4 Things You Need to do Once You Land in Australia!
You’ve landed in Australia and officially started your Work and Holiday Visa… NOW WHAT??
First of all, congrats to you for doing the d*mn thing!!! You said the goodbyes, you made the long journey, you took the risks, and now a whole new chapter is beginning. All of the hype leading up to this moment have been surrounding the physicality of leaving. But now that you’re here, shit starts to get real… and it’s freaking scary.
There are a few things you need to do to upon arriving in order to start feeling and acting like a local. I’ve written out those steps, which should help ease any anxiety and give you some direction as you start your new life in Aus…
1. Get an Australian Phone Plan
The first thing you should do is get an Australian sim card and phone plan! Then you can freely use your phone in the country without having to rely on wifi.
I went through Optus for my sim card and phone plan and loved it. I went to the local shopping center in the city I arrived in, walked into the Optus store, and left 30 minutes later with an Aussie number. My phone plan is roughly $60/AUD month and comes with heaps of data and unlimited hotspot. Optus also has an app where you can manage everything, making it super user friendly!
If you are planning on living in Western Australia, Telstra gets better reception / is less spotty. I didn’t know this, and also didn’t know where I would be living, so I went with Optus.
2. Set-up an Australian Bank Account
The next step is setting up an Australia bank account. You will need an Australian bank account to receive any payments from employers. This will give you a debit card to use and will allow you to freely pay for things without the worry of international fees/charges.
I went through Commonwealth Bank! I walked into my local branch and they were so helpful, organized, and made the process seamless. They also have an easy-to-use app for all of your banking, paying friends (like Venmo), and paying your bills. It took approximately 20 minutes to set mine up, and I was able to start using my card straight away via Apple Pay. The physical card came in the mail 1-2 weeks later.
3. Apply for your TFN (Tax File Number)
A TFN is your own personal number to use for taxes and your superannuation account. All employers will ask for your TFN, so you will need it before starting a job. You will also need it BEFORE setting up your Superannuation Fund.
The TFN is super easy to apply for, free, and takes about 10 minutes! You will get your TFN number only via mail, which will take about 2 weeks to get. Make sure to apply for this shortly after landing so you can start work, and use a trusted address (ex. the hostel you’re staying in or a mate’s house).
Link to apply:
4. Create a Superannuation Fund
WTF is a superannuation fund? A superannuation is a retirement fund account that every Australian, or anyone living and working in Australia, needs to have. This is because all employers are required to pay part of your salary towards your superannuation on your behalf. When you get a job, they will ask for your super fund details.
There are many different types of companies you can go through, so you’ll need to do some digging on what type suits you best. I decided to go with “Australian Super” and have loved it.
Once you leave Australia, you are able to access your Super and withdraw the money. However, you won’t have access to all of it, as it’s intended to only be accessed later in life. If you plan on coming back to Australia for a 2nd visa, or you think you may become a Permanent resident, don’t withdraw at all because you’ll get more money in the long-run.
Different Types of Super Funds:
Australian Super:
https://www.australiansuper.com/
These are the 4 main things you need to do once in the country! It probably feels overwhelming, and that’s okay, just take things one step at a time. Getting these items ticked off your list will allow you to legally start work and truly feel like you’re living in Australia, not just on a holiday.
After this, you can focus on figuring out where in the country you want to live, finding a job, securing a living situation, and getting used to your new daily routines of this exciting chapter of your life… easy peasy, right? ;) You’ve got this!