Final Year, What's Next?
The information here covers many of the topics you need to consider when finishing your studies. This information is complemented by a series of workshops and sessions throughout the year. All students are welcome.
Download the to do checklist
Download the Final Year, What's Next? flyer
Graduation: ceremonies and academic transcripts
If you are in your final semester, a provisional graduation intention form will be sent to you. You need to fill out this form and return it to the Graduate team. Students who indicate:
- they wish to attend a ceremony will be advised of their provisional ceremony date about two months in advance.
- they wish to graduate in absentia, or defer their graduation will been sent a letter confirming arrangements for these choices.
If you do not return your provisional graduation intention form, you will be sent an offer to attend a ceremony at a later date. For more information on graduations and what to do, see the Graduations website and answers to common graduation questions.
Stay or go: decisions and practicalities
Registrations for this event have now closed. Thank you for your interest. If you are completing in 2010, a similar event will be held mid-semester 1 2010. Bookmark this page for future reference.
This session presents an opportunity for you to make an informed decision about life after graduation.
12pm – 12.50pm Should I Stay or Should I Go?
- Expert panel on key issues to consider
- Student Stories – Alumni talk about their experience post-study
- Panel Q & A and small group discussions with alumni
12.50pm – 1.10pm Refreshment break
- Mingle and enjoy sushi and green tea
1.10pm – 2pm The Red Tape
- Housing: Finishing leases, selling stuff
- Financial matters: tax matters, closing bank accounts, transferring final pay checks
- Packing and sending your things home
You are welcome to come for the 1st hour only, 2nd hour only or the entire session – the choice is yours! Register now
Life after Uni is a period of transition, with many issues to consider, and can be a stressful time for you. You are always welcome to make an appointment with professional staff at International Student Services or the Counselling Service to talk about these issues and get advice about the practical and emotional aspects of completing your studies.
Visa options: extending your stay
Extending your stay sessions are held every week. Information and session times
If you wish to stay on in Australia after completing your course and you current visa is not subject to a no further stay condition, you will need apply for another visa. There are various visa options depending on your circumstances, including:
- Further study
If you have accepted an offer of place in a CRICOS registered course, you will to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and lodge an application for a student visa. - Holiday or graduation
If you wish to have a holiday in Australia or to attend your graduation ceremony, you can apply for a tourist visa. You may be asked to provide enclose a copy of your academic transcripts (available from Student Administration) showing that you have completed your course. This visa does not allow you to work. - Skilled migration
If you have completed one or more Australian qualifications which required at least two years of full-time study, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent and temporary visa under the General Skilled Migration program. - Employment
If a prospective employer is able to sponsor you to work in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for an employer sponsored visa.
Your Career: job seeking strategies for graduates
Job search can often be a challenging and lonely process. Have realistic expectations and maximise your chances by taking initiative and putting effort in your job search.
Careers & Employment provides a range of services to new graduates. Support for international graduates doesn’t stop when you get home. Annual functions are held in many cities overseas. Recent alumni can assist you with networking with other graduates or interested employers in a range of professions.
Book to attend the following events and more via Careers Online:
- Kickstart Your Career
- Skills 4 Work Workshops
- Improve Your English Clarity and Pronunciation for Job Interviews
- Marketing Yourself to Australian Employers and Understanding Australian Business Culture
Back to reality: returning home and culture shock
Tuesday 24 November 2009
11am - 12pm, Room 242, Alice Hoy Building
Returning home can be challenging and as frustrating as living overseas. Most of us assume that going home is a matter of picking up from where we left off. However, studying abroad has meant a lot of changes and the situation at home may also have changed. The following tips come from returnees who offer these ideas in the hope of making going back home easier for you:
- Take time to reflect and prepare
How has your overseas experience changed you? What new skills, knowledge and attitudes have you gained? What are some common problems of adjustment and what can you do to take care of yourself during the adjustment period? - Be Practical
Make a "to do" list of key things you need to do before going home and after you arrive. - Understand that the familiar will seem different
You will be seeing familiar people, places and behaviours from new perspectives. Some things will seem strange, perhaps even unsettling. Expect to have some new emotional and psychological reactions to being home. Everyone does. - Reserve judgments
Just as you had to keep an open mind when you moved to Melbourne, try to resist the natural impulse to make judgments about life back home. Mood swings are common at first, so take the time to allow yourself to adjust and reflect. - Beware of comparisons
You may find yourself comparing life in Melbourne and at home. Remember that each place is different and that there are positives and negatives of living in any place. - Remain flexible
When you return you often need to re-negotiate roles and relationships. Aim to balance the different aspects of your life so that it reflects where you are at now. - Seek new support networks while re-establishing old ones
There are lots of people who have themselves experienced re-entry and who understand returnees’ concerns. International Student Services and the Counselling Service can also offer support and advice. Meanwhile it is also good to catch up with old friends and re-establish those connections.
Packing up and sending your goods home
Registrations for this event have now closed. Thank you for your interest. If you are completing in 2010, a similar event will be held mid-semester 1 2010. Bookmark this page for future reference.
After having lived in Australia for a few years, you probably have accumulated more belongings than when you first arrived. Allow yourself time to sort out exactly what you want and how much you need to take home. It is recommended to do some comparative research and obtain costs from more than one shipping or removal company to find the one which best suit your needs. Search the Yellow Pages under "shipping" or "courier".
Issues to Consider
- Which company is the most cost effective for me?
- How do I pack items safely and securely to avoid damage?
- Does the company provide packing materials and insurance?
- What items can and cannot be sent home?
- Is there are maximum weight per package?
If you do not want to keep your belongings, giving to charity or selling may be a good option. You can advertise things for sale on notice boards around campus or your accommodation facility.
Moving out of your accommodation
Registrations for this event have now closed. Thank you for your interest. If you are completing in 2010, a similar event will be held mid-semester 1 2010. Bookmark this page for future reference.
Moving can be a daunting and tiring process, but preparation and knowing what needs to be done will make it much easier. In most situations, you will have legal responsibilities when moving out of your housing. It is important you understand these responsibilities in order to avoid any problems when vacating your housing and getting your bond back. For further information, download Moving Out - published by the Student Housing Service or visit Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV).
Sorting out your finances
Registrations for this event have now closed. Thank you for your interest. If you are completing in 2010, a similar event will be held mid-semester 1 2010. Bookmark this page for future reference.
Closing Bank Accounts
It is important to close your bank accounts before you leave to avoid bank fees and charges. If you expect any transactions after you have left Australia (e.g. final payment of wages), discuss your cirumstances with your bank.
Claiming your superannuation
Students who have stayed in Australia on an eligible temporary visa (eg. student visa) and permanently departed Australia, can claim their superannuation after they have left they have accumulated. This payment is subject to withholding tax.
Tourist Refund Scheme
The Tourist Refund Scheme enables you to claim a refund of the goods and services tax (gst) that you paid on goods bought in Australia. The scheme is limited to amounts over $300 purchased from a single store within 30 days of departure and taken with you as hand luggage onto your flight.
Lodging a Tax Return
You must lodge a tax return if your taxable income is over the tax-free threshold of AUD$6,000 per income year, or your income was below the tax-free threshold and you wish to receive a refund of tax that you paid. The tax free threshold is a pro-rata amount i.e. it is $500 per month. If, for example, you are leaving Australia in December, and you have only been in Australia for 6 months of the relevant financial year, your tax free threshold is 6 x $500 = $3000.
To lodge a tax return, you need:
- your Tax File Number (TFN)
- payment summary from each of your employers, plus details of other income you have earned while in Australia or if you can't get this you need to complete a declaration form and lodge it with your tax return.
- Any receipts for items purchased as part of your job for which you intend to claim a tax deduction.
- The latest tax return form. If the form for the current financial year has not yet been published use the most recent form, cross out the current date and mark the return with this year date in bold on the front of the return.
Complete your tax return, attach a completed Taxpayer leaving Australia – Request for early assessment (NAT 3407), and post it to GPO Box 9990 in your capital city. Your assessment takes about six weeks to be processed.
Staff at Student Financial Aid can provide free limited assistance with the preparation of tax returns. The Tax Help Program is a free service run by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for low income earners for assistance in completing a tax return.
Further study
For students considering further study see the Future Students website for comprehensive information on graduate studies options at Melbourne.
Benefits for Alumni
Your alumni network of over 230,000 members spans the world with graduates working and living in places such as New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo and London. The University takes a keen interest in the achievements of all our graduates. We want to continue to support your successes and hear about your career path to share amongst the University community.
Stay Connected
By registering with the University’s Alumni Web community you can remain in contact with classmates and connect with other alumni. You can also register for your @alumni.unimelb email address which will ensure that wherever you go, you are always connected to what's happening in your alumni community. This email address will also help you make the most of your University of Melbourne qualifications when you use it on resumés and job applications.