Day0 — Allianz Care

Day0

Powered by Allianz Care

Before Day One, there's Day Zero.

Answer 3 questions. See how long your money lasts, your risk level, and exactly what to do first.

Which city are you arriving in?

How much money do you have available? (AUD)

What is your arrival date in Australia?

Day Zero Assessment

Nissa

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💰 —

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— weeks of
money left

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See financial breakdown ▾

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What to do. In order.

—d

until you arrive

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saved for arrival

Day Zero Score 0/100

Your modules

Your Arrival Plan

What to do now offshore — and what to do when you land.

Your Health Cover

Know what you are covered for before you need it.

Cost of Living

This is how long your money will last.

Healthcare When You Need It

Find the right care fast

Coming soon

Setting Up Your Life

Bank, transport, TFN and more

Coming soon

Community and Connection

Find your people on campus

Coming soon

Know Your Rights

Visa, tenancy, and work rules explained

Coming soon

General information only. Not personal financial or legal advice.

Module 1 — Your personalised arrival plan

Your Arrival Plan

Two lists built around your situation. What you can do now, offshore. What you do on day one and week one, onshore. Tick them off in order.

0 of 10 steps complete

Do now — you are offshore

Download your Allianz Care OSHC card and save it offline on your phone

Your OSHC is already active. Check the email Allianz Care sent when your policy was issued — your certificate and membership details are in that email. If you cannot find it, ask your education agent or contact Allianz Care. Download the Allianz Care app and save your card offline. Your university requires it at check-in and clinics require it at reception.

Book your flights and lock your arrival date

Without a confirmed date, you cannot book accommodation, coordinate pickup, or start pre-arrival job applications. Every week you delay locking this in is a week lost for preparation.

Lock your first 14 days of accommodation before departure

Students who arrive without confirmed accommodation spend their first 3 to 5 days managing housing under jet lag. That stress delays income by weeks. Book student halls or a serviced apartment for 14 days minimum. Secure the base first.

Alert your home bank of your travel dates to prevent card freeze

If your card is frozen on arrival, you have no access to funds until your bank resolves it — which takes 24 to 72 hours. During that window you cannot pay for transport, food, or accommodation. Call your bank before you fly.

Download offline maps of your arrival city before departure

You will not have a local SIM when you land. Without offline maps, finding your accommodation requires paid airport WiFi or guessing. Takes 2 minutes to download. Do it before you fly.

Final week — before you fly

Test that your Allianz Care app opens and your OSHC card loads without internet

First, find your OSHC certificate — check the email Allianz Care sent when your policy was issued, or ask your education agent. Then download the Allianz Care app, log in with your membership number, and save your card offline. Turn off WiFi and mobile data to confirm the card loads without internet. If it does not, resolve it before you fly. On arrival you may need to show it within hours at enrolment or at a clinic, before your local SIM is active.

Save your university's international student helpline as a phone contact

If your accommodation falls through, your card is blocked, or you cannot find transport on arrival, this number resolves it. Without it saved, you waste critical time searching under stress. 30 seconds now prevents hours of difficulty later.

Confirm how you get from the airport to your accommodation

Arriving without a confirmed plan means paying for a taxi ($50 to $80) under jet lag with no local SIM. Many universities offer free airport pickups for new international students. Check before you fly. If not available, map the exact public transport route offline now.

Exchange AUD 150 to 200 cash before departure

If your card is frozen or the ATM queue is long, cash is your only option for transport, food, or a locker. Airport exchange rates in Australia are poor. Exchange before you fly. AUD 150 covers your first 12 hours without bank access.

Email scanned copies of passport, visa, OSHC certificate, and offer letter to yourself

If your bag is lost or documents stolen in transit, these scans are what you use to prove identity and enrol. Without them, replacing documents takes days. Takes 5 minutes now. Do it before check-in.

Health cover — done.

You know what you are covered for and where to go on day one. Keep ticking off your arrival plan below.

When you arrive — onshore only

These steps can only be done in Australia. Your first week targets.

Buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport or at Woolworths or Coles

A $30–$40 prepaid SIM from Woolworths or Coles gives you data and a local number from day one. Without it you have no maps, no Allianz Care app, and no way to call your university or bank. Do this before you leave the airport or on your way to accommodation.

Get your transport card for your city

Get your city transport card as soon as you arrive — Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, Go Card in Brisbane, MyWay in Canberra, Metrocard in Adelaide, SmartRider in Perth. Top it up weekly so you always know what you are spending on transport.

Open an Australian bank account in your first week

Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac all allow international students to open accounts online before arrival and pick up the card in-branch. Without an Australian account you cannot receive wages, set up direct debit, or be paid by an employer. Do this in week one — not week four.

Apply for your Tax File Number (TFN)

You can only apply for a TFN after you arrive in Australia. Without it, employers must withhold 47% tax from your wages — the highest rate. Apply at ato.gov.au as soon as you arrive. Processing takes up to 28 days so do not wait until you have a job offer.

Start your part-time job search in week one

Hospitality, retail, and campus jobs are the most common first roles for international students. Check your visa work conditions first — most student visas allow 48 hours per fortnight during semester. Search on Seek, Indeed, and your university's student jobs board. Campus jobs are often the easiest first role.

Find your nearest Direct Billing GP clinic

Use the Find a Direct Billing Doctor tool to locate your nearest clinic. These clinics bill Allianz Care directly — you pay nothing for the visit. Find it before you need it, not when you are already sick. Save the address and phone number in your contacts.

Module 2 — Your health cover

Your Health Cover

OSHC is mandatory. Knowing what it covers — and what it does not — prevents unexpected costs on arrival.

What is OSHC?

Your mandatory health cover — valid in Australia only

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Overseas Student Health Cover

OSHC is a type of health insurance the Australian Government requires all international students to hold. You must have it before your student visa is granted and for the full duration of your course.

Why Allianz Care?

Allianz Care is an approved OSHC provider in Australia. Your cover is active from the date on your certificate. Check the email Allianz Care sent when your policy was issued — your certificate and membership number are in that email. If you cannot find it, ask your education agent. Do not wait until you are sick to set this up.

What your health cover pays for

Doctor visits

When you feel sick or need a check-up, you can see a doctor. Your cover helps pay for this.

Hospital

If you need to stay in hospital, your cover pays for treatment at a public hospital.

Emergency transport

If an ambulance takes you to hospital in an emergency, this is covered.

Some medicines

Common medicines prescribed by your doctor may be covered, with a small payment from you.

Teeth (dental)

Not in your OSHC. Budget $90–150 for a standard check-up. Book only when you have income.

Eyes (optical)

Not in your OSHC. Glasses and eye tests are out-of-pocket. Not urgent — plan for later.

These details reflect standard Allianz Care OSHC. Your policy may vary — the Allianz Care app shows your exact cover.

What you might pay

$0 at Direct Billing clinics · $20–$80 at others

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Doctor visit — Direct Billing clinic$0

Doctor visit — standard clinic$20–$80 gap

Hospital emergency room$0 (public hospital)

Ambulance to hospitalCovered

Medicine from pharmacySmall payment

A Direct Billing clinic bills Allianz Care directly — you pay nothing for the visit. Always ask: "Do you Direct Bill Allianz Care?" before booking. Costs vary by clinic and location.

What to do when you feel sick

3 steps — tap to read

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Need a doctor from home? Allianz Care OSHC includes 24/7 telehealth at no out-of-pocket cost — phone or video, any time. agatelehealth.com.au

Step 1 — Find a doctor who charges you nothing

Use the Allianz Care app or visit the Find a Direct Billing Doctor tool to find a clinic near you. These clinics bill Allianz Care directly — you pay nothing for the visit.

When you call to book, say: "I have Allianz Care OSHC. Do you Direct Bill?" If they say no, search for a different clinic in the app. Always confirm before your appointment.

Step 2 — Show your health cover card at reception

Open the Allianz Care app and show your digital card to the receptionist.

No app yet? Find your OSHC certificate — it was emailed when your policy was issued. Your policy number from that email is enough to prove cover.

Can't find the email? Ask your education agent — they have your membership details.

Note: Allianz Care no longer issues physical cards. The app is your proof of cover.

Step 3 — Get your money back if you paid

Submit your claim and receipts via the Allianz Care app or the MyHealth portal at my.allianzcare.com.

You can also email your claim form and receipts to oshcclaims@allianzcare.com.au with your policy number in the subject line.

Keep all receipts — claims are processed within 10 business days.

Health conditions you had before arriving — what you need to know: Doctor visits, emergency care, and mental health treatment have no waiting period — you are covered from day one. For other pre-existing conditions, a 12-month waiting period applies, calculated from the date you arrived in Australia or the date your visa was granted, whichever is later. Pregnancy-related conditions also carry a 12-month wait, though from 1 January 2026 this is being removed for policies of 2 or more years. If you have a pre-existing condition, review your policy wording or contact Allianz Care before booking specialist appointments.

Set up the Allianz Care app before you land

Your membership number is in the email Allianz Care sent when your policy was issued. Takes two minutes. Don't wait until you're sick.

Go to Allianz Care portal →

Module 3 — Cost of living

How Long Will Your Money Last?

These numbers show how long your money will last. If you do not know them, you cannot plan.

$550–$750

Estimated weekly spend

$2,200–$3,000

Monthly equivalent

Weekly spending — your city

🏠Rent (share house)$250–$400

🛒Groceries$60–$90

🚌Transport$30–$50

📱Phone plan$15–$30

☕Eating out / social$40–$80

📚Study materials$10–$20

How to make your money last longer

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Sources and notes▾

Almost there.

Three quick questions to help future students.
Takes about 30 seconds.

Before you land

Do you feel confident about using your health cover in Australia?

The Allianz Care app shows your cover and helps you find a doctor near you.

Do you feel financially prepared for your first month?

Knowing how long your money lasts helps you plan when to start looking for work.

Have you downloaded the Allianz Care app?

You will need it at your first doctor visit — even before your local SIM is active.

Skip — go to my arrival plan

Thank you.

Your answers will help Allianz Care improve support for international students arriving in Australia.