Arriving In Oz ?

[The Greens]

I can’t believe it, just 2 weeks to go before we fly out. Things starting to get to the serious end now, and we even had our first send off lunch last Sunday with Tony’s parents and a few friends. So far we have 2 more to go.

Just wondering if there was anything that is common for people to forget to do when arriving in Oz. For example as far as I know the validation part of things is just an arrival stamp in the passport, nothing special. What things do we have to do, such as changing the old UK driving licence over for an Oz one, Medicare? Tax file number. Are these things easy to do.?

Anyone who has done these things when you arrived, your advice would be really appreciated
Cheers
EMMY

[Curlysoo]

Awww best of luck Emmy, I hope the next two weeks go smoothly, when are you sending off your wordly goods? thats the bit I am dreading, the packing up and watching my home go into a container.

[jeffandmichelle]

driving licence is easy just fill in a form at the local department of transport it takes less than an hour to get your licence, you will need your passport
medicare again is easy if you have a permanent residence visa, again form filling at your local medicare office, take passport with you, look up the address online of your local offices
dont make the mistake i made
dope i am, the day we left the uk i put some apples in my bag for the plane and forgot all about them,$250 fine ouch

[jeffandmichelle]

tax file number and abn i run through an accountant out here but im still waiting and cant work without it
good luck

[ali]

We went to medicare office within first few days - but were told it takes 10 days for us to go onto the computer - so we brought the forms away and paid another visit - may save you a trip. I think we did our TFN online and you have 3 months to change your drivers licence.

Ali