Packing Your Bags

Baggage

Make sure you pack and can actually carry all your baggage by yourself. All boxes should be securely tied and easy to carry. If you have applied for airport reception arranged by Swinburne International, please inform Swinburne International on the amount of baggage you will be arriving with.

Clothing

Melbourne has four distinct seasons, so you should be prepared depending on the season in which you are arriving.

Australians tend to dress casually most of the time. Many students wear jeans, t-shirts, shorts and casual shoes. On some occasions, such as during a celebration or a job interview, you will need to dress more formally. If you are unsure how to dress for an event, ask a friendly Melburnian for advice.

Melbourne is a fabulous shopping destination - offering bargain factory outlets, markets and stylish boutiques. Therefore it is not difficult to shop for clothes for all seasons when you arrive.  

Household Items

Electrical household appliances can be easily purchased in Melbourne new or second hand. Department stores such as Kmart, Big W and Target are sensible places to buy good value household goods. You can even try eBay or other online shopping.

If you bring these items with you to Australia, you must be aware of customs regulations. You may need to pay customs duties. An alternative might be to arrange to freight these sort of possessions over to Melbourne once you have found a place to live.

Personal Computers

Swinburne has computer laboratories with full facilities (printers, scanners, etc.) for your use.

If you prefer to bring your own computer, consider bringing only the central processing unit (CPU) and buying the peripherals in Melbourne. You will need a receipt for the computer if you are carrying it with you to Melbourne. Note that customs duties on computers apply.

You can also buy a computer when you arrive. Swinburne students can now purchase notebooks at reduced rates through SNAP, or you can look for a second-hand computer which is much cheaper.