Arriving in Australia on a Permanent Resident (PR) visa is the culmination of years of hard work, paperwork, and waiting. The moment you step off the plane is incredibly exciting, but the reality of setting up your life in a new country hits fast.
To avoid the overwhelm and ensure you hit the ground running, it helps to break down the bureaucratic maze into manageable steps. Here is your complete, step-by-step settlement checklist for your first 30 days down under.
Week 1: The Immediate Essentials (Days 1–7)
Your first week should be strictly focused on the core logistics required to identify yourself and handle money.
- Get an Australian SIM Card: You can grab a prepaid SIM at the airport or at local supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths). Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are the major networks, but smaller providers (like Amaysim or Aldi Mobile) use the same towers and are often cheaper. You’ll need a local phone number immediately to register for everything else on this list.
- Activate or Open a Bank Account: If you opened an account offshore before arriving (such as with CommBank, Westpac, ANZ, or NAB), head to a local branch with your passport and visa grant letter to activate it. If not, do this ASAP. Pro Tip: Doing this within your first six weeks is crucial because banks will accept your passport as sufficient ID before the strict “100 points of ID” system kicks in.
- Set Up Your myGov Account: myGov is the central digital gateway to Australian government services. Create your account and link it to essential services like Medicare, the ATO (Tax Office), and Centrelink.
- Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN): You need a TFN to work legally and avoid paying the highest emergency tax rate on your income. You can apply for this online via the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website once you are physically in Australia. It takes up to 28 days to arrive by mail, so apply on day one.
- Register for Medicare: As a PR, you are entitled to Australia’s public healthcare system. You can enroll using your myGov account or by visiting a Services Australia centre. You’ll need your passport and visa grant notice. Once approved, you’ll get a digital card in your phone’s wallet, and a physical green card will be mailed to you.
Week 2: Securing Your Foundation (Days 8–14)
With your identity and finances taking shape, it’s time to secure a place to live and handle local registrations.
- Tackle the Housing Market: Securing a rental in Australia is highly competitive. You’ll need to attend physical open inspections and apply online (usually through platforms like https://www.google.com/search?q=realestate.com.au or Domain). Landlords require proof of income, rental history, and 100 points of ID. If you don’t have a local rental history yet, offering bank statements showing healthy savings can help secure a lease.
- Convert Your Driver’s License: Depending on which country issued your original license, you may be able to simply swap it, or you might need to take a written and practical driving test. Rules vary by state (e.g., VicRoads in Victoria, Service NSW in New South Wales). Most states require PRs to switch to a local license within 3 to 6 months of arrival.
- Register with Centrelink: Even if you aren’t seeking unemployment benefits (which have a waiting period for new PRs), you should register with Centrelink if you have children. As a PR, you may be immediately eligible for Family Tax Benefits or the Child Care Subsidy.
Week 3: Work, Family, and Health (Days 15–21)
Now you can start focusing on your long-term routine and career.
- Update Your Resume (Australian Style): Australian employers prefer succinct, 2-to-3-page resumes that focus heavily on achievements rather than just duties. Remove your photo, age, and marital status—including these is considered a major faux pas in the Australian job market. Start reaching out to local recruiters in your industry.
- Enrol Kids in School or Childcare: If you moved with family, start contacting local public schools. School zones (catchment areas) are strictly enforced in Australia, meaning your permanent rental address will dictate which public school your child can attend.
- Consider Private Health Insurance: While Medicare is excellent, it does not cover ambulance rides (in most states), dental work, or optical. Furthermore, if you earn over a certain income threshold, having private hospital cover exempts you from paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge at tax time.
Week 4: Settling In and Navigating (Days 22–30)
Your final week of the month is about integrating into the local lifestyle and understanding the unwritten rules.
- Get a Public Transport Card: Every state has its own system: Opal in NSW, Myki in Victoria, Go Card in Queensland, SmartRider in WA, etc. Grab one at a train station or convenience store, top it up, and familiarize yourself with the transit routes.
- Understand the “100 Points of ID” System: Australia uses a points-based system for proving your identity, which you’ll need for renting a house, financing a car, or signing a phone contract. Your passport is worth 70 points, an Australian driver’s license is 40 points, and a Medicare or bank card is worth 25 points. Keep these cards secure once they arrive in the mail.
- Build Your Network: Don’t underestimate the power of local networking. Join community expat groups on Facebook, attend local Meetups, or grab a coffee with people in your industry. A massive amount of hiring in Australia happens through the “hidden job market” via personal referrals and cultural fit.
Final Tip: Create a secure digital folder on your phone or laptop with your visa grant notice, passport copies, digital Medicare card, TFN, and bank details. Bureaucracy can be heavy in the first month, but once these foundations are laid, you can focus on the real reason you moved: enjoying your new life down under!