Study in Melbourne 2026: The Only Pre-Departure Checklist You Need

So, you have locked in your offer & visa is in progress. Things are both exciting & overwhelming. Preparing to study in Melbourne in 2026 is not just stuffing your life into a suitcase. It is about knowing what actually needs to be done before landing. Housing, flights, money, SIMs, insurance; you miss one, & your first few weeks turn messy really quick. That’s why a solid Melbourne pre-departure checklist matters. Get the basics right early, & Melbourne will feel welcoming, not chaotic. Let’s get started! 

What Should International Students Prepare Before Moving to Melbourne? 

Preparing your move abroad is not just about packing bags. It is all about understanding the full picture of what studying in Melbourne actually looks like. This pre-departure checklist helps you plan everything before you fly: 

• Melbourne Student accommodation (on-campus or off-campus) 

• Flight tickets & baggage allowance 

• Basic room essentials  

• Forex cards, cash, & budgeting plan 

• International or temporary SIM arrangement 

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) 

• Travel & academic documents for immigration 

Sorting these things in advance gives you a confident start, instead of making things stressful. 

When Should You Book Student Accommodation in Melbourne? 

Accommodation should be the first thing that you should sort out from your Melbourne pre-departure checklist. Here areas like Carlton, CBD, Clayton, & Brunswick fill up quickly. This is especially true around February & July intakes.  

• There are many students that weigh the pros & cons of living on campus vs off campus. But finding great student accommodation in Melbourne is all about availability. 

• And that is why most of the students book their place 3-4 months in advance. It will secure better locations & avoid inflated rents. 

• Arriving in Melbourne with confirmed student housing means there is no chance of temporary stays or rushed inspections. 

How Early Should You Book Flight Tickets to Melbourne? 

Most of the flight ticket bookings are easy to postpone. But, ideally, one should book their flight with University Living at least 8-12 weeks in advance. This happens a lot if you are flying during the peak session.  

• Also, the baggage rules vary a lot between airlines. This matters more than students expect. 

• Connecting flights are cheaper. But direct flights save a lot of energy. So, if you add flight planning early to your Melbourne pre-departure checklist, this will help you manage costs better & avoid last minute stress.  

What Room Essentials Should You Carry to Melbourne? 

Most of the top student accommodations in Melbourne are fully furnished. So, dragging things like pillows & lamps makes no sense. But you must carry room essentials like personal items & adaptors with you. 

• Everything else such as bedroom, bathroom & kitchen kits you can buy through University Living.  Apart from that, when you reach Melbourne, you have got stores like Kmart & IKEA. These are student favorites & budget friendly.  

• Your Melbourne pre-departure list should focus more on portability, not perfection. 

How Much Forex Should You Carry When Flying to Melbourne? 

Money planning deserves more thought than it gets. Most of the students carry a forex card through University Living & AUD 300-500 in cash for initial expenses. Melbourne is largely cashless, but taxis, small cafes or emergencies can require cash.  

• That is why Forex cards are safer & makes it easy to track spendings.  

• Also, knowing the cost of living in Melbourne helps you budget things realistically before arrival. It is not about how much money to carry, but how smartly you manage it.  

Do International Students Need an International SIM Before Reaching Melbourne? 

Is it mandatory? No. But is it useful? Absolutely. An international SIM or eSIM will keep you connected right after landing. Once you feel like you have settled in, you can easily switch to Australian networks like Telstra or Optus.  

• Their coverage across Melbourne is solid, especially unis & student housing. There are some students that buy a SIM at the airport. While others order one online.  

• Both of them work fine but having connectivity from minute one can make your arrival smoother.  

• Add this small but useful step to your Melbourne pre-departure checklist. It is all about comfort. 

Is Health Insurance Mandatory for International Students in Melbourne? 

OSHC is compulsory. Without your health insurance, the student visa will not be held up. OSHC will help you cover up for doctor visits, hospital treatments, & emergencies. But extras like dentals usually cost more. So, you must arrange it before you fly.  

• And when it comes to healthcare in Australia, things are not cheap. So, including OSHC in your Melbourne pre-departure checklist isn’t just compliance, it’s protection.  

• You may not need it immediately, but if something goes wrong, you’ll be glad it’s sorted. Peace of mind counts when you’re adjusting to a new country. 

Conclusion 

No one will ever feel 100% ready to move between countries. And its all fine. But having your accommodation booked, flights sorted, money planned, SIM ready, and OSHC in place? That changes everything. This Melbourne pre-departure checklist isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared enough to breathe when you land. When the essentials are handled, you can focus on settling in. You can explore campuses, figure out tram routes, & can slowly start calling Melbourne home. The city will throw surprises at you anyway. At least the basics won’t be one of them. 

Frequently Asked Questions