From Eh to Oz
With more than 18,000 students, Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus boasts a range of state-of-the-art facilities and offers teaching and research in almost all disciplines. Located just minutes from the Gold Coast’s world-famous beaches, the campus offers a dynamic and exciting student lifestyle, with extensive sporting amenities, handy on-campus services and a range of cafés and restaurants!
On the Griffith Boarding Pass, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting ready to go to Griffith University, including how to accept your offer and accommodation tips.
Accepting Your Offer
Congratulations on receiving your offer!
Here are some important tips to ensure your acceptance process is as easy and smooth as possible.
Important Information
Congratulations once again on receiving your offer!
Please take time to read your offer email and letter of offer carefully and make sure all the information is correct.
Acceptance deadline/offer lapse date: Make sure to complete your acceptance process prior to this date. If a lapse date is not indicated on your letter of offer, we have provided a lapse date for you in your offer email.
This date will give you enough time to submit your acceptance documents, receive your Confirmation of Enrolment, apply for and obtain your student visa, kiss your family and friends goodbye at the airport, and hop on a plane bound for Australia!
Check your name: (As on your passport), birth date, and student (applicant) ID number, campus location
Commencement and completion dates: Plan to arrive in Australia at least two weeks prior to your class start date.
Acceptance deposit amount: Your offer letter gives you the deposit amount required to hold your place.
Tuition fees: Your offer letter will list the total tuition fees.
University’s tuition fee policy: Please note that Griffith reviews all fees annually and these fees are subject to change without notice. It is important to factor this into your financial plan.
Understand Griffith’s refund policy.
Australian Release Policy: It is important to be aware of the Australian Release Policy. If you are considering transferring to another Australian institution, you must be aware that if you apply for a visa, you will be unable to change institutions. You should not apply for a visa unless you are certain you want to attend that university. Please read the Australian Government’s Release Policy for more information. Let us know if you have any questions!
Specific admissions requirements/conditions (if applicable), including vaccination info and certificate requirements (if applicable).
#OzTREKKTip: Great info about fees, accepting, and how to pay!
Declining Your Offer?
In case you choose to decline your offer, please let us know as soon as possible. Let us know by emailing your OzTREKK admissions team outlining your decision and reason for declining your offer. We will then advise the university on your behalf. This is important because it can potentially open a spot for another student!
How to Accept
Step 1 – Read Your Entire Offer Letter
Ensure that you have read and understood your Letter of Offer.
Step 2 – Log in to Your Griffith StudyLink Account
- Log into Griffith’s portal. Use the same email address you use to email OzTREKK. Select “I have forgotten my password” to create your account.
- Log in with your email address and your newly generated password.
- If you’re unable to log in, please complete your Acceptance of Offer form and email it to your OzTREKK student advisor, so we can accept for you and send you the payment link.
Step 3 – Respond to Offer
- Select My Applications under Submitted Applications. Select Respond to Offer by clicking on the Actions button under Submitted Applications.
- View your offer details. Respond to questions under Additional Information. Read and agree to all terms and conditions to proceed to accept your offer.
- Upload your signed copy of your Acceptance of Offer form, which is attached to your Letter of Offer.
- Complete the deposit payment steps and proceed with payment instructions through Convera.
Step 4 – Pay Acceptance Deposit
Pay the acceptance deposit amount indicated on your offer letter.
Payments must be made through Griffith’s Convera account. We strongly recommend paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) to avoid any delays. See Paying Via Convera for information about the process.
Step 5 – Confirm Acceptance with OzTREKK
Once you have accepted your offer and completed your payment, please email us and attach your receipt so we can keep an eye out for your CoE.
Step 6 – Receive Your CoE
When your acceptance and payment are processed, the university will create your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). OzTREKK will email your CoE and instructions on how to apply for your Australian student visa.
Payment Methods
Payments must be made through Griffith’s Convera account. We strongly recommend paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) to avoid any delays.
For instructions on how to use Convera, see Paying Via Convera.
#OzTREKKTip: OzTREKK does NOT recommend paying by bank draft or cheque.
If you plan to pay your acceptance deposit via credit card, contact the credit card company and advise them that a large payment will soon be processed in Australia in Australian dollars, as it may be deemed a possible fraud attempt.
Accommodation
About Accommodation
Before you get into the nitty gritty about your university-specific accommodation options, it’s important to review the basics of securing long-term accommodation in Australia, which is often the number one predeparture priority of OzTREKK students. If you aren’t living on campus or pre-arranging accommodation before you leave Canada, we highly recommend that you understand how renting a property in Oz works, so you’ll be prepared to hunt for a place to live when you arrive. There are many benefits in arranging housing after you arrive. You can
- physically inspect the property before accepting the terms and conditions of the lease;
- decide whether you will be comfortable in your new neighbourhood;
- assess the noise levels, both by day and night. Remember, you need to be able to sleep and study in your new home;
- check whether it is well-lit at night.
This process still requires preparation. Consider the following when thinking about accommodation:
- Ensure you have temporary accommodation arranged.
- Be prepared financially for the time you may need to spend in temporary accommodation.
- Make housing your first priority.
- Avoid rushing your house hunting. Feeling rushed can hinder your ability to make wise choices.
- Be informed. Before you arrive, read as much as you can about the various housing options and how to arrange them. Then you can get straight into house hunting after you arrive, rather than trying to figure out where to go and what to do.
To get started, the Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild has lots of info about accommodation options.
Things to consider when comparing options
- Location – Take a look at Google Maps when comparing accommodation options!
- Amenities – Kitchen, meal plan, gym, A/C, etc.
- Cost/price range – This will be dependent on the location and amenities, typically the closer to campus and the most amenities offered the higher the price.
Short-term Accommodation
The Gold Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. There are many short-term accommodation options located near each of our campuses that are easily accessible by public transport. Visit the following websites for hotel and backpacker information:
When booking accommodation let the staff know you are a Griffith University student as they may offer a discounted student rate.
On Campus
Gold Coast Campus
Griffith University Village is Griffith’s Gold Coast on-campus accommodation option. Griffith University Village is apartment-style accommodation with a full kitchen. Eligibility is determined based on availability of rooms and is determined on a “first come, first served” basis.
If you’re coming straight from high school, it’s a great place to live for your first year, to meet new friends, and to settle into life in Australia. Former OzTREKKers have advised that anyone looking for a quiet setting may wish to look at other options.
#OzTREKKTip: There are many off-campus student-specific accommodation options available on the Gold Coast, and most of these are super close! Be sure to look at our Griffith “off campus” info, too!
Griffith University Residential Colleges provide on-campus accommodation at Nathan and South Bank Campuses. Colleges at Nathan campus are conveniently located close to the city (Brisbane). The South Bank campus is only 11 minutes away by bus.
Pay attention to application deadlines for on-campus residences as these tend to fill up fast in Australia, just as they do at Canadian universities.
Find out more about Griffith University’s on-campus accommodation options.
Off Campus, Managed
These off-campus accommodation providers are student specific but privately owned and independently run. They are specifically chosen for their convenient locations, prices, and facilities.
Gold Coast
- Campus Living University Village (Southport)
- University Village (Parkwood)
- University Square (Parkwood)
- Metro On Central (Labrador)
- Sphere Apartments (Southport)
- Nexus Place (Ashmore)
- Semester in Australia (Surfers Paradise)
Brisbane (Nathan and South Bank Campuses)
University Park (Robertson)
Each apartment has 3 bedrooms and a shared lounge, dining room, and kitchen. Not a “party place.” University Park claims to be “quiet and clean.”
UniLodge Shafston (Kangaroo Point)
Each apartment is fully self-contained with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Free access to City/South Bank via City Hopper Ferry.
UniLodge on Margaret (Brisbane CBD)
Each apartment is fully self-contained with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Great downtown location with close access to public transport.
Unilodge Park Central
On the doorstep is direct access to Buranda Train Station and Busway, connecting you to Griffith University, and the city is just a 13-minute commute.
Genesis 1 (Mt Gravatt)
Located in Upper Mount Gravatt and is on a bus route and near all shops and the busway.
UniLodge South Bank (South Bank)
UniLodge South Bank has private and shared apartments for students to choose from.
Private Rentals
This is the most popular option for students from Canada studying at Australian universities. The most popular suburbs are in neighbouring Southport and Parkwood or closer to the beach in Surfer’s Paradise or Labrador.
Smith Collective (Southport)
Smith Collective is right in the heart of Southport, just 5 km from Surfers Paradise and 3 km from the Gold Coast CBD. Within walking distance to Griffith, hospital, grocery store, train station, you can choose between modern and spacious 1-, 2- or 3-bedroom apartments.
The Study Gold Coast website provides accommodation options and advice.
To find off-campus accommodation providers, rental tips, property advice, etc., visit
Look for a place, a room, or a roommate:
- Have a look at student.com and type in your city!
- Roomgo
- Flatmates
- Gumtree
- TheRoomXchange
- Student Accommodation One
The Residential Tenancies Authority Queensland (RTA) is an excellent resource for helping you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Other resources are
The Burbs
One of the key components of your research will be to get a feel for the city/town in which you will reside. Public transportation options are key to understanding where you could live based on where your university is located and which bus/train/tram/ferry travels to and from campus. Spend some time reviewing the city maps, become familiar with potential suburbs, and visit Australian public transportation sites.
- OzTREKK’s Gold Coast City Guide
- OzTREKK’s Brisbane City Guide
- Travelling to Griffith (click on your campus)
- Transportation info
- Learn more about the Gold Coast suburbs!
Scroll to the bottom of Griffith’s Where to Live page to see suburbs close to Griffith campuses.
Airport Pick-ups
About Airport Pick-ups
You’ve arrived at the airport! What happens now?
International students commencing at Griffith University can apply for airport reception, which takes you from the airport directly to your accommodation in Australia. The service is free for eligible international students arriving at Brisbane and Gold Coast airports. For a fee, the service can also be arranged for non-student friends or family travelling with you.
For more details and to book your pick-up, visit airport pickup.
Advice from OzTREKK Students
Each year we send a survey to the students in their first year of studying in Australia, then we compile the info.
Read our Griffith University Students’ Advice to get all the insider tips (copied directly from the survey!) for a smooth transition to studying at Griffith.
- University
- Program
- Adjustment to living in Australia
- Accommodation (Where? How much? How long did it take to find?)
- Work outside the classroom
