Below is a list of 8 important things you should do as soon as possible after arriving in Australia. Tick them off as you do them.
YOUR CHECKLIST
A. Apply for a Tax File Number
It is one of your most important forms of identification in Australia. Your TFN is valuable. A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique number issued to you by the Australian Taxation Office to assist the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems.
To apply for TFN, Please click on this link: http://www.ato.gov.au/
A TFN will help you:
- lodge a tax return
- ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
- start or change jobs
- limit the amount of tax you pay on interest of dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.
Apply for a Tax File Number
Do this first. To receive an income in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN).
Income includes wages or salary from a job, payments from the government, and money earned from investments including interest on savings accounts.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TAX FILE NUMBER
In Australia, you can telephone the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and have an application form sent to you. Alternatively, you can apply for a TFN at the ATO website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Forms are also available from ATO or Centrelink shopfronts which are listed in the White Pages telephone book.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) contact details
Telephone 13 2861
Apply for a TFN online Online individual TFN registration
In person ATO shopfront locations
Centrelink shopfront locations
ATO website www.ato.gov.au
B. Register with Medicare
Welcome to Medicare - Australia’s universal health care system. Medicare ensures that all Australians have access to free or low-cost medical, optometrical and hospital care while being free to choose private health services and in special circumstances allied health services.
To apply for Medicare, Please click on this link: http://www.humanservices.gov.au
Medicare provides benefits for:
- consultation fees for doctors, including specialists
- tests and examinations by doctors needed to treat illnesses, including X-rays and pathology tests
- eye tests performed by optometrists
- most surgical and other therapeutic procedures performed by doctors
- some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists
- specified items under the Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme
- specified items for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program—contact Medicare on 132 011 for more information
- You can choose the doctor who treats you for out-of-hospital services.
C. Open a bank account
As we all know, A bank account is a financial account with a banking institution, recording the financial transactions between the customer and the bank and the resulting financial position of the customer with the bank.
The best bank in Australia is "The Commonwealth Bank" and the Melbourne CBD branch in Elizabeth-Bourke Street Intersection is famous for providing its great services to its Clients.
The Information regarding, How to apply bank account can be found at; http://www.commbank.com.au/personal/apply-online/apply-now/accounts/
According to Australian Government Website www.immi.gov.au, "In Australia, most income including salary or wages and government benefits are paid directly into a bank account.
You should open a bank account within six weeks of your arrival, as you usually need only your passport as identification. After six weeks you will need extra identification to open an account."
D. Register with Centrelink/Department of Human Services
Centrelink, now Department of Human Services is a Federal Government Statutory Agency which provides financial support to families and individuals to assist them to maintain independence.
Financial assistance is given to students by way of income-tested schemes such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy. These allowances are usually paid fortnightly during the period of eligibility.
It can also be beneficial to book an appointment to see the Centrelink Social Worker or Disability Officer. They can be a useful resource in navigating a tricky system as they can do a lot of the groundwork for you.
For more Information about Centrelink, Please click on: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/?utm_id=7
E. Contact the Health Undertaking Service
F. Register for English classes
G. Enrol your children in a school
H. Apply for a driver’s licence
