The First Steps to Take When Moving to Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, upwards of 446,000 people move to Australia every year to start a new life.

Some come for work opportunities, others for love, and many for a change of scenery from where they grew up, with New South Wales receiving the most settlers, ahead of Victoria and Queensland.

However, while the prospect of warmer weather and a more relaxed lifestyle is no doubt very enticing, if you want to be able to enjoy it, you are going to have to undertake a lot of planning and preparation.

With that in mind, here are some of the first steps you should take when moving to Australia.

1. Create Your Aussie Bucket List

It goes without saying that this should be your absolute priority! Or maybe we are a little biased. Use our Aussie Bucket List website to be inspired by all the amazing places to visit in Australia. Find all of the best things to see and do in every city and region across Australia, from waterfalls to beaches, events to luxury resorts, attractions and tours, add your favourite experiences to your Aussie Bucket List profile. Follow friends Aussie Bucket List's and ask to join them on their experiences. Tick off and review as you go. We also have free apps available to download on both Apple and Android devices:

Download Aussie Bucket List from the Apple app store here.

Download Aussie Bucket List from the Android app store here.

2. Secure the Right Visa

Before you can pack your bags and move Down Under, you are going to need permission to do so, and for most people, that involves being granted a visa. Australia offers various visa options, including skilled migration visas for workers with in-demand skills such as healthcare, nursing, software programming, and construction. Others include student visas aimed at those enrolling in an Australian educational institution, family and partner visas, designed specifically for people who want to join family members or romantic partners, and work visas, which typically take the form of employer-sponsored visas or working holiday visas. To find out the most appropriate visa for you, visit the official Department of Home Affairs website. Additionally, as visa processing times can vary it is worth getting your visa application in as early as possible.

3. Sort Out Your Finances

Once your visa is approved, you should make setting up your finances a top priority and one of the first things you’ll need to do is open an Australian bank account. Thankfully, most major banks allow you to start the process online before you arrive, which makes it much easier to access your money as soon as you land in the country. There are plenty of banks in Australia you can choose from so make sure you do your research to find a suitable one that offers low fees and easy international transfer options. It might be a good idea to open an account for everyday transactions and another for your savings.

4. Find a Place to Live

You’ll need somewhere to live in Australia, particularly if you don’t have family or friends you can stay with temporarily when you first arrive. It is advisable to rent first as this will enable you to get a feel for one or two different areas to see which one appeals most to you as a place to live. There are plenty of short-term rentals like Stayz, hostels, or serviced apartments available in most towns and cities.

For those who want longer-term rentals, websites like realestate.com.au and domain.com.au can help you find a place to rent for 6 months or 12 months. There are also plenty of real estate companies that can assist you with your rental search or purchase a property outright, should you be in the market to buy something straight away.

If you are looking for some inspiration on where you can base yourself, check out this list of destinations.

5. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Those planning on working in Australia, will need a Tax File Number (TFN), which is a unique number that is required for the purposes of taxation.

You can apply for a TFN online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website, and it is important to do this because having one ensures you are taxed correctly. If you don’t have one, you may be taxed at a higher rate than necessary.

6. Enrol in Medicare (If Eligible)

One of the many wonderful things about Australia is that it has a world-class healthcare system. If you are eligible to access it, you should enrol in Medicare because it provides you with a wide range of free or subsidised healthcare services. To do this, you’ll need to visit a Medicare service centre and bring relevant identification documents such as your passport and visa with you. For those who are not eligible for Medicare, it is a good idea to have private health insurance – which might be a requirement for your visa anyway.

7. Get Connected

Australia is a huge country with a very good telecommunications network, so you would be well advised to take advantage of it by getting an Australian SIM card. Major providers like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone offer prepaid and postpaid options, with the former being particularly useful for recent arrivals who don’t yet want to commit to a long-term contract. If you need international calling or data, look for plans that include global roaming or affordable international call rates to the countries you want to phone.

8. Find a Job

If you haven’t secured a job before arriving, it is a good idea to start looking for one as soon as you land in Australia. Websites like Seek and LinkedIn list thousands of job openings across a wide range of industries, but it is also worth joining a few recruitment agencies as well. Many have opportunities in hospitality, retail, and construction for new arrivals who need work quickly. Should you be looking for work in a specific field of the corporate sector, consider reaching out to a few industry contacts on LinkedIn.

9. Buy a Car

Most Australian cities have excellent public transport systems, which may include buses, trains, and trams. But in regional areas, options might be a little more limited, so it might be worth investing in a car. You should have no trouble finding a local dealership to buy a new model and websites like carsales.com.au and autotrader.com.au should have plenty of second-hand options. If you do plan to drive, make sure you check the licensing requirements in your state. Some international licenses are only valid for a limited period before it becomes mandatory to possess an Australian license.

10. Start Ticking Off Your Aussie Bucket List

Create your Aussie Bucket List profile for free, start adding experiences to your Aussie Bucket List profile and be inspired to start exploring this amazing country of ours. Upload photos of you completing each experience, review and tick each experience and destination off as you go. We look forward to welcoming you to our amazing country soon!