| Arriving in Australia |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 14 January 2009 11:44 | |
 You have just arrived in Australia so what next. Read this for some important information What to expect when you arrive?Australia, like many countries around the world, has significantly tightened its immigration and customs procedures in recent years. These days it will take you at least 45 minutes from the time you step off the plane until you walk out into the International Arrivals terminal in Sydney. For those with a weak bladder, be sure to use the toilets before joining the queues at Immigration!Make sure that you have fully filled out your Incoming passenger card.
Back of Passenger Card ( Click to download pdf)
ImmigrationFirst stop after getting off the plane in Sydney is Immigration. Holders of Australian passports and permanent residencies are directed to one set of counters, whilst international visitors are directed to another. Once you arrive at the counter you will be required to present your passport (with your student visa), Letter of Offer and CoE, along with your landing card, to the Immigration Official. After immigration you will collect your baggage from your designated baggage carousel, and then proceed to Customs and Quarantine.
Customs and QuarantineAfter collecting your baggage you will arrive at Immigration and Customs and be presented with two choices – the Green ‘Nothing to Declare’ channel and the Red ‘Goods to Declare’ channel. See below for information on what needs to be declared. If you have nothing to declare, you can proceed through the Green channel, however, most bags going through this channel are x-rayed to ensure that quarantine and customs are being enforced. Sniffer-Dogs are permanently posted at the Green channel to ensure that food and other illegal items are not brought into the country. If you have something to declare, you will need to proceed to the Red channel where your goods will be assessed. When entering Australia, you will be asked to declare certain items including items of value, food, alcohol and cigarettes. If you are carrying more than the specified limit for those items, you will be required to pay ‘duty’ or tax on them.
Australia is a very isolated place and, as a result, has an environment that is highly susceptible to foreign pests – diseases, plants, animals, and other foreign bodies. As a result, quarantine is strictly enforced in Australia to protect our invaluable environments and industry. The list of goods you must declare is very comprehensive, ranging from food to items made of wood. If you have recently been near a farm, or are arriving from certain destinations in South America or Africa, you may be required to make a declaration. More information on quarantine is available at www.aqis.gov.au Declare everything! If you are in any slightest doubt, ask an official.
MoneyAustralia has automatic teller machines (ATMs) like everywhere else in the world, and it is usually possible to withdraw money directly from your bank account at home from a machine in Australia. Check with your bank to see what conditions and fees are attached to this service. When you first arrive in Oz (Australia), you’re going to need some cash before you have time to open a bank account or transfer money from home. You can either convert cash at the airport in your home country, or there are currency-converting services available at Sydney International Airport when you arrive. Alternatively, think about carrying traveller’s cheques, which can be converted in most Australian banks for a fee.
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