New to Aus? Here's Some Tips on How to Set Up Your New Life

Congrats on making the big move down under. Let’s get you settled, aye?

This article is presented in partnership with Westpac.

It's not just a country—it's a lifestyle.

If you've recently touched down on Australian shores, you’ve struck gold with one of the most inclusive, welcoming, beautiful, and care-free countries in the world.

And what’s better than a care-free country? A care-free moving process.

We’ve put together a list of some of the things you ought to tackle first, or very soon after you take a quick trip to Bondi.

1. Know your entitlements.

They call Australia the "lucky country", and just because you weren’t born in Australia, it doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to live your dream life here.

It's possible to study your dream course and even start a business in Aus — there’s just some admin stuff you have to get sorted.

First, you'll want to look at setting up some vital info. Every worker in Australia needs a Tax File Number, or TFN. This is a nine-digit number that's unique to you and will help you in securing a job and getting paid. 

Find out more about setting up a TFN here. 

2. Don’t fret the finance stuff.

You’re going to have some start-up costs moving to Australia, and you’ll want to make sure your finances are easy breezy to navigate.

You'll want to think about setting up an Australian bank account, and thankfully, it's pretty simple. You can find heaps of info on which one you need to get by visiting Westpac.

You can apply for a bank account easily as long as you have your ID and proof of address on hand now that you've arrived. There are many banks to choose from, such as Westpac, who have branches and ATM coverage across the whole country.

3. Get your documents sorted.

Once you've sorted out the official stuff, you might want to think about getting your work and study life going. Try creating an Australian Resume/CV, which you can do through our handy Student Edge Passport. 

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Once you're done, you can look out for jobs that suit you on sites like LinkedIn, Seek, Facebook groups or even right here with Student Edge. 

There are some requirements for certain jobs like a Responsible Service of Alcohol qualification for working in hospitality, but there are heaps of jobs out there that you can launch straight into. 

Cost of living can be more expensive in Australia than other countries, so it's well worth looking for employment and setting yourself a budget. 

4. Stay safe out there.

Australia is one of the safest countries in the world. But for peace of mind, you’ll want to have some things set in place.

There’s the physical things, like swimming within the flags at Australia’s stunning patrolled beaches, not straying too far off bush paths, and slip slop slapping on that SPF 50+ in the extreme UV heat of summer months.

Then there’s your finances, ID and any important accounts you create online. Stay cyber safe!

We’re excited for your new journey and want you to make it a good ‘un—so slide on some thongs and a good pair of sunnies, chuck on some Paul Kelly, grab a roast chook from the shops and rest easy in Aus knowing you’ve got it sorted!

5. Keep warm in the colder/wet months.

Depending on where you've moved to Australia, it can get quite cold (looking at you Melbourne) or quite wet (that's you Queensland). You might not have the right clothes to stay warm or dry, so make sure you head out to get what you'll need.

Based on where you are, ask around and find out what's the appropriate clothing for the cooler months. 

That way you won't be coming home from a day out, absolutely drenched 🙃

A previous version of this article was published on 3 July 2023.

"Things you should know: This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice."