fluxsta Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Dear fellow PIO users, Hope all is well for ya'all? Flights are booked: 10th August Brisbane bound. My question is that I have searched the forum and I haven't found the thread that i was looking for? Call me lazy, but I was looking for a comprehensive list that somebody may have drawn up regarding a 'to do list' when we arrive in Australia. As we tie up everything in the UK (got that sussed I think!), I find myself starting to worry about all the things we have to do when we arrive! So, if anyone can think of an exhaustive list or where there is a thread relating to this then I would be most grateful....... Cheers all! :eek: x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb8181 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Dear fellow PIO users, Hope all is well for ya'all? Flights are booked: 10th August Brisbane bound. My question is that I have searched the forum and I haven't found the thread that i was looking for? Call me lazy, but I was looking for a comprehensive list that somebody may have drawn up regarding a 'to do list' when we arrive in Australia. As we tie up everything in the UK (got that sussed I think!), I find myself starting to worry about all the things we have to do when we arrive! So, if anyone can think of an exhaustive list or where there is a thread relating to this then I would be most grateful....... Cheers all! :eek: Just from experience: We got a bank account sorted out over here before we left the UK (did it at one of those migration expos). When we got here we had to physically go to the bank and show our ID which then allowed us to get a cheque book and cheque guarantee (debit) card. Tax File Number (if you have an address already over here i think you can do it online otherwise you can do it online once you reach Oz). Sign on with Medicare (health benefits people). I would imagine you have a short term rental and hire car sorted out. Look for a vehicle so you can get rid of the hire car. Look for a longer term rental until you know where you want to live more permanently. Driving Licence (in WA we had 3 months in which to sort that out, not sure what it is in Brisbane). Start job hunting after you have sorted out all the above (try and make sure your resumes are up to date and you have several copies of them). Get job references before you come out here from previous employers and make sure you bring your qualifications (not like me, I went and left them in the UK and had to have them posted on to me). You need internet so if you havent got access sign onto the library as we found they supply internet free of charge for a limited time, otherwise bring your laptop and a dongle. Enjoy but I must warn you, the first few months we found very stressful trying to start our lives again in a new country but now, 14 months later, we have both got jobs, bought our own house and are loving it, even got a pet parrot lol!! :jiggy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Louey Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Hey Flights all booked let the mayhem commence lol!!! Maybe that was only us we weren't that organised:wink: anyway onto the things to do list: 1. Tax File Number (I believe you can do this online once you have arrived in Oz) 2. Regsiter with Medicare (you will need your passports and a paper copy of your visa, with an electronic 457 you don't get anything put in your passport, I would print a few copies off before leaving UK...I did but more because I was worried immigration might say hadn't got a visa...that didn't happen though thank god) 3. Mobile phones If you are bring phones with you make sure they are unlocked already. If you are going to buy over here do some research on Vodafone, Optus, Telstra and all the others I can't remember. When you buy a mobile you will need photo ID and something with your address on. All SIM cards are registered here to you individually so you will need the ID. Some PAYG phones only have 30 days expiry on your credit but for say $29 you might get somewhere between $70-$100 credit. 4. Internet we bought a mobile dongle and have found it great all the major mobile companies sell them again look at how long your credit lasts and how much data you get. We don't download loads or stream stuff. We do use the internet quite a lot though especially Skype, Facebook, Email etc and haven't used much at all. 5. Organise an Aussie credit card: We managed to get one with 0% although you will pay an annual fee for most. It has been very useful when something unexpected comes along. 6. Aussie Driving Licence: You will need your UK licence and something with your Australian address on plus some other ID e.g. passport, Australian bank cards etc. My understanding is that on a 457 you don't have to have an Aussie licence but it makes life easier if you get stopped apparently. 7. Don't worry too much..... expect things to be a bit mad for the first 2-3 months but then it all settles down. Hopefully lots of other folk will come along with advice too :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxsta Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Many thanks, many of those boxes checked. Now.....the parrot!! That sounds like a fantastic idea!! The only thing we are quite concerned about is car purchase. Lack of funds and hoping that financing one will be an option? Not sure though cheers! :jiggy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxsta Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Cheers!!! Good advice, particularly the 457, as we had thought about it being embedded on the passport as they don't stamp them anymore eh? The credit card thign is awesome!! You say you got 0% one, that is great, we would be keen to chase that up? Had read somewhere that it was a possibility, and like you say for unexpected things? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Don't forget before you leave that if you are thinking of transfering currency at a later date it is best to sign up with Moneycorp now (no charge/fees) but you will then not have any problems when you come to move money in the future. Also don't forget to bring any No Claims Discounts as you can use them over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 You're bringing back memories....we flew out on 10 August 2007 and (with the time difference) arrived in Brisbane on the 12th so you're 4 years to the day after us. You've had some good advice that covers all the things that would be on my list. One thing about the driving license....you have several months to make the change in Queensland BUT you will be asked to present 100 points of ID which is hard to do until you have an address, bank statement, utility bill etc.--so that one is best left for a bit. Getting the bank, Medicare, phone/internet and a place to live sorted should be your top priorities--as well as allowing yourself just a bit of site seeing and "getting to know the place" time. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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