International student's guide to Melbourne Airport

Hey students, here is your guide to the airport in Melbourne .

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

1) Before you arrive at the airport on the plane.

You will be given an Incoming Passenger card in which you must fill it in. Failure to declare everything will equal to fines up to $60000 or jail. You will have present this at customs

2) Customs 

After you collect your bags from the carousel, students will need to procceed to Customs. Around the baggage hall and Customs you will likely see some sniffer dogs. They are a part of Customs, trained to sniff passengers for Illegal goods such as drugs, food etc.

Got nothing to declare- go through the green channels

Got something to declare- go through the red channels. Most likely you would be able to keep it. But you might have to pay for the item to be treated. Some items that are not allowed through are: drugs (never- you will be jailed for this), food (almost never- DO NOT BRING/MAIL ANY as you will be fined for it. I know of one International student who got fined $4000 for bringing salami into Western Australia)

Do not bring too much cash- about $4000 of it is enough. I know you need to have about $50000 to survive in Melbourne but you can always set up a bank account at home and transfer the money at home

3) Immigration

they are the people that decide your fate. Lie to them and you will be sent back home. Here is where you will need to prove that you are a student here and are not here to work illegally.

4) Arrival services
Did you know that RMIT has a free pick up service? Well they do? You can register for this service on RMIT's site. They will pick you up from the airport and take you straight to your door. A no show will incur a $70 fee. If you do change your flight details or if your flight is delayed you have to call them as it is rude to be late without calling.

Also the City of Melbourne is going to have their welcome desk where you can pick up a free bag full of information to assist you in getting used to Melbourne. So do stop by and pick on up on your way out.