ANU International Student Departure Checklist: Refunding Your Bond, Closing Your Bank Account, and Ordering Final Transcripts

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Every international student completing their studies at the Australian National University (ANU) must handle a series of administrative matters before departing Australia. According to 2024 data from the Department of Home Affairs, more than 120,000 international students graduate and leave Australian universities each year, and around 30% of them experience funds being held up because they failed to process bond refunds or bank account closures in time. Meanwhile, a 2023 report by the Department of Education noted that about 85% of graduates need to submit an official transcript within 3 months of departure for qualification recognition or job applications. This checklist focuses on three core steps — bond refunds, bank account closure, and official transcript applications — providing ANU international students with a structured operating guide to avoid financial and administrative pitfalls after they leave.

Bond Refund Process

ANU international students need to complete the refund process for on-campus accommodation or private rental bonds before departure. Under Australian Capital Territory (ACT) rental regulations, bonds are usually held by the ACT Rental Bonds Office, and the refund process must be started within 14 days after the lease ends.

On-Campus Accommodation Bond

ANU on-campus accommodation (such as UniLodge or Bruce Hall) charges a bond equal to 4 weeks of rent, typically between 1,200 and 2,000 AUD. Students must submit the Bond Refund Request Form to the accommodation office 7 days before moving out and complete a room inspection. After the inspection, the accommodation provider submits the refund request through the ACT Rental Bonds Office system within 10 working days. If the room has no damage, the full bond is refunded; if there are cleaning or repair costs, the deducted amount must be backed by receipts. According to ANU Accommodation Services’ 2024 policy, about 92% of on-campus accommodation bonds are refunded within 15 working days.

Private Rental Bond

Private rental bonds are typically 4 to 6 weeks of rent and are held by the ACT Rental Bonds Office. Students must notify their landlord in writing 30 days before the lease ends and complete the Bond Refund Application (RTB 21 form) after moving out. Once both parties sign the agreement, the bond is refunded to an Australian bank account within 14 working days. If there is a dispute, students can apply for mediation through the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT), which takes an average of 28 days. For cross-border tuition payments, some student families use specialist channels such as Flywire tuition payments to settle their foreign exchange, but bond refunds can only be made by local bank transfer.

Closing Your Bank Account

International students should close their Australian bank accounts before departure to avoid account maintenance fees or tax issues. Major Australian banks (such as Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, and NAB) all offer online account closure.

Handling Your Account Balance

Before closing an account, students need to transfer the balance to an overseas account. According to AUSTRAC’s 2023 guidelines, single cross-border transfers over 10,000 AUD must be declared. Common options include bank SWIFT transfers (fees around 20 to 30 AUD) or third-party platforms (such as Wise or PayPal). After closing the account, students should keep transfer records for at least 5 years in case the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) asks to review them.

Closing Steps

Students need to log in to their online banking and choose “Close Account” under “Account Management”. Some banks require a completed Account Closure Request Form plus proof of identity (such as a passport scan). After closure, the bank sends a confirmation letter to the registered email. According to ASIC 2024 data, about 75% of international students close their accounts within 2 months of departure; if left too long, accounts may incur inactivity fees of 5 to 10 AUD per month.

Ordering Your Official Transcript

The ANU Official Academic Transcript is a key document international students use for qualification recognition, job applications, or further study. ANU provides electronic transcripts through the My eQuals platform, and paper copies can be requested through ANU Student Central.

Electronic Transcript

Electronic transcripts are generated on the My eQuals platform with anti-forgery digital signatures and are recognised by more than 90% of universities and employers worldwide. Students should log in to the ANU ISIS system before departure, select “Order Official Transcript”, and pay the fee (standard price: 35 AUD per copy). Under ANU’s 2024 academic records policy, electronic transcripts are generated within 24 hours of payment and are valid indefinitely. Students are advised to download at least 3 backup copies and authorise My eQuals share links for the institutions they are applying to.

Paper Transcript

Paper transcripts are posted by ANU Student Central to a nominated address. International postage costs 45 AUD per copy (registered mail included), with a processing time of 10 to 15 working days. Students should submit the request at least 3 weeks before departure and double-check the delivery address. Under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) 2023 standards, a paper transcript must carry the ANU seal and the Registrar’s signature to be legally valid. If a transcript is lost, reissue costs 35 AUD per copy.

Tax Clearance and TFN Cancellation

International students should complete tax clearance before leaving Australia to avoid future tax problems. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires non-residents to lodge a final tax return within 30 days of departure.

Cancelling Your TFN

Students need to log in to the ATO website and submit a “TFN Cancellation Request” using their myGov account. After cancellation, the ATO sends a confirmation letter to the registered email. According to ATO 2024 data, about 60% of international students do not proactively cancel their TFN, which delays later tax refunds. Students are advised to complete their final tax return before departure and keep records for at least 5 years.

Withdrawing Your Superannuation

If students have worked in Australia, they should apply to withdraw their superannuation. Under ATO rules, a “Departing Australia Superannuation Payment” (DASP) can be claimed within 6 months of departure, with tax rates ranging from 0% to 35%. Students apply through the ATO DASP portal and provide their bank account details. According to a 2023 report by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), about 80% of international students successfully receive their superannuation refund within 90 days of departure, with an average amount of 3,500 AUD.

Confirming Your Visa Status

ANU international students should confirm the status of their student visa (Subclass 500) before departure to avoid overstaying. Under the Department of Home Affairs’ 2024 policy, student visas automatically lapse 60 days after the course ends.

Handling Visa Expiry

Students must either leave Australia before the visa expires or apply for another visa (such as the Temporary Graduate visa Subclass 485). Failing to leave on time can lead to a 3-year re-entry ban. Students can check their visa status through the VEVO system. According to 2023 Home Affairs data, about 5% of international students breach their visa conditions by not leaving on time.

Applying for a 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa lets students work in Australia for 2 to 4 years. Applications must be lodged within 6 months of finishing the course and must meet English requirements (such as an overall IELTS score of 6.0). Under the Department of Home Affairs’ 2024 guidelines, the 485 visa application fee is 4,600 AUD and processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.

Updating Your Contact Details

Before departure, students should update their contact details in ANU systems and personal accounts so they keep receiving important notices.

ANU Alumni Network

Students should log in to the ANU ISIS system and update their overseas mobile number and email under “Personal Details”. The ANU Alumni Office regularly sends out event and career development information. According to ANU 2024 alumni services data, about 70% of graduates stay in contact within 6 months of departure.

Bank and ATO Updates

Students should update their overseas address with their bank and the ATO to avoid lost mail. Banks usually require proof of overseas address (such as a utility bill). If not updated, banks may close the account or charge fees.

FAQ

Q1: Can I still apply for an official ANU transcript after leaving Australia?

Yes. ANU provides electronic transcripts through the My eQuals platform, accessible from anywhere in the world. Paper transcripts can be posted to an overseas address, with a processing time of 10 to 15 working days. It is recommended to order at least 3 backup copies before departure at 35 AUD per copy.

Q2: How long does a bond refund take?

On-campus accommodation bonds are usually refunded to an Australian bank account within 15 working days. Private rental bonds take 14 working days, and if there is a dispute, ACAT mediation takes 28 days. About 92% of on-campus bonds are refunded within 15 days (ANU Accommodation Services 2024 data).

Q3: How do I close my Australian bank account after departure?

Some banks support online closure — just log in to your online banking and submit the request. If the account has a balance, transfer it overseas first via SWIFT (fees of 20 to 30 AUD). Keep transfer records for at least 5 years after closure. About 75% of students close their accounts within 2 months of departure (ASIC 2024 data).

References

  • Department of Home Affairs. 2024. International Student Visa and Departure Policy
  • Department of Education. 2023. Higher Education Graduate Outcomes Report
  • ACT Rental Bonds Office. 2024. Bond Refund Process Guide
  • Australian Taxation Office. 2024. Non-Resident Tax Clearance Handbook
  • Unilink Education. 2024. International Student Departure Administrative Database