Arrival
Welcome to Australia! This page contains information on what to bring to Australia, what to do when you arrive, how to find our campuses and advice on securing permanent accommodation.
If you’d like to secure permanent accommodation before you start studying, arrive at least 2 weeks before your study begins. At a minimum, you should arrive at least 5-7 days before orientation week so you can settle into life in Australia and enjoy our welcome program.
Airport pickup service
A complimentary airport pickup service is available to all commencing University of Newcastle international students and College (CIE) students, arriving onshore for the first time on a student visa arriving onshore for the first time on a student visa and studying at our Newcastle campuses (Callaghan or City). This is a one-off, free service and is part of our international student onboarding process. If you are an international student continuing in your studies, travelling as part of a study tour, or arriving on an alternate visa, you can pay the company directly for use of their airport transfer service or find alternative means of transport. Please see here for public transport options.
Commencing Study Abroad and Exchange Program students may also access this service for a one-off fee of A$20. As Study Abroad and Exchange students do not pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), this contribution helps cover the cost of the service. Complete the airport pickup booking link below. Once your booking has been confirmed by the University of Newcastle, you will be prompted to arrange payment.
This table indicates the nearest airport to fly into :
Campus | Best Airport |
|---|---|
Sydney | Sydney (SYD) |
Central Coast Campuses (Ourimbah & Gosford) | Sydney (SYD) |
Newcastle (Callaghan) | Newcastle (NTL) |
Newcastle (City) | Newcastle (NTL) |
Newcastle (Callaghan or City) students — you can fly to Newcastle as a connecting flight from either Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney International airports. You can also fly directly to Sydney and take our daily shuttle. Please note that Newcastle is 170km north of Sydney.
Sydney and Central Coast (Ourimbah or Gosford) students — fly into Sydney International Airport. The free pickup service does not travel to the Sydney or Central Coast campuses. See the Campuses and Locations links below for how to get there.
Book your airport pickup service
Sydney Airport (SYD)
Sydney Airport pickup service
For Semester 1 / Trimester 1 2027, our preferred provider Diggers Shuttle Service runs one shuttle per day from Sydney to your first accommodation in the greater Newcastle area. You can board at either of two stops:
Pickup point | Departure time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Sydney Airport International(SYD) | 1:00 pm | Students whose flight lands in the morning |
Central Station, Sydney | 2:00 pm | Students who arrive early, or the day before, and want to spend time in Sydney first |
Your exact meeting point and driver details will be sent to you via email by Diggers before you travel.
Use the booking button below to book your Airport Pickup and transfer service. Please note the following before proceeding to make your booking:
- The service is complimentary (free) for newly commencing University of Newcastle students arriving onshore for the first time on a student visa. Each eligible student must submit their own booking request.
- Commencing Study Abroad and Exchange Program students may access the airport pickup service for a one-off non-refundable fee of A$20. Following confirmation of your booking by the University of Newcastle, the transfer provider will contact you to arrange payment.
- Ensure your flights and accommodation have been booked and confirmed. You will need to provide these details at time of booking.
- Choose your pickup point (Sydney International Airport SYD or Central Station) When you book.
- Please complete your booking request at least 5 business days (Monday – Friday) before your arrival date.
What happens after I submit my booking?
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided in the request form, advising that your request has been received. The University will review your request and once approved you will receive a booking confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact the International Student Engagement team at international-enquiries@newcastle.edu.au.
For commencing Study Abroad and Exchange Program students, a one-off fee of A$20 applies. Once your booking has been approved, Diggers Shuttle Service will provide payment instructions. Your booking will only be finalised once payment has been received.
Once your booking is confirmed, Diggers Shuttle Service will contact you 24 hours prior to your pickup providing important information regarding the meeting location, your pick-up time and the driver's details. Please contact Diggers Shuttle Service if you need to amend any confirmed bookings.
If family members are travelling with you, please contact Diggers Shuttle Service directly to arrange their booking and obtain pricing information. Any additional passenger fees must be paid prior to being picked up at the airport.
Contact Diggers Shuttle Service
Phone: +61 2 4032 7900 (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm AET)Service Availability
- Daily departures: One shuttle runs every day. It departs Sydney International Airport(SYD) at 1:00pm and Central Station at 2:00pm.
- Plan your flight: To catch the shuttle at the airport, your flight should land by 11:30am. Allow about an hour to get off the plane, clear customs and collect your luggage.
- Arriving later in the day? You can stay overnight in Sydney at your own cost and board the next day's shuttle at Central Station or the airport. Book for the date you will travel, not the date you land.
- Service time frame: The complimentary pickup service is available from 25th Jan - 19th Feb for Trimester 1 and Semester 1 2027
- Arrivals outside this service time frame will not automatically be eligible for the complimentary service. Students in this situation should email the International Student Engagement team at international-enquiries@newcastle.edu.au to check availability and request special approval under exceptional circumstances.
- Changes to the service: Service dates and shuttle times may change depending on student demand.
Terms, conditions and eligibility for complimentary service
1. You must request the service no later than five (5) business days (Monday-Friday) before you depart to Australia.
2. To request a service you must include your Student ID number (3xxxxxx) or CIE (1xxxxxxx) on your booking form
3. The complimentary (free) service is only available to University of Newcastle students on a student visa arriving onshore to Australia for the first time. The International Student Support Office will confirm your student status and eligibility before the airport shuttle service confirms your booking.
4. The service is agreed to by the University and our Preferred Providers.
5. Additional charges may apply for:
- Commencing Study Abroad and Exchange Program students, who are required to pay a one-off A$20 airport transfer fee.
- Additional travellers such as family members
- If your transfer service is not within the designated radius or booked less than five business days before your flight (as per 1)
- If you are deemed ineligible for the complimentary service, you will receive a service fee estimate and can continue to book as a fee paying passenger
- Additional luggage items (see FAQs below)
Any additional fees will be confirmed to you at the time of your request.
6. Should you need to cancel or modify your service, please contact our Preferred Providers directly as soon as possible. Cancellation fees are calculated as a percentage of the full price of the Airport Pickup Service, depending on how much notice is given before your scheduled pick-up time:
| Notice given before pick-up time | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 24 hours or more | No fee |
| 3 hours to less than 24 hours | 50% of the fee |
| Less than 3 hours, or no notice given | 100% of the fee |
Can I book the service if I'm going outside Newcastle district?
Yes you can but fees may apply depending on the distance travelled. Diggers Shuttle Service can confirm this at time of booking
Can I book the service if I am travelling with additional passengers?
Yes you can. If you are travelling with additional people who are not University of Newcastle students, a fee will be payable during the booking process. If the additional passenger is a University of Newcastle student, they must complete a separate booking.
Where will I meet the driver?
Diggers Shuttle Service will send you the meet-up location with the driver in the confirmation email. The driver will hold signage to indicate the booking details.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each student can bring 2 check in bags free of charge. Please note and discuss any additional baggage with Diggers Shuttle Service to ensure the vehicle has sufficient luggage capacity.
Should I choose Sydney Airport or Central Station?
Choose Sydney Airport if your flight lands in the morning and you want to travel straight to Newcastle. Choose Central Station if you arrive earlier, or the day before, and would like to explore Sydney first. The airport train runs directly to Central, but you will need to carry your luggage with you.
What if my flight is delayed and I miss the shuttle?
Contact Diggers Shuttle Service on +61 492 865 298 as soon as possible.
What time will I arrive in Newcastle?
Usually in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic and the number of drop-offs. Please let your accommodation provider know your expected check-in time.
I’m landing at the Domestic Terminal. Where do I catch the shuttle?
The shuttle doesn’t stop at the Domestic Terminal. Depending on when you land, you can catch it at either stop:
- Sydney Airport International Terminal (T1): departs 1:00pm. Take the airport shuttle bus or train to T1.
- Central Station: departs 2:00pm. Take the train to Central Station.
Newcastle Airport (NTL)
Newcastle Airport pickup service
On your arrival our preferred provider Waratah Hire Cars will pick you up from Newcastle Airport (NTL) and transport you to your first accommodation in greater Newcastle or Lake Macquarie.
Use the booking button below to book your Airport Pickup and transfer service. Please note the following before proceeding to make your booking:
- The service is complimentary (free) for newly commencing University of Newcastle students arriving onshore for the first time on a student visa. Each eligible student must submit their own booking request.
- Ensure your flights and accommodation have been booked and confirmed. You will need to provide these details at time of booking.
- Please complete your booking request at least 5 business days (Monday – Friday) before your arrival date.
Book Waratah Hire Cars pickup service
What happens after I submit my booking?
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provide in the request form. This approval email is important as it will provide you with instructions on where to meet the driver. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Waratah Hire Cars directly.
Contact Waratah Hire Cars
- Phone: + 612 4960 1800
- Mobile: +614 2942 0209
- Email: info@waratahhirecars.com.au
- Website: waratahhirecars.com.au
Terms, conditions and eligibility for complimentary service
1. You must request the service no later than five (5) business days (Monday-Friday) before you depart to Australia.
2. To request a service you must include your Student ID number (3xxxxxx) or CIE (1xxxxxxx) on your booking form
3. The complimentary (free) service is only available to University of Newcastle students on a student visa arriving onshore to Australia for the first time. The International Student Support Office will confirm your student status and eligibility before the airport shuttle service confirms your booking.
4. The service is agreed to by the University and our Preferred Providers.
5. Additional charges may apply for:
- Additional travellers such as family members
- If your transfer service is not within the designated radius or booked less than five business days before your flight (as per 1)
- If you are deemed ineligible for the complimentary service, you will receive a service fee estimate and can continue to book as a fee paying passenger
- Additional luggage items (see FAQs below)
Any additional fees will be confirmed to you at the time of your request.
6. Should you need to cancel or modify your service, please contact our Preferred Providers directly. Fees may apply for failure to notify Waratah Hire Cars of changes or cancelations.
Can I book the service if I'm going outside Newcastle district?
Yes you can but fees may apply depending on the distance travelled. Waratah Hire Cars can confirm this at time of booking
Can I book the service if I am travelling with additional passengers?
Yes you can. If you are travelling with additional people who are not University of Newcastle students, a fee will be payable during the booking process. If the additional passenger is a University of Newcastle student, they must complete a separate booking.
Where will I meet the driver?
The driver will meet you in the Arrival Hall of Newcastle Airport, near the exit doors. The driver will hold signage to indicate the booking details.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each student can bring 2 check in bags free of charge. Please note and discuss any additional baggage with Waratah Hire Car to ensure the vehicle has sufficient luggage capacity.
Conditions: FAQs
- You must request for service no later than five (5) business days (Monday-Friday) before you depart to Australia.
- To request a service you must include your Student ID number (3xxxxxx) or CIE (1xxxxxxx) on your booking form.
- The International Student Support Office will confirm your University of Newcastle student number before the airport shuttle service confirms your booking.
- The service is agreed to by the University and our Preferred Providers.
- Additional charges may apply for:
- Additional travellers such as family members
- If your transfer service is not within the designated radius or booked less than five business days before your flight (as per 1).
- This will be confirmed to you at the time of your request.
- Should you need to cancel or modify your service, please contact our Preferred Providers directly.
Australian Border Force Customs
All arriving international passengers into Australia must pass an Australian Border Force Customs check. This is where they check that you are following the Australian rules on truthfully declaring why you are in Australia and what you are bringing with you. This involves completing forms and having your bags checked. There are severe fines and penalties if you do not follow the rules.
Check this list by the Australian government on what you can bring into Australia, and what you must declare on your incoming passenger card. You must declare all prescription medicine. For more information visit the Australian Border force website.
This video of arrival tips for International students at Sydney airport demonstrates the arrival process, which is the same at all International Australian airports.
Campuses and Locations
Our main University campuses are in three of the most beautiful cities on the East Coast:
Visit Campuses and Locations to view information on all campuses of the University of Newcastle. Click on any location to see a map, campus tour videos, and information on the facilities of the campus and the surrounding areas.
Here are links on how to reach each campus in Australia:
Getting to Newcastle Campus (Callaghan)
Getting to Newcastle Campus (City)
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.