Your First 90 Days in Australia: Settlement Checklist

Why the First 90 Days Matter

The first three months in a new country set the tone for everything that follows. Get the foundations right — your documents, finances, housing, health cover, and professional network — and you build momentum that carries you forward. Get them wrong, and you spend months playing catch-up while burning through savings.

This checklist is designed specifically for immigrants arriving in Australia. It covers the practical things nobody tells you about — the things your migration agent probably did not mention, the things your university orientation skipped, and the things you only learn by making expensive mistakes.

Whether you are on a 482, 485, 189, 190, or 491 visa, these steps apply to you. Work through them systematically and you will be set up for success.

Week 1: Immediate Essentials

These are the things you must do within your first 7 days. Do not put them off.

Get a SIM Card and Phone Number

You need an Australian phone number immediately. Banks, employers, and government agencies all require one. Your options:

• Prepaid SIM from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone — available at airports, supermarkets, and convenience stores
• Post-paid plan once you have a bank account — typically better value for ongoing use
• Budget: $10 to $30 for a prepaid starter pack

Tip: Telstra has the best regional coverage if you are living outside major cities. Optus and Vodafone offer better value in capital cities.

Open a Bank Account

You need an Australian bank account to receive your salary, pay rent, and manage daily expenses. The four major banks are:

• Commonwealth Bank (CommBank) — largest branch network, good app
• ANZ — strong for international transfers
• Westpac — solid all-rounder
• NAB — competitive fees for new arrivals

What you need to open an account: - Your passport - Your visa grant letter - An Australian address (your accommodation, even temporary)

Important: If you open an account within 6 weeks of arriving, you only need your passport as identification. After 6 weeks, you need 100 points of ID (driver's licence, utility bills, etc.), which is much harder as a new arrival. Open your account in week 1.

Many banks let you start the process online before you arrive. CommBank and NAB both offer pre-arrival account opening.

Arrange Temporary Accommodation

If you have not already secured long-term housing, arrange temporary accommodation:

• Hostels or share houses through Flatmates.com.au or Gumtree
• Short-term rentals through Airbnb or Furnished Finder
• University accommodation if you are on a student or graduate visa
• Immigrant community connections — ask in Facebook groups for your nationality and city

Budget $150 to $400 per week for temporary accommodation depending on the city.

Apply for Your Tax File Number (TFN)

Your Tax File Number is essential for working legally in Australia. Without it, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate (currently 47%).

Apply online through the Australian Taxation Office. You need:

• Your passport
• Your visa details
• An Australian address

Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks by mail. You can start working before your TFN arrives — just provide it to your employer within 28 days.

Week 2: Health and Government Services

Enrol in Medicare (If Eligible)

If you hold a permanent visa (189, 190) or certain temporary visas with work rights, you may be eligible for Medicare. Medicare gives you access to:

• Free or subsidised visits to bulk-billing GPs
• Free public hospital treatment
• Subsidised prescription medications through the PBS

How to enrol: 1. Visit a Services Australia office with your passport and visa documents 2. Complete the Medicare enrolment form 3. You will receive a temporary Medicare number immediately and your card within 2 to 3 weeks

If you are on a temporary visa (482, 485, 491), your Medicare eligibility depends on whether Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with your home country. Countries include the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, and Malta. Check the full list on Services Australia.

If you are not eligible for Medicare, you must have private health insurance. This is often a visa condition. Compare options on privatehealth.gov.au.

Set Up Your myGov Account

myGov is the central portal for accessing Australian government services. Link the following to your myGov account:

• ATO — for tax returns and super
• Medicare — for health claims
• Centrelink — for any eligible government payments
• My Health Record — for medical history

Tip: Set up myGov early. The linking process can be frustrating and sometimes requires visiting an office in person.

Register with a GP (General Practitioner)

Find a local bulk-billing GP and register as a patient. Even if you are healthy, having a GP means you can access care quickly when you need it. Use Healthdirect's service finder to find GPs near you.

Weeks 3-4: Financial and Legal Setup

Understand Your Superannuation

Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must contribute 11.5% of your salary (as of 2025-26) into a super fund on your behalf.

Key actions: - Choose a super fund — Compare fees and performance on MoneySmart - Give your employer a Standard Choice Form with your fund details - Avoid having multiple super accounts — each one charges fees that erode your balance

If you leave Australia permanently on a temporary visa, you can claim your super back (minus tax) through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme.

Set Up Your Banking Properly

Now that you have income coming in, optimise your banking:

• Everyday account — for daily spending
• Savings account — with high interest rate for your emergency fund and visa application savings
• International transfer setup — if you send money home, compare services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), OFX, or Remitly rather than using your bank (bank fees are extremely high for international transfers)

Understand Australian Tax

The Australian tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Key things to know:

• Tax-free threshold: The first $18,200 of income is tax-free if you are a tax resident
• Tax residency is different from visa status — you can be a tax resident on a temporary visa
• Tax returns are due by 31 October each year (or later if you use a tax agent)
• You can lodge your tax return through myTax on myGov — it is free

Tip: Keep all receipts for work-related expenses. You can claim deductions for uniforms, tools, work-from-home expenses, professional development, and more.

Weeks 5-8: Housing and Transport

Secure Long-Term Housing

Start searching for permanent housing through:

• Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au — the two main property listing sites
• Flatmates.com.au — for share house arrangements
• Facebook groups — search for "[City] rentals" or "[Your community] housing"

What you need to rent: - Proof of income (payslips or employment letter) - Photo ID - Rental references (if you have them — a character reference works for first-time renters) - Bond — typically 4 weeks rent, held by the state bond authority - Rent in advance — typically 2 weeks

Rental costs (approximate weekly rates as of 2026): - Sydney: $500 to $800 for a 1-bedroom apartment - Melbourne: $400 to $650 - Brisbane: $400 to $600 - Perth: $400 to $600 - Adelaide: $350 to $500 - Hobart: $350 to $500

Get a State Driver's Licence

If you hold an overseas driver's licence, you can drive in Australia using it for a limited period (varies by state — typically 3 to 6 months). After that, you must obtain an Australian driver's licence.

The process varies by state: - Some states accept your overseas licence and issue an Australian one without testing - Others require a written test and/or practical driving test - You will need a certified translation of your licence if it is not in English (use a NAATI-certified translator)

Check your state's transport authority website for specific requirements.

Understand Public Transport

Each state has its own public transport system and card:

• Sydney: Opal card (buses, trains, ferries, light rail)
• Melbourne: Myki card (trams, trains, buses)
• Brisbane: Go Card (buses, trains, ferries)
• Perth: SmartRider (buses, trains, ferries)
• Adelaide: Metro card (buses, trains, trams)

Tip: Many cities offer concession fares for certain visa holders. Check if you are eligible.

Weeks 9-12: Career and Community

Build Your Professional Network

Your professional network is your most valuable career asset in Australia. Start building it immediately:

1. Update your LinkedIn profile — Make it Australian-focused with your local address and availability
2. Join professional associations — ACS, Engineers Australia, CPA, etc.
3. Attend industry meetups — check Meetup.com and Eventbrite for events in your city
4. Connect with immigrant professional groups — organisations like Prosple and CareerSeekers support immigrant job seekers
5. Volunteer — volunteering is an excellent way to build local experience, references, and connections

Understand Australian Workplace Culture

Australian workplace culture may differ significantly from what you are used to. Key things to know:

• Flat hierarchy — Australians tend to use first names, even with senior leaders
• Direct communication — Be straightforward but not aggressive
• Work-life balance — Australians value personal time; working excessive overtime is not a badge of honour
• "Having a chat" — Informal conversations and morning tea are part of professional relationship-building
• Mateship — Australians value loyalty, reliability, and looking out for each other

Know Your Workplace Rights

As a worker in Australia, you are protected by the Fair Work Act 2009 regardless of your visa status:

• National Minimum Wage: AUD $24.10 per hour (as of July 2025)
• Maximum ordinary hours: 38 per week for full-time workers
• Annual leave: 4 weeks per year for full-time workers
• Personal/sick leave: 10 days per year for full-time workers
• Superannuation: 11.5% of your ordinary earnings
• Unfair dismissal protection after minimum employment period

Critical: If you believe your employer is underpaying you or violating your rights, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. The service is free and confidential.

Connect with Your Community

Finding your community in a new country is essential for your mental health and sense of belonging:

• Facebook groups — search for your nationality + your city (e.g., "Nigerians in Melbourne," "Indians in Perth")
• Religious communities — churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues often have active immigrant communities
• Cultural associations — most cities have formal cultural associations that organise events
• SyncSkills community — connect with other immigrants navigating career transitions at syncskills.com.au
• Settlement services — Settlement Services International (SSI) and similar organisations provide free support

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first when I land in Australia?

Get a SIM card at the airport, arrange accommodation if you have not already, and open a bank account within the first week. Apply for your TFN online on day one.

How much money should I bring for the first 3 months?

Budget a minimum of AUD $5,000 to $10,000 per person for the first 3 months, on top of any accommodation bond and rent. This covers food, transport, phone, and essential purchases while you wait for your first paycheck.

Can I access government support as a new immigrant?

It depends on your visa type. Permanent residents (189, 190) can access most Services Australia payments after a Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (typically 4 years for income support payments, but immediate access to some services). Temporary visa holders generally cannot access Centrelink payments.

What is the biggest mistake new immigrants make?

Not setting up their financial and administrative foundations in the first 2 weeks. Every week of delay costs money — higher tax withholding without a TFN, bank fees from poor account choices, and overpaying for health cover because you did not enrol in Medicare.

Key Takeaways

• Open your bank account within the first week while you only need your passport
• Apply for your TFN on day 1 to avoid higher tax withholding
• Enrol in Medicare (if eligible) or arrange private health insurance immediately
• Budget $5,000 to $10,000 for your first 3 months
• Build your professional network from week 1 — LinkedIn, industry associations, and meetups
• Know your workplace rights — you are protected under Australian law regardless of visa status
• Connect with your community for mental health and practical support