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.
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.
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. This is a one-off, free service available to everyone who has accepted an offer to study at our Newcastle, Central Coast or Sydney campuses 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.
This table indicates the nearest airport to fly into and claim your free pick-up service:
Campus | Best Airport |
|---|---|
Sydney | Sydney |
Central Coast Campuses (Ourimbah & Gosford) | Sydney |
Newcastle (Callaghan) | Newcastle |
Newcastle (City) | Newcastle |
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, however, please note that Newcastle is 170km north of Sydney.
Sydney and Central Coast (Ourimbah or Gosford) students — fly into Sydney International Airport.
To book an airport pick up please follow the links below to visit the websites of our Preferred Providers.
Waratah Hire Cars can pick you up from Newcastle Williamtown Airport (NTL) or from a train station within Greater Newcastle area. They will transport you to your first accommodation in Newcastle.
If you arrive within a group, each student must request the service separately.
Request a Service here.
Please include your Student ID number and flight /train details in Additional Comments.
2Airport Shuttle service will pick you up from Sydney Airport (SYD). They will transport directly to your first accommodation in Sydney/Central Coast/Newcastle.
If you arrive within a group, each student must request the service separately.
Book the shuttle service here.
- 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.
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.