New Migrant Checklist for Australia
Welcome to Australia! Before you start settling into your new life, there are a number of admin tasks you need to knock off — some with strict deadlines that can cost you money if you miss them. This checklist covers everything a new permanent resident should do, roughly in priority order.
1. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
Your TFN is your unique identifier in Australia's tax and superannuation systems. You'll need it to start work, open a bank account, lodge a tax return, and access most government services. Without one, your employer is legally required to withhold tax at the top marginal rate (currently 47%).
Your TFN stays with you for life — it doesn't change if you change jobs, move states, or even leave Australia and return.
How to apply
The fastest method is online via myID (formerly myGovID). If you have a strong digital identity already set up, the application is fully online and typically processed within a few days.
Alternatively:
- Australia Post — Complete the online form at the ATO website, print the summary page, then book and attend an interview at a participating Australia Post outlet within 30 days. Bring original identity documents (passport, birth certificate, or driver's licence). Allow up to 28 days for processing.
- Services Australia (Centrelink) centre — Visit in person with form NAT 1432 and original proof of identity documents.
- By mail — Send the completed form with certified copies (not originals) of your identity documents to the address on the form.
2. Enrol in Medicare and Get Your Medicare Card
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme. It covers bulk-billed GP visits, public hospital treatment, and subsidised medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). As a permanent resident, you're entitled to enrol.
What you need
- Your passport (and visa grant letter if applicable)
- Proof of Australian address (utility bill, rental agreement)
- Completed Medicare enrolment form (MS011)
Where and how to enrol
Visit any Services Australia service centre. You can find your nearest one at servicesaustralia.gov.au. Your physical card will arrive by post within 3–4 weeks. You'll receive a temporary Medicare number on the day, and you can also add your Medicare card to the Medicare app or your Apple/Google Wallet for immediate use.
Medicare Levy Surcharge — act within one year
If you are aged 31 or over and do not hold private hospital cover, you may be subject to the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) of 1–1.5% of your taxable income once you earn above the threshold (currently $93,000 for singles). More importantly, there is a Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading that applies if you don't take out private hospital cover within 12 months of your Medicare registration date.
The LHC loading works like this: For every year you are aged over 30 when you first take out hospital cover, you pay an extra 2% on top of your premium — up to a maximum of 70%. If you take out hospital cover within 12 months of becoming a full Medicare member, no loading applies.
When you enrol in Medicare, ask Services Australia for a Medicare registration date letter. This confirms your LHC base day so you can calculate your deadline. The deadline is the later of: the 1 July after your 31st birthday, or the first anniversary of your full Medicare registration.
3. Set Up a myGov Account
myGov (my.gov.au) is the Australian government's single sign-on portal. One login gives you access to all major government services. It's not legally mandatory, but in practice you can't do much without one.
Set it up and link these services immediately:
- ATO (Australian Taxation Office) — Lodge tax returns, check your income summary, manage your super
- Medicare — View and manage your Medicare claims, access your immunisation history
- Centrelink — Apply for family payments, unemployment benefits, or other welfare
- My Health Record — Your consolidated digital health record
- Child Support (if applicable)
Go to my.gov.au, click "Create an account", and follow the prompts. You'll need a mobile number and email address. Linking services usually requires your Medicare number, TFN, or Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN).
4. Open an Australian Bank Account
Most banks let you open an account before you arrive in Australia using your passport, and then verify your identity in-branch within a set period. If you haven't done this, visit a branch with your passport and proof of address as soon as possible.
The major banks are Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. Online banks like Up and ING are also popular for everyday banking.
You'll need your bank account details (BSB and account number) to:
- Receive your salary
- Set up your superannuation
- Register for Centrelink payments if needed
5. Set Up Your Superannuation (Super)
Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings (rate effective from 1 July 2025) into a super fund on your behalf. This is separate from your salary.
What to do:
- Choose a super fund — If you don't nominate one, your employer will use their default fund. Most funds are similar; look at fees, investment options, and insurance. Popular funds include Australian Retirement Trust, Aware Super, Hostplus, and AustralianSuper.
- Complete a super choice form — Give your employer your preferred fund details (fund name, ABN, and your member number).
- Provide your TFN to your super fund — Without it, your fund will withhold tax at 47% on contributions. Your TFN also lets you make personal contributions and consolidate multiple accounts.
- Consolidate old accounts — If you've worked in Australia before, you may have multiple super accounts. Consolidate them via myGov (linked to ATO) to avoid paying multiple sets of fees.
6. Convert Your Overseas Driver's Licence
As an Australian permanent resident, you can drive on your overseas licence for a limited period after arrival:
- Most states: 3 months
- Victoria: 6 months
After that, you must hold an Australian licence to drive legally.
What you need to know:
- Your original licence must be intact and undamaged. A cracked or broken licence may not be accepted without additional certification from the issuing authority.
- Non-English licences must be translated by an approved NAATI-accredited translator (some states offer a free translation service within 12 months of arrival — notably NSW).
- Whether you need to sit a theory test, hazard perception test, or practical driving test depends on your home country and the state you're in. Drivers from some countries (e.g., UK, USA, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan) can convert directly without sitting tests — but check your state's rules.
- Chinese mainland licences cannot be directly converted in any Australian state. You will need to sit the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and a practical driving test. Your existing driving experience may allow you to start at the appropriate licence class.
State-by-state rules:
7. Register with Centrelink (Services Australia)
Even if you don't need any payments right now, it's worth registering with Centrelink and getting your Customer Reference Number (CRN). You'll need your CRN to link Centrelink to myGov.
Depending on your family and work situation, you may be eligible for:
- Family Tax Benefit (Part A and B) — For families with children under 19. Apply as soon as possible, as backdating is limited.
- Child Care Subsidy (CCS) — Subsidises the cost of approved childcare. Apply through myGov/Centrelink.
- Parenting Payment — For parents who are the primary carer of a child under school age.
- JobSeeker Payment — If you're unemployed and looking for work (waiting periods may apply to new migrants).
- Rent Assistance — If you're renting and receiving certain Centrelink payments.
Note: Most welfare payments have a Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) of 1–4 years for new migrants depending on the payment type. Plan accordingly.
Services Australia — payments and services
8. Enrol Your Children in School
Education is compulsory in Australia for children from approximately age 5 or 6 (Foundation/Prep year) through to age 17. Public (government) schooling is free for permanent residents.
Steps:
- Determine your school zone using your residential address (each state has an online zone checker).
- Contact your local public school or the state education department to begin enrolment.
- You'll need: proof of address, the child's birth certificate, immunisation records, and previous school reports or transcripts if available.
- New arrivals may be assessed for English language support. Most state education systems have Intensive English Centres or New Arrivals Programs to help children transition.
School enrolment by state:
9. Set Up Utilities and Services at Home
Once you have a rental property or home, arrange the following:
- Electricity and gas — Contact an energy retailer in your state. You can compare plans at Energy Made Easy (government comparison site for most states; Victoria uses Victorian Energy Compare).
- Internet — NBN (National Broadband Network) is Australia's standard fixed internet infrastructure. Compare plans at Whistleout or directly with providers (Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Telstra, TPG, etc.).
- Mobile phone — Major carriers are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Many MVNOs (e.g., Boost, Amaysim) run on the same networks at lower cost.
- Australia Post mail redirect — If relevant, set up a mail redirect from a previous address.
10. Register on the Electoral Roll
Australian permanent residents are not required to vote (only citizens are). However, once you become an Australian citizen, enrolling to vote and voting is compulsory.
If you are already a citizen or become one, enrol with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) at aec.gov.au. You must be enrolled within 8 weeks of becoming eligible. Failure to enrol or vote can result in a fine.
11. Find a GP (General Practitioner)
Medicare covers GP visits, especially bulk-billed ones (where the doctor charges Medicare directly and you pay nothing). With a regular GP you can:
- Get ongoing health care and referrals to specialists
- Access mental health care plans (up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year)
- Manage prescriptions (PBS medicines are heavily subsidised — most are $7.70–$31.60 per script for Medicare cardholders)
Search for bulk-billing GPs near you at healthdirect.gov.au.
12. Enrol in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
If English is not your first language, the AMEP provides free English language tuition. As of 2021, the cap was removed — there is no longer a 510-hour limit. You can access as much tuition as you need.
Eligibility: Permanent visa holders and most eligible temporary visa holders who are of working age.
Deadline: You must register with an approved AMEP provider within 6 months of arriving in Australia or from visa commencement. You must start classes within 12 months.
Classes are available full-time, part-time, online, and in some cases at home for those with caring responsibilities. Find a provider at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/amep/service-providers.
13. Apply for a Seniors Card (if aged 60+)
Each state and territory runs a free Seniors Card scheme for residents aged 60 and over who are not working more than a set number of paid hours per week. The card gives discounts on:
- Public transport
- Car registration
- Insurance
- Dental and health services
- Hundreds of participating businesses
Apply through your state's seniors card office:
14. Register with Your Local Council
Contact your local council (find it at Local Government Directory) for:
- Household waste and recycling bin services
- Local library membership (free, includes books, DVDs, digital resources, and often free language classes)
- Local parks, community centres, and council services
- Pet registration (compulsory for dogs and cats in most councils)
- Concession rates on council rates if you hold an eligible Centrelink card
Time-Critical Summary
| Task | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register for AMEP English classes | Within 6 months of arrival |
| Start AMEP English classes | Within 12 months of arrival |
| Convert overseas driver's licence | 3 months (6 months in VIC) |
| Get LHC letter / take out private hospital cover | Within 12 months of Medicare registration (if aged 31+) |
| Free licence translation (NSW) | Within 12 months of arrival |
| Apply for Family Tax Benefit | As soon as possible after arrival |
| Apply for TFN | As soon as possible (needed to start work) |