The Iglu Guide | Blog
Going back home checklist : Everything you need to do before leaving Australia
When your time in Australia draws to a close, there’s a few organisational jobs that need ticking off before you leave. This handy checklist for international students will make sure you get to really enjoy your final days in the sunny country, as well as experience a completely stress-free departure.
1. Get your finances in order
- File your tax return – The Australian tax year runs from July-June, but even if you are leaving in the middle of the tax year, it’s definitely a good idea to file it before you go in case you owe any tax from working. Accessing government websites is always easier from within Australia, and if you need to talk to the ATO about your situation, you’re in the right time zone. You might get lucky and receive a rebate!
- Claim back your super – If you have been working while studying, your employer may have been paying into your nominated Super fund. Find out if you are eligible to receive any benefits before you leave.
- Pay any outstanding fees or fines – Make sure all items such as library books are returned, and you have no outstanding utility or mobile phone bills to resolve.
- Close bank accounts – Leave one last account open to receive any tax rebates, and bond refunds and then transfer all your monies back home using a money service such as Wise or Revolut.
2. Exit your student accommodation
- Give plenty of notice – Give your landlord as much notice as possible and make sure there is no damage to your property or room that could compromise your deposit
- Remove your name from lease – If in shared student accommodation, make sure your name is no longer listed, so that you are not liable for any future problems
- Get your bond back – If the property is left as you found it, you should receive the full bond back into your account
- Return keys and swipe cards – make sure you don’t take anything from the property that doesn’t belong to you
3. Leave university
- Collect your certification – Obtain all your academic transcripts, diplomas and certificates to prevent having to pay postage
- Retain study information – Make sure you have written evidence of every unit studied as it may be useful as evidence of prior learning
- Ask for references – Talk to lecturers or university staff about giving you a written reference before you leave, as this may help you secure work in the future
4. Leave work
- Employer reference – Ask your employer for a written reference even if it was volunteer work
- Note your job description – This is a useful reminder of what you have done and the transferable skills you can take into your next role
- Network – Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn, you never know where they might crop up again
5. Organise your personal life
- Collect a copy of your medical records – Talk to your doctor and ask for a digital file that can be emailed to you for a small fee
- Keep, discard, donate – Go through all your belongings and work out what you want to take home, and what you want to get rid of. You might be able to sell off some items, or you can donate them to a local charity
- Set up a forwarding address – Contact the post office and organise all items to be sent on to your home address
6. Celebrate your experience!
- Have some fun! – Make the most of your final weeks in Australia and take the time to see more of the country
- Organise a leaving event – Don’t forget to plan some goodbyes with all your Aussie support squad, and make some future plans for when you can all meet up again
- Plan to return! – Australia will always be a formative part of your life, make sure you make a return visit!
