[]1This
is largely for my own reference, but it might also be useful for other
people 🙂 let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed! Lots
of other places have useful checklists, including [WestPac]2 (my
bank), and the very comprehensive (and excellent) [BritishExpats
list]3, this is a much slimmed down version I used for my own
purposes: 1. ASAP: Have you told everyone? (And did you tell
them in the right order) 2. ASAP: Does your passport have time
on it (You can renew abroad, but it’s easier if you have a passport for
the period of the visa, and you need at least 6 months…and for your
passport not to be falling apart [mine was] ) 3. 3 months?
Start the visa process, for me this started 3 months in advance, but the
application didn’t go in until 2 months in advance. You need some things
for that: 1. Gather together qualifications, 2. Get a signed copy of
your contract, 3. Photo of your passport (none of these docs were
certified) 4. Get health insurance – there are tax benefits, and even if
(as I am) you’re eligible for medicare, you need private insurance to
get the visa….I looked around, decided I didn’t really understand it
much and went with the easiest to use web-based application (some of
them require a postal application…IT’S 2015 GUYS!!) ‘health insurance
fund’, which is also a not for profit and the only carbon neutral
insurer (apparently). This one is a bit irritating because they’ll
cover you from your application date…even if you aren’t there; other
providers are apparently much better on this (the bind is that it’s
worth doing this as close to the visa application as possible –
apparently the immigration agency don’t like processing applications
where the insurance starts more than a month away, even if you aren’t
moving until later). 4. 1 month: Open a bank account (after an
attempt to find an ethical bank, I went with Westpac (arguably
the best of the big 4 apparently), which was super convenient –
literally a 5 minute job, and I confirmed my identity in London so I
already have a bank card! And before I arrive, I’m already getting
expenses reimbursed in my Aussie account 😀 ) 5. 1 month (or,
ASAP): Book flights there (also as I’ll be flying back pre-Xmas for
my viva) for me: 1. Book flights for Christmas (I’m going to come home
via Ho Chi Minh I think, other options were Singapore, and Bangkok) 6.
2 months…ideally: Arrange shipping (3 quotes) (I’m not moving
furniture just books and clothes) – shipping takes about 10 weeks, so
you want to send stuff before you leave, which might not be possible!
I’ve ended up going with [Anglo Pacific]4 largely because they
were persistent 🙂 But also very helpful on the phone, and they have
good reviews 7. 1 month: Arrange temporary accommodation (I’m
roughly looking in Glebe, Newtown, Camperdown, Chippendale, Red Fern,
Annandale and Surry Hills) 1. [airbnb]5 2. 3. 4. 5. 8. 1
month: Transfer some money ([transferwise]6 and
[currencies-direct]7 look good) 9. 1 month: possibly
consider trips to Dr/dentist, etc. as it might take time to arrange this
once there (and I’m unclear on costs!) 10. Just before: Pack
flight luggage, finish all work (inc thesis :/ ), 11. On
arrival: First, a [temporary overseas drivers license]8, using
[these documents]9 from the motor registry 12. **On
arrival: **If you need one (I have private health, I’m not clear if I
separately need a Medicare card) get a card from the Medicare Office 13.
On arrival/prepare in advance: Tax File Number (TFN). This is a
number that you get from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and it is
submitted to your employer so that you can be taxed at the standard
rate, otherwise without this number you will be taxed at 50%.
[https://www.ato.gov.au/→]10 On the right hand side you will
see section called “Forms” → Click on “TFN – application for
individuals” → The first bullet point allows you to order online –
Click on this → You obviously will be placing an order as a Taxpayer
so click on this link and order a form. You need ID from above to
do this (or at least, you do if you’ve lost your birth certificate,
uhum). 14. On arrival: Get an Aussie mobile, apparently
[WhistleOut]11 is a good tool for this (and other service
comparisons); I’m looking at one of these cheapo pre-pay deals
[Amaysim,]12 [Vaya]13[,]12 [HelloMobile]14 (in
that order I think) 15. On arrival: Join the [union ]15
(how I roll) 16. ASAP on arrival: Arrange permanent
accommodation (see links above) Another thing to do is get post
delivered, I just directed stuff to the office initially, including
getting a new SIM card and an Opal card (Sydney Oyster
card equivalent) delivered.# Day 1 walking-administrative-tour I know
how to plan a thrilling itinerary. This tour assumes things get issued
on demand (i.e. without waiting periods) at: Westpac (pick up full debit
card, request credit); the driver registry (convert license); medicare
(get card); and TFN (get tax number), offices (should be true for driver
registry, less sure on the other two although they should at least be
able to issue temporary stuff). Surry Hills, the park & Sydney campus
are just extra places to see.