Moving to Australia is a big step for you and your family. Once you arrive, there are important things to organise and be aware of so you can settle in and feel confident in your new community.
This page provides practical information about everyday life in Australia, including finding a home, managing money, accessing health care, understanding your rights, getting around and supporting your children and family.
You will need to plan for your move to Australia. When preparing, you should consider the following:
Temporary accommodation
Arrange temporary accommodation before you arrive so you have a place to stay. This will give you time to find long-term housing, which may take some time.
Transport
Plan how you will travel from the airport to your accommodation. You can use public transport or other services such as taxis or car rentals.
You can find more information about transport options for each airport on the relevant airport website:
Documents
Make sure you have all your documents ready before travelling.
You should bring:
Is there anything you cannot bring to Australia?
Australia has strict rules about what you can and cannot bring into the country. Certain food, plant material and animal items from overseas could introduce serious pests and diseases into Australia, and could risk devastating agriculture and tourism industries and Australia’s unique environment.
There are some things you are allowed to bring, but you need to let border force officers know you are bringing it. This is called “declaring it”.
You must declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal items. You can take these declared goods with you to the clearance point at the airport where they will be assessed by a biosecurity officer and may be inspected. Alternatively, you can voluntarily dispose of food, plant material or animal items in bins located in the terminal before undergoing biosecurity screening.
You can check the Australian Border Force website to see what you can bring, cannot bring and need to declare.
Finding long-term accommodation should be one of your main priorities when you first arrive in Australia.
While you are staying in temporary accommodation, you should start looking for a longer-term place to live for you and your family. There are different types of housing available in Australia, and it is important to think about what is right for your needs, budget and location.
Before choosing a place to rent, you should think about:
Attending an inspection is an important step when renting a property. It helps you decide whether the home is suitable and can help you avoid scams. In some states, you must physically inspect the property before your application will be considered. Real estate agents will normally organise inspection times and advertise those on the online rental listing. There may be many people who will attend those inspections as well as you. You may be able to ask the attending real estate agent questions about the property during that inspection time. You may also be able to book a private inspection by contacting the listing real estate.
Signs of a rental scam can include:
To avoid scams, you should:
The rules for minimum standards for rental properties may differ between states and territories. However, commonly it is expected that a property meets basic living standards including:
Make sure you know what the minimum standards are when renting a property in the location you are moving to. State and Territory Tenancy Unions are a good place to find minimum standards for your location.
Utilities are household services such as water, electricity and gas.
The rules about utilities can differ between states and rental properties, so you should ask your real estate agent or landlord what you need to arrange yourself. You can also research on the Tenants Union websites for the state or territory you are moving to, and find out what the standards are for that location.
Landlords are normally responsible for ensuring there is a safe connection of water and electricity to the property. The payment for the use of those utilities must then be paid by the tenant.
If you are responsible for utilities, you may need to choose providers for electricity and gas. Water providers are usually determined by where you live. When choosing a provider, compare available options to find one that suits your needs and budget. You can compare providers at https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/.
Most rental homes will have bins for general waste and recycling. Some councils also provide a bin for food and garden waste. Collection days vary depending on your local council. You can check your council website or ask a neighbour.
You should place your bins on the side of the road for collection, usually the night before collection day. After the bins have been emptied, you should return them to your property. Leaving bins on the street may lead to a fine.
As a tenant in Australia, you have rights and responsibilities.
Your rights include:
Your responsibilities include:
Make sure you know what your rights and responsibilities as a tenant are when renting a property in the location you are moving to. State and Territory Tenancy Unions are a good place to find this information for your location.
Once you arrive in Australia, there are some important financial matters to organise, including tax, banking and superannuation.
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique number used to identify you in the tax system and is an important part of your identity in Australia. Your TFN is usually 9 digits long and is yours for life – you keep your TFN even if you change jobs or change your name, move interstate or go overseas.
You will need to apply for a TFN if you plan to work in Australia. Employers must withhold tax from payments made to you, including for superannuation contributions. You will also need a TFN if you wish to apply for government benefits or allowances, including Child Care Rebate.
You can apply on the Australian Taxation Office website.
You may also need to lodge a tax return each year, depending on your income and circumstances.
It is important to always keep your TFN safe and only disclose your TFN to people and organisations that require it for legitimate reasons, such as:
When choosing a bank account, it is a good idea to compare different banks and account types. You may want to look for:
Online banking is very common in Australia. It can be used to check balances, pay bills and transfer money. When banking online, never share your password or security codes, and do not log in through links sent by text message or email.
To open a bank account, you may need to visit a branch and bring documents such as:
Some banks may accept fewer documents if you have recently arrived. Many banks may also ask you for your tax file number.
Australia's superannuation system is the main way most people save for their retirement.
Superannuation (super for short) is a long-term investment that grows over time. The more you contribute during your working life, the more you'll have for your retirement.
For most people, super begins when you start work and your employer starts paying a percentage of your salary or wages into your super fund. Your employer pays your super on top of your wages.
You can also make additional voluntary contributions up to a cap.
Your chosen super fund invests and manages this money for you until you retire. Your super fund will offer you a range of investment options and account types to help you choose what's best for you.
You can generally choose what fund your super is invested in, and how it is invested.
You need to keep track of your super, checking that your employer is contributing the right amount and ensuring it's most effectively invested for your circumstances.
For more information, visit the Australian Taxation Office website https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-a…
Australia has a strong health system, and there are a range of services available to support you and your family.
A General Practitioner (GP), sometimes called a family doctor, is usually the first person you see if you have a health concern.
GPs can:
GPs work in clinics and community settings, and some appointments may also be available by phone or online.
If you need to see a medical specialist, you will usually need a referral from a GP to receive a Medicare rebate.
Medicare is Australia’s universal healthcare system. It helps cover part or all of the costs of a range of medicines, medical services, and hospital care for Australians and eligible migrants. To find out what is covered (and not covered) by Medicare, visit the Services Australia website.
If you have a Medicare card, you can access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for certain subsidised medicines and other medicinal products.
As a Pacific Engagement Visa holder, you will be eligible to enrol in Medicare once you arrive in Australia on the Services Australia website.
Dental services in Australia are available either privately or through public dental clinics (based on eligibility).
When accessing private dental services, some of your costs may have all or part of the costs of the service subsidised if you hold private health insurance.
Some children may be eligible for subsidised dental care through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
This may cover part or all of the cost of some basic dental services for eligible children.
You can learn more about the CDBS on the Services Australia website.
Australia has a National Immunisation Program Schedule that sets out which vaccines are recommended at different ages.
If you have a Medicare card, many childhood vaccines are free.
If your child needs to catch up on missed vaccinations, a doctor can arrange a catch-up plan after you arrive in Australia.
Vaccinations can usually be arranged through GPs and community health centres.
You can learn more about Australia’s National Immunisation Program on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
In Australia, private health insurance is optional and allows you to be treated in hospital as a private patient. It can also help pay for health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover, such as physiotherapy. How much and what it covers depends on your policy.
To get private health insurance you must:
There are a wide variety of private health insurance companies and policies to choose from in Australia. It is important to consider what you and your family’s current and future health needs are and your budget and then work out which policy best suits you.
There may be some tax benefits to owning private health insurance if you earn over certain income thresholds. You may also be eligible for private health insurance rebates, which reduce the amount you pay for your insurance policy. The amount of your rebate depends on your income and comes directly off your insurance premium.
To learn more about private health insurance in Australia, visit the Services Australia website.
Australia is a multicultural society with people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. While Australians come from diverse cultures, there are shared values and principles that help unite the community.
Australia has no official religion. People are free to practise their religion, provided their customs and practices do not conflict with Australian law.
If a person breaks the law, there may be serious consequences, including visa cancellation.
In Australia, people have rights and protections in many areas of life, including:
Police in Australia work for the government. Their role is to:
Visa holders and migrant workers have the same workplace rights and protections as all other employees in Australia. Some of the key things to know are:
Learn more about your rights in the workplace on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
There are many ways to travel in Australia, including driving, public transport, cycling, taxis and rideshare services.
Road rules in Australia may be different from those in your home country.
If you drive in Australia, you must:
If you want to continue driving in Australia, you may need to transfer your overseas licence within a set period.
In ACT, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, this is usually within 3 months. In Victoria and Tasmania, this is usually within 6 months.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to complete a knowledge test, a practical driving test, or begin as a learner driver.
Public transport systems are managed separately by each state and territory, so ticketing systems vary.
You may be able to buy:
You can learn more about public transport in each state and territory by visiting the relevant websites:
Cycling
Cycling is popular in many places, and wearing an approved bicycle helmet is mandatory.
Many cities and large towns have dedicated cycling paths to get around. If cycling along roads, you must obey the same road rules as those driving vehicles, such as stopping at stop signs and traffic lights.
To learn more, visit the websites of the State and Territory transport authority for the location you will be living.
Taxis and rideshare
Services such as taxis, Uber and Didi are common in cities, but are usually more expensive than public transport.
Regional travel
If you need to travel to regional areas, options may include coaches, buses, flights and some train services. Public transport options within regional areas are often more limited than in urban areas and cities.
There are a range of services available in Australia to support children and families.
There are different types of childcare in Australia, including:
The cost of childcare depends on things such as:
It is a good idea to compare a few providers before choosing one.
Children can usually attend preschool in the year before they begin primary school.
Across Australia, the education system generally includes:
Children must have started school by the time they turn 6 years old.
There are different types of schools in Australia, including government schools, faith-based schools and non-government (independent or private) schools.
When choosing a school, you may want to consider:
Government schools, also known as public schools, each have a priority enrolment area (or catchment area). Your children will have automatic entry into the government school catchment area that your home sits within. It can be difficult to enrol your children in government schools outside your catchment area.
To enrol a child in a government school, you may need to provide:
It is important to contact the school directly to ask about enrolment.
You can find a government school in your state or territory on the relevant state or territory website:
Emotional and social wellbeing
Moving to Australia can be a major change for children and young people.
Some children may experience:
Children may also find it difficult to adjust to a new culture or family changes during settlement.
Car and road safety for children
In Australia, children under the age of 7 must use an approved child car seat or booster seat. If a child is not properly restrained, the driver can be fined.
It is recommended that car seats are fitted by an authorised fitter.
Children should be taught to stay safe around roads and vehicles. Important safety messages include:
Parenting in Australia includes both rights and responsibilities. Parents in Australia have legal responsibilities to:
Parents also have rights to make decisions about raising their children, including decisions about:
However, children’s safety and wellbeing must always come first. Violence against children is not allowed.
Starting a new life in a new country is a challenge. Newly arrived migrants often need extra help and support to connect and stay engaged in their new community.
The Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program provides PEV holders with free settlement-related information, advice, advocacy and help to engage with and use mainstream and other relevant services.
SETS activities can include, for example, employment readiness sessions, digital literacy support, homework clubs, conversational English classes, health workshops, delivering training and information on Australian laws, values and sources of support to address a range of settlement issues, driver training classes and activities to reduce social isolation.
To find your local SETS provider, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.