First 30 days in Australia
Operational first-month plan for Australia — registration, banking, healthcare, and housing based on tier-1 relocation data (2026-04). Not legal advice; verify deadlines on official sources linked on compare pages.
COL index 88/100 · avg rent ~$2200/mo in dataset.
Relocation capital estimate
Setup, deposit, and first-month buffer from tier-1 relocation data.
- Setup costs
- 5,000 AUD (USD equivalent)
- Deposit (est.)
- 2,200 AUD (USD equivalent)
- First month buffer
- 2,970 AUD (USD equivalent)
- Recommended capital
- 10,170 AUD (USD equivalent)
- Minimum safe savings
- 16,000 AUD (USD equivalent)
- Emergency fund
- 12,000 AUD (USD equivalent)
- Deposit estimate: 1 month(s) rent (~$2,200).
- Budget 1–2 weeks temporary housing while searching for a long-term lease.
- Include bond (4 weeks), rent in advance, OVHC if required, and furniture in unfurnished leases.
Verified relocation information
Field-level sources with confidence levels — not a generic link list.
Housing deposit rules
NSW caps rental bond at four weeks' rent. Bond must be lodged with state authority, not paid directly to landlord.
View source — NSW Fair Trading — rental bonds (max 4 weeks) →Healthcare coverage
Medicare for permanent residents and eligible visa holders. Temporary visa holders may need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) (~AUD 50–120/month).
View source — Services Australia — Medicare enrolment →Visa & residence rules
Skilled migration is points-tested. Employer sponsorship (482) has occupation list constraints. Verify visa subclass before relocation planning.
View source — Home Affairs — work and skilled visas →Registration deadline
Medicare enrolment and TFN application should be completed within first weeks. State-specific tenancy rules apply.
View source — Services Australia — Medicare →First 24 hours
Immediate priorities after landing
1.Secure temporary accommodationCritical
Book a short-stay flat or hotel with a registerable address if required for admin.
2.Save critical documents offlineCritical
Passport, visa or residence permit, employment letter, and insurance proof on phone and paper copies.
3.Get local connectivity
Purchase a prepaid SIM (Telstra or Optus).
First week
Registration, banking, and healthcare
1.Start residence registrationCritical
Complete address registration within 28 days where applicable. Required for banking, tax ID, and healthcare.
2.Open or schedule bank accountCritical
Typical setup ~5 days with passport and proof of address.
3.Enroll in mandatory health coverageCritical
Mandatory insurance — budget ~$0/mo. Medicare for permanent residents and eligible visa holders; temporary visa holders may need OVHC (~AUD 50–120/mo).
4.TFN applicationCritical
Apply for Tax File Number via ATO after arrival.
First month
Housing, documents, and stability
1.Long-term housing searchCritical
NSW/VIC/QLD: bond typically 4 weeks rent lodged with state authority, not landlord.
2.Gather rental documents
100-point ID check (passport, visa grant letter); Employment letter and payslips; Rental references; Bank statements.
3.Tax and payroll setup
Banking docs: Valid passport, Visa grant letter, Australian address proof, TFN (recommended for payroll).
Required documents
Bank account
- Valid passport
- Visa grant letter
- Australian address proof
- TFN (recommended for payroll)
Apartment rental
- 100-point ID check (passport, visa grant letter)
- Employment letter and payslips
- Rental references
- Bank statements
Residence registration
- Passport and visa grant letter
- Proof of address for Medicare enrolment
- TFN application documents
Data as of 2026-04 · Last reviewed 2026-04-15