Once you receive your student visa, you can book your flight to Australia. We recommend you arrive at Deakin in time for your International Student Welcome which is offered the week prior to OWeek.

The timing of receiving your visa and booking your flight can be tricky. It’s important to remember both of the following things:

• While you should start researching your flight to Australia while your visa application is in process, it’s important not to book it before you actually receive your visa.
• You might find that flights are difficult to secure due to high demand, so you should undertake your search for flights well in advance of your intended departure date, and continue to check the flights prior to making your purchase to be aware of price fluctuations.

Airports

There are two airports where you can arrive if you are travelling straight to a Deakin campus. The airport you choose will be based on your airline and also where you are studying – Geelong, Warrnambool or Melbourne.

Melbourne International Airport (Tullamarine) is located 30 minutes from the city. It accepts international flights from more than 35 airlines and seven domestic airlines.

Find out more about Melbourne International Airport

Avalon Airport is located 30 minutes from Geelong. It accepts domestic flights from other locations in Australia.

Find out more about Avalon Airport

When booking your flight to Melbourne we recommend you arrive at least a week or two before Orientation. This will allow you plenty of time to settle in and see a bit of the city and surrounding areas before starting at Deakin.

If you are visiting another Australian city before Melbourne, you will be able to take a domestic flight to either Melbourne International Airport or Avalon Airport.

If your visa application is pending

You are required to arrive in Australia and commence your studies prior to Week 2 of your first study period.

If your visa application is pending, and you do not arrive in Australia by Week 2, your CoE will be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs due to non-commencement.

If your visa isn’t granted in time, or there is another reason that you cannot arrive to commence your studies, it’s important that you immediately defer your offer from Deakin. You can do this by contacting our International Admissions team at the email provided to you on your offer letter.

Learn more about how to defer

Airport pick-up

We’re ready to welcome you to Deakin and make your arrival easier, so we offer a free airport pick-up service for all new international students.

Our service will pick you up from Melbourne International Airport (Tullamarine) or Avalon Airport. All you need to do is complete an application form and let us know your arrival details. Please include where you will be staying when you get here.

You will need to submit a request at least three business days prior to your arrival in Australia.

Complete an airport pick-up application form