Packing List for Students Going to Australia in 2026

Packing for your overseas studies can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re flying from India to study in Australia for the first time. Packing efficiently not only makes your move smoother but also helps you avoid overspending and unnecessary stress. Many Indian students end up spending extra during their first month abroad due to poor planning or missed essentials. 

With a little planning, you can easily save INR 15,000–20,000, avoid excess baggage charges, and settle into student life in Australia with comfort and ease. 

Here is a quick overview table to give you an idea:  

Category	Key Items
Documents	Passport & student visa, Confirmation of Enrolment
Clothing	Everyday wear, formal wear, summer + winter gear
Electronics	Laptop, smartphone, UK/AU plug adapter, power bank
Kitchen Essentials	Pressure cooker (small), steel tiffin, spices
Medicines	Prescriptions, pain relief, cold & flu kit
Toiletries	Toothbrush, shampoo, sunscreen, sanitary items
Financial Essentials	AUD cash, Forex card, bank documents
What Not to Pack	Heavy appliances, large food items, restricted goods

(Note: This table is for quick reference; each category is detailed in the following sections.) 

In this guide, you’ll read more about important travel and academic documents, clothing essentials for Australia’s climate, what all to bring, what not to pack, and smart packing tips for Indian students going to Australia.

 

Important Travel and Academic Documents for Australia Students 

Before you board your flight to Australia, ensure your documents are complete, well-organized and easily accessible. Missing even one key paper can cause delays with visa checks or university registration. 

Document Types 

• Travel Documents: Passport valid for travel, Student visa (Subclass 500) proof, Flight tickets and travel itinerary. 
• University Documents: Offer letter from your institution, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) certificate required by Australian universities and immigration. 
• Financial Proof: Bank statements showing sufficient funds, tuition fee receipts, scholarship letters (if applicable). 
• Academic Records: Degree/diploma certificates, transcripts, English-language test scores (IELTS/PTE) if required. 
• Accommodation & Health Insurance Papers: Accommodation booking/rental contract, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) certificate required under Australian student visa rules.  

Keep all your original documents in a waterproof zip-lock folder inside your cabin/hand luggage. Carry two photocopies of each document in a separate pouch. Email or upload scanned copies to your cloud storage as a backup. Many sources put a lot of emphasis on this practice for international students.  

Pre-Departure Checklist 

• Check passport expiry (should cover your visa + at least six months). 
• Confirm CoE and visa details match your university and course start date. 
• Ensure OSHC cover is in place; you cannot commence studies without it. 
• Carry local Australian address/contact details if available (for immigration/arrival forms). 

Check out: Cost of Studying in Australia

Electronics and Gadgets to Carry in Australia 

Before you leave India, make sure the electronics you pack are compatible with Australia’s 230 V / 50 Hz system and the Type I plug sockets which are widely used there. 

• Study Gadgets: Laptop (50–60 W typical), external hard drive, USB pen drives. 
• Mobile & Communication: Smartphone (unlocked), reliable power bank (check airline limit). 
• Adapters & Converters: Australia uses plug type I; bring 1–2 universal travel adapters and check if your devices need voltage conversion. 
• Accessories: Headphones/earbuds, extension board with built-in surge protection (Australian dorms may have limited sockets). 
• Backup Devices: Extra charger cables, memory card, portable charger for day trips. 

What to Avoid

• Heavy or bulky appliances like irons or high-wattage hair dryers (many Indian appliances may not be compatible). 
• Non-voltage compatible devices: risking damage or voiding warranty. 
• Packing all electronics in the check-in baggage must be avoided; always keep valuable devices in the cabin bag for safety. 

Before packing, test each device to see if it supports 230 V (often listed on charger label as “100-240 V”). Tag your chargers and cables for easy access on arrival. Carry a multi-plug extension (Australian approved) to reduce expense of buying new ones after landing.

 

Clothing Essentials for Australia Weather 

Packing the right clothes is one of the biggest tasks when you’re moving to Australia. The weather can vary significantly by state and season: while cities like Melbourne and Sydney enjoy mild climates, others like Brisbane or Perth can be warmer; winters in southern states can get cool and wet. 

Every day and Formal Wear

Essential items to include: 

• 6–8 T-shirts/shirts/tops (mix of short and long sleeves) 
• 3–4 pairs of jeans or casual trousers 
• 1–2 formal shirts/trousers for presentations/interviews 
• 1 ethnic outfit for cultural/spoken-language events 
• Undergarments, socks, nightwear for at least 10 days 
  Avoid over-packing heavy ethnic outfits; you can obtain them later if needed. 

Summer & Winter Season Gears

Australia summer (Dec–Feb) is warm in most places; cooler seasons (especially May–Aug) in southern cities require layering. Must-haves: 

• Lightweight jacket or windbreaker 
• 1 heavy jacket if you will be based in cooler regions (Tasmania, Victoria winter) 
• Sweaters/pullovers (2–3) 
• Waterproof shoes or boots if you land in rainy months 
• Umbrella or raincoat (many coastal cities have showers even in summer) 

Roll clothes for space-saving. Use vacuum bags for bulky items if you have a lot of winter garments. Carry one pair of sturdy shoes for everyday use and one formal/lecture pair. Buy local winter gear if you plan to stay long-term and base in a colder city.

 

Toiletries and Personal Care Essentials for Australia 

While most toiletries are easily available in Australia supermarkets and pharmacies (e.g., Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse), bringing a small personalized kit from India helps during your initial transition. 

What to Pack 

Category	Essential Items
Basic Toiletries	Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner
Skincare & Grooming	Face wash, moisturizer, razor/shaving kit, deodorant
Hygiene Items	Hair oil, comb, sanitary pads/tampons, nail cutter
Extras	Sunscreen (SPF 30+), wet wipes, cotton swabs

Liquids in hand baggage must each be ≤100 ml and fit in a transparent resealable pouch. Larger bottles can go in check-in, but seal them to avoid leaks.  

You’ll find Australian brands and larger sizes at better prices once settled, buy bulk items once your accommodation is sorted. Meanwhile, bring essentials to tide you over.

 

Medicines and Health Essentials for Indian Students in Australia

Health care in Australia is very good but can be expensive without proper cover. Bringing a basic medical kit from India with familiar brands and prescriptions helps you hit the ground running. 

Medicine Checklist

Category	Common Medicines
Prescription	Any long-term meds (doctor’s note mandatory)
Pain Relief	Paracetamol, Ibuprofen
Cold & Flu	Cough syrup, lozenges
Digestion & Stomach	Antacids, ORS
Allergy & Skin Care	Antihistamines, anti-itch cream
First-Aid Kit	Band-aids, antiseptic cream, thermometer

• Carry prescription medicines in original packaging along with a doctor’s letter explaining usage; Australia has strict import rules for some medications. 
• International students in Australia must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), check policy terms before departure. 

Once settled, you can access pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse, Priceline) for over-the-counter meds. Save luggage space by bringing only core medicines and buy rest locally.

 

Kitchen Essentials for Indian Students in Australia 

Bringing a few key kitchen items and ready-to-cook Indian snacks from India helps you settle in faster and feel comfortable while you get your bearings. 

Items to Carry 

• Cooking utensils: Compact pressure cooker (2-3 L), frying pan, spatula, small knife 
• Storage & tableware: Lunch box, bowls, steel tiffin, water bottle 
• Indian spices: Turmeric, cumin, chilli powder, garam masala (sealed packets) 
• Ready-to-eat items: Instant noodles, snack packets, tea bags/coffee sachets 
• Cleaning items: Scrubber, dish soap sample, dishcloth 

Items you should avoid Carrying

• Open packets of food, fresh produce, oils or ghee: these may be restricted by Australian biosecurity rules.  
• Heavy cookware like large tava or big pots: you can buy these after arrival at budget stores. 

Australia has Indian grocery stores even in regional cities; once you arrive, explore options for bulk spice purchase and cookware at local discount stores (e.g., Kmart, Target, or local Indian supermarkets) to save on international luggage cost.

 

Financial Essentials for Indian Students in Australia

Before you fly, make sure your finances are organised to cover initial expenses such as rent deposit, groceries, tuition, and day-to-day costs. 

Financial Checklist

Item	What to Prepare
Currency & Cards	AUD 500-AUD 1,000 in cash, Forex card/international debit card
Bank Documents	PAN card, Indian bank statement, education loan NOC if applicable
Financial Proofs	Tuition fee receipt, scholarship documents
Online Accounts	Activate mobile banking, set up UPI/global transfer apps
Emergency Funds	Reserve at least ₹ 50,000-₹ 1,00,000 (or AUD equivalent) for urgent use

• Many Indian banks issue for ex-student cards with favorable rates, load funds after arriving to save on exchange losses. 
• Avoid carrying large volumes of cash: be aware of Australian customs restrictions on declaring cash (AUD 10,000 threshold) when entering. 

It is also advised to create a mini-budget for your first two weeks, from pre-paid taxi to accommodation, SIM card, groceries, initial groceries deposit/rent. Having cash and a working card ready reduces stress on day one.

 

What Not to Pack for Australia for Indian students

Packing light and smart is equally important. Most airlines to Australia grant around 23-30 kg check-in plus 7-10 kg cabin for students; over-packing leads to overweight fees or wasted space. 

Things to Avoid

• Heavy cookware and redundant utensils (big pressure cookers, many plates). 
• Large food quantities: uncooked rice, loose spices, open food packets, Australia has biosecurity laws that restrict such items. 
• Non-compatible electrical appliances: irons, blenders, hair dryers designed for Indian voltage may not work. 
• Bulky clothing or many ethnic outfits: focus on layering and versatility; heavy winter coats can be bought locally. 
• Duplicate accessories: extra chargers, shoes, towels you won’t use early on. 
• Prohibited/restricted items: aerosols, certain food items, seeds/soil, unlabeled powders as these raise red flags at customs. 

Pack only what you’ll need in the first 7-10 days. Once settled, you can buy remaining items in Australia (often at better value). This keeps your luggage manageable and reduces arrival stress.

 

Conclusion

Moving abroad to study in Australia is an exciting step, but the right packing strategy can make all the difference. Use this packing list tailored for Indian students heading to Australia to focus on genuine essentials and avoid last-minute packing stress. Start early, organise category-wise, double-check your documents, and remember anything you forget can usually be bought on arrival. Pack smart, travel light, and set yourself up for a smooth start in Australia. 

To explore study options, accommodation or cost planning for Australian universities, connect with UpGrad’s academic advisors today.