Life After Landing: Settling in Australia from India

First week essentials

Your first few days set the pace for everything that follows. Four tasks sit at the top of your list.

Tax File Number. Apply for a TFN through the Australian Taxation Office as soon as you arrive. Without one, your employer withholds tax at the highest rate. Processing takes 10 to 28 business days, so don't wait.

Bank account. Open an account within your first 12 weeks. During this window, your passport alone verifies your identity. After 12 weeks, you need the full 100-point ID check — difficult without an Australian licence or utility bills. Commonwealth Bank and NAB let you open an account online before you leave India. Link your TFN once it arrives to avoid withholding tax on interest. At current rates (roughly 1 AUD = 55 INR), an AUD 2,000 rental bond is about INR 1,10,000.

Mobile phone. Pick up a prepaid SIM from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone at the airport. You need an Australian number for bank verification, health insurance, and job applications. Bring an unlocked phone from India — it will work on Australian networks.

Health insurance. This is the most urgent task. India does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Unlike migrants from the UK or New Zealand, you cannot access Medicare on a temporary visa. Arrange Overseas Health Cover (OVHC) or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) before you arrive. Many visa subclasses make this a condition — your visa can be cancelled if cover lapses. Budget AUD 1,200 to 2,500 per year for a single person.

Healthcare: no Medicare reciprocal agreement

The Services Australia reciprocal healthcare page lists countries with agreements. India is not on the list.

Temporary visa holders need private health insurance. OVHC covers GP visits, hospital treatment, and some specialist care. Compare policies carefully — cheap plans often exclude dental, optical, and physiotherapy.

Permanent visa holders can enrol in Medicare. Visit a Services Australia centre with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address. Medicare covers bulk-billed GP visits, public hospital treatment, and subsidised prescriptions. Even with Medicare, many Indian migrants take out private cover to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge and access shorter wait times.

Housing and suburbs: where Indian migrants settle

Three areas have the strongest Indian community infrastructure.

Parramatta and Harris Park (Sydney). Parramatta is Sydney's Indian community hub. Harris Park — one train stop away — is often called "Little India." Wigram Street has dozens of Indian restaurants, sweet shops, and grocery stores. Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and community centres serve the area. A two-bedroom apartment runs AUD 550 to 700 per week (roughly INR 30,000 to 38,500). Budget for four weeks' bond plus two weeks' rent in advance.

Wyndham and Tarneit (Melbourne). Melbourne's western corridor is one of Australia's fastest-growing Indian communities. Indian grocery stores, clinics with Hindi- and Punjabi-speaking GPs, and community centres have followed the population. A three-bedroom house in Tarneit rents for AUD 420 to 550 per week (INR 23,000 to 30,000).

Canning Vale (Perth). A well-established community, particularly from South India and Gujarat. Indian groceries, restaurants, and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir serve the area. Three-bedroom houses rent for about AUD 500 to 600 per week.

Other strong Indian communities include Dandenong (Melbourne southeast), Blacktown (Sydney west), and Adelaide's northern suburbs. For a full cost breakdown, see our cost of moving to Australia from India guide.

Working in Australia

Workplace culture. Australian workplaces are flatter than most Indian corporate environments. First names are standard from day one. Titles like "sir" or "ma'am" are not used. The biggest adjustment is directness — Australian colleagues say what they mean without filtering through hierarchy. Pushing back on a deadline is acceptable and often expected. Speak up in meetings, flag issues early, and ask questions.

Superannuation. Your employer must pay 12% of your earnings into a super fund from day one. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it. India's EPF is roughly similar in concept, but super is managed by private or industry funds. You can choose your own fund or use your employer's default. Compare fees and performance before deciding. If you leave Australia permanently, you may be able to claim your super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment.

Tax. The financial year runs 1 July to 30 June. Most Indian migrants on work visas are taxed as Australian residents on worldwide income. Lodge your return through the ATO's myTax portal by 31 October, or use a registered tax agent for an extension. If you're unsure about your skills assessment status, check before job hunting.

Driving and transport

Australia drives on the left, same as India. Steering wheel, gear stick, roundabout direction — all familiar.

Most states allow driving on a valid Indian licence for three to six months. After that, you need an Australian licence. Unlike some countries with direct conversion, most states require Indian licence holders to pass a driving test. Don't let your overseas licence window expire — driving unlicensed carries heavy fines.

Public transport varies by city. Sydney and Melbourne have train, bus, and ferry networks. Most cities use a tap-on, tap-off card — Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, go card in Brisbane.

Schools and education

Australian schools run on a calendar year (late January to mid-December) in four terms. This differs from India's April-to-March academic year.

There are no board exams until Year 12. The intense pressure of CBSE or ICSE Class 10 boards does not exist here. Assessment is continuous. Year 12 students sit state-based exams (HSC in NSW, VCE in Victoria) for university entry.

Government schools are free for permanent residents. Temporary visa holders may pay AUD 5,000 to 12,000 per year. Uniforms are standard at nearly all schools.

Indian community and social life

Temples and religious centres. Hindu temples operate in every major city. Sikh gurdwaras, mosques, and churches serving Indian Christians are well established. Most temples run cultural programs, language classes, and festival celebrations.

Community associations. State-based associations organise cultural events and support services. Regional and language-based groups (Tamil, Telugu, Malayali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi) are active in all cities.

Cricket. The fastest way to build a social network. Joining a local club connects you to teammates, social events, and weekend routines. India-Australia test series and IPL matches are screened at pubs and community halls.

Festivals. Diwali celebrations have grown across Australian cities. Federation Square (Melbourne), Parramatta (Sydney), and Elizabeth Quay (Perth) host large public events. Holi, Navratri, Pongal, Onam, and Baisakhi are celebrated through community associations.

Food and daily life

Indian grocery stores across every major city stock familiar brands — MTR ready meals, Aashirvaad atta, whole spices in bulk. Woolworths and Coles carry basic Indian staples. For anything more specific, Indian stores are the answer.

Vegetarians will find Australia more accommodating than a decade ago. Most restaurants offer vegetarian options. Purely vegetarian restaurants are mainly found in areas with large Indian populations. Eating out costs more than India — a casual meal runs AUD 18 to 25 (roughly INR 1,000 to 1,400). Cooking at home is significantly cheaper.

Cultural adjustment

Punctuality matters. Meetings, appointments, and social events start on time.

Personal space. Australians maintain more distance in conversations and queues.

Weather. If you're coming from Delhi, Chennai, or Mumbai, Melbourne and Sydney winters will feel cold. Indian winter wear often isn't warm enough.

Homesickness typically peaks around three to six months. The time difference (2.5 to 5.5 hours ahead of India) is manageable for regular calls. Building a local routine — gym, cricket club, temple, community association — is the best way through it.

Next steps

Get your TFN, bank account, health insurance, and phone sorted in week one. Start exploring suburbs that match your work and budget. Join a cricket club, visit a temple, or attend a community event — it makes the transition faster than you'd expect.

If you're still working through the visa process, our visa options guide for Indian citizens covers every subclass. For document preparation, see the India document authentication guide.

Need help with your application? Find a MARA-registered migration agent through Migratio's directory, or browse agents who specialise in skilled visas or partner visas. Check your points with our points calculator or estimate costs with the cost calculator.

For guidance on choosing the right professional, see how to choose a migration agent. If you're an IT professional, our guide on Indian software engineers moving to Australia covers the pathway in detail.

Related Migratio resources

- Moving to Australia from India — 2026 guide
- Visa options for Indian citizens moving to Australia
- Cost of moving to Australia from India
- India document authentication for Australian immigration
- How to choose a migration agent
- What is a skills assessment?
- Find a skilled visa agent

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Can Indian citizens get Medicare in Australia?

India does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Indian citizens on temporary visas need private health insurance. Those on permanent visas can enrol in Medicare. Some visa subclasses require Overseas Health Cover (OVHC) as a visa condition.

Can I drive in Australia with an Indian licence?

Rules vary by state. Most states allow you to drive on a valid overseas licence for a limited period (typically three to six months). After that, you need an Australian licence. Some states require a practical driving test; others accept a direct conversion. Australia drives on the left, same as India.

Where do most Indians live in Australia?

The largest Indian communities are in Sydney's Parramatta and Harris Park area, Melbourne's western suburbs (Wyndham, Tarneit, Truganina), and Perth's Canning Vale. These areas have Indian grocery stores, temples, restaurants, and community organisations.

How do I open a bank account in Australia from India?

Some Australian banks (including Commonwealth Bank and NAB) let you open an account online before you arrive. You need your passport details and an Australian address. Within 12 weeks of arrival, you can verify your identity with your passport alone. After 12 weeks, you need the full 100-point ID check.

Is Australian food suitable for vegetarians from India?

Australia's major cities have extensive vegetarian and Indian food options. Supermarkets carry a wide range of vegetarian products, and Indian grocery stores in community hubs stock familiar brands and spices. Restaurants increasingly cater to vegetarian diners, especially in areas with large Indian populations.