Your First Month in Australia: New Migrant Checklist

Week 1: Immediate Essentials

First week priorities: (1) Confirm temporary accommodation works for 2-4 weeks while you sort longer-term housing; (2) Get Australian SIM card / mobile number — Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, plus MVNO providers. Prepaid SIMs available at airports, supermarkets, phone stores. Need Australian mobile number for almost every administrative task; (3) Apply for TFN (Tax File Number) — online application via ATO. Takes 10-28 days but starts the clock; (4) Apply for Medicare (if eligible) — in-person at Services Australia centre with passport and visa evidence; (5) Activate Australian bank account if opened pre-arrival, or open new account at major bank. Bring passport, visa evidence, address evidence; (6) Get basic Australian SIM, address evidence (hotel/hostel receipt acceptable initially); (7) Familiarize with public transport in your city — get transport card (Opal Sydney, Myki Melbourne, Go Card Brisbane, etc.); (8) Sort essential shopping — bedding for permanent accommodation, basic kitchen items, food shopping at local supermarket. Aim to complete bank, Medicare application, and TFN application by end of week 1. These start the slowest-processing items.

Week 2: Housing and Schooling

Second week priorities: (1) House hunting — view properties, attend open inspections, lodge applications. Apply for multiple suitable properties; (2) If children: visit local public schools, gather enrolment requirements (birth certificates, immunisation records, academic records, visa evidence), submit enrolment applications; (3) Continue waiting for TFN, Medicare card to arrive; (4) Get Australian driver's licence conversion process started if you'll drive — visit licensing authority, identify requirements; (5) Set up internet connection for permanent residence (when known) — NBN-based plans through ISPs like TPG, Aussie Broadband, Telstra. Order can take 1-4 weeks for connection; (6) Get familiar with local area — walking distance to supermarkets, pharmacy, GP medical practices, public transport; (7) Register with local GP medical practice; (8) Get an Australian-specific resume/CV format if job-searching. Australian CV style differs from US/European in some ways — research Australian conventions.

Week 3: Permanent Setup

Third week priorities: (1) Move into permanent rental if found — sign lease, pay bond, pay first month rent; (2) Receive Medicare card and TFN (typical timing); (3) Update employer with TFN to optimise tax withholding; (4) Set up direct debits for rent, utilities, internet, mobile phone, transport card; (5) Open additional accounts as needed — savings account, joint account if applicable; (6) Get Australian credit history started — apply for credit card (initial limit modest but builds history). Some banks require 6 months of account history before credit approval; (7) Children start school if enrolment completed and term timing works; (8) Get Australian-issued health insurance if needed (private health insurance to supplement Medicare, or OSHC top-up); (9) Update home country bank/credit cards with Australian address for ongoing access; (10) Register with super fund if employed — provide super fund details to employer to direct Super Guarantee contributions.

Week 4: Settling In

Fourth week priorities: (1) Driver's licence conversion completed if process is straightforward; (2) Children well-established in school; (3) Initial job search results if seeking employment — interviews scheduled, applications submitted; (4) Local community connections starting — neighborhood relationships, professional networking, cultural community contact; (5) Health: register with GP if not already, dental check if needed (Medicare doesn't cover dental — private), eye check if needed; (6) Set up Australian tax planning if income earned — keep records of all income, expenses, work-related deductions; (7) Address change notifications: update overseas bank, family contacts, government services in home country with Australian address; (8) Start building credit and rental history through consistent good account management; (9) Australian cultural integration — explore local cultural events, sports, recreation; (10) If on PR — start citizenship clock thinking (4 years residence requirement begins). Generally by end of month 1: administrative tasks substantially complete, permanent housing established, work or job search progressing, social/family integration started.

Common Pitfalls and Visa Status Considerations

Common first-month mistakes: (1) Not applying for TFN quickly enough — leads to over-taxation when income starts; (2) Not understanding visa-specific Medicare eligibility — leads to unexpected medical costs; (3) Underestimating rental market competition — leads to extended hotel/temporary stays; (4) Confusion about driver's licence time limits — leads to driving on overseas licence beyond legal window; (5) Not engaging with super from first paycheck — leads to default fund placement and missed optimisation; (6) Visa status affects practical decisions in subtle ways — work rights, partner's work rights, schooling fees, Medicare access, future visa pathway from your current status. Many decisions interact. Strategic recommendation: align settlement decisions with longer-term visa pathway. For families on temporary visas considering PR transition: (1) Time school enrolment around visa transition timing; (2) Save for super while temporary, may eventually claim DASP if leaving Australia, or build for retirement if PR achieved; (3) Build rental history that supports future home loan; (4) Build Australian credit history that supports financial integration. The settlement period overlaps with continued visa pathway development. For applicants whose visa pathway has uncertainty or who are pursuing follow-on visa applications (partner visa, family visa, citizenship), professional migration advice during the settlement period ensures coordinated decisions. Migratio is Australia's marketplace for finding and comparing MARA-registered migration agents. Migratio matches applicants with MARA-registered agents who specialise in your specific situation. Submit your brief describing your visa pathway status, family situation, and Australian state interest.

What's the most important thing to do in first week?

Get Australian mobile number, apply for TFN, apply for Medicare (if eligible). These start the slowest-moving items. Banking can be completed first day. Mobile number is needed for almost every other administrative task.

How long to find permanent rental accommodation?

Highly variable by market. Sydney/Melbourne: 2-6 weeks of active searching common. Brisbane/Perth/Adelaide: typically 1-4 weeks. Regional cities: often faster. Plan for 2-4 weeks of temporary accommodation while searching.

Can I get an Australian credit card immediately?

Generally not — Australian credit cards require local credit history (usually 3-6 months) and employment evidence. Some specific 'new migrant' credit card products available at limited credit. Build credit history through 6-12 months of good banking behavior, then apply for standard credit card.

Should I bring my home country valuables (jewelry, electronics)?

Customs declarations needed for items over specific thresholds (AUD 900 individual items, declared currency over AUD 10,000). Most personal items, household goods, electronics for personal use travel without issue. Bring valuables you'll use rather than purchase fresh in Australia.

What do I do if my visa requires specific obligations during first month?

Some visa subclasses have specific reporting requirements, address notifications, or sponsor obligations during initial visa period. Read your visa grant notice carefully. 482 visa holders particularly need to: report to sponsor employer, maintain nominated occupation work, ensure salary at appropriate level. Bridging visa holders may have reporting requirements.