sure it is valid)

student visa and entry permit (if you have an e-visa, you’ll need to bring a hard copy with confirmation of your visa expiry date)

your International Student Written Agreement

a copy of your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)

receipt of your tuition fees payment

certified copies of:
academic qualifications

English proficiency

academic history (if applying for course credit - recognition of prior learning/advanced standing)

evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your study (bank statement or scholarship offer)

other official documentation, such as:
driver’s licence (with translation if required)

national ID card

certified copy of your (and, if applicable, your children’s) birth certificate (with translation if required)

marriage certificate if applicable (with translation if required)

written references in English from a:
previous employer (if you’re planning to work in Australia)

previous landlord (if you’re planning to rent in Australia)

doctor (for medical prescriptions)

contact details for VU Sydney:
phone: +61 2 8265 3222

email: [email protected] .

Arrival date

Make sure you arrive in Sydney in time to enrol for your course and attend your orientation session.

You should plan to arrive in Sydney at least 15 days before your course starts so that you can enrol and attend your international orientation.

Useful apps

Download these useful apps to help your transition to studying in Sydney:

Google Translate allows you to quickly translate more than 50 languages. You can use a voice input function or type in words and phrases.
myVEVO gives you access to your student visa conditions, study and work rights.
Trip View App (lite) shows real-time timetables for trams, trains and buses in Sydney.

Other important information

As per your international student visa requirements, you must inform the university of your current address and contact number within seven days of arriving in Australia.

Join social media student groups or online forums to connect with other international students.

Research Australian mobile phone plans.

Understand your legal rights and work rights as an international student.

Explore the City of Sydney to learn more about the city.

VU students can download Microsoft Office for free after enrolment.

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