You’re either about to arrive in the land down under, or your feet are already firmly on Australian soil (hope you’ve got your thongs on). Either way, you’re about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of your life. Moving to a new country is an experience you can only fully appreciate once you’ve been through it yourself, and the more prepared you are at the start, the easier it will be to integrate into your new environment. Our big world might be wonderfully connected in so many ways now, but when it comes to starting over in a new country, you’re going to feel a little like a fish out of water no matter how many Australian slang words you tried to teach yourself before the move.

Get your checklist out. Here are five tips to get you started, assuming you’ve arrived, and found a place to stay.

Medicare

A Medicare card provides access to a range of medical services in Australia’s public health system. If you live in Australia and meet specific criteria, you can apply for this healthcare system. Medicare helps cover a portion of your hospital, medical, and prescription costs. The Australian government sets the fee schedule that determines your Medicare benefits, and you may need to pay a gap payment if the provider charges more than the scheduled fee. Simply apply for a Medicare card online.

Tax File Number

When working in Australia, you’ll need a tax file number (TFN), which is your personal reference number in the Australian tax system. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to pay a higher tax than those who do. Applying for your TFN is easy, and free if you have your work visa. Simply apply online here.

myGov

myGov is a secure online way to access all government services mentioned above, and more, in one place. When you create an account it will link you to your Medicare, Centrelink (Centrelink delivers income support and other payments to Australians) and the ATO (Australian Tax Office), as well as other government services. To create a myGov account, click here.

Driver’s Licence

If you already have a driver’s licence from your home country, you may not have to go through the process of doing a driver’s test. In most states, you’re able to drive with an international driver’s licence for three months which gives you ample time to transfer your current licence to an Australian one. The process of transferring an international driver's licence to an Australian driver's licence varies from state to state. To make it easier it’s always best to have proof of address secured and your bank account secured, that way you’ll quickly be able to prove your identity to get your driver’s licence. Here’s a great guide on the laws and practices of each state.

Networking

When it comes to settling in Australia, one of the best ways to integrate yourself into your community is through networking. This can be used for social or professional reasons, and it’s a great way to meet new people. If you’re looking for work, networking through online communities or joining face-to-face groups in your area is a good way to build connections. And don’t forget to speak to a recruitment agency. They play a vital role in assisting you with job hunting, often uncovering opportunities that you may have missed on your own.

Other than these five tips, don’t be shy to speak up when you’re unsure about something. Australians are known for their friendliness and will be more than happy to help you.

Meet the Experts on Allied Health Jobs Australia 

Imagine a service that helps you take care of the whole process of taking the plunge to live and work overseas. From deciding where to live, securing employment, and helping you to navigate the relevant migration approvals, at Allied Health Jobs Australia, these are the core of what we do best. 

Unlike agents who only help with the migration process, or recruiters who only take care of job placement, AHJA has consciously niched down into allied health as our area of expertise. Fundamentally, becoming an AHJA client doesn’t mean that the services stop once your visas are approved. For people who have made it to the migration application process, our 100% success rate means that we’re just as invested in your journey as you are.

As a qualified allied health care professional, you’re in demand - and Australia wants you. If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about what a future in the Land Down Under could look like for you, get in touch with us today for a free, no obligation chat to explore your options.