International student arrival support

Your partner and/or your children can come with you to Australia while you study at Bond, but you will need to consider the following:

Visas

Most student visas allow you to bring your family members to Australia as your dependents if you are:

• Assessment level one or two
• Assessment level three or four and your course is longer than 12 months or you have been in Australia for 12 months or more

Visit the Department of Home Affairs website to learn more about your family’s eligibility.

Employment opportunities

Your partner will need to obtain permission to work in Australia and will have to comply with the restrictions outlined in their visa.

Your partner can apply for a Work Visa after they have received a Dependent Student Visa. The amount of time your partner can work will depend on the course you are studying:

• Partners of undergraduate international students: 20 hours per week
• Partners of postgraduate international students: full-time employment

Your partner can start looking for work before moving to Australia by searching these employment websites:

• Australian JobSearch
• CareerOne

Learning English

Your partner can enrol in Bond University College where they will learn English in a multicultural classroom on-campus.

Enrolling children at school

Children aged between 5 and 18 years old, and living in Australia for more than three months, will need to be enrolled in an Australian School.

Persons who are intending to travel to Queensland with school-aged dependents are advised to contact Education Queensland International (EQI) to check on the application process, visa information and whether tuition fees will be required. 

The Department of Education and Training trading as EQI is a registered education provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Provider number is 00608A. EQI provides primary and secondary school courses to international students through selected Queensland Government Schools.

Further information can be found at: Education Queensland International.

You will need to show ‘100 points’ of identification to open a new bank account with an Australian financial institution. These forms of identification can include:

• Birth certificate
• Driver’s licence
• Passport
• ATM card with another bank

Each form of identification has a ‘points’ value ranging from 25 to 100 points. 

You will need a total of 100 points.

Talk to your financial institution about the identification that will count towards your 100 points and remember to take the right documents to the bank the day you open your account.

Major banks in Australia

• Westpac Bank (Bond University's Banker)
• ANZ Bank
• Bendigo Bank
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• National Australia Bank
• Suncorp Bank

Always make sure that you read and understand the terms and conditions when applying for a bank account. Ask about:

• Fees and charges
• Withdrawal limits
• Internet/phone banking options

Opening hours for banks in Australia are different to other businesses. Banks are generally open:

• Monday-Thursday: 9.30am until 4.00pm
• Friday: 9.30am until 5.00pm
• Saturday: Limited trading
• Sunday: CLOSED  

Opening hours can vary between branches. Please check with your local bank or visit their website.

Credit cards

International credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express* and Diners Club* can be used in Australia.

Most companies accept repayments electronically by phone or Internet; however, money needs to be transferred from an account within the country where the credit card was originally issued.

Visit the Department of Home Affairs for more information.

* Please be aware that higher surcharge fees may apply for purchases made using these cards.

The Australian dollar ($ or AUD$) is a decimal unit of currency.

100 cents equals one dollar. 

Notes come in denominations of:

• $100
• $50
• $20
• $10
• $5

Coins come in denominations of:

• $1 and $2 (gold coins)
• 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents (silver coins)

See how your currency compares to the Australian Dollar.

You can either choose to bring your existing mobile phone to Australia or buy a new one when you arrive.

Using your existing phone in Australia

You can use your existing phone here if your mobile provider at home has an International Roaming Agreement with a network in Australia.

Your phone provider will be able to provide further information about using your mobile overseas including international roaming charges.

It can be expensive to use your existing phone in Australia so it is important to be aware of all charges that may apply.

You will also need to ensure your phone is compatible with Australian networks.

Buying a new phone

‘Pre-paid’ is the best option if you decide to buy a new mobile phone in Australia. 

‘Pre-paid’ packages include:

• A basic handset
• A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card
• Some calling credits

You can purchase additional calling credits as needed.

‘Pre-paid’ phones range in price from AUD$49 to around $249 depending on the model you choose.

Calls can cost between34cents per minute (off peak) and 92 cents (peak time).

The main phone companies in Australia are:

• Optus
• Telstra
• Virgin
• Vodaphone

‘Pre-paid’ mobile phone packages are available from the following Robina Town Centre retailers:

• Woolworths
• Coles
• Optus
• Telstra

You can drive any class of motor vehicle authorised on that licence in Queensland if you hold a valid driver licence from your home country.

You will need to have your passport and licence with you when driving.

You should carry an official English translation if your licence is in a language other than English.

Visit Your Keys to Driving in Queensland for information about Queensland road rules.

You can apply to obtain a licence, including a learner licence if you do not have a driver licence and will be living in Australia for more than six months.

You will need to go to a Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre with the following documents to apply:

• Passport
• Proof of your place of residence
• Foreign driver licence (if held and which must be in English)

You may also be asked to:

• Pass an eyesight test
• Pass a written ‘road rules’ test
• Arrange a practical driving test appointment
• Take a practical driving test

Licence fees are listed on the Queensland Government website.

Contact the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads for more information:

General Enquiries: +61 7 3834 2011

Driver Licensing: 132380 (within Australia)
Website: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

Make sure you comply with Australian border requirements, including declaring items and carrying required documents.

Find out more

Plan your transport from the airport to your new home.

Gold Coast Airport Transport

Getting to and from Gold Coast Airport is simple. Explore transport options, from parking and car rentals to rideshare and public transport.

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Brisbane Airport Transport

There are many transport options to get to and from and around Brisbane Airport to the city and beyond. 

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Using public transport is made simple with planning your journey through the Translink website.

Translink