Ultimate Guide to Moving to Australia: Your Complete Checklist

Not sure where to start with your moving? Here's a simple guide + a checklist to get you started.

Moving to Australia Checklist

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6-12 Months Before Moving

3-6 Months Before Moving

1-3 Months Before Moving

1-4 Weeks Before Moving

Upon Arrival in Australia

First Few Months in Australia

Moving to Australia is an exciting new chapter in life. From the stunning beaches to vibrant cities and unique wildlife, Australia offers an exceptional quality of life.

However, moving to a new country involves numerous important steps and considerations.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential aspects of moving to Australia.

Pre-Departure Planning

Before you start packing and moving, there are a few critical admin tasks you’ll need to complete. The Australian immigration system is notoriously hard to navigate, so starting early is the key here. 

Visa Research and Application

Your moving journey starts with the right visa. There are plenty of different visa types, many different work visas (more on that here), student, point (free point visa calculator here), family, and other visas.

Research these thoroughly, or get in touch with an immigration lawyer (more on that here) to find the most suitable visa for your circumstances. 

Remember also that visa processing can take many months, so initiating this process 6-12 months ahead of your moving date is a very good idea.

Financial Preparation

Moving internationally involves significant expenses, there’s no way around it. Besides the visa fees, budget for:

  • Flights
  • Household transport (if applicable)
  • Temporary accommodation
  • Security deposits
  • Emergency fund
  • Health insurance

It’s also a good idea to figure out which bank you want to open an account with (more detail on that here), and perhaps even open an account before you arrive. This isn’t mandatory of course, but will make your life a little easier once you arrive.

Essential Documents

Prepare a folder with all of your important documents:

  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate (if appropriate)
  • Academic qualifications
  • Employment references
  • Medical records
  • Driver’s license

Most likely, you will have had to compile this whole list (and more) for your visa application, so this shouldn’t be the hardest step here! You will also need to have a translated and certified copy of these documents if not originally in English.

Your Dream Location

Chances are, since you’re thinking about moving to Australia, you already have some idea about where you actually want to move. Australia is a huge country, so there’s plenty to choose from. 

Most popular choices are Sydney and Melbourne thanks to their plentiful opportunities and job openings, however these major cities come with a price tag, so consider all options if you’re on a budget.

Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are all fantastic places too, so don’t limit yourself to what’s most popular!

Logistics of Moving Your Life

The physical aspects of moving can be quite challenging also, so consider each carefully.

Household Items

Decide whether you want to ship your possessions or start fresh in Australia. This decision will depend on several factors, such as:

  • The cost of international shipping vs buying new items
  • Sentimental value of your items
  • Your long-term plans in Australia

If you decide to ship your items, do keep in mind the transport might take over 3 months (including checks and/or quarantine in Australia), so plan accordingly. 

Packing Strategically

When packing for your move to Australia, consider Australia’s climate and lifestyle. The country’s weather varies significantly by region, so research your city’s weather ahead of time. 

As a quick guide, the northern regions are tropical and hot, while the south is cooler and more windy. If you’re moving to Cairns, you’ll only really need a few Tshirts, and if moving to Melbourne, consider taking your warm autumn jacket and winter hat!

Another thing to note when packing is that Australia has strict biosecurity laws, so avoid packing any plant materials, food items, or wooden objects, as they will considerably slow down your move through customs at the airport. 

Arrival and Settlement

Your first weeks in Australia will involve establishing the foundations of your new life.

Temporary Accommodation

Unless you’ve arranged permanent housing before arrival, organise temporary accommodation for your first few weeks.

This gives you time to explore neighborhoods and find a suitable long-term residence. Options include serviced apartments and short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb.

Honestly, whichever option you choose, it probably won’t be cheap, so be ready for that. 

Essential Registrations

Once you arrive, there are a few essential services you have to register for. These include:

  • Tax File Number (TFN)
  • Bank account (if you don’t have one already)
  • Medicare (if eligible)
  • Australian driver’s license (if transferring, has to be done within 3 months)
  • Phone plan 
  • Internet 

Permanent Housing

Australia’s housing market is very competitive, especially in major cities. Start your research on realestate.com.au or Domain, and prepare for the application process, which usually requires:

  • Past rental references
  • Proof of income
  • Identification

Now, if you’ve just arrived in the country, it’s going to be hard for you to have any local references. But don’t worry – they don’t have to be local.

While Australian references are preferred, international rental references are also very important, so consider obtaining these before you leave your country. 

If you’re not sure what else you’ll need to stay competitive, check out our detailed housing post here, which outlines what your “housing resume” should include. 

Employment

If you haven’t found a job before your move, you can use Seek and Indeed for your job hunt. Make sure you update your resume to match Australian qualifications and expectations.

It’s important to note also that some professions require Australian qualification recognition or registration before practice, so make sure you research your profession to find out if this is you. 

Final Thoughts

Moving to Australia can be hard – there’s no way around it. But for all the challenges and hardship, there’s a reward at the end, which, if you’ve read this far, you know what that reward is for you. 

Remember also that thousands of people make the leap every year, creating their new lives, meaning it’s definitely not impossible!

Whether it’s the lifestyle, career opportunities or the chance at a better life, Australia welcomes all those that are ready and prepared. 

If you’re facing any specific challenges right now, check out our post on the most common challenges when moving to Australia, and how to overcome them.

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