Your First 30 Days in Australia: The Ultimate Checklist for New Arrivals

1. Get a Mobile Phone & SIM Card

You need a working Australian phone number for almost everything. Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or any supermarket (Woolworths, Coles) or phone shop.

• Major carriers: Telstra (best coverage), Optus, Vodafone
• Budget options: Aldi Mobile, Boost, Amaysim
• Bring: Your passport for ID verification
• Cost: $10–$30/month for a basic prepaid plan with data

2. Open a Bank Account

You need an Australian bank account to receive wages and Centrelink payments. The big four banks are Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, ANZ, and NAB.

• Best for newcomers: CBA and NAB have branches in major airports and offer migrant-friendly accounts
• You can open an account before arriving — CBA and Westpac let you apply online from overseas
• Bring: Passport, visa grant letter, Australian address (even temporary)
• Tip: Open within 6 weeks of arrival — after that you need extra ID (100 points system)

3. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

Your TFN is essential for working, lodging tax returns, and receiving government payments. Apply online at ato.gov.au.

• Online application: Available for new arrivals with a permanent or temporary visa
• Processing time: Usually 10–28 business days
• Cost: Free
• Tip: Apply within your first few days — you'll need it for your employer and Centrelink

Use our Tax Calculator to understand how Australian income tax works and estimate your take-home pay.

4. Enrol in Medicare

If you're eligible (most permanent and partner visa holders), enrol in Medicare as soon as possible.

• Where: Visit a Services Australia service centre
• Bring: Passport, visa grant letter, proof of Australian address
• You'll get: An interim Medicare number on the spot, green card in 2–3 weeks

Check your eligibility with our Medicare Comparison tool.

5. Get a myGov Account

myGov is the Australian Government's online portal. You'll use it for Medicare, Centrelink, the ATO, and more.

• Create an account at my.gov.au
• Link services: Medicare, Centrelink (once you visit), ATO (once you have a TFN)
• Tip: Use the myGov app for faster access

6. Visit Centrelink (Services Australia)

If you're eligible for any Centrelink payments, visit a service centre to set up your account.

• Bring: Passport, visa, TFN (if received), bank details, proof of address
• Claim: Family Tax Benefit, Parental Leave Pay, or other payments you're eligible for
• Note: Some payments have a NARWP waiting period — but register anyway to start the clock

Use our Centrelink Calculator to estimate what you may be entitled to.

7. Start Your Rental Search

Finding a rental in Australian cities can be competitive. Start searching on Day 1 but expect to sign a lease in week 2–3.

• Websites: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au
• Budget: Expect to pay 4 weeks rent as bond + 2 weeks rent in advance
• Documents: 100 points of ID, employment letter or proof of savings, rental references
• Tip: If you don't have Australian rental history, offer extra weeks in advance or a letter from your overseas landlord

Use our Rent Calculator to work out how much Rent Assistance you'll receive from Centrelink.

8. Get a Transport Card

Every state has its own public transport card:

• NSW: Opal card
• VIC: myki
• QLD: go card
• WA: SmartRider
• SA: metroCARD
• ACT: MyWay

Buy one at a train station, newsagent, or online. Some cities now accept contactless debit/credit cards on public transport.

9. Register with a GP (Doctor)

Find a local GP and register as a patient. You'll need a GP for prescriptions, referrals, and ongoing health care.

• Use our Bulk Billing Finder to find GPs that won't charge you out-of-pocket fees
• Bring: Medicare card (or interim number), passport
• Cost: Free if bulk-billed, or $40–$90 gap fee at non-bulk-billing clinics

10. Enrol Children in School

If you have school-age children, enrolment should happen as early as possible.

• Public schools: Free for permanent visa holders and most temporary visa holders. Contact your local school directly
• Documents: Visa, immunisation records, previous school reports (translated if needed), proof of address
• School year: Runs February to December in Australia (4 terms)

Use our School Finder to find schools near your address and compare ratings.

11. Get an Australian Driver's Licence

Your overseas licence is valid for 3–6 months (varies by state). After that, you need an Australian licence.

• If your licence is in English: You may convert directly (no driving test in some states)
• If not in English: You'll need a NAATI-certified translation
• Visit: Your state's road authority (Service NSW, VicRoads, TMR QLD, etc.)
• Bring: Overseas licence, passport, visa, proof of address, translation (if needed)

12. Set Up Utilities & Internet

Once you have a rental, you'll need to set up:

• Electricity & gas: Compare providers on energymadeeasy.gov.au (government comparison site)
• Internet: NBN is the national broadband network — most areas have it. Typical cost: $60–$90/month
• Water: Usually included in your rental or billed separately by the property

13. Explore Your Community

Getting connected socially is just as important as paperwork:

• Local library: Free membership, free Wi-Fi, community events, English classes
• Community centres: Many offer settlement support and activities
• Cultural organisations: Search for your community group on Facebook or ask at your local council
• Sports and recreation: Join a local gym, park run, or community sports team

14. Understand Your Tax & Money

The Australian financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Key things to know:

• Superannuation: Your employer must pay 11.5% of your salary into a super fund (retirement savings)
• Tax brackets: Use our Tax Calculator to see how much tax you'll pay
• Tax return: You need to lodge one each year via myGov (linked to the ATO)
• Payment calendar: Check our Payment Calendar for Centrelink payment dates