Checklist to finalise your exchange in Australia in 2026: what to sort out before you fly

The Australian student visa went from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026, according to Study Australia, the official Australian government portal. Anyone finalising their planning now needs to build that update into the budget before starting the application.

This checklist organises what to sort out, in the right order, so you fly with everything confirmed: visa documentation, OSHC, housing, financial preparation and the first steps on arrival. It is the roadmap for students who have already chosen the programme and need to turn that decision into a booked flight.

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Documentation: what must be confirmed before departure

The sequence matters. Each stage depends on the previous one, and a missing item at the wrong moment stalls the entire process.

• - Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the course end date.
• - COE (Confirmation of Enrolment): enrolment confirmation issued by the Australian institution registered with CRICOS. Without the COE, the visa process does not move forward. The sequence of documents for the Australian visa has to be respected to avoid rework.
• - OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover): mandatory health insurance, taken out before the visa application. It covers hospitalisation, medical appointments, ambulance and prescription medicines for the full length of the programme.
• - Approved subclass 500 visa: applied for through ImmiAccount with COE, OSHC, proof of funds and the Genuine Student statement. Processing usually takes under 30 days when the documentation is complete.
• - Proof of funds: the Department of Home Affairs requires AUD 29,710 for 12 months of stay for the main student. Personal funds or sponsorship from a close family member are accepted, with a formal letter of commitment and bank statements.

The Australian subclass 500 student visa was updated with the Genuine Student Requirement as the central approval criterion from late 2025.

The study and work exchange in Australia includes full guidance for every item on this checklist, with support from a dedicated senior consultant at each stage.

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Housing: what to secure before you arrive

The Australian rental market moves fast, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Arriving without accommodation confirmed for the first few weeks is the most common mistake among first-time arrivals.

The options most used for the first months:

• - Homestay: accommodation with an Australian family, meals included. It creates direct cultural contact and works well for a first arrival. The partner institution usually helps with the referral.
• - Student residences: close to the schools, with simplified management. Availability varies by city and time of year, so booking early makes a real difference.
• - Share house: more independence and a lower monthly cost per person. It requires a period of active searching after arrival, which is why it is not the best option for the first few weeks.

The recommended window is 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Arriving without a fixed Australian address delays the TFN and opening a bank account, two critical first-week actions.

The cost of living in Australia varies between 15% and 25% by city: Sydney and Melbourne lead on housing; Adelaide and Brisbane sit well below with equivalent quality.

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Finances: prepare in advance and act fast on arrival

Financial preparation has two distinct moments. The pre-departure stage ensures the student arrives without depending solely on an international card in the first days, when opening a local bank account usually takes a few days.

Before you fly:

• - Activate an international card with efficient conversion to use during the transition, before opening an Australian bank account.
• - Carry Australian cash for the first hours: airport transport, a local SIM card and expenses that do not accept foreign cards.
• - Gather the proof-of-funds documents used for the visa, since Australian banks usually ask for banking history when you register.

As soon as you arrive:

• - Apply for the TFN (Tax File Number) through the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) website as soon as you have a fixed Australian address. The number arrives by email within a few days and is mandatory for any formal hiring.
• - Open an Australian bank account with your TFN and passport. Most Australian banks allow this through an app or in person in under a week.

The Study and Work in Australia programme provides guidance on bank accounts, TFN and financial organisation as part of its structured arrival support.

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Work during the exchange: what to organise before leaving

The subclass 500 visa allows paid work during the programme. There is an hours limit while the course is in session and no restriction during school holidays. Students who arrive prepared for the Australian market find work faster and turn the first months into real CV experience.

Before flying, it is worth organising:

• - A CV in the Australian format: the local format of a CV for working in Australia prioritises achievements per role instead of listing previous positions chronologically, which changes how a candidate is perceived even with a similar background.
• - Research into active sectors: hospitality, retail, logistics and customer service are the sectors that absorb the most students with intermediate English. The survey of the most sought-after professions in Australia in 2026 by field shows where the openings with accessible entry are.
• - TFN confirmed right on arrival: the number is required for any formal hiring. Getting it in the first days avoids weeks of waiting before starting.

International students work legally in Australia from the start of the programme, under rules that vary with the academic calendar and need to be understood so the visa is not compromised.

The study and work project in Australia sits in a country with one of the highest minimum wages among exchange destinations, which makes working during the programme a real part of the monthly budget.

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First days in Australia: what to do as soon as you land

The order of the first days sets the pace for the whole stay. Students who land in Australia with the first-days schedule organised save time on the steps that unlock everything else: SIM card, address, TFN and bank account.

The most efficient sequence:

1. 1. Buy a local SIM card at the airport or at convenience stores. Having an Australian number from day one makes it easier to contact the school and search for housing.
2. 2. Confirm your accommodation address and settle in. That address is required for the TFN and to open a bank account.
3. 3. Apply for the TFN through the ATO website as soon as you have a fixed address. The number arrives by email within a few days and unlocks access to the formal job market.
4. 4. Open an Australian bank account with your TFN, passport and proof of address.
5. 5. Register at the school and attend the arrival orientation. The essential apps for an exchange in Australia make settling in faster: install public transport, OSHC and communication apps before you fly.

See what an English campus in Sydney looks like:

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Frequently asked questions about the Australia exchange checklist 2026

Does the OSHC need to be arranged before applying for the Australian visa? The OSHC must be arranged and documented before submitting the subclass 500 visa application: without it, the process does not move forward in ImmiAccount. The insurance covers hospitalisation, medical appointments, ambulance and prescription medicines for the full duration of the visa.

What is the limit on working hours during the academic term in Australia? The subclass 500 visa sets an hours limit while the course is in session, with no restriction during school holidays. The TFN (Tax File Number) is mandatory for any formal hiring, and obtaining it in the first days after arrival is essential to avoid losing time in the Australian job market.

Can the TFN be requested before arriving in Australia? No. The TFN can only be requested after arrival, because the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) requires a physical Australian address on the application. The process is done online and the number arrives by email within a few days. Any formal employment in Australia requires the TFN registered with the employer before the first payment.

When should accommodation be confirmed before departure? Confirming accommodation 4 to 6 weeks before departure is the ideal window, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, where arriving without a fixed address delays the TFN and the opening of a bank account, two critical actions in the first days in the country.

Does the subclass 500 visa allow dependants? Yes, a spouse or partner and dependent children can come along on a subclass 500 visa. The Department of Home Affairs requires an additional AUD 10,394 for a spouse and AUD 4,449 per child, on top of the base AUD 29,710 for the main student, according to the official 2026 table.

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Be Easy: boutique exchange consultancy

Finalising an exchange in Australia with confidence is a matter of order: each stage depends on the previous one, and a missing item at the wrong moment delays everything. Be Easy supports international students with dedicated curation from choosing the programme to the first days at the destination, with a dedicated senior consultant at every stage of the process. Contact us to receive specialised senior consultancy!