You’ve landed. The sun’s out, the accent’s real, and it’s finally happening. But before you dive into beach life, there are a handful of practical things to sort in your first week or two — do them in the right order and everything else falls into place.
1. Get your Tax File Number
Your Tax File Number (TFN) is the very first thing to arrange — it’s free, you apply online, and without it you’ll be taxed at the highest rate. Employers ask for it as soon as you start, so having it ready means you can jump straight into work.
2. Open an Australian bank account
You’ll need a local account for your wages and everyday spending. Many of the big banks let you open one online before you even arrive, then you just pop into a branch with your passport to activate it. Set this up early so your first pay has somewhere to land.
3. Sort your phone and a local number
An Australian SIM makes life far easier — for job applications, rentals, and staying connected. Prepaid plans are cheap and easy, and having a local number instantly makes you look more settled to employers and landlords.
4. Understand Medicare and health cover
Depending on your nationality, Australia may have a reciprocal healthcare agreement that gives you access to Medicare for essential care. If your country isn’t covered, you’ll want travel or working-holiday health insurance instead. Either way, don’t skip this — medical costs add up fast if you’re uninsured.
5. Find a place to land
Most travellers start in a hostel for the first week or two, then move into a share house once they’ve got their bearings. It’s the perfect way to meet people, learn the city, and find work leads before committing to a lease.
Feeling like there’s a lot to juggle? There is — but it’s all very doable when you tackle it in the right order. This is exactly what we walk through with you step by step, so your first weeks in Australia feel like an adventure instead of an admin marathon.
Do it in the right order
TFN, bank account, phone, health cover, a roof over your head — then a job. Each step makes the next one easier. Rush it or skip around, and you’ll hit avoidable delays. Get the sequence right, and within a couple of weeks you’ll be earning, exploring, and living the life you came for.
Want a clear plan for your first weeks?
Book a free, no-obligation call. We’ll walk you through every step so you arrive prepared and settle in fast.
📞 Book your free callRules for Medicare, tax and banking change regularly and depend on your nationality. Always confirm the latest details on official Australian government sources before you rely on them.
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