From Admission to Arrival: Students’ Guide to the Australian National University in Australia

As I prepared for my journey to the Australian National University (ANU) in Australia, I often wished for a fellow student to serve as a guiding light—a gentle voice to whisper how to navigate visa applications, survive Canberra’s cold mornings, find a place to call home, and settle into a new academic world. I found no such lantern, so I learned through missteps and small victories, and it is from that experience that I now write as the lifelong mentor I vowed to become. This article is for every student coming to ANU—especially those from Ghana and across Africa—who arrive knowing no one but their supervisor and carrying dreams far larger than their luggage. Here, I offer the insights I once searched for: practical tips on academic registration, accommodation, communication, banking, food, clothing, and, wrapped in warmth and honesty, so your steps may be steadier, your worries lighter, and your journey far smoother than mine.

I had always intended to write this piece, but the whirlwind of academic demands and preparation for my Confirmation of Candidature left little room for the creative work I treasure so deeply; today, I’m grateful that the moment has finally arrived. And where better to begin than with the email from the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences—the message that confirmed my admission and scholarship to pursue a PhD at Australia’s only federal university. I began preparations immediately, starting with the visa application and wishing I had a fellow ANU student who had already walked this path—someone who could guide me through the uncertainties ahead. It was from that longing, and from my own lived experience, that I shaped the insights I’m sharing now. They are the steps I wish someone had handed me on day one: what to do the moment you receive your admission and funding email.

Visa Application

Begin by visiting the Department of Home Affairs website and carefully reviewing the student visa requirements specific to your home country—this is your foundation, so take your time to understand every detail. Once you’re familiar with the guidelines, create an ImmiAccount, which is the official portal for lodging and tracking your visa application. As you prepare your documents, ensure each one meets the required standards and specifications, from file format to size, clarity, and certification. Paying attention to these small details can save you delays, stress, and repeated uploads, making your visa process far smoother and more efficient. As a law-abiding citizen, I carefully followed every step of the visa application process and provided all the correct documents, which made the entire approval process smooth and straightforward.

Academic Registration

Before you arrive in Australia, make sure you complete your academic registration—trust me, it will save you a world of stress. Once you’re fully registered, you can log in to the university Wi-Fi and all essential systems using your student details. Simple, smooth, and exactly how you want your first days to be. I, unfortunately, learned this lesson the hard way. I arrived without completing my registration, and things got complicated. My supervisor had to jump in, using his own laptop to send my documents to the college administration so they could finalise everything. His help was incredible—and I’m very grateful—but it made me realise just how much easier things could have been if I had finalised my registration early. You’ll make life easier not only for yourself, but also for the people who may end up trying to help you. 

And if you ever need support, don’t hesitate to contact ANU Student Life or ANUSA. They’re friendly, approachable, and always ready to help you settle in.

Accommodation

Where you live can have a big impact on both your academic and social life at ANU, so it’s important not to take it for granted, as I did. ANU offers a variety of on-campus accommodation options, and for PhD students, Graduate House is often a great fit. It offers a supportive community, networking opportunities, and relatively affordable pricing in comparison to the others. But the number of rooms is limited, and you may receive offers from other residences instead. When you get an accommodation offer, take your time before accepting. Look into room sizes, facilities, locations, and whether the residence has a strong postgraduate community that suits your needs. You can also explore other ANU housing options that offer a similar environment to Graduate House and reach out directly to their accommodation teams to request a room that matches your preferences.

It’s also important to understand how payments and contracts work. Once you accept an offer and make your first payment, your contract begins immediately—even if you are still overseas. Fees are charged fortnightly, so for example, paying $800 on 10 February means the next payments fall on 24 February, 10 March, and 24 March, totalling $3,200 if you arrive on 25 March. If your finances allow, paying early can secure your room, but if funds are limited, it may be wiser to schedule payments closer to your arrival to avoid paying for weeks you haven’t yet spent in Australia. Keep in mind, however, that for popular residences like Graduate House, delaying payment could result in your offer being withdrawn.

Understanding these timelines and planning carefully will help you navigate your accommodation choices smoothly, avoid unnecessary expenses, and settle in comfortably when you arrive.

Travel and Transportation: Getting From Ghana to Canberra

Flying directly from Accra to Canberra can be very expensive, so many students find a more practical option is to fly from Accra to Sydney and then continue the journey to Canberra by bus. If convenience is your top priority and you don’t mind the higher cost, a direct flight is certainly an option. For most students, though, the Accra–Sydney route is more affordable and manageable. Depending on the airline you choose, your journey will likely include a stopover in Turkey or Dubai, and the total travel time will be between 26 -40 hours on average. Mine was about 32 hours with transits. If your flight arrives in Sydney at night, you might need somewhere to stay for the evening. I personally booked a hotel near the airport and caught the Murray bus to Canberra the next morning. Planning for long flights and overnight stops can make your arrival in Australia much smoother and less stressful.

From Sydney, Murrays Coaches run regular services to Canberra and back, making the journey comfortable and straightforward. It’s a good idea to book your tickets online in advance as part of your travel arrangements while you are still overseas. When you arrive at the Murrays station in Canberra’s City Centre, you can take an ACT taxi to your accommodation. Local buses are also available in Canberra, but they may require walking up to ten minutes or more to reach the pickup or your accommodation after drop-off points, which can be difficult when you’re carrying luggage. I was lucky that my supervisor was able to pick me up at the station, and his support made those first moments in Canberra much smoother and less stressful.

Communication and Banking Services

To settle in smoothly, you’ll need two important things: an Australian bank account (with a debit card/Mastercard) and an Australian mobile number. These are the keys to handling most transactions, from receiving payments to making everyday purchases. To complete your bank account setup, an Australian mobile number is required. Fortunately, there are plenty of network providers to choose from, including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and a range of smaller carriers. I personally use Moose Mobile, which runs on the Optus network and is affordable. For banking, you’ll find several reliable institutions such as the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB (National Australia Bank), and Suncorp. I’m with the Commonwealth Bank, and having a bank account makes life much easier—your payments or salary can be deposited directly, and you’ll have a Mastercard card ready for smooth, cashless transactions. Make sure to have your accommodation address on hand, as it’s needed for both mobile and banking applications. If you can, consider signing up for a mobile plan online before you arrive. Your SIM card can then be delivered straight to your accommodation, saving you time and hassle. You also have the option to open a bank account online before travelling. Once you arrive in Canberra, you can simply visit a branch to finalise the process. It’s a convenient way to get ahead and settle in with ease.

Clothing and Food

Australia’s weather can feel very different depending on when you arrive, so having the right clothing makes your first few weeks much more comfortable. If you’re coming between October and March, expect warm to very hot days, especially in Canberra. Light summer clothes, breathable fabrics, and a good pair of sunglasses will make a big difference. Don’t underestimate the sun here—it’s strong, even on days that don’t feel too hot.

If you arrive around June, prepare for winter ahead. Canberra gets cold, especially in the mornings and evenings, and temperatures can drop close to freezing. A decent winter jacket, warm layers, and comfortable shoes will help you settle in without shivering your way around campus. When you first move in, you’ll also need a few basics to make your meals at home. Budget for simple kitchen essentials like a plate, cup, cutlery, a lunch bowl, a water bottle, and maybe a rice cooker if you like easy, fuss-free cooking. Groceries can add up quickly, so starting with simple items can give you time to settle before deciding what your regular meals will be. These small preparations—dressing for the season, having basic kitchen tools, and stocking up on simple foods—can make your transition to life in Australia feel smoother, more comfortable, and a lot less stressful.

I’ll share more things to look out for around the ANU campus in the next article.

Written by: Huzeima Mahamadu ( PhD Candidate, the Australian National University, Australia)