Health Cover
Coming to Australia
New to Australia?
There’s a lot to do.
Some things might be a bit different here, so, we’ve put together a few handy tips on how to get yourself up and running once you’ve landed.
It might be a good idea to open up a bank account with an Australian-based bank for the duration of your stay – especially if you are considering staying long enough to apply for permanent residency.
Australia has four major banks plus a number or regional banks and credit unions. They all offer similar services. Make sure you do some research into their fees and services so you can make the right choice for your needs.
You might find that you need a basic savings or everyday account that lets you withdraw money from ATMs, use internet and/or phone banking and make deposits in a local branch. Then, you might be able to apply for additional services like a credit card, or a personal loan.
There are a number of mobile service providers in Australia. You might like to research what services, coverage, call/data limits and prices are offered by each of the mobile service providers.
If you already have a mobile phone that you like, you might prefer to prepay credit for your phone. You will still need to choose a service provider, but you won’t have to lock yourself into a lengthy contract. You will be able to top-up your phone with more credit in a number of local shops, over the phone, or online.
If you need a new mobile phone, you can either purchase one outright, or you can enter into a contract with a service provider where the cost of the handset is paid off monthly along with your usage charges. This is called a ‘plan’. There are many different kinds of plans and there are usually loads of special offers available.
If you’re looking to ship larger objects back home, or onto your next overseas adventure, you may need to engage a shipping company. International shipping can be an expensive and/or time consuming process.
If you’re looking to send small items back home from Australia, the best place to visit could be your local Post Office. The staff at the Post Office will be able to advise you on the right kind of envelope, padded bag or box to use, and will be able to weigh the item to ensure you don’t pay more than you need to.
If you’re planning on getting around your new home town via public transport, you’ll need to know what to do before you travel as most states use a pre-paid/tap-on ticketing system. So please ensure you leave enough time to do this before your first journey.
A bicycle may be a good alternative for you. Many cities in Australia have a great network of bike lanes to help make riding bikes safer – but be sure to wear a helmet for safety or you could be fined by the police.
If you need more information on public transport for your particular state or territory, click on the link below:
QLD - http://translink.com.au
NSW - http://tp.transportnsw.info
VIC – http://ptv.vic.gov.au
TAS - http://www.metrotas.com.au
SA - https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au
WA - http://www.pta.wa.gov.au
ACT - https://www.action.act.gov.au
NT - http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/public/about-us
Devoting some time and energy to look for the right place for your needs and your budget is a really smart move.
Some of the basic things to remember are:
- Make sure you inspect the property at least once before signing a lease.
- You will usually need to pay rent in advance, plus a deposit or bond which is generally the equivalent of one month’s rent to your landlord. This money is held in a trust and, as long as the property is still in good condition once your lease is over, the money will be returned to you .
- Ensure you do some research so you are aware of the current prices for the property you want in the suburb you want.
- There will be furnished and unfurnished properties available. Choosing a furnished property has advantages (you don’t need to buy or move furniture) and disadvantages (you have to live with whatever is in the property).It all depends on your personal preference.