Banking, Healthcare, and 5 Other Important Services in Australia
Now that you’re getting settled into your new life in Australia, let’s talk about some essential services you’ll need to get connected. These are things like banking, healthcare, and more that will make your day-to-day life much easier. Here’s what you need to know:
Table of Contents
Setting Up a Bank Account
First off, banking. Opening a local bank account is super important for managing your finances, paying bills, and receiving your salary if you’re working.
To begin, you have to choose a bank. There are plenty of options out there, so do a little research to find a bank that suits your needs. Popular options include:
Documents Needed: To open an account, you’ll typically need your passport, proof of address (like a utility bill or lease), and your visa details.
Based on what we’ve heard from expats and new immigrants, CommBank seems to be the easiest to set up, even while you’re still abroad. But honestly, all the above banks don’t differ by much, and you can always move/open additional accounts in other banks as required.
Depending on your use case, you might also want to consider ING, as they offer a plan where they refund all international transaction fees (provided their conditions are met).
Another more niche option is Macquarie bank, offering zero fees and a higher savings interest rates than many other banks. A downside here, however, is they are not as established as the above “Big 4” banks, meaning you might pay higher ATM fees if you do frequent cash withdrawals. They are also available online only with no physical branches. This doesn’t seem to be a big problem for most users, however, as they have an incredibly expansive app available for all customers.
Here are a few key things to look for and consider when choosing a bank:
- Are there any application fees?
- Is there a minimum opening deposit?
- Is there a minimum balance required?
- What are the international transfer fees and costs?
Something to consider, also, is whether you’re planning on getting a credit card and collecting frequent flyer points. One of the biggest providers is Qantas with their Qantas Points system, which is available though most of the major banks and card types (Mastercard, Visa, AmEx, etc.). While having your credit card and points in the same bank as your primary account, it’s important to remember you can always open this type of account in a different bank than your everyday account.
It’s important to remember you are never locked in to any single bank or account type. Even if you open an account in one bank when you arrive in Australia, and later on you decide you don’t like their policies or what they can offer you, you can always close this account and transfer funds to another bank.
Fun fact: In Australia, the smallest denomination coin is 5 cents, 1 cent coins don’t exist. This means that if paying cash in a store, prices will be rounded to the nearest 5 cents (for example, $20.53 rounds up to $20.55). So you’re probably better off paying by card!
Health Care and Medicare
Next up, let’s discuss health care. Making sure you have access to healthcare is essential, so here are the most popular options and services:
Registering for Medicare
If you’re eligible (like if you’re a permanent resident or certain visa holders), get yourself registered for Medicare, Australia’s public health insurance system. It’ll help cover many medical expenses. You can register online or visit your local Medicare office to get a Medicare card. Don’t forget to bring your visa documentation and proof of identity!
Medicare helps cover things like seeing a GP or specialist, tests and scans, like x-rays, most surgery and procedures performed by doctors, and eye tests by optometrists. It doesn’t cover ambulance services, most dental services, glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids, and cosmetic surgery.
Medicare is widely available for mostly anyone in Australia, however as public health insurance, it doesn’t cover everything. If you have any specific health needs, you might also consider private health insurance.
Private Health Insurance
Medibank and Bupa are the largest providers of private health insurance in Australia, which makes it an easy choice when you first arrive in the country. There are two main types of health insurance:
- Hospital cover: helps provide greater choice when it comes to going to hospital, such as choosing your own doctor or specialist
- Extras cover: for other health services outside of hospital, such as general dental check-ups, optical, physio, and natural therapies like remedial massage and acupuncture
Based on your needs, you might choose to only take out hospital cover, or only extras cover, or, of course, you can take out both. If you’re looking for specific coverage, here’s a list of top health insurance companies in Australia, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
As with all health insurance, the prices depend largely on your age and pre existing medical conditions, however also on your visa status. Most of the biggest health insurance providers have specific packages for international visitors, students, temporary workers and permanent residents, so you can always check and compare those to get the best idea of what kind of cover you can get.
Seeing a Doctor
In Australia, your first medical point of contact will usually be your GP (General Practitioner) to help with any immediate health concerns. You can check out Health Direct to find services near you. They can either provide direct aid and/or write out a prescription, or if they’re unable to help you, they can refer you to a specialist (such as an optometrist, cardiologist, neurologist, psychologist, etc.).
Medicare may cover some or all of the costs associated with seeing your GP, this is sometimes referred to as “bulk billing” – this means your doctor will bill Medicare directly, instead of billing you. You can always call your GP’s office to ask if they offer this, or you can also get in touch with Medicare to see how much they can cover, based on your personal circumstances.
When scheduling a doctor’s appointment, you will typically receive a short slot (usually 10-15 minutes). If you’re concerned that this won’t be enough, consider requesting a longer appointment, especially for your first visit with a new doctor or for a family consultation.
If you’re worried about wait times, try to book your appointment for the earliest slot in the morning or right after lunch.
If, due to cultural beliefs or personal preferences, you prefer to see a doctor of the same gender, be sure to mention this when you schedule your appointment.
Remember: if you need immediate help, call an ambulance at 000.
Finding Emergency Services
It’s always good to know where to go in an emergency.
Emergency Services: In Australia, you can call 000 for any emergency assistance, be it an ambulance, fire, or police. This is a crucial number to remember.
When you dial in, the first question you’ll be asked is what service you require. Again, this will either be ambulance, fire or police. The next question is your city and state. Once the operator has those details, you will be transferred to the local service operator, who will ask you for all the relevant emergency details, and provide you with necessary next steps as you await their arrival.
Local Hospitals: Familiarize yourself with the nearest hospitals or medical centers in your area. It’s handy to know where to go if you need urgent medical care. Keep in mind that many cities and areas have a “university hospital”, which is essentially a hospital affiliated with a (usually nearby) university that offers medical degrees. A university hospital is neither more nor less likely to offer high quality care, so don’t rule these hospitals out.
As with health insurance, there are both public and private hospitals in Australia. University Hospitals, among some, are public hospitals, and are mostly free (or covered by Medicare) for all residents and citizens. It is true that private hospitals do tend to have better equipment and shorter waiting times, so if you’re looking for any specialised treatments, this might be the way to go.
In case of an emergency, you will most likely be directed to a public hospital unless directed otherwise, so in these situations all care is usually free.
Utilities and Internet
After sorting out your finances and health, it’s time to get your utility services set up.
Water, Electricity, and Gas
These are essential for any household, and most providers allow you to set up services online:
- To find the right water provider, check with your local council. Each region has its own water authority, so it’s important to ensure you’re contacting the correct one. They can provide information on service setup, billing, and any water conservation initiatives in your area.
- For electricity and gas services, you can compare rates and plans through Energy Made Easy, a government-run website. This resource allows you to evaluate different providers based on your energy usage, helping you find the best deal that suits your needs. Be sure to consider factors like contract length, fees, and any incentives for solar energy if you have solar panels installed.
Note here, also, that the above will greatly vary depending on whether you’re going to be living in a house or an apartment. As a homeowner or tenant, you will typically engage directly with the local council authorities and providers and choose your own plan, while as an apartment resident, more often than not, you will have to rely on a single provider that services the entire building, with water costs oftentimes being included in your body corporate fees.
Internet and Phone Services
Getting connected online is super important these days. You’ll find various internet providers like:
- Telstra: One of the largest telecommunications companies in Australia, offering a wide range of plans, including NBN, mobile, and bundled services. Telstra has the largest network coverage available in the country, with many other providers “renting” Telstra’s infrastructure to resell as their own service.
- Optus: Another major provider that offers competitive pricing on NBN and mobile plans, often with additional perks like streaming services. Optus balances affordability and performance, while also providing great customer support.
- Aussie Broadband: Known for its customer service and transparency, Aussie Broadband provides flexible NBN plans that cater to different speed and data requirements, including no-contract plans.
- TPG: Provides better value than other big names, offering essentially the same services (including NBN) on its own fibre network. They’re usually around $10-20 cheaper than the big brands like Telstra or Optus. Keep in mind, however, that as a smaller provider they might not have the same coverage or speeds and up times as larger providers.
- Vodafone: While previously focusing mostly on providing mobile networks, Vodafone is a stable and well-known internet provider, offering NBN and 5G home internet. A perk of using Vodafone is they are quite internationally-oriented, with a range of phone plans to also include international calls and other services.
We won’t include any package prices or offers here as those change pretty much on a monthly basis, but we’ve included links to all the providers so you can compare them yourself and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget!
Public Transport
Navigating public transport is a very important skill for anyone new to Australia. As an immigrant, understanding how buses, trains, and trams operate can save you time, money, and stress while helping you settle into your new environment more confidently.
Getting around in Australia isn’t quite what you might expect from a developed nation. While major cities offer public transport systems with their own unique cards – like the Opal card in Sydney or myki in Melbourne – the reality is that Australia’s public transport network is relatively basic compared to many other countries.
Each state runs its own show with separate transport cards, covering the usual suspects like buses, trains, and even ferries in some spots, but here’s the thing: once you step outside the city centres, you’ll quickly realise why most Aussies consider a car essential.
The sheer size of the country plays a huge role in this, particularly when it comes to inter-city travel. Take the Sydney to Melbourne route, for example – you could spend 12 hours on a Greyhound bus for $100-120, or hop on a 90-minute flight for roughly the same price.
For a deeper dive into tips, tricks, and essential information, check out our full blog post on public transport and driving in Australia linked here!
Education and Childcare
If you have kids, knowing where to find schools and childcare is essential.
Schools: Each state has its own educational system. Check out the Department of Education for information about local public and private schools.
There are 3 main types of schools in Australia:
- Public Schools: Funded by the government, these schools provide free education to students. They follow the state curriculum and are accessible to all children within the local area.
- Private Schools: These schools charge tuition fees and may offer specialized programs or religious education. They can be independent or affiliated with a particular religious organization.
- Specialist Schools: Some schools focus on specific areas, such as performing arts, sports, or special education for children with disabilities.
There are 12 grade levels in Australia, divided into Primary School (year 1-6), Middle School (year 7-9) and High School (year 10-12). All Australian states and territories use the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) as the primary tertiary entrance ranking system. If you want to learn more about the Australian education system, you can check out this blog here. This means that at the end of grade 12, all students take an exam to receive their ATAR score that can later be used to enter university or take on any further study. You can check out our more detailed post on universities and higher education in Australia here.
Childcare Services: You can find information on various services through MyChild, a government website that provides information on various childcare services. You can also use online directories such as the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and local government websites to find providers.
There are multiple childcare services you can consider, including:
- Long Day Care
- Family Day Care
- Occasional Care
- Before and After School Care
- Preschool (Kindergarten)
Choosing the right childcare option in Australia involves understanding your family’s needs and the various services available. Keep in mind the costs, available subsidies, and quality ratings to make the best choice for your child’s care and education.
Conclusion
There you go! By getting your bank account, health care, utilities, and transport sorted out, you’ll be well on your way to feeling at home in Australia. All of this of course takes time, so don’t pressure yourself to get everything done on the first day. These processes are bureaucratic in nature, so be patient, and remember that once you get everything set up, you likely won’t have to do it again any time soon!
Good luck—you’ve got this!
