Arriving

Arrival Information

We have compiled the guide below which contains important information for international students planning to arrive in Australia. Please read the information below carefully as it will help support your journey to Australia.

We recommend you also refer to the Study NSW website, as they have also put together a comprehensive list for students arriving in NSW.

Before Travelling to Australia

Passport and Visa

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months before you arrive in Sydney, Australia. Please also ensure that your student visa is valid.

If you are an international student planning to study in Australia, you must obtain a student visa from an Australian Diplomatic Mission in your home country before travelling to Australia.

You will require the following documentation from SIBT before you can apply for a visa:

Letters of Offer from SIBT and the University (if applicable)
Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) from SIBT and the University after the respective fees and charges have been paid

Visit the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website for further information on student visa applications and obtaining student visa application forms.

Vaccination Certificate

Your vaccination certificate may be checked by airline staff. If you are travelling from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, then you will need to do a COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to travel and have evidence of a negative result. View the latest travel advice here.

Document Checklist

Use this checklist to make sure you have all the documents you need:

Airline tickets and a valid passport with student visa.
SIBT’s letter of offer with your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Vaccination proof
Receipts of any related payments you have made including tuition fees, health cover, etc.
Original or certified copies of your academic transcript.
English translation of prescriptions for any medications you are carrying.
Personal identification such as driver’s licence or identity card, including English translation.

Accommodation

If you are arriving in Sydney during our Summer season, the housing market may be competitive, and we therefore recommend looking into accommodation before you arrive. Consider short-term stays whilst you look for something more permanent when you land.

There are a variety of accommodation options to choose from, whether it’d be complete apartments to single rooms. Rental is paid weekly and can range from A$320 – A$540 per week, which will cover costs such as electricity and phones. You must contact accommodation providers directly to make a booking. You must also let us know your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia.

Find out more about accommodation options. Study NSW have also provided additional information, including types of accommodation, costs of living and what to consider when choosing accommodation.

Packing

There are quite a few things that you will need to pack into your bags before you head on over to Sydney. It is not just clothes you need to include – you will also need to pack toiletries, adapters for electrical appliances, sunscreen, snacks and more. We have created a packing list as a guide so that you know what items you should pack.

Upon Arrival to Australia

We advise checking the NSW Government website to see all the rules for people in NSW.

Transportation

Once you have arrived at Sydney International Airport, you’ll have a variety of transportation options to take you to your next destination including taxis, trains and buses.

If you are hopping on the train at Sydney International Airport Station, you can catch the train and head south-west to Macarthur Station with stops along the way, or to Central Station which is the connecting point for all Sydney train lines. You will need to purchase an adult Opal single trip ticket, which will cost approximately $18.79 to Central Station. Please note that international students are not eligible for student concession tickets.

To purchase an Opal card, which will let you travel all around Sydney instead of being single use, you can visit a retailer at the airport. Having an Opal card, instead of an Opal ticket, is very handy to have when using public transport across Sydney. Opal cards can also be used on buses, light rail, and ferries across Sydney. There are Opal card readers where you will need to tap on when you board and tap off at your destination. You can also use your credit card, debit card or a linked device using contactless payments.

You can visit the Transport for NSW website to plan your trip from Sydney International Airport Station to your destination. You will also be able to view the fares associated with your trip. Taxis are available at the taxi rank. There are supervisors on hand who can guide you to an available taxi or offer any additional assistance.

If you are heading to the SIBT campus, we are only a few minutes’ walk away from Museum Station. If you are catching the train, hop off at Museum Station and follow the Bathurst Street exit sign. As you walk through the tunnel, you will see escalators to your left. Go up the escalators and then walk straight to our campus at 255 Elizabeth Street.

COVID-19 – Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

You are not required to take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to arriving in NSW, unless if you are travelling from China (including Hong Kong and Macau). However, your airline or country may have other requirements for travellers. If you develop symptoms whilst in NSW, you should get tested for COVID-19 and stay at home or at your place of accommodation until your symptoms have been resolved, even if you test negative.

If you test positive with a rapid antigen test, you should:

Register your positive result with Service NSW.
Stay at your home or accommodation until symptoms resolve.
Tell people who you spent time with from the 2 days before you started having symptoms or 2 days before you tested positive (whichever came first) that you have COVID-19. This includes your social contacts, workplace and/or school.
Monitor your symptoms. If you are concerned you should call your GP, the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 or the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. If symptoms become severe call 000.

Please refer to the NSW Health website for up-to-date information.

Masks

For up-to-date rules on marks and other requirements, visit the NSW Government website.

International Students under 18

International students under 18 years of age must either:

live with a parent, legal guardian or person aged over 21 years who is nominated by your parent (or legal guardian), or;
provide evidence of guardianship arrangements.

Guardianship arrangements can be made through an acceptable SIBT homestay organisation, which involves living with an Australian family in your own furnished bedroom.

Please note: If you are under 18 years of age and do not live with a parent, legal guardian or person nominated by your parents, you must consult SIBT’s Student Services manager prior to changing your accommodation or other welfare arrangements. This is a requirement of the Australian Government.

International Student Protection Act (ESOS)

A governance framework has been created by the Australian Government to protect international students during their studies in Australia. It’s called the ESOS Framework.

Upon Arrival at SIBT

Welfare Support and Counselling

If you’re having any concerns or difficulties, such as with your studies, learning a new language or settling into life in Sydney, then our Student Counsellors can help. They can also offer advice and support for personal matters, including disability support and student advocacy. Find out more information regarding our support services.

Scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and bursaries available for our new and continuing students. For more details and a full list of our scholarships and bursaries review our Scholarship page.

Classes

Classes are on-campus. You can access our library on level 8 or any of our facilities on level 4.