Moving to...

AUSTRALIA

What can we help you with?

Visa
Banking & Taxes
Housing & Renting

Looking for Essentials?

Go here!
Healthcare
Transportation & Driving

VISA & Immigration

A visa in Australia is an official authorization or permit that allows a foreign national to enter, stay, or transit through Australia for a specific purpose and time frame.

What Visa Do I need to Move to Australia?

If you want to move to Australia, and have no specific or no connection to the country, there are several options Australia offers if you want to move there permanently.

Below is a detailed guide on the main visas available:

    • Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): No employer sponsorship needed. Point-based system

    • Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Requires nomination by an Australian state/territory

    • Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): Requires Nomination and is for living in regional areas

    • Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa - TSS): Requires an employer to sponsor you

    • Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa): For permanent residency after employer sponsorship

    • Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment Visa): For entrepreneurs and investors

What do I need to apply for a Visa?

Here is a quick breakdown of all the documents you need to apply for a visa:

  • Valid Passport

  • Visa Application Form (completed online via ImmiAccount)

  • Passport-sized photos

  • Proof of funds

  • Health examination certificate

  • Character certificate (Police clearance certificate)

  • Visa Application Fee payment receipt

Here are more documents you need based on the specific visa type you are applying for:

    • Skills assessment (from relevant assessing authority)

    • Expression of Interest (EOI)

    • English Language Proficiency (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or equivalent)

    • Educational Qualifications

    • Work Experience Proof (Employer reference letters, pay slips, tax returns)

    • State Nomination (only if it is applicable for subclass 190 and 491)

    • Job offer and sponsorship from an Australian employer

    • Labour market testing (LMT) to show no Australians were available for the job

    • Skills assessment

    • Proof of work experience (employment contracts, pay slips, tax documents)

    • Business plans and investment proof

    • Evidence of Business ownership

    • Financial statements and tax records

How to apply for a Visa

Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Visa you need:

  1. Check your visa eligibility on the Australian Department of Home affairs website

  2. Gather all the documents mentioned above

  3. Apply online via the ImmiAccount

  4. Pay the visa fee (varies by which visa you are applying for)

  5. Attend a biometrics/health check if required for your visa

  6. Wait for processing (this can take from a few weeks to a few months)

Banking & Taxes

As you are moving to Australia, you need to understand the banking system and understanding Australia’s taxation system.

What do I need to open a Bank Account?

Here is a quick breakdown of what documents you need, and what certain documents are to open a bank account:

  • Passport

  • Australian Visa

  • Proof of address

  • Tax File Number (TFN)

What is a TFN and how to get it?

A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique identification number given by the Australian Taxation Office to individuals and businesses in Australia. It is used for various tax purposes such as lodging tax returns and dealing with the ATO (Australian Tax Office). Having a TFN is mandatory for working.

How to get a TFN?

If you are on a temporary visa, you can apply for a TFN through the ATO website. You provide documents such as passport, visa, and proof of stay in Australia

  • First visit the ATO website and follow the instructions on how to apply for a TFN

  • Fill out the form with your personal details

  • Provide the necessary documentation

  • After processing, the ATO will send your TFN to your address (if you applied through post) if applied online, you will get a digital confirmation of your TFN

Credit system in Australia and how it works

Credit system in Australia can be confusing for foreigners, but this section will make sure you understand the basics so it becomes a lot more understandable

What is credit?

Credit in Australia is the ability to borrow money or access services now with the promise to pay later. This includes things like credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and car loans.

How to build credit?

As a foreigner you will not have any credit history, so will have to build it, here is how you do it:

  • Open a bank account

  • Get a credit card (do not spend more than 30% of your credit to show you manage debt well)

  • Get a secured credit card as a foreigner (this is where you deposit money as collateral)

  • Pay your bills on time

  • Take out a small loan (for something as little as a new phone)

Understanding Australian Taxes

    • This is required if you plan to work as a freelancer/self employed

    • This is Austrlias’s retirement savings system. If you work in Australia, your employer contributes 11% of your salary to the retirement savings

    • The tax system is a progressive tax system, it ranges from 19% to 45% depending on your income

How to file taxes?

In Australia you file taxes using the myTax via the MyGov website to lodge your tax returns (the tax year is July 1st to June 31st)

Healthcare

Australia has a very high-quality healthcare system that includes both public healthcare, called Medicare and private health care services.

However as a foreigner moving to Australia, your access to healthcare really depends on your visa type and if whether your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreements (RHA) with Australia

Public Healthcare (Medicare)

Medicare is Australia’s universal public healthcare system, covering all essential medical services for Australian citizens, permanent residents and some eligible temporary visa holders.

What visas are eligible for Medicare:

  • Temporary visa holders with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)

  • Certain Work Visa Holders (Subclass 482, Subclass 186, Subclass 494, etc.)

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA)

Australia has a Reciprocal Health Agreement with 11 countries that allow visitors and temporary residents to access some Medicare benefits, these countries being:

  • United Kingdom

  • New Zealand

  • Italy

  • Sweden

  • Norway

  • Finland

  • Ireland

  • Netherlands

  • Malta

  • Belgium

  • Slovenia

How does it work?

If you are from one of these countries and have a valid visa, you can access limited Medicare benefits for emergency treatment and urgent care.

But, to access these benefits, you have to apply for Medicare at a service center upon arrival.

How to apply for Medicare?

It is quite a easy process to apply for Medicare, here is a quick guide how to do so:

  1. Fill out a Medicare Enrollment Form, either by Online Enrollment, In Person at a Medicare service center or by mail

  2. Provide passport and visa proof

  3. Receive Medicare Card!

Private Healthcare

If you are not eligible for Medicare, you have to get private health insurance to cover medical expenses.

This is MANDATORY for:

  • Temporary Visa holders (subclass 482, subclass 500, subclass 485, etc.)

Health Insurance for Temporary work visa holders

If you are on a temporary work visa, you must have Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)

How to get it?

  • Purchase from approved OVHC providers

  • Cost can vary from $80-$200 per month, depending on how much coverage you have

Housing & Renting

Australia has a very competitive and diverse housing market, with various options ranging from short-term rentals to long-term rentals and even homeownership for eligible foreigners.

What do you need to rent in Australia?

There are quite a few documents you need to present to be able to rent in Australia as a foreigner. Here are all the documents you need:

  • 100 points of identification (Passport, Visa, Drivers license)

  • Proof of income (Payslips, Employment Contract or Bank statements)

  • Rental References (previous landlords or real estate agents)

  • Proof of savings (especially if you are new to the job market)

  • Cover letter (this is optional, but can be a good way to introduce yourself and why you would be a good tenant)

  • Some landlords may ask for a visa grant notice (explaining the conditions of your visa including period of validity and entry requirements)

NEVER RENT RENT WITHOUT A CONTRACT, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU GET A WRITTEN LEASE YOU AND THE LANDLORD SIGN.

Can I buy a home in Australia as a foreigner?

Yes, but you need to get Approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB)

What is the FIRB?

The FIRB is an Australian government body that reviews and approves foreign investments, including when non residents or temporary residents want to buy property in Australia. there are some rules when it comes to buying a home as a foreigner:

  • You can only buy a new home (e.g., an apartment in a new development)

  • You can buy vacant land if you plan to build on it

  • You can buy an existing home, but only if you plan to live in it and on a valid visa

What documents do I need to buy a home?

  • Foreign Investment Review Board Approval

  • Proof of visa status (valid temporary visa)

  • Proof of funds

  • Pre-approval for a home loan

  • Australian Tax File Number (TFN)

  • Foreign Transfer Duty Surcharge (extra stamp duty for foreign buyers which varies by state)

Please engage a local lawyer or conveyancer to help you with any issues if you have any.

Driving & Transportation

As you are moving to Australia, you may need to drive or use the public transportation. This section will explain everything from getting a drivers license, renting a car and what type of public transportation is available in Australia

Can foreigners drive in Australia?

Yes of course!

But it all depends on your visa type (temporary vs permanent), which state you are in and whether your license is from a recognized country. Since you are moving to Australia, you will need to convert your current drivers license.

What documents do I need:

  • Your foreign drivers license

  • Passport and visa

  • Proof of address

  • ID photos

  • Medical certificate, if it is required by the state you are moving to

  • Driving history report

After you gathered your documents, here is how to convert your driver license:

  1. Firstly, check if your country has a license agreement with Australia, the countries that do have a license agreement are:

    United Kingdom, New Zealand, United States, Canada, European Union countries, South Africa, Japan and Switzerland

  2. Find the nearest transport office

  3. Make an appointment

  4. Bring the required documents mentioned above

  5. Pay the license conversion fee (this can vary by state)

  6. Receive your Australian driver’s license (this can take up to a few weeks)

If your country is not recognized, you will need to take a theory and practical driving test

Buying and renting a car as a foreigner

    • To buy a car you will need a Valid ID and Residency Status

    • Australian Address

    • Drivers License

    • Tax File Number (TFN)

    • Money for buying the car

    • The age requirements for renting a car is 21+, but some companies allow 18+ but with extra fees

    • Drivers license must be in English, or have an International Driving Permit

    • Required to have a passport and ID to verify your identity

Public Transportation in Australia

    • Best for commuting between suburbs and city centers

    • Available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

    • Requires prepaid cards

    • Covers local and regional areas

    • Requires transport card (this varies by state)

    • Frequent in cities, around 5-15 mins at a time

    • This is the best for quick city travel

    • Available in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast

    • Melbourne’s City Circle Tram is Free for tourists

    • Scenic transport across harbors and rivers

    • Found in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth

    • Use transport cards

    • One of the popular routes is Sydney’s Manly Ferry