First Week in Australia

Introduction

Your first week in Australia is exciting but busy. There are several essential administrative tasks to complete to set yourself up for life Down Under. This guide gives you a day-by-day checklist.

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

At the Airport

• Present your visa grant letter and passport at immigration.
• Declare any food, wood products, or outdoor equipment: Australia has strict biosecurity laws and fines for non-compliance can be AUD $2,664+.
• Collect your luggage and proceed through customs.

Getting to Your Accommodation

• Use rideshare (Uber, Didi) or airport transfer services. A taxi from Sydney Airport to the CBD costs ~AUD $50 — $60.
• For public transport, get an Opal card (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), Go Card (Brisbane), or equivalent.
• Check into your temporary accommodation and rest: jet lag is real.

Day 2: Get a SIM Card and Internet

You'll need a phone number immediately for everything: bank accounts, job applications, rental applications.

• Prepaid SIMs: Available at any supermarket or convenience store (Coles, Woolworths, 7-Eleven). Brands: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Boost, Aldi Mobile, Amaysim. Costs from AUD $10 — $40 for starter packs.
• Postpaid plans: Need ID (passport + visa). Some providers (e.g., Telstra, Optus) may require 100 points of ID.
• eSIMs: If your phone supports it, you can activate an eSIM before you arrive via providers like Amaysim, Boost, or international eSIM providers.
• Most cafés, libraries, and shopping centres offer free WiFi.

Day 3: Open a Bank Account

You can open an Australian bank account before you arrive (from overseas), but doing it in person is faster for most people.

Major Banks

• Commonwealth Bank: Great app, many branches. Smart Access account with no monthly fee.
• Westpac: Choice package includes no ATM fees.
• NAB: No monthly account fees on standard accounts.
• ANZ: Good for newcomers with the ANZ Access Advantage.
• ING: Online-only with high interest and no international transaction fees.
• HSBC: Good if you want to link with overseas accounts.

What to bring: Passport, visa grant letter, proof of address (your temporary accommodation letter works), and sometimes your Tax File Number (though not required to open an account).

Day 4: Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Your TFN is essential for working in Australia. You can apply online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website if you have a valid visa.

• Apply online at ato.gov.au: it takes about 20 minutes.
• You'll receive your TFN by post in about 28 days (Australia Post is slow, so plan ahead).
• Alternatively, visit a Service NSW (or equivalent) centre or ATO shopfront in person.
• The TFN application is free: never pay for it.

Day 5: Register for Medicare

If you're on a permanent visa (189, 190, 820, etc.) or certain provisional visas (e.g., 491), you can enrol in Medicare: Australia's public healthcare system.

• Visit a Medicare Service Centre (Centrelink office in some areas) with your passport and visa grant letter.
• You'll receive a Medicare card by post (or a digital copy you can use immediately).
• Temporary visa holders (students, working holiday) need private health insurance instead, unless your country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (UK, NZ, Italy, etc.).

Day 6: Explore Your Suburb and Transport

• Walk around your local neighbourhood: find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy (chemist), and doctor (GP).
• Check public transport routes using Google Maps or the local transit app (TripView for Sydney, PTV for Melbourne).
• If you plan to drive, research the road rules for your state: they vary (e.g., hook turns in Melbourne, roundabouts everywhere).
• Register with a bulk-billing GP (a doctor who charges no fee, covered by Medicare) if you're eligible.

Day 7: Job Search Prep and Networking

• Update your resume/CV to Australian standards (no photo, no date of birth, no marital status).
• Create profiles on Seek.com.au and LinkedIn with your new Australian address.
• Register with recruitment agencies in your field (Hays, Robert Half, Randstad).
• Join local Facebook groups for expats in your city.

Additional First-Month Tasks

• Transfer your overseas driver licence (if eligible): you have 3 months (varies by state) before you need an Australian licence.
• Set up utilities for your long-term rental: electricity, gas, internet, water.
• Sign up for private health insurance if required by your visa (or for better healthcare access).
• Register your address with the Electoral Commission (compulsory for citizens).
• Get a Library card: free and gives you access to computers, WiFi, and resources.

Useful Apps to Download

• Google Maps: navigation and real-time public transport
• Seek / Indeed: job searching
• Realestate.com.au / Domain: rental and property hunting
• myGov: access ATO, Medicare, Centrelink online
• Uber / Didi: ridesharing
• PayPal / CommBank / banking app: financial management
• BOM Weather: accurate Australian weather reports