Get an Australian SIM card and phone number

Getting an Australian phone number should be one of the first things you do after arriving, as you will need it for job applications, banking, rentals, and government services.

Pre-paid plans are the easiest option for new migrants, as they do not require a contract, credit check, or Australian ID, and you simply pay upfront and recharge as needed.

Post-paid plans are monthly contracts that may include a new phone and extra data, but they usually require 100 points of Australian ID and sometimes a credit history. Most migrants start with pre-paid and switch to a post-paid plan later once they are settled.

The bigger companies to use are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone but if you shop around you can often find some really good deals.

Click on the photo to the left to go to Finder.com.au where you can compare plans. Many of them are ESIMs now so you do not even have to wait for the sim to arrive. There are also other comparison sites like www.whistleout.com.au or www.comparethemarket.com.au.

Building up 100 Points of ID and why it is important

Click on the picture on the left to find out what 100 Points of ID means and why it is important to you.
This may help you to understand why certain items are in a certain order on this list!

Register for MyGov

myGov is the Australian Government’s secure online portal that allows residents to access multiple government services in one place using a single login.

It can be used to link and manage important services such as Medicare, Centrelink, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), My Health Record, and Child Support.

Through myGov, users can lodge tax returns, view and update personal details, claim government payments, access health information, and receive official correspondence.

It simplifies dealing with government agencies by providing a convenient, secure, and centralised platform available 24 hours a day.

There is also a myGov app you can download and use once you have set up your profile.

Click on the picture on the left to go to the my.gov site

Get the myID app

If you get the myID app and make your ID “Strong” then you will be able to access a lot more services on my.gov.

With a Strong Digital ID, you can safely link to services through myGov, lodge tax returns, access Medicare, manage Centrelink, and set up business accounts without needing to attend an office in person. It also helps protect you against identity theft, as the higher level of verification makes your identity more secure. For new arrivals and residents alike, having a Strong Digital ID makes it much easier to manage your official affairs quickly, safely, and entirely online.

Getting this set up will mean that you can access and communicate with a lot of services you might need online – instead of having to go in person.

Click on the photo on the left to go to the myID site and find the information on downloading the app.

Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Your Tax File Number (TFN) is essential if you plan to work in Australia. It is similar to your National Insurance Number in the UK – it will go with you throughout your life. You will need to apply for a TFN to:

• Start a job
• Avoid paying higher tax rates
• Access government services

You can apply online through the Australian Taxation Office website, and it’s free.

You can start work without it, but you must apply soon after arriving. If you do not provide your TFN to an employer soon after starting with them then they will have to tax you at a higher rate than normal until you give them your TFN.

Click on the logo to the left to go to the ATO page for instructions.

Apply for Medicare

Medicare is Australia’s public healthcare system.

If you are eligible, you should enrol as soon as possible. You may be able to do this through my.gov if your ID is strong, otherwise you will need to apply through Services Australia.

Medicare helps cover:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital treatment
• Some medications

You will receive a Medicare card to use when accessing healthcare. It is a plastic credit card sized card that you can store in your wallet.

Click on the logo to go to the site that explains all about signing up for Medicare.

Apply for Centrelink

Depending on which visa you are on, and whether you have kids or not, you might need to sign up for Centrelink.

If you are eligible, your child care subsidies will be administered and paid through Centrelink.

You can link Centrelink to your MyGov account and receive your CRN (Customer Reference Number) that way. You will need your CRN and your child’s CRN if you are signing up for childcare and you are eligible for subsidies.

You may also be eligible for FTB (Family Tax Benefit) through Centrelink if you have children and are on a qualifying visa.

Otherwise, it is generally a four year wait before new migrants can access Centrelink payments (with some exceptions)

Open a bank account

See our page on Money for some great information about opening a bank account. You may be able to open a bank account before you arrive, but you will still need to go into the bank to activate the account by taking in your ID and other documents they may ask for.

Opening a bank account will also help you towards your 100 points of ID.

There are less stringent rules on the information you will need to supply if you open a bank account quickly after you arrive.

Same as in the UK, you will need your bank account in order to receive your wages, pay your rent or mortgage and buy groceries – amongst many other things!

Decide where you want to live and find accommodation

See our pages on Housing, Renting and Buying for some great information about how to find somewhere to live.

Deciding where to live in Australia is an important decision that can greatly affect your lifestyle and daily routine. You probably have a vision of how you would like your life to be, how to make it different from the UK.

You will need to consider factors such as proximity to work, as longer commutes can be costly and time-consuming, as well as access to public transport, especially in larger cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

If you have children, researching local schools and childcare options is essential, as school zones can determine enrolment eligibility. Read our pages on Schools and Kindy for more information about this

You should also think about your preferred lifestyle, such as whether you would prefer the convenience of inner-city living, the space of the suburbs, or a coastal location. Do you want a boat? Jet skis? Walks in nature? Beaches?

Other important considerations include rental prices, safety, local amenities such as shops and healthcare, and community feel, as choosing the right area will help you settle more comfortably and enjoy your new life in Australia. You may well choose to rent first to ensure that you have chosen the best spot for your family before making it more permanent by buying.

Register your children in school or kindy

See our pages on Schools and Kindy for some great information on how the Australian early education and school system works.

Enrolling your children in school or kindergarten is an important step in settling into Australia. You should research local public and private schools in your area, as well as early childhood education centres (kindergartens or preschools), and check enrolment requirements and school zones (catchment areas).

Applications can often be submitted online or directly at the school, and it’s helpful to visit the school beforehand if possible. Early enrolment ensures your children can start classes on time and gives them a smooth transition into the Australian education system.

The aussie school year starts at the end of January so you might find your child goes forward or back a year compared to the UK.

You will probably want to live near your chosen school to have the best chance of getting your child enrolled there (state schools)

Get your Driving Licence Transferred Over

See our pages on Driving for some great information on how to get your Australian Driving Licence sorted out.

You do have a grace period driving on your UK licence, this period varies by state and is covered on our Driving page.

You will get your car and motorbike licence transferred over but if you have any HGV licences you will need to take the Australian equivalent, these will not be automatically transferred over.

Having an Australian Driving Licence is also of great assistance when you need to show 100 Points of ID so it is ideal to get it sorted out early if possible.

Some states now also have digital licences via an app, so you can show your licence on your phone. This is not yet available in all states.

Click the picture on the left to go to the Queensland Digital Licence Page.

Find work

See our pages on Work for some great information on the best places to look to secure work.

Many people are lucky enough to have some money to survive on for a while whilst looking for work, others have to dive in straight away.

Seek is the biggest online jobs listing board. You will find that roles in Australia ask for references, so make sure you hit up a couple of people who would be willing to do this for you before you apply.

Resumes (CVs) are also done differently in Australia – head over to our Work page to find out more.

Other things that might be handy…..

Other things that you might like to do include:

• Find a GP in case you need one. You can usually register when you need an appointment but it pays to do your research.
• Get a public transport card – it can be cheaper to use a card, but you can also tap on and off with your credit or debit card too on some services. Cards include: – Go card / Opal card / Myki card depending on which state you are in.
• Find a local Facebook page and have a look at what’s going on in your area.
• Relax a bit – what you have just done is huge! You are brave, and have made a massive step moving half way around the world!
• Enjoy the sunshine (unless you are in Melbourne then anything could be happening weather wise)
• Get out and about and enjoy your new country!