Frequently Asked Questions

• When should I arrive?
• How do I arrange to be met when I arrive in Australia?
• What if I am arriving with family members?
• How much notice do I need to give?
• Who will meet me when I arrive?
• What do I do if no one is there to meet me?
• Am I eligible for this service? 
• How much does the service cost?
• How do I know my Arrival Form has been received?
• What if I change my arrival details after confirmation has been received?
• What is the cancellation policy if I change my accommodation?
• How do I arrange temporary accommodation?
• Can I stay with an Australian 'Homestay' family?
• How do I arrange permanent accommodation?

When Should I Arrive?

You will have received information about when to arrive in Adelaide on your original Offer of Admission letter. Please refer to your letter for details on when you should arrive.

The International Student Centre runs a comprehensive Orientation Program for new international students at the beginning of each semester.

To ensure you make a successful transition to your studies it is important you attend Orientation.  Further information on Orientation and Enrolment dates is availabe at the Orientation section of this web site.

How do I arrange to be met when I arrive in Australia?

You can book to be met by completing an Arrival Form located on the University's website. You will need to submit your booking at least 10 days before your arrival in Adelaide.  You can submit the Arrival Form:
• online through the Online Arrival Form
• or by downloading the Arrival Form available CLICK HERE (pdf 28kB) (pdf 28kB). Please print out the form, complete it and fax it to the International Student Centre on (+61 8) 8303 4352.

How much notice do I need to give?

You need to submit your Arrival Form at least ten (10) days before you arrival in Adelaide.  If you submit your arrival form less than ten days before your scheduled arrival, we may not be able to guarantee temporary accommodation and arrival assistance.

What if I am arriving with family members?

The Meet and Greet service is available to students and their immediate dependents (spouse or partner and children).  In the Arrival form you will need to provide details of your accompanying family members, including the ages of any children.

Other family members and friends travelling with you will need to travel separately, at their own expense, to their arranged place of accommodation.  The information in the Temporary Accommodation section may assist with accommodation and travel arrangements for non dependent family members and friends who are travelling with you.

Who will meet me when I arrive?

You will be met by a representative from the University. The representative will be holding a University of Adelaide sign and will be waiting for you:

• as you walk through the Arrivals Gate /Area in the bus and train terminal
• at the Meeting Points at the Adelaide Airport
  • near the Arrivals Gate for students arriving on International Flights
  • at the bottom of the ground floor esculators for students arriving on Domestic Flights (flights from other cities in Australia)

Ground floor esculators for students arriving on Domestic Flights at Adelaide Airport	Arrivals Gate for students arriving on International Flights at Adelaide Airport
Arrivals Gate for students arriving on International Flights at Adelaide Airport	You will be met by either an Arrival Officer (generally a current student) wearing a bright orange and blue shirt or a University representative wearing a suit and tie uniform. When you arrive look out for someone dressed in one of pictured uniforms.  They will be holding a University of Adelaide sign and standing at the above mentioned meeting points.

The representative will welcome you to Adelaide, provide you with a Welcome Pack (which contains an Arrival Pocket Guide, information about where to go and who to see in the University and other useful information) and ensure you are transported to your accommodation.

What do I do if no one is there to meet me?

On arrival, if by some chance there is no one to meet you, the most important thing to remember is do not panic! You can:

• Go to the Information and Tourist Booking Desk on the ground floor of the airport (or the Service Desk at bus or train station) and ask them to contact the University of Adelaide for you;

• Look for a public phone to call staff at the International Student Centre (ISC), University of Adelaide.

  • Phone 8303 6161 during Office hours 
  • Phone our after hours numbers 0414 391 570 and 0414 391 568
  • Phone Security 8303 5990

    ISC Office Hours are Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm and Tuesday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Am I eligible for this service?

The Meet and Greet service is available to all new international students to the University of Adelaide and their immediate dependants.  It is NOT available for

• Transport for students wishing to claim their unaccompanied luggage
• Transport for students wishing to move from temporary accommodation to permanent accommodation
• Transport for students wishing to move furniture to their accommodation
• Transport for students requiring transport from their accommodation to their campus
• Transport for students seeking permanent accommodation in Adelaide
• Transport for later year students who have returned from vacations overseas
• Transport for student returning home
• Transport for family members arriving independently of the student
• Collection of cargo (ie unaccompanied luggage) from the airport cargo terminal or from cargo agents

If you are a Bradford student please contact Bradford College for airport and accommodation services.

How much does the service cost?

The Meet and Transport service is provided free of charge for new international students and their immediate dependents travelling with them.  Students have to cover the cost of accommodation.

How do I know my Arrival Form has been received?

Once you have completed the Online Arrival Form an automatic response will be generated. If you send an Arrival Form via fax you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt to the email or fax number you provided on the form.

If you do not receive a confirmation of receipt please contact the International Student Centre by e-mail arrivals@adelaide.edu.au, fax (+61 8 8303 4352) or telephone (+61 8 8303 4828).

What if I change my arrival details after confirmation has been received?

If your arrival details change, please contact the International Student Centre IMMEDIATELY by e-mail arrivals@adelaide.edu.au, fax (+61 8 8303 4352) or telephone (+61 8 8303 4828).

If you arrival details change within 48 hours of arrival please contact the after hour numbers 0414 391 570 or 0414 391 568. If you are calling from outside of Australia call (+61) 414 391 570 or (+61) 414 391 568.

What is the cancellation policy if I change my accommodation?

If your accommodation requirements change after lodging your Arrival Form with the International Student Centre, you must notify us immediately by return email or fax. Please be advised that cancellation charges apply at the following rates:
• You may cancel the temporary accommodation that we have arranged for you, before five days prior to your arrival with no charge.
• If you cancel your temporary accommodation within five days of your arrival, but not including your arrival date, an administration fee of AUD$50.00 will be charged to your student account.
• If you cancel your temporary accommodation on or after your arrival date the University will charge the full amount of your temporary accommodation fee to your student account.

How do I arrange temporary accommodation?

You have two options
• request the university organise your accommodation for one week
• organise the accommodation yourself
For more information on both these options please visit Temporary Accommodation

Can I stay with an Australian 'Homestay' family?

Students who are enrolled into the General English for Academic Purposes (GEAP) and Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP)  programs with the English Language Centre are eligible for homestay accommodation.   To find out more click here.

How do I arrange permanent accommodation?

Permanent accommodation in Residential Colleges and Student Hostels can be pre-booked before you leave home. Pre-booking accommodation means that you will not have to compete with other students for rental units and houses, which are in very high demand in the weeks leading up to the start of each semester. However, pre-booking means that you cannot inspect the property before you agree to move in; visit the Accommodation web site for more information