Days 1–3 · The immediate essentials Get an Australian SIM card Urgent Day 1 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) Urgent Day 1–2 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 Urgent Days 1–3 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 Urgent Day 1 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 Urgent Day 1 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 Important Days 1–3 Opal (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), Go Card (Brisbane). Makes travel and balance tracking easy. Get a Photo Card (Australian ID) Recommended First days NSW Photo Card / QLD Photo ID / VIC Proof of Age. Avoids carrying your passport everywhere. Cost varies by state. Confirm / find initial accommodation Watch deadline Day 1–7 Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, Gumtree. Temporary accommodation usually lasts 2–4 weeks.
Days 4–10 · Documents & registrations Register your fixed address with services Important Days 4–10 Update with: ATO, bank, Medicare and super fund. Your immigration agency's address can work as an initial address. Register for Medicare If eligible Days 5–14 Bring passport, visa and proof of address. Temporary visa holders are generally NOT eligible for Medicare. Check OSHC (required for subclass 500) Urgent Days 1–7 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 Recommended Days 4–10 Opening before your first job prevents multiple scattered accounts. Recommended: AustralianSuper, Hostplus or Rest Super. Save your Member Number. Create a myGov account Recommended Days 4–10 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 Urgent When you get a job Check: job title, salary (confirm current minimum on Fair Work), hours, contract type and notice period. Fill in the TFN Declaration Form Urgent 1st job Answering incorrectly increases your withheld tax. Read the specific guide on arrivoau.com before signing. Nominate your super fund to employer (Super Choice Form) Urgent 1st job 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 Important 1st job 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 Recommended Days 11–21 Use the arrivoau.com calculator to estimate your cost of living. Include: rent, transport, food and insurance. Save all your payslips Important habit Ongoing 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 Can wait Within 3 months (PR) Original foreign licence + passport + address at the state road authority. Rules and deadlines vary by state. Find a GP (family doctor) Can wait When settled 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 Can wait When settled Australian dentists are expensive. Take care of your teeth from the start and check your insurance coverage. Connect with your community Recommended First weeks 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 Urgent Day 1 — review regularly 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 Recommended When settled Check the current rules about voting from abroad. Rules can change — stay alert. Tax obligations in your home country Recommended As applicable Living abroad may or may not create tax obligations. Consult a specialist accountant familiar with your home country's rules.
Informational list. Deadlines, amounts and specific rules change often — always confirm with official sources (ATO, Home Affairs, Fair Work) before acting. See the full first-30-days guide