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Ok, so you've just arrived in Australia and haven't got the foggiest idea what's going on. Well, here are a few things that you should get sorted straight away, before you sit back and relax Down Under.
Visa
Firstly, you need to get a visa label put in your passport. If you landed in Sydney, you're sorted because you should have been directed to the right spot to have your visa label printed before you left the airport, but if you landed at any other Aussie airport, you'll need to see to this yourself. Your label can be collected from any Aussie Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), a number of which can be found in each state. Check out http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/aust_index.htm for details of the nearest office.
Tax File Number
Next, you need to get yourself a tax file number from the Australian Tax Office, which is basically the Aussie version of your National Insurance number back at home. The easiest way to apply for your TFN is online at www.ato.gov.au , where you'll have to fill in a form and supply details such as your passport number, date of birth and such like. You'll need to provide a residential address, where your TFN can be sent, but, if you're not too sure about which hostel you'll be staying in or are planning to move around a bit, you can always have it sent c/o to your local post office. Once you've applied for the number, you'll need to print off a receipt and reference number (just in case there are any problems with it's arrival). The tax office says you need to allow 28 days for it to arrive, but it's usually there within two weeks.
Aussie Bank Accounts
It's no good waving an English bank card at your employer - if you want to get paid over here, it's essential you apply for an Aussie bank account before you start work. It's easy to set up - you'll just need to visit a branch and supply all the usual details, and hey presto, you've got another money bag to control. The main banks in Oz are Commonwealth, National, ANZ, St George and Westpac, and you'll need to shop around in order to get the best deal. Watch out for transaction fees - some banks limit the number of free withdrawals you can have per month - and monthly account-keeping fees, which are the Aussie's way of charging you for looking after your money. Also note you'll probably be charged for making withdrawals from other banks' ATMs (‘foreign' ATMs) and that over-the-counter withdrawals will cost you. Don't panic if you lose your pin number, unlike back home when you have to wait a zillion working days before you can get a new one, out here you can simply reset the number in your nearest branch.
Medicare
The final application you'll need to make is for a Medicare Card. This is to cover you under the Aussie equivalent of the NHS, for the duration of your approved visit to the country. The Australian Government has what's known as a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with the UK, which entitles British travellers to limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment. "Immediately necessary" treatment translates as any ill health or injury which occurs while you're here in Australia and requires treatment before you return home. As a Medicare Card holder, you're entitled to receive free treatment as a public in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital, and also to subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au to find your nearest Medicare centre.
Don't panic if you need medical treatment before you receive or have even applied for your card - you'll have to pay for your treatment initially, but if you keep the receipt, it's easy enough to claim the money back when your card does come through. If you're worried about costs, make sure you check that the practice you're visiting does bulk billing - otherwise you'll have to pay for your consultation on the spot and then claim the money back later. Note to self: Medicare does not include dental treatment. |
Australia