Moving to Sydney: A Step-by-Step Practical Guide for New Immigrants

The first step to making sure your visa for Australia is correct and adheres to the latest immigration policy is consulting an expert migration consultant Sydney. After obtaining your visa, the real adventure starts. World travel is a highly organized and planned process.

To get a head start on your first few weeks in Sydney, here's a step-by-step checklist.

The First Week: Digital and Financial Essentials

In order to start using the harbor, you must put in place a basic framework of your new life.

• Get a Local SIM Card: Get to a local store or order an eSIM online from local service providers such as Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. Having an Australian phone number (+61) is very important for job applications, rental forms and bank accounts.
• Open an Australian Bank Account: You can (in most major banks - CommBank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB) open a bank account online up to 3 months prior to your arrival in Australia. On arriving, you must visit one of the branches with your passport to confirm your identity and get your debit card.
• Get a Tax File Number (TFN): An Australian employer will not be able to pay you unless you have a TFN. Open a web application on Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website as soon as you arrive. This is a free, and it takes only about 10 minutes per hour.

Week Two: Transportation and Government setup.

Having your finances started, now is the time to get in tune with the city's official systems.

• Learn about the Opal Network: Sydney has an outstanding public transport system including trains, buses, light rail and iconic ferries. There's no need for a physical Opal card; the contactless credit card or digital wallet can be used to tap on and off the card. The fare prices are capped at $50 per week for adults and hence, you can easily predict and budget your fare.
• Create a digital "myGov" account online to connect with your key Australian government services, as well as Medicare. If you are eligible for Medicare (Australia's public health care system) through your visa pathway, fill in your Medicare enrolment form as soon as possible, before you start to get any bills in your name.

In Weeks Three and Four, the focus will be on long-term housing and jobs.

When all the urgent administrative matters have been ticked off, it's time to establish your long-term future.

• Finding Long Term Accommodation: Finding a place to stay for your first fortnight may be a good option (hostel or Airbnb) but as soon as you want something for longer, you will have to find 'long term' accommodation as soon as possible. Research suburbs on sites such as Realestate.com.au and Domain.com.au, go to the weekend home inspections and apply for your rental.
• Tailor your CV to the Australian Job Market: Make your CV suitable for the Australian market, shorten the CV, emphasize measurable results and avoid personal information such as photo or birthdate. Update your LinkedIn profile and search for career opportunities on local job websites, such as Seek.com.au.

With a systematic approach to achieving these steps, you can remove the typical stress factors associated with moving, and concentrate on enjoying your exciting new life in Sydney!

Asia Pacific Group (APG) is a leading migration and education consultancy in Australia specializing in student visas, skilled migration, and international education pathways.