Life After Landing: Settling in Australia from the Philippines

First week essentials

Your first few days in Australia set the tone for everything ahead. Four tasks come before anything else.

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 apply early.

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. Commonwealth Bank and NAB let you open an account online before you leave the Philippines. Link your TFN once it arrives. At current rates (roughly 1 AUD = 37 PHP), an AUD 2,000 rental bond is about PHP 74,000.

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

Health insurance. This is the most urgent task. The Philippines does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. 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 cover a condition — your visa can be cancelled if it lapses. Budget AUD 1,200 to 2,500 per year for a single person. See our cost of moving to Australia from the Philippines guide for a full breakdown.

Healthcare: no Medicare reciprocal agreement

The Services Australia reciprocal healthcare page lists countries with agreements. The Philippines 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. PhilHealth coverage does not transfer — you start fresh with the Australian system.

Housing and suburbs: where Filipino migrants settle

Three areas have the strongest Filipino community ties.

Blacktown (Sydney). Blacktown in western Sydney has the largest Filipino community in Australia. Filipino grocery stores, restaurants, remittance centres, and community halls cluster in the area. Multiple Catholic parishes hold Mass in Tagalog. A two-bedroom apartment runs AUD 500 to 650 per week (roughly PHP 18,500 to 24,000). Budget for four weeks' bond plus two weeks' rent in advance.

Dandenong and surrounds (Melbourne). Dandenong, Hallam, Narre Warren, and Berwick in Melbourne's southeast have a growing Filipino population with stores, churches, and community groups. A three-bedroom house rents for AUD 430 to 560 per week (PHP 16,000 to 20,700).

Mandurah (Perth). South of Perth, Mandurah draws Filipino families with lower rents and coastal living. Church groups and social clubs are active. Three-bedroom houses rent for about AUD 450 to 550 per week (PHP 16,600 to 20,300).

Other strong Filipino communities include Brisbane (Logan and Ipswich), Adelaide, and Darwin. For document preparation, see the Philippines document authentication guide.

Working in Australia

Workplace culture. Australian workplaces are more informal than most Philippine corporate environments. First names are standard — no "sir" or "ma'am." The hierarchy is flatter. Pushing back on a deadline is acceptable. Speak up in meetings and ask questions directly. Many Filipinos with OFW experience find this adjustment easier.

Nursing registration. Nurses are one of the largest groups of Filipino skilled migrants. Register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) before working in any clinical role. The process includes identity checks, English language evidence, and a skills assessment. For the full pathway, see our Filipino nurse guide. Aged care workers can check the Filipino aged care worker guide.

Superannuation. Your employer must pay 12% of your earnings into a super fund. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it. This money is locked for retirement — it is not available to send home. Choose your own fund or use your employer's default. If you leave Australia permanently, you may be able to claim your super.

Tax. The financial year runs 1 July to 30 June. Lodge your return through the ATO's myTax portal by 31 October. If you're unsure about your skills assessment status, check before job hunting.

Remittances and financial planning

Sending money home is a core part of Filipino family life. Banks, Western Union, Remitly, and digital platforms all handle AUD-to-PHP transfers. Fees vary widely — a bank transfer might charge AUD 20 to 30 while a digital platform charges under AUD 5. Compare the total cost including the exchange rate margin, not just the fee.

Build remittances into your fortnightly budget. Set a fixed amount after covering rent, bills, and savings. At roughly 37 PHP per AUD, an AUD 500 transfer converts to about PHP 18,500, but this shifts week to week.

Remittances from after-tax income are not taxed again. If you receive income from the Philippines while in Australia, you may need to declare it — the ATO taxes residents on worldwide income.

Driving: right side to left side

This is a major adjustment. The Philippines drives on the right. Australia drives on the left. Steering wheel, lane position, roundabouts, and turning at intersections are all reversed.

Most states allow driving on a valid Philippine licence for three to six months. After that, you need an Australian licence. Most states require a practical driving test. Don't let your overseas licence window expire — driving unlicensed carries heavy fines. Practise in quiet streets before tackling traffic.

Public transport varies by city. 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 the Philippine school year (June to March). If you arrive mid-year, your children may enter at a different point in the curriculum.

Assessment is continuous — no national board exams until Year 12. Government schools are free for permanent residents. Temporary visa holders may pay AUD 5,000 to 12,000 per year. Catholic schools are an option many Filipino families consider — fees are lower than other private schools and the values feel familiar.

Filipino community: churches, organisations, and fiestas

Catholic churches. The Catholic Church is the centre of community life for many Filipino families. Parishes in Blacktown, Dandenong, Parramatta, and other hubs hold Mass in Tagalog. Simbang Gabi (the nine-day dawn Mass before Christmas) is celebrated in Filipino parishes across Australia.

Community organisations. State-based Filipino community councils, regional associations (Ilocano, Visayan, Bicolano groups), and professional networks are active in every capital city.

Fiestas and cultural events. Philippine Independence Day (12 June) celebrations happen in most major cities. Flores de Mayo, Santacruzan, and barrio fiestas are organised by church and community groups through the year.

Food and daily life

Filipino grocery stores in community hubs stock familiar brands — Mama Sita's sauces, Silver Swan soy sauce, dried fish, ube jam, and pandesal. Goldilocks bakeries operate in some areas. Jollibee has locations in several cities. In areas without a dedicated Filipino store, Asian grocery shops usually carry basic Filipino ingredients.

Cooking at home is significantly cheaper than eating out. A casual restaurant meal costs AUD 18 to 25 (roughly PHP 670 to 925). Family in the Philippines can send balikbayan boxes to Australia, though customs rules on food items are strict. Declare everything at the border.

Cultural adjustment

Punctuality matters. Meetings, appointments, and social events start on time. "Filipino time" does not apply in Australian workplaces or government offices.

Directness. Australians tend to be more direct in professional settings. A straight "no" is normal and not rude.

Weather. Melbourne and Hobart winters will feel cold. Budget for a winter jacket and warm layers — Philippine-weight clothing is not enough. Northern Australia (Darwin, Cairns) will feel familiar.

Homesickness. The time difference is small (zero to three hours), making regular calls easy. Church community, Filipino social groups, and the OFW mindset — familiarity with living away from home — help many Filipinos adjust faster than expected.

Next steps

Get your TFN, bank account, health insurance, and phone sorted in week one. Attend a Filipino community Mass, join a local association, or visit a Filipino store — it makes the transition smoother than you'd expect.

If you're still working through the visa process, our visa options guide for Filipino citizens covers every pathway. For IT professionals, see the Filipino IT worker 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.

Related Migratio resources

- Moving to Australia from the Philippines — 2026 guide
- Visa options for Filipino citizens moving to Australia
- Cost of moving to Australia from the Philippines
- Philippines 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 Filipino citizens get Medicare in Australia?

The Philippines does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Filipino citizens on temporary visas need private health insurance. Those on permanent visas can enrol in Medicare after grant.

Where do most Filipinos live in Australia?

Blacktown in western Sydney has the largest Filipino community. Dandenong and surrounding suburbs in Melbourne's southeast, and Mandurah south of Perth are also popular. All major Australian cities have Filipino community organisations, churches, and cultural groups.

Can I send money home to the Philippines from Australia?

Yes. Multiple remittance services operate between Australia and the Philippines, including banks, dedicated services like Western Union, and digital platforms. Compare fees and exchange rates — costs vary significantly between providers. Australian banks also offer international transfers.

Can I drive in Australia with a Philippine licence?

Most states allow driving on a valid overseas licence for three to six months. After that, you need an Australian licence. The Philippines drives on the right; Australia drives on the left. Most states require a practical driving test for Philippine licence holders.

Are there Filipino grocery stores in Australia?

Yes. Areas with large Filipino communities have dedicated Filipino grocery stores stocking familiar brands, ingredients, and snacks. In other areas, Asian grocery stores typically carry Filipino products. Major supermarkets also stock some Filipino items.