AusAID Pre-Arrival

Before you arrive

Contact the AusAID Post in your country for information about your application, placement offer, pre-departure briefing and travel arrangements to Australia. 

Read AusAID's pre-departure guidebook "On Track for Australia" and the UoW Pre-Arrival Booklet for International Students.

When your application is approved, you will receive an information kit from the University which includes:

1. UoW Pre-Arrival Booklet for International Students.
2. Experience Wollongong - A guide to studying and living in Wollongong
3. UoW Accommodation booklet
4. Wollongong Tourism Information
5. UoW Course Prospectus
6. What Can't I Take into Australia?

Please ensure you have sufficient funds to last until you receive your establishment allowance. 

When should I arrive?

We suggest that AusAID students arrive two weeks before the Introductory Academic Program (for students doing PCE, two weeks before PCE), to allow time for settling in and completing your enrolment.

My flights have been arranged, what now?

Once your flights have been arranged by AusAID, students must contact the UOW AusAID Officer, to advise their flight details at least two weeks before their arrival. Students must also confirm if they require airport pickup and temporary accommodation to be arranged for them by the UOW AusAID Officer.

Arriving on a weekend or a public holiday?

For those students who are arriving on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) or a public holiday, please ensure that you travel to Australia with a minimum of $500, as the University and banks are closed.

What do I do if my flight has been changed/cancelled/delayed?

If your flight date has changed, students must contact the UOW AusAID Officer 72hours before your arrival advising your new flight details. 

If your flight has been cancelled or delayed, students must contact the UOW AusAID Officer and/or Kieraview advising your new flight details.

Arriving on a weekend or a public holiday?

For those students who are arriving on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) or a public holiday, please ensure that you travel to Australia with a minimum of $500, as the University and banks are closed.

Airport Pickup

The UOW AusAID Officer will arrange for you to be collected from Sydney International Airport. 

You will receive an email from UOW confirming your arrival details as well as information about where you will be picked up. Upon arrival at Sydney International Airport and once you have cleared customs, you will be met at “The Meeting Point” by a representative of Leisure Coast Limousines and Airport Connections, who will transport you to your pre-arranged accommodation. The drivers are friendly, courteous and professional. 

In the event you are not meet at the airport, please contact the UOW AusAID Officer on (02) 4221 5285 or Leisure Coast Limousines directly on (02) 4261 7393

If you are travelling with family, please advise the UOW AusAID Officer prior to departure. 

Please note: costs for family transport are not supported by your scholarship.

Temporary Accommodation

UOW's AusAID support staff will arrange temporary accommodation for up to seven days for newly arrived AusAID sponsored students at Keiraview. Costs associated with temporary accommodation are to be covered by the AusAID sponsored student.

AusAID sponsored students are responsible to locate permanent accommodation, UOW Accommodation Services in Student Central can assist with locating permanent accommodation, please contact Accommodation Services for assistance.

More detailed information about accommodation at UOW and in Wollongong and surrounding suburbs can be found on the UOW Accommodation Services website.