I have paid and I am coming - what do I do next? FAQs
These are questions most frequently asked by international students after they have decided to study at the University of Tasmania.
Q: When is orientation?
A: For degree level students, orientation is the week prior to the start of semester. For English Language Centre students, orientation is the Friday before the module starts. The date of orientation is confirmed in the offer letter and in the greeting email sent by the International Student Advisers. Key dates for the University are constantly being updated.
Q: Do international students have to go to orientation?
A: Yes, it is compulsory for all new international students to attend orientation. It is a condition of the student visa to attend an orientation session and we are required to take attendance at orientation. Students who do not attend orientation may have their CoE cancelled.
Q: The student may have a friend/family member who has studied at the University of Tasmania before. Can't they just show them around instead of attending orientation?
A: No, it is a requirement that all new international students attend orientation. Important information is being updated all of the time and friends or family members may not have the most recent information.
Q: What happens if the student doesn't go to orientation?
A: If students don't attend orientation they may have their CoE cancelled and may be reported to Immigration. Therefore it is important that students arrive on-campus early enough to attend orientation.
Q: What happens at orientation?
A: All new international students will attend a special orientation specifically for new international students. This will cover information on the University, visa requirements, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and safety to name just a few topics. Students may also be required to attend College specific sessions where they will find out about their degree and what is required of them while studying their degree. There will be lots of other activities planned across the campus during orientation week aimed at welcoming new students; getting them connected with the support and services offered by the University; and assisting them to adjust to their new study environment.
Q: Where can I get more information about orientation?
A: You can get more information on the orientation website. Information about sessions will be uploaded close to the start of each semester. Students are encouraged to regularly check this site for any updates to the program.
Q: There may be occasions when my students won't be able to arrive in time for orientation due to circumstances beyond their control (visa was granted late, there were no flights available etc). What do I do?
A: Students who have missed the compulsory orientation session will need to see their International Student Adviser as soon as they arrive on campus. The International Student Adviser can let the student know what they will need to do to catch up on orientation.
Q: Sometimes students won't be able to arrive in time to start classes due to circumstances beyond their control (visa was granted late, there were no flights available etc). What do I do?
A: Students who know that they will not be able to arrive in time to attend the first classes must request permission for late arrival from their College. They need to email International Admissions requesting permission for late arrival. If late arrival is approved, they will receive a letter stating the last date by which they must be on campus. They must see an International Student Adviser as soon as they arrive.
Q: Do the students need to go to orientation every semester?
A: No, students only need to go to orientation when they first start their English Language Course and when they first start their degree. Even if they have been at the English Language Centre, students are still required to attend orientation when they start their degree.
Orientation for degree students is different to orientation for English Language Centre students.
Q: How do international students get their Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card?
A: Students who have their OSHC with Medibank will need to order their membership card online. This can be done at medibank.com.au/studentregistration.
Q: What if they can't register online?
A: Students will need to call Medibank on 132 331 if they cannot register online. They can only call Medibank once they have arrived in Australia.
Q: How do they get their Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card if their cover is not with Medibank?
A: The student will need to contact their OSHC provider once they arrive in Australia for directions on how to apply for their OSHC card.
Q: Do international students have to let the University know where they are living once they arrive in Tasmania? How do they do this?
A: YES. It is a mandatory student visa condition that students notify their education provider of their residential address in Australia within 7 days of arriving in Australia. Students also must notify us of any change in their residential address within 7 days of the change.
Q: How do they notify the University of their new residential address once they arrive in Tasmania?
A: Students must notify the University by entering their local address and other contact details in the eStudent system. Students will be issued with a unique username and password for logging in to eStudent.
It is very important that students update their details immediately after moving into semester accommodation or getting a new phone.
Failure to do so may mean the student missed out on key information and support.
Q: Who can help if my student has problems with their accommodation?
A: They can talk to their International Student Adviser, who can help find the best way to resolve the situation or help contact other support services such as the Tenants' Union of Tasmania.
Q: How do international students pay for things at the University of Tasmania?
A: To ensure students are not carrying large amounts of cash, the University is moving to a cashless system in which we will take payment only through EFTPOS and credit / debit cards. Students should arrange getting a bank account and card that functions internationally soon after arrival, if they do not already have one. The Hobart and Launceston campuses have a bank onsite to assist in this. A quick and easy way to get an EFTPOS card after arrival is through Australia post.
