Getting Started in Australia

Getting started in Australia is the easiest thing ever. Don't believe stories about all the obstacles, how hard or complicated it is. Follow these basic few steps and you'll be ready in no time.

All you need to get properly set up and ready for work in Australia are:

-A Bank Account (you can apply on-line before you go over to Australia and then activate it once you get there). The application takes about 15 minutes on-line and about the same in the branch. They will mail you a debit card straight away. If your not sure you'll be in the same hostel in a week's time (it usually arrives after 2-3 days) then have it sent to any local post office. You can pick it up from there just by showing your ID. Too easy. 

Open a bank account here 

-A Tax File Number (TFN) As a temporary resident you'll still be liable to pay tax (and receive even more in return) and will need your unique 9-digit code which you register at the tax office. You can do it on-line by filling out a simple form. Use the hostel's address if you wish. It will take a few weeks this way. A quicker way to do it is to simply register at your local tax office. You can have your tax file number on the same day this way.

Click here to apply for a TFN now

-An Australian Telephone number . You can get them anywhere. Telstra  are the only ones that offer good coverage in remote areas (and that  includes the wireless broadband stick) and charge more accordingly. In  cities go with Virgin or Optus, they have great deals but neither of them work in remote areas. The SIM  cards are free with your first deposit. You usually get a great calling  plan when you top your phone up with $30 or more credit. Anything less  and you'll pay for it through the nose.

It really is that simple. You don't even need a TFN to start off with as you will just be on emergency tax (highest rate) until you supply a TFN, after which you are taxed accordingly. You should be able to get most of it back at the end of the tax year anyaways. Once you have an Australian bank account you won't have to worry about the withdrawal fees and unfavorable currency conversions rates that your overseas card bears.  With a phone you can contact potential employers and they can contact you too. Start trading numbers with friends you meet and take it from there. These 3 Easy to obtain items are all you need to get started. They are your first 3 roots in the country, your foundation from which a successful adventure begins.

In addition to those 3 core items. The following would also be extremely useful to sort out from day 1.

-Superannuation Fund

Wish I had known about this beforehand. By law, your employer must pay 9% of your gross salary (salary before tax) into a managed retirement fund. When you leave the country, as a temporary resident you are allowed to get that amount back, minus whatever applicable fees and taxes. If you have your own account from the beginning you won't have to worry about tracking down old accounts that were automatically set up for you. If you don't give your Superannuation details when first starting a job, the company will automatically put you on their scheme (they really are known as schemes). If you end up working at a variety of jobs, as you most likely will and not provide your own details you're robbing yourself of a nice pay off when you leave the country. Even if you were to track former accounts down there may not be much left after fees. It all depends on how much you work and make, and there's no reason why you wouldn't leave the country with anything less than $5000 from your super account when you leave the country. 
 

As a temporary resident you are entitled to an Australian driving license. Employers like to see that you have an Australian driving license, because whatever is Australian is easy for them to deal with. In some states it's a requirement that you hold a driving license issued by whichever state you're in. If you already have a driving license from the following recognised countries:

Austria	Guernsey	New Zealand
Belgium	Ireland	Norway
Canada	Isle of Man*	Portugal
Croatia	Italy	Singapore
Denmark	Japan	Spain
Finland	Jersey	Sweden
France	Luxembourg	Switzerland
Germany	Malta **	United Kingdom
Greece	Netherlands	United States of America

*Only recognised if your Isle of Man licence was issued on or after 1 November 1991
**Only recognised if your Malta licence was issued on or after 2 January 2004.

If you are over 25 you can also get your license on the 'Experienced driver programme' if it was issued in:

Czech Republic	Hong Kong	Taiwan
Estonia	Republic of Korea

You are allowed to drive on your overseas license for your first 3 months provided your overseas license is accompanied by a certified translation (in some states the translation must have taken place in the issuing state) where applicable. After that you will have to either convert or go on a course to get certified to Australian standards.

The Northern Terriroty is by far the easiest place to get your license. It's the cheapest there and there is less verification required. It's an especially good place if you're looking to get your HR (Truck) license.

Qualifications/References from Overseas (Very important for newcomers)

Take the effort to gather up references from previous jobs. Make sure whoever is recommending you still works there and is willing to provide you with a reference. This not only gives the employer confidence, it also ensures that your ex-boss will speak highly of you. They are always glad to do it as long as you were a good worker that left on amicable terms.

Get copies, all they need is copies, if certified better.. of any qualfication you have. University, first aid are big bonuses.

Most of you will have this information already, everything else can be set up easily. Do these simple things and you'll save loads of time, money & stress. This is the best headstart you can possibly have in Australia. The rest is up to you.