Moving to Australia - Checklists

Apologies if these checklists seem obvious but sometimes the most simple and obvious task is the one that you're forgotten about. This is just to give you a quick summary of the tasks that you need to do before you arrive in Australia and just after you've arrived;

Before Arrival

• Obtain a visa for all your family members (including any children that you may be expecting but are still in the oven!), obviously this MUST be done before arrival in Australia.
• If it's possible, visit Australia ("do a recce") before you move to check out which state, city etc would want to live in.
• If you already have your visa before visiting Australia for your "recce" then get your passports stamped with your visas whilst you're here.
• Arrange temporary or permanent accommodation be it a hotel room or a furnished apartment (see the article entitled "Renting Property in Perth, Western Australia").
• Arrange for the shipment of your furniture and stuff to Australia, don't forget that your shipment can't leave without the removals and shipping company having had a copy of your visa approval (see Shipping your stuff to Perth).
• Arrange health insurance for all your family. Essential if you won't be covered by Medicare (see the article entitled "Medical and Dental - Private Cover).
• Arrange a rental car for your first few weeks in Australia until you can buy.
• Get some Aussie Dollars to bring with you to save you having to change money straight away.
• If you haven't got one already get an International Drivers Licence.
• Get your children up to date on their vaccinations (see the articles entitled "Medical and Dental - Vaccinations" and "Immunisation in Australia").
• Collect your family's medical and dental records from the relevant surgery/local health authority (see the article entitled "Medical and Dental - Previous Medical Records")
• Collate all the following documents to bring with you; birth certificates, driving licences, marriage certificates, divorce papers, death certificates (if you are widowed), educational certificates and diplomas, professional certificates, employment references, medical and dental records, bank account and credit card details, insurance policies and receipts for any valuables. You will also need all the other documents that you needed to obtain your visa.

After Arrival

• Get your passports stamped with the visas as soon as possible.
• Register with your local embassy or consulate (nationals of some countries are required to register with their local embassy or consulate as soon as possible after arrival in Australia. Registration isn't usually compulsory but most embassies like to keep a record of their nationals resident in Australia and it may help to expediate passport renewal or replacement in the future. Also see the article entitled "Embassies and Consulates in Perth, Western Australia").
• If you plan to work in Australia, get a tax file number as soon as possible (see the article entitled "Tax in Australia").
• Open a bank account at a local bank (see the article entitled "Opening a Bank Account in Australia").
• Get a Western Australian Driving Licence (see the article entitled "Obtaining a Driving Licence in Perth").
• Apply for a Medicare card at a Medicare Office regardless of what type of visa you are on providing your country has a reciprocal agreement with Australia (see the article entitled "Medical and Dental - Private Medical Cover").
• Arrange schooling for your kids (see the articles entitled "Perth Schools - General Information" and "Perth Schools - Term Dates").
• Find a local doctor & dentist, preferably close to where you are going to be living.
• Buy a car (see the article entitled "Buying a Car in Perth and Western Australia").
• Arrange whatever insurance is needed including health, car, home contents and personal liability.