Step 2. Getting started in Sydney
This checklist covers the essentials you'll need to set up your new life in Australia. Plan ahead and arrange the basics before you leave home so your arrival time in Australia will be hassle free, leaving more time for what’s really important – travelling and having fun!
1. Set up a mailing address
An essential first step for any traveller heading to Australia is to set up a fixed mailing address. You will need one to apply for your Tax File Number (which you will need to get a job), to set up a bank account and to apply for Medicare (if eligible).
Travellers Contact Point’s Mail Holding service provides a fixed mailing address for your entire time in Australia. Not only is it useful for the tax department, employers and other official forms, but it’ a great way for your family to send you letters and parcels, regardless of where you are. TCP can hold your mail for you to collect or will forward it to you as you travel.
Visit www.travellers.com.au to set up your mail service.
2. Tax file number
You need a Tax File Number (TFN) to get a job. If you haven’t given your employer your TFN within 28 days of starting work you will be taxed at 47% of your wages.
It’s easy to apply for a TFN online on the Australian Tax Office website.
Note: You will need a fixed address to apply for your TFN, so if you don’t have a permanent place to live yet, refer back to point one.
3. Bank account
You’re going to need an Australian bank account to find work as employers won’t pay into your home (overseas) account. You’ll also save loads on fees for everyday transactions. There are many banks to choose from but to make it easier, Travellers Contact Point and NAB have created the NAB eBanking account which you can set up online for before you leave home. Once the account is active, you can transfer your travel funds into the account online and collect your ATM when you arrive in Sydney.
4. Medicare
The public health system in Australia is covered by a Government agency, Medicare. If you have been granted a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), then you may be eligible for Medicare cover during your time in Australia.
Citizens of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Norway or the Netherlands are covered for the duration of your approved time in Australia. Citizens of Malta and Italy are covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival in Australia.
What’s covered?
Free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital
Subsidised medicines
Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and community health centres
To find out if you are eligible and exactly what medical treatment you’re entitled to visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au, call 132 011, or visit the Medicare Office at 135 King Street, Sydney. Hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm.
Regardless of level of health care, you will still need adequate travel insurance for your trip. Visit www.travellers.com.au to select the cover that suits you.
5. Get a pre-paid SIM card or mobile phone
For cheap calls in Australia you will need a local SIM card. Many overseas plans and handsets will not work in Australia, and those that do will be very expensive.
Pre-order your SIM online for free before you leave home, and you will receive your Aussie mobile phone number via email in 48 hours. You can give your mobile number to family and friends before leaving home and simply collect your SIM from Travellers Contact Point, Sydney when you get here.
Order your SIM now at www.travellers.com.au
6. Finding work
You will need to find a job to pay for your living expenses and more importantly, your partying and travel expenses.
There are plenty of job opportunities for travellers in Australia and whether you’re looking for a skilled role, or something more flexible, there is a lot on offer. Job availability does depend on the type of work you are looking for, seasonality and location, so be willing to try something new and travel to new towns / cities when job opportunities arise.
Popular job options for working holidaymakers include temp / office work, hospitality, harvest work and WWOOF (unpaid farm work in return for free meals and accommodation).
Travellers At Work (TAW) is a job search club just for travellers, which takes the hassle out of finding work in Australia. Become a member and they will email you new jobs as soon they become available, which you can easily apply for using a handy online resume.
To view and apply for jobs all over Australia visit www.taw.com.au
7. Essential job training
Some states in Australia (New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland), require employees to complete a one-day course to be certified in the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA). Also if you are going to work in NSW in a venue that has pokie-machines or gambling, then you will also need to complete the Responsible Gambling Services (RGS) certificate. If you want to work on a building site or as a labourer you will need an OH&S Green / White Card. Barista training may also be required to work in some hospitality outlets.
These courses plus many others can be booked at Backpacker Training Centre www.backpackertrainingcentre.com. Most courses are held daily.
8. Shared accommodation
When you first arrive in Australia, you will probably stay for at least a few days in a backpacker hostel. There are hundreds to choose from, ranging in quality and price. Whenever you are in a new city or town, staying at a backpacker hostel is often the best starting point to get your bearings and quickly meet new people.
Once you have settled in the best thing to do is to join a share accommodation flat or house. You can find share accommodation in all the major towns and cities. As well as saving you money, living in share accommodation will provide you with many great memories and possibly new travel companions as well.
Once in Sydney, visit Travellers Contact Point to arrange a free tour of shared accommodation properties throughout Sydney. Tours are held daily.
9. Sydney Starter Packs
The best way to slip in to Australia’s 'no worries' lifestyle is by purchasing a Sydney Starter Pack online at the same time you book your flight.
Sydney Starter Packs, available at www.travellers.com.au, provide many of the things you will need for your new life in Australia, all set-up and sorted before you leave home. A range of packs are available, and include things such as:
- Airport transfer to your hostel
- Hostel accommodation for your first few days
- An Aussie SIM card for your mobile
- An Aussie bank account
- A Travellers Contact Point Mail Holding Service
- Travellers At Work Membership
- Work in Australia Seminar
- Traveller Advantage Card
- Free internet access in Sydney
Visit www.travellers.com.au
