PRE-DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TO NSW

With Australia’s international borders set to reopen on December 15 , a door of opportunities has opened to international students. Many of you have been waiting for a long time to fulfill your desire for a great experience in this amazing country, and the time has come. Australia is waiting for you with wide open arms.

One of the States that is ready for your arrival is New South Wales . But before you get there, there are some really important matters to take into account.

To help you prepare for your arrival, go through this list to ensure you have all the relevant information and documents required. It’s very important to plan ahead and read carefully every item to ensure you have a safe and smooth journey and transition to the NSW community.

1: Ensure your passport and student visa for Australia are valid – Mandatory

Check that your passport is valid for at least six months prior to your arrival in Australia.

All international students must ensure that their student visa for Australia is valid.

Please visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for information. Apply for your visa at least six weeks before your course starts.

Complete as soon as possible.

2: Ensure your vaccination certificate meets Australia’s requirements – Mandatory

You must be fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Good Association (TGA) approved or recognized COVID-19 vaccines:

• Two doses at least 14 days apart from:
  • AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
• Or one dose of:
  • Johnson & Johnson/ Janssen-Cilag COVID Vaccine.

For more information enter the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

Note: Travelers vaccinated outside Australia must present certificates that meet the following criteria:

• Issued by a national or state/provincial-level authority or an accredited vaccination provider
• Written in English or accompanied by a certified translation
• Containing at a minimum:
  • Name as it appears in the traveller’s passport
  • Either date of birth or passport number
  • The vaccine brand name
  • The date of each dose or the date on which a full course of immunization was completed.

Paper and digital certificates are equally acceptable.

Complete as soon as possible.

3: Submit Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) online – Mandatory

You must submit your Australian Travel Declaration online with a copy of your vaccination certificate before your flight.

You will then receive an email confirmation with details to be shown (either electronically or printed) before boarding your flight and on arrival in Australia.

Complete at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure.

4: Obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test before traveling – Mandatory

Visit your local COVID-19 test center to receive a test before travelling.

Read more about the Australian Government’s advice in providing evidence of your pre-departure COVID-19 PCR Test.

Please also check requirements of your local authority and airline for pre-departure testing, as criteria may vary depending on your departure/transit location. Complete the test within three days of scheduled departure, unless your local authority/airline instructs otherwise.

Note: If you are participating in the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan and you test positive to COVID-19, you must advise your education provider immediately.

Complete the test within three days of scheduled departure.

5: Verify vaccination certificate at airport – Mandatory

Before boarding, the airline staff will check:

• that your vaccination status is valid for travel to Australia and
• that your COVID-19 test was negative.

Please have a printout of your vaccination certificate ready to prove that you are vaccinated.

The certificate must meet Australian Government requirements (see step 2).

Complete at flight check-in.

Note: If you are participating in the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan, please refer to your airline website for airline specific guidance.

• Singapore Airlines
• Sri Lankan Airlines
• China South Airlines

6: Organize your accommodation in Sydney – Recommended

It is best to book short-term accommodation before you arrive in Australia and look for longer-term options when you arrive. This allows you time to explore the neighborhoods and view the properties and can help you choose an option that best suits you. Temporary accommodation includes budget hostels and hotels.

Study NSW has a list of student accommodation options in Sydney and regional NSW.

In compliance with visa condition 8533 on your student visa grant, you must let your education provider know your residential address within seven (7) days of arriving in Australia. If your residential address changes you must let your education provider know within 7 days of the change.

Complete two weeks before departure.

7: Organize your transport from Sydney Airport -Recommended

Please contact your education provider for transfer options or view the Sydney Airport website .

Complete one week before departure.

8: Obtain a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test within 24 hours of arrival – Mandatory

Go to the closest NSW Health free testing clinic to obtain a test. Visit the NSW Health website to find the closest clinic to you. Read the NSW Health requirements for mandatory testing here.

Complete within 24 hours of arriving in NSW.

9: Obtain a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test on day 5 or 6 after arrival – Mandatory

Go to the closest NSW Health free testing clinic to obtain a test. Visit the NSW Health website to find the closest clinic to you. Read the NSW Health requirements for mandatory testing here.

You must not go to any high-risk settings (aged care, disability care, healthcare, and correctional facilities) until at least 7 days have passed, and you have received a negative result from your day 6 test.

If you are traveling with a dependent, a test on day 12 after arriving in NSW is strongly recommended for children who are not fully vaccinated.

Complete on day 5 or 6 after arrival.

10: Obtain a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test on or after seventh day of arrival – Mandatory

Go to the closest NSW Health free testing clinic to obtain a test. Visit the NSW Health website to find the closest clinic to you. Read the NSW Health requirements for mandatory testing here.

Complete on or after day seven of arriving in NSW.

11: Download the Service NSW app – Recommended

Download the Service NSW app to your phone. This will allow you to check in at places like supermarkets or restaurants and receive COVID-19 updates while living in NSW.

Download the Service NSW Mobile App .

Complete any time before you start moving around in public in NSW.

12: Add proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to Service NSW app – Recommended

If you’re not eligible for Medicare, you can still add your COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service NSW app by using the Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) service through myGov . This means you can quickly check in and show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination wherever it’s required.

The ACE Australia team is well aware of every single detail and we are here to help you on your journey. Australia is waiting for you, what are you waiting for? Contact us, start the process and #LiveTheExperience .