If you’re starting Semester 2 in Melbourne or Brisbane, your first fortnight is usually a blur of enrolment, orientation and finding your way around campus. Somewhere in that blur, three practical jobs need to get done: opening a bank account, getting an Australian phone number, and connecting home internet. Get these sorted early and everything else — paying rent, topping up your transport card, joining class group chats, submitting assignments online — becomes much easier.
This guide covers what to do before you leave home, what to do in your first week in Australia, and how to avoid the common mistakes new students make when setting up essential services.
This article covers practical setup steps only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. For anything involving your visa, tax obligations or personal finances, always check the official sources linked throughout this guide, including the Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) and Moneysmart (moneysmart.gov.au).
Before you arrive: what you can set up early
You don’t need to wait until you land to start on banking. Most major Australian banks let international students begin a bank account application online up to 14 days before arrival, using your passport and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) details. You then complete identity verification in person at a branch once you’re in Australia, after which the account becomes fully active with a debit card.
Doing this before you fly means you can transfer initial funds ahead of time and avoid carrying large amounts of cash through the airport.
What to prepare before departure:
- A copy of your Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
- Your passport (with visa)
- Your Australian mailing address, if you have one (a homestay, student accommodation or share house address is fine — you can update it later if it changes)
- Your home country phone number and email, for verification codes
Opening an Australian bank account
What you’ll need
According to Study Australia, the official Australian Government student information service, you’ll typically need your:
- Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
- Passport
- Proof of Australian address (a lease agreement, accommodation offer letter, or phone bill)
Once you arrive, most banks require you to visit a branch in person within a set window (often around three months) to complete identity verification. If you skip this step, some accounts may be restricted until you do.
Choosing a bank
Australia’s four major banks — Commonwealth Bank (CommBank), Westpac, ANZ and NAB — all offer everyday transaction accounts designed for international students, generally with no monthly account-keeping fees for eligible full-time students and free withdrawals at their own ATM networks. Specific fees, perks and app features vary, so it’s worth comparing two or three before you commit, particularly around:
- Fees for withdrawing cash overseas or on ATMs outside the bank’s network
- Foreign currency conversion fees if you’re still spending on an overseas card
- Whether the account converts to a standard account (with fees) after you finish study
Westpac, for example, offers a dedicated International Student Account with no monthly fee for eligible students, free ATM withdrawals at Westpac and partner ATMs, and the ability to start your application online up to two weeks before arrival. CommBank offers a similar early-application process through its international student hub, also completed with in-branch verification after arrival.
Do you need a Tax File Number (TFN)?
If you plan to work part-time (most student visas allow this, subject to your visa conditions), you may want to apply for a Tax File Number through the Australian Taxation Office at ato.gov.au. A TFN helps ensure you’re taxed correctly from your first pay cheque. This is general information only, not tax advice — for anything specific to your situation, the ATO’s official guidance is the right place to check.
Getting an Australian phone plan
SIM card on arrival, or wait?
Study Australia’s official first-week guidance recommends buying an Australian SIM card for your unlocked phone as soon as you land, so you can contact family, use maps, and receive verification codes for your bank and university accounts. SIM cards are widely available at airport kiosks, supermarkets, convenience stores and telco shops — though airport kiosk prices are usually a premium option, so a short-term airport SIM followed by a better-value plan once you’re settled is a common approach.
Prepaid vs postpaid
Most new students start with a prepaid SIM-only plan, because it doesn’t require an Australian credit history or a fixed contract. You pay upfront each month (or for a longer expiry period) and can cancel or switch anytime.
According to comparison site Finder’s July 2026 roundup of student mobile plans, examples of current prepaid SIM options include:
| Provider | Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodo | $30 SIM plan | 40GB | From $15/month (first 6 months), then $30/month |
| Tangerine | 30GB 5G SIM | 60GB (promo) | From $20/month (first 6 months), then $30/month |
| TPG | Medium (with intl. calls) | 50GB + calls to 31 countries | From $17.50/month (first 6 months), then $35/month |
| felix | Unlimited Data | Unlimited at 40Mbps | From $20/month (first 3 months), then $40/month |
| Vodafone | Student Small SIM (requires student ID) | 200GB + 135GB bonus | From $35/month (first 12 months), then $58/month |
Prices and inclusions change regularly — always check the provider’s current offer before signing up.
Australia’s average mobile user consumes around 14GB of data a month, so a mid-range plan (30–50GB) is enough for most students unless you’re regularly streaming or hotspotting a laptop.
eSIM or physical SIM?
Many Australian providers now support eSIM activation, which means you may be able to set up an Australian number before you even land, using your phone’s eSIM function and an internet connection. This is worth checking with your chosen provider if your phone supports it.
Setting up home internet (NBN)
If you’re moving into a share house or private rental (rather than student accommodation, which often has internet included), you’ll usually need to connect the National Broadband Network (NBN) yourself.
What to expect
- An already-active NBN connection can often be reactivated under a new provider within 1–2 business days.
- New equipment installs can take longer — sometimes one to two weeks, especially during peak intake periods in July and February.
- A 5G home wireless modem (no fixed-line install needed) is a common bridge option if you need internet immediately.
Choosing a plan without an Australian credit history
Some providers require an Australian-issued credit or debit card and run credit checks, which can be difficult in your first few weeks. Look for providers that explicitly accept overseas-issued Visa or Mastercard debit/credit cards and don’t require a locked-in contract — this gives you the flexibility to switch providers or cancel if you move again.
Before signing up:
- Confirm your address is NBN-ready at nbn.com.au
- If you’re not the lead tenant on the lease, get written permission from whoever holds the account with the landlord or agent
- Compare no-lock-in-contract plans rather than 12–24 month contracts — your address may change between semesters
- Choose at least an NBN 50 speed tier if multiple housemates will be streaming or on video calls at the same time
Common mistakes new students make
- Signing a 24-month phone or internet contract in your first week, before you know if you’ll stay at that address or with that provider
- Giving your bank card PIN or online banking password to anyone, including people posing as bank or government staff — no legitimate bank or government agency will ever ask for this
- Paying a "holding deposit" for internet or a SIM in cash to an unofficial reseller instead of the provider directly
- Forgetting to update your Australian address with your bank once you move out of temporary accommodation
For more on protecting yourself from scams targeting new arrivals, keep an eye out for our related guide on scam awareness for international students in Australia.
Your first-week setup checklist
| Task | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Start online bank account application | Up to 14 days before arrival | Your chosen bank’s website |
| Buy an entry SIM card | On arrival or within first 1–2 days | Airport kiosk, supermarket, telco store |
| Visit a bank branch to verify identity | Within your bank’s verification window (often ~3 months) | Nearest branch |
| Compare and switch to a better-value SIM plan | Within first 1–2 weeks | Online comparison site |
| Check address is NBN-ready and compare no-lock-in plans | Once you have a confirmed address | nbn.com.au and provider sites |
| Apply for a Tax File Number (if planning to work) | Within first few weeks | ato.gov.au |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Australian bank account before I arrive? No, but you can start the application online with most major banks up to 14 days before you land, which speeds things up once you arrive.
Can I use my home country’s phone plan in Australia instead? You can, but international roaming charges are usually far more expensive than a local Australian SIM. Most students switch to a local SIM within their first day or two.
How long does it take to get home internet connected? It varies — often 1–2 business days if the property already has an active connection, but allow longer if new equipment needs to be installed, particularly during peak intake periods.
What if I’m not the main tenant on my lease? You’ll usually need written permission from the lead tenant or landlord before an internet provider can connect a service in your name at that address.
Final thoughts
None of these three tasks — banking, phone, internet — needs to be complicated, but doing a little research before you commit to a plan or provider can save you real money and hassle over the semester. Start your bank application before you fly, grab an entry SIM on arrival, and take your time comparing internet providers once you know your address. Your future self, mid-semester and focused on assignments rather than admin, will thank you.
Have a topic you’d like Evantaa Institute to cover? Reach out to our student services team — we’re always looking for ways to make life in Melbourne and Brisbane easier for our students.
Sources
- Study Australia — Your First Week in Australia (Australian Government)
- Study Melbourne — Pre-Arrival Guide (Victorian Government)
- Westpac — International Student Bank Account
- CommBank — Student Checklist
- Australian Taxation Office — Tax File Number
- Finder — Best Mobile Plans for Students (July 2026)
- nbn co — Check Your Address