Information about when and what to prepare for departing your home country and arriving to Australia.

18 months prior

File for your migration application

• Contact us in relation to your visa options and start your immigration process
• Ensure that you and your family all have valid passports.
• Compile a short list of where in Australia you would like to live (If your visa is sponsored by state or territory then you do not have any option except to live in the sponsoring state for the first 2 years of arrival)
• Get some basic information about Australia in our website in About Australia
• Learn more about property prices and the cost of living.
• Develop a budget for when you move.
• Research job opportunities and business opportunities for you and your family. You can go to employment link in our website to have more information.

6 months prior

The below needs to be done if your permanent residency or visa is granted

Prepare to move out

• put your home on the market for sale and source temporary accommodation should your house sell sooner than anticipated.
• Check the required notice period for vacating your property if you are renting.
• Sell or donate unwanted furniture and household goods.
• Research processes involved with transporting pets i.e. quarantine, vaccinations, costs involved.
• Consider advising your employer of your relocation plans.

Communicate your plans

• Inform your children’s schools of your relocation plans. Request copies of all relevant documentation such as school reports.
• Talk to your family and friends about your plans to relocate.

Organise your finances

• Consolidate accounts and reduce debts wherever possible.

Check the cost of moving

• Research costs for relocation services and source airfare quotes.
• Familiarise yourself with Australia’s customs and quarantine requirements for your pets and belongings.

Make sure you’re ready

• Talk to your doctor about any medical conditions that may need attention.
• Prepare your current home for sale or rent.

Get paperwork sorted

• Create or update your Last Will and Testament.
• Obtain copies of medical and dental records for you and your family.
• Request credit references from your bank and other lenders.

2 months prior

Organise temporary living arrangements in Australia

• Source and book temporary accommodation in Australia for when you arrive. If you use our settlement services, we can help you book temporary accommodation for you before arrival.
• Investigate transport options for your temporary accommodation when you arrive. If you use our settlement services, we will pick up you from the airport.
• Investigate new schools or childcare providers for your children and register them if possible. If you use our settlement services, we will register your children into school and daycare before your arrival
• Begin packing items you do not regularly use.

Prepare for your job search

• Update your Curriculum Vitae/Resume including employer references. Start applying for positions via employer and recruitment websites. For more information about the useful websites to apply for jobs, please click on employment.

Get finances, insurance and legal matters sorted

• Obtain statements from your financial institutions and any pension /superannuation funds.
• Arrange necessary insurance cover for you and your family. Ensure it is valid until you take out a new policy in Australia.
• Settle any outstanding legal matters if applicable.

Get ready to leave

• Decide beforehand what you would like to take and what can be left behind. It is a good idea to check Australian Customs, as they have strict guidelines which must be met.
• Get at least 3 quotes. The overseas removalist should be able to send someone to your home to see what possessions you are shipping and to give you a FREE quote.
• Insurance can be a significant part of the removal costs (around 3% of the value of items being shipped). Discuss this with the removal companies, and check the fine print.
• Check what is and is not included in the quote - e.g. packing, transportation, clearance through customs, delivery to your home in Australia, unpacking and disposal of materials.
• Service your vehicle, prepare for sale or storage.
• Confirm your departure date with removalists.

1 month prior

Organise bills and records

• Provide a forwarding address to your bank, migration agent, post office, financial institutions, employer, friends and family, and relevant authorities. Arrange for your mail to be redirected.
• Compile personal records and paperwork into a secure travel file.
• Pay all bills, cancel subscriptions and ensure any direct debits will be stopped once you move.
• If possible, set up a bank account in Australia.
• Sell or store your car.

Organise health and medical

• Arrange for current prescriptions and a sufficient supply of any medicines.
• Organise private health and other insurance for when you arrive in Australia (if your visa is not eligible to enrol in Medicare scheme)

2 weeks prior

• Confirm temporary accommodation booking for when you arrive.
• Obtain some Australian dollars and/or travellers’ cheques for when you arrive.
• Finish packing all non-essential items.
• Back up your computer files.
• Organise transport to the airport.
• Pack essential items and on-board luggage. Include activities for children if applicable.
• Leave forwarding contact details for the new occupants of your home.

Using our settlement services

We will take care of all essential items in Australia before you arrive including book a temporary accommodation, enrol children at school and day care, greet you at the airport, etc. Please contact us to get a quote.

What to do soon after arrival

There are eight important things you should do as soon as possible after arriving in Australia. The first three are very important to all new arrivals.

• Apply for a tax file number (TFN) B. Register with Medicare
• Open a bank account

The remaining five could be important depending on your circumstances.

• Register with Centrelink
• Contact the Health Undertaking Service
• Register for English classes
• Enrol your children in a school
• Apply for a driver’s licence