ArrivoAU · arrivoau.com | Arrive prepared. Live well.
| ✓ | Task | Deadline | Priority | Visa | Notes / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAYS 1–3 · The Immediate Essentials | |||||
| ☐ | Get an Australian SIM card | Day 1 | Urgent | Everyone | Buy at the airport or city centre. Optus, Vodafone or Telstra. Without an AU number you can't verify accounts or receive verification codes. |
| ☐ | Apply for a TFN (Tax File Number) | Day 1–2 | Urgent | Everyone with work rights | Apply at the ATO website. Can take a few weeks — apply as early as possible. Without a TFN your employer withholds tax at the highest rate, recoverable at tax return time. |
| ☐ | Open an Australian bank account | Days 1–3 | Urgent | Everyone | CBA, ANZ, Westpac or NAB. Bring your passport and Australian address — opens on the spot. Wise also works with lower fees. |
| ☐ | Health insurance — check coverage and validity | Day 1 | Urgent | Temporary visa holders without Medicare | Confirm validity and compatibility with your visa. Locate your physical card or app — you'll need it at appointments and emergencies. |
| ☐ | Know your visa conditions | Day 1 | Urgent | Everyone | Know your: work hour limits, study permissions, expiry date and conditions. Ignorance is no excuse — violations can cost you your visa. |
| ☐ | Get a public transport card | Days 1–3 | Important | Everyone | Opal (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), Go Card (Brisbane). Makes travel and balance tracking easy. |
| ☐ | Get a Photo Card (Australian ID) | First days | Recommended | Everyone | NSW Photo Card / QLD Photo ID / VIC Proof of Age. Avoids carrying your passport everywhere. Cost varies by state. |
| ☐ | Confirm / find initial accommodation | Day 1–7 | Watch deadline | Everyone | Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, Gumtree. Temporary accommodation usually lasts 2–4 weeks. |
| DAYS 4–10 · Documents & Registrations | |||||
| ☐ | Register your fixed address with services | Days 4–10 | Important | Everyone | Update with: ATO, bank, Medicare and super fund. Your immigration agency's address can work as an initial address. |
| ☐ | Register for Medicare | Days 5–14 | If eligible | PR / Citizens / bilateral agreement | Bring passport, visa and proof of address. Temporary visa holders are generally NOT eligible for Medicare. |
| ☐ | Check OSHC (required for subclass 500) | Days 1–7 | Urgent | Student visa (500) only | OSHC is required only for student visa 500 — other visas don't need it. Confirm validity, coverage and how to use your card or app. |
| ☐ | Open a superannuation account | Days 4–10 | Recommended | Those starting salaried employment | Opening before your first job prevents multiple scattered accounts. Recommended: AustralianSuper, Hostplus or Rest Super. Save your Member Number. |
| ☐ | Create a myGov account | Days 4–10 | Recommended | Everyone | The government's central portal: brings together ATO, Medicare and Centrelink. Link your TFN and Medicare as soon as you have the details. |
| DAYS 11–21 · Work & Finances | |||||
| ☐ | Read your employment contract carefully | When you get a job | Urgent | Those starting work | Check: job title, salary (confirm current minimum on Fair Work), hours, contract type and notice period. |
| ☐ | Fill in the TFN Declaration Form | 1st job | Urgent | Those starting work | Answering incorrectly increases your withheld tax. Read the specific guide on arrivoau.com before signing. |
| ☐ | Nominate your super fund to employer (Super Choice Form) | 1st job | Urgent | Those starting work | Without a nomination your employer opens a new fund for each job. Use the Super Choice Form with your Member Number. |
| ☐ | Understand your award and casual loading | 1st job | Important | Casual workers | Casual loading is an extra percentage on top of your hourly rate. Check the current amount and your industry award at the Fair Work Ombudsman. |
| ☐ | Create a monthly budget | Days 11–21 | Recommended | Everyone | Use the arrivoau.com calculator to estimate your cost of living. Include: rent, transport, food and insurance. |
| ☐ | Save all your payslips | Ongoing | Important habit | Those working | Essential for your annual tax return. Organise in a digital folder by month — you'll need them. |
| DAYS 22–30 · Organisation & Integration | |||||
| ☐ | Convert your driving licence | Within 3 months (PR) | Can wait | PR urgent / Temporary visas check deadline | Original foreign licence + passport + address at the state road authority. Rules and deadlines vary by state. |
| ☐ | Find a GP (family doctor) | When settled | Can wait | Those with health cover | Look for a GP who speaks your language if possible — it makes a big difference. Check the arrivoau.com directory by city. |
| ☐ | Find a trusted dentist | When settled | Can wait | Everyone | Australian dentists are expensive. Take care of your teeth from the start and check your insurance coverage. |
| ☐ | Connect with your community | First weeks | Recommended | Everyone | Facebook and WhatsApp groups by city, churches and local events. Makes an enormous difference in settling in. |
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION · Stay Alert | |||||
| ☐ | Student visa work hour limits | Day 1 — review regularly | Urgent | Subclass 500 (student) | The student visa has a fortnightly work hour cap during study periods. Exceeding it is a visa violation. Check current conditions on the Home Affairs website. |
| ☐ | Voting from abroad — stay informed | When settled | Recommended | Those registered to vote in home country | Check the current rules about voting from abroad. Rules can change — stay alert. |
| ☐ | Tax obligations in your home country | As applicable | Recommended | Those with assets or income back home | Living abroad may or may not create tax obligations. Consult a specialist accountant familiar with your home country's rules. |