Top list items to pack when you are travelling first time to Australia

Have you recently been granted student visa or Permanent Resident visa to Australia?

Are you travelling to Australia soon? Do not know what to pack within the limit of the baggage weight given? Do not worry, the below are the top list items to pack when you are travelling first time to Australia.

1. Clothes and shoes: These are must haves in your baggage:  Men: Minimum 3 pairs of formal trousers and 5 shirts; 2 pairs of jeans and casual or T shirts depending on your preference. 1 or 2 pairs of formal and casual shoes, thongs and any sandals. Half a dozen of socks for casual and formal shoes. Women: Minimum 3 pairs of formal trousers/skirts and shirts. If you are travelling in winter, make sure you have tights or leg warmers to go along with them. 2 pairs of jeans, cultural attire, Tunics, casual and T shirts. 1 or 2 pairs of formal and casual shoes, thongs and any sandals. Half a dozen of socks for casual shoes

4. Blanket and a pillow: This is another important item to have as it is expensive to buy a good quality blanket. It is a must have during winters. Have one thick and good quality blanket and a light weight pillow that can fit in your baggage. Further, get two bed sheets to spread on your bed.
5. Toiletries: Men: Shaving kit, perfume/deodorant, nail cutter, moisturizer and any related items in this category. Women: Wax Creams, eyebrow tweezers, lipsticks, sanitary pads, perfume/Deodorant, make up items (if you wear), nail cutter, moisturizer and any other items in this category.
6. Stationary: includes college bag, USB drive, couple of note books and pens, calculator (depending on your course).
7. Kitchen items: Basic items like small pressure cooker, plate and a glass and couple of utensils. If you are staying as a paying guest, you might not require them. This is useful if you are planning to live in university accommodation or sharing with friends where you had to cook yourself.
8. Laptop and hard disk: This is optional item from my point of view, because every university has their own computer laboratory, you can go and do your own research on those PCs. If you have money or Laptop just bring it in. Hard disk is required to store all your data, assignment and any important notes.
9. Certificate of Enrolment and all your academic documents: These are very important to have in your baggage. Just pack all your academic certificates, certificate of enrolment and any receipts that you have received as part of university fee payments
10. Passport and the visa letter: Can you travel without this? No, so make sure you hold this in your hand bag or hand luggage where it is easy for you to retrieve when needed during your travel. To be on the safe side, carry visa confirmation letter to ensure no issues arise during your travel.
11. Driving license: This is another important item to carry if you want to drive in Australia. This is valid for 6 months after your arrival.
12. Mobile Phone: If you want to use your existing mobile, carry with you. There are many options that help you to take ‘sim’ only plan. This saves money on buying the new phone.
13. Cash: Some cash in the form of traveler’s cheques and do not carry physical cash in huge amount.

Travelling with family: Are you travelling with kids? you have many items to pack

1. School Certificate Reports: If you have school going kids, get their transfer certificates and other academic certificates. This helps the schools in Australia to analyse your children’s literacy and numeracy skills.
2. Vaccination reports if the child is under 5: This is very important if you have kids below 5 years of age; bring all the vaccination reports otherwise you need to go through all of those vaccines again to be eligible for centre link payments.
3. Baby food/formulae: If you have particular food that your child likes to eat; pack them at last at least for 3-4 weeks. Meanwhile, you can try to feed new food or find the place where you can get his/her usual food.
4. Medical Certificates: If you have any medical history, try to pack all of those reports. It is handy for the doctors in Australia to analyse your previous situation and treat you accordingly. It is important for women who had caesarean section deliveries, if you fell pregnant again and the doctors would be able to treat accordingly based on your previous condition.
5. Non-prescribed medicines: Try to pack general medicines for headaches, fevers etc; you can also pack half a dozen of Vicks Vaporub bottles if you have kids under 5.
6. Favourite toys of kids: If your kid cannot live without it, try to pack couple of his/her favourite toys. This makes your life easy a bit.
7. Spices and Lentils: You can bring some spices and lentils as long as they are not cooked and are declared.
8. Kids clothes and others: This depends on the age of your kids; if they are below 5, they need more clothes so pack them generously

All the above items are found in Australia in various departmental stores; however being to new country and place you will be busy in settling down and getting used to the environment.

If you are a student, it takes about 6 months to settle down as you are busy in university enrolments, meeting new friends and understanding the curriculum and the currency denominations. At least if you have the above, you can be stress free by not worrying about buying new items as soon as you arrive.

If you are a Permanent Resident and arrived with family, this is more stressful than as a student. You will be busy in applying for jobs, searching for schools or child care to kids, accommodation apart from entertaining kids.  If you have some basic items, this helps you to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Let me know in the comments below what else did you pack in your baggage.