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G New to Australia guide 2026

Just Arrived in Australia?

Here's Exactly What to Do First and in the Right Order — a practical step-by-step guide to settling in with confidence.

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New arrivals settling into life in Australia

Most new arrivals do not fail because information is missing; they struggle because the steps are out of order. This guide gives you a practical sequence for your first days, weeks, and months in Australia.

“By the time most people realise they've taken the wrong steps in the wrong order, weeks have passed — and some of those mistakes are expensive to undo.”

Entel Dajsmaili, arrived January 2001. Australian citizen by 2004.

Moving to Australia in 2026?

Sort These Before Your Flight Lands

Completing these tasks before you arrive helps you avoid the most common settlement mistakes and start your new life with confidence.

Documents

Documents to Carry Physically

Carry these in print, not just on your phone.

Passport + visa grant letter

Printed, not just on your phone.

University offer letter or employment contract

3 months of bank statements from your home country

International health insurance certificate

6 passport photos

You'll need them more than you expect.

Bookings

Book Before You Land

These bookings reduce pressure in your first week.

Short-term accommodation — minimum 4 weeks

You need time to find a suburb that actually fits your life before you sign a 12-month lease. Browse short-term accommodation in Australia

Airport transfer

Don't rely on Uber on arrival if you have heavy luggage and no Australian SIM yet.

Travel insurance for the gap before Medicare activates

Cigna Global or SafetyWing

Finance

Financial Preparation

Sort your money before you arrive.

Set up your finances before you land

Open an Australian bank account before you arrive, arrange international fund transfers, and notify your home bank of your move.

Health

Health & Insurance

Protect your health from day one.

Need short-term accommodation while you find your feet?

I always recommend booking at least 3–4 weeks before committing to a suburb. Search by distance to your workplace first not by price or city centre. For a full walkthrough of renting in Australia, read the Housing Guide.

First Week

You've Landed. Here's Your First Week

The first seven days are the most important for settling into Australia. Follow these essential steps to get organised, avoid common mistakes, and start your new life with confidence.

Day 1–2 Essentials

Buy a Local SIM Card

Get a prepaid SIM from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone at the airport or a local store. You'll need an Australian number for every form, bank verification, and employer contact.

Activate Your Australian Bank Account

Visit your chosen bank's branch with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address. Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, and Westpac have streamlined processes for new arrivals.

Apply for Your TFN

Your Tax File Number is essential for legal employment. Apply online through the ATO. Processing takes up to 28 days but your employer can accept proof of application.

Register Your Address

Update your address with the ATO, your bank, and the Department of Home Affairs. This ensures official correspondence and tax documents reach you without delay.

Set Up Utilities

Arrange electricity, gas, internet, and water connections for your rental. Compare providers on Energy Made Easy or Finder to find the best rates for your suburb.

Pro Tip

Completing these first five tasks within 48 hours of landing will save you days of administrative stress later. Do them in this order for the smoothest experience.

Week 1 Setup

Enrol in Medicare

Check your visa eligibility for Medicare. If eligible, visit a Service Centre with your passport and visa grant letter. Medicare covers GP visits and public hospital care.

Register with a GP

Find a general practice accepting new patients near your home. Register before you need one — not on the day you get sick. Bulk billing practices offer no-gap fees.

Explore Your Neighbourhood

Walk your local area to find supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs, and public transport stops. Knowing your immediate surroundings reduces anxiety and helps you feel at home faster.

Join Community Groups

Connect with local expat and migrant communities on Facebook, Meetup, or local council events. These groups share practical advice and help you build a support network.

Learn Public Transport

Get an Opal card (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), or Go card (Brisbane). Download the local transport app and plan your commute routes before your first day of work or study.

Estimated Time

Approximately 6–8 hours spread across your first week. Tackle two items per day to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Dos & Don'ts

Australia Immigration Mistakes to Avoid

Following these best practices helps you avoid common settlement mistakes and settle into Australian life with confidence.

Do's — Best Practices

Habits that help you settle faster

Recommended

Use your employer as a rental reference

You have no Australian rental history — that's the reality for every new arrival. An employment contract plus a letter from your manager replaces rental references with most private landlords. Target private landlords over large real estate agencies. They have more flexibility and fewer box-ticking requirements.

Recommended

Track your superannuation from week one

Every Australian employer is legally required to contribute 11% of your salary into a superannuation fund on top of your salary, not from it. Most migrants only find out years later that a previous employer didn't pay it. The ATO has a free tool to check. Use it from the start.

Recommended

Build your Australian credit score deliberately from month one

Your overseas credit history means nothing here. You start at zero — and that affects post-paid phone plans, car financing, and eventually a mortgage. A secured credit card linked to your bank account, used for small purchases and paid off in full every month, is the fastest way to build it.

Don'ts — Common Mistakes

Mistakes most new arrivals regret

Avoid

Don't sign a 24-month phone plan before you know your suburb

Go prepaid first. Coverage and pricing vary significantly depending on where you end up living. Lock yourself into a plan on day one and you may be paying for coverage you don't get where you actually live.

Avoid

Don't ignore your superannuation even if you plan to leave

If you leave Australia permanently, you are legally entitled to claim your super back. It's called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). Most migrants walk away leaving thousands behind simply because they didn't know this existed. It does. Claim it.

Avoid

Don't arrive without medical insurance when Medicare isn't active yet

If your visa doesn't qualify you for Medicare immediately, you need private cover before you land. One unplanned emergency visit costs $800–$2,000 out of pocket without it. Don't arrive uncovered.

Arrival Sequence

The Order That Actually Matters

Complete these important tasks in order after arriving in Australia.

Get a prepaid SIM card at the airport, before you leave the terminal

Your Australian mobile number is the key that unlocks everything else. Landlords, employers, and banks all need a local contact number. Every application you fill in from day one requires it. Get this done before anything else.
Why the order matters

Without a local number you cannot complete bank verification, receive employer callbacks, or fill in rental applications. This single step unlocks everything else.

Apply for your TFN (Tax File Number) — Day 1 or 2

Go to ato.gov.au right now. The application takes 20 minutes. Your TFN card arrives by post within 28 days but you get a receipt number immediately, and most employers accept that.
Why the order matters

Without a TFN on file, your employer must deduct tax at the highest marginal rate (up to 45%) on everything you earn until you provide one. Apply on day one even if you haven't started work yet.

Open or activate your bank account — Day 2 or 3

If you pre-opened from overseas (Commonwealth Bank lets you do this), visit a branch to activate it with your passport. If not, open one immediately. Most banks require your TFN or proof you've applied.
Why the order matters

Without a bank account you cannot receive salary, pay rent, or provide the bank statements that agents require for rental applications. This account is the financial hub everything else depends on.

Enrol in Medicare (if eligible) — Day 3 to 5

Not every visa qualifies for Medicare, and some have a waiting period. Check your visa conditions at homeaffairs.gov.au before you go. Take your passport and visa grant letter to a Medicare Service Centre — you will need both.
Why the order matters

Medicare rebates require a bank account for deposits. By completing step 3 first, you walk in ready to enrol fully. Without Medicare, one GP visit costs $80–$150 out of pocket. Don't delay this step.

Start your rental property search — Day 1 (ongoing)

Your temporary accommodation has a fixed end date. The rental market is competitive. Start researching suburbs and inspecting properties immediately — but don't apply until your bank account is active.
Why the order matters

Real estate agents won't process your application without Australian bank statements showing transaction history. By researching early and applying after your account is active, you move fast when the right property appears.

Set up international money transfers — Week 1

Your Australian bank charges 3–5% on every international transfer, hidden inside the exchange rate. Use Wise or Airwallex instead — they show you the exact fee before you confirm. On a $5,000 transfer, the difference can be $150–$300.
Why the order matters

Transferring funds before your Australian account is active means paying international wire fees twice (sending bank + receiving bank). Wait until step 3 is complete, then move your money in one efficient transfer.

Begin work — Week 2

By this point you are set up legally (TFN applied), financially (bank account active), and communicatively (SIM working). Your employer can pay you, the ATO can tax you correctly, and you can sign a lease without stress.
Why the order matters

Starting work before securing the steps above creates administrative chaos. This sequence ensures your employer can pay you, the ATO can tax you correctly, and you can rent a home without scrambling.

Pro Tip

Apply for your TFN as a new arrival before visiting a bank. Most Australian banks ask for your TFN when opening an account, and having the receipt number ready means you complete the full setup in one branch visit instead of two.

Common Questions

New to Australia — Common Questions Answered

Do I need a TFN before I start working in Australia?

No, you can legally start work without one. But apply the day you arrive. Without a TFN on file, your employer will tax you at 45% on everything you earn until you provide it. The online application takes 20 minutes at ato.gov.au.

Can I open an Australian bank account before I arrive?

Yes. Commonwealth Bank allows you to open an account online up to 12 months before you arrive, using your passport. Your card will be waiting at a branch when you land. This is one of the most useful things you can do before you fly.

Does Medicare cover dental?

No, and this surprises almost everyone. Medicare covers GP visits, public hospital stays, and partial specialist costs. Dental, optical, and physiotherapy are not covered. Budget for these separately, or look at private health insurance that includes extras cover.

How long does it take to get permanent residency in Australia?

It depends on your visa pathway. Employer-sponsored (482 → 186): typically 2–4 years. Skilled independent (189 points-tested): 6 months to 2 years from invitation. Family/partner visa: 1–3 years. State nomination can speed up a skilled application significantly. For personalised guidance, visit our contact page.

Can I rent a property in Australia without a local rental history?

Yes. Offer to pay 4 weeks' rent in advance instead of 2. Use your employer as a character reference. Target private landlords over large real estate agencies they have more flexibility. Get a rental reference letter from your previous landlord overseas, translated into English if needed.

What happens to my superannuation if I leave Australia permanently?

You can claim it back. It's called the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). You apply online through the ATO after your visa expires and you've left the country. Tax is withheld on the payment, but you receive the balance. Most migrants leave thousands behind simply because they don't know this process exists.

Frequently asked questions for new arrivals in Australia

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