Pre-departure information
So, you are coming to study on-campus at UNE. We have confirmed your enrolment, and you have your student visa and health cover. What's next?
Now, you will need to get organised before the start of the Trimester, our Welcome to UNE brochure has all the information you need to know!
When to get here
You need to arrange travel and accommodation as soon as you have your student visa.
Make sure you book your flights to arrive before orientation and enrolment, which take place in the week before classes begin.
All international students must attend orientation. The purpose of this event is to introduce you to the UNE campus and to help you prepare for student life in Australia. Join in activities like the City Mayor's welcome, star gazing, wildlife spotting and sheep shearing!
During orientation, you will formally enrol at UNE and choose your units of study. Enrolment staff will be on-campus to answer your questions.
See principal dates for orientation and enrolment.
Arriving in Australia
You might be feeling a little nervous about arriving in Australia. The more information you have, the more your mind will be put at ease.
Getting to UNE Armidale
If you are flying from your home country into Sydney, you will enter Australia though International Terminal (T1). Flights to Armidale leave from Domestic Terminal (T3). The trip from Sydney to Armidale takes about one hour. QANTAS airline flies daily from Sydney to Armidale.
Fly Corporate operates with flights from Brisbane to Armidale; this flight also has a duration of one hour.
Remember, it may take a couple of hours to clear customs and immigration if you arrive when the airport is busy. So, when booking connecting flights, make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
Armidale Airport is seven kilometres from the city centre. You can catch a taxi cab from the airport to your accommodation.
Getting to UNE Sydney (Parramatta)
211 Church Street, Parramatta
Purpose:
- Student Support
- Student self study spaces
- Rooms available to book for private use
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 8:30am - 9:00pm
- Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Weekends: 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Opening hours will vary on public holidays and the Christmas break
Level 4, 100 George St, Parramatta
Purpose:
- Timetabled teaching location for on-campus students
- Intensives
- External hire
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Only accessible for scheduled teaching
There are so many ways to get to Parramatta, a well-connected city served by bus, train and ferry.
Parramatta is just 24 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and is easily accessed by express train or by Parramatta Road/M4 freeway, Victoria Road, Cumberland Highway or Windsor Road.
Train
Parramatta Station connects to locations all around metro Sydney. It’s a 30-minute ride from Sydney’s Town Hall to Parramatta. There are stations at nearby Harris Park and Westmead, too.
Bus
The city is served by buses to the interchange near Parramatta Station. Bus routes connect Parramatta with other Sydney destinations like Castle Hill, Hornsby, Ryde, Strathfield and the Sydney city centre.
Drive
Parramatta is well serviced by major road connections. There are parking stations around Parramatta, many of which offer pre-booking discounts. There are also paid and free street parking spots in the city.
Ferry
The F3 Parramatta River ferry service travels from Parramatta Wharf to Circular Quay. Known as the Parramatta RiverCat, these catamarans are a great way to travel to and from Parramatta.
Australian conditions
Do you know what the weather will be like when you arrive?
If you haven't already, read all about Life in Armidale, or Life in Sydney.
Once you have a good idea of what you need to prepare, take the time to chat with a student! From the airport pick-up service, through to graduation, and everything in-between; our students share a first-hand account of what it’s like to live and study through UNE.
