Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Jun 30th 2009, 2:48 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
First of all I must say sorry, as it seems to be the case with all my posts, I am looking for help and not offering much back, however I do promise to share my experiences as my experience grows.
Building a 10 day plan before we travel, whilst we travel and when we land
We are looking for any top tips, tricks, must do's and must not do's and what we should expect in the first few days of starting our new life in Oz.
We have so many questions, you would not believe and this site is brilliant
for answering most of them but we still keep having questions such as;
i.e.
Q: What happens the moment we arrive in Oz are we dragged off to a small room to validate our visa or does it all happen via the magic of computers, do we fill forms in on the plane?
Q: Should we register with anybody on arrival?
Q: Do we a mobile phone and are we better with PAYG or contract?
We are feeling very lucky as we hae our VISA and will have family to give us some guidance when we arrive, yet the questions just keep popping into our head.
Building a 10 day plan before we travel, whilst we travel and when we land
We are looking for any top tips, tricks, must do's and must not do's and what we should expect in the first few days of starting our new life in Oz.
We have so many questions, you would not believe and this site is brilliant
for answering most of them but we still keep having questions such as;i.e.
Q: What happens the moment we arrive in Oz are we dragged off to a small room to validate our visa or does it all happen via the magic of computers, do we fill forms in on the plane?
Q: Should we register with anybody on arrival?
Q: Do we a mobile phone and are we better with PAYG or contract?
We are feeling very lucky as we hae our VISA and will have family to give us some guidance when we arrive, yet the questions just keep popping into our head.
Jun 30th 2009, 3:24 pm
#2
Hussy
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: Australia...for now
Posts: 1,035
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
When you arrive you will go through customs as normal and your visa will be stamped. It is all very easy.
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
Jun 30th 2009, 5:42 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside
Posts: 115
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Hi
I got this from Tesco's Escape to Australia and New Zealand 2008
On Arrival
Hope this answers some questions and I wish you all the best,sadly 
it will be a good few years before we will get there, but it's never to early to start researching.
I got this from Tesco's Escape to Australia and New Zealand 2008
On Arrival
- Pick up a copy of On Arrival Magazine - it contains a lot of good ideas and information.
- Collect your hire car and check into your temporary accommodation.
- Make contact with your resettlement agency or any other people who will be of help to you.
- Set up a pay-as-you-go mobile to start you off- you can buy a cheap sim card and use it in your UK phone.
- Get a tax file number (TFN) in Australia.
- Contact your new employer.
- Get car insurance for your new motor.
- Register at a local school and arrange to meet your children's new teacher.
Hope this answers some questions and I wish you all the best,
sadly it will be a good few years before we will get there, but it's never to early to start researching.
Jun 30th 2009, 6:01 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Woodvale, WA
Posts: 1,674
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Have a look at the top tips sticky above. I got loads and loads of help from that. I've printed them off and ticked off things as I go.
Jun 30th 2009, 9:24 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
My top 2
Get a cheap sat nav - worth its weight in gold
Get a state driving licence - they are used for proving id everywhere
Get a cheap sat nav - worth its weight in gold
Get a state driving licence - they are used for proving id everywhere
Jun 30th 2009, 9:53 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Westernport Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 1,761
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Cars pass on both sides here so keep an eye out when driving as its like dodgems.
Make sure you give way to pedestrians here.
Watch the school zones if you exceed the speed limit you get fined and they are always waiting to fine us here.
Read all the signs on public transport as the fines are heavy.
Do not be surprised when no one lets you in when driving very rude here.
Its not that bad but its different completely different. Good luck.
Make sure you give way to pedestrians here.
Watch the school zones if you exceed the speed limit you get fined and they are always waiting to fine us here.
Read all the signs on public transport as the fines are heavy.
Do not be surprised when no one lets you in when driving very rude here.
Its not that bad but its different completely different. Good luck.
Jun 30th 2009, 10:03 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
And get your UK phone unlocked before you leave - much easier than trying to do it here.
Jul 1st 2009, 6:13 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 46
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Yep - get phone ulocked before you go - that's a good one. Also you may only be eligable for a PAYG phone - we've been refused credit a few places without having jobs first - all good now with payslips etc. Payg vodafone I find good - especially if I call abroad to tell friends and family to turn Skype on!
Also we have found 3mobile broadband to be excellent - Good until you get set up in your own place and want to research stuff on your lap top.
Sat Nav's are very much worth it - best thing we have bought in Australia - we might have been divorced by now without one!!
Also get rid of British Driving skills - they are bloody awful drivers here!
We thought there might be a bit more fuss at the airport, but nothing at all - it was the easiest time going through an Aussie airport - just make sure you declare all food - even throat sweets! (i got a small telling off about that one!)
Get your bank account opened - much easier in first couple of months.
Relax and take it easy - you don't have to do everything at once! See some stuff - do the touristy things, we've done very little touristy stuff since we've had jobs or been on the job hunt.
Most of all good luck for your new life down under - it's not all easy, but life wouldn't be interesting without some ups and downs.
Also we have found 3mobile broadband to be excellent - Good until you get set up in your own place and want to research stuff on your lap top.
Sat Nav's are very much worth it - best thing we have bought in Australia - we might have been divorced by now without one!!
Also get rid of British Driving skills - they are bloody awful drivers here!
We thought there might be a bit more fuss at the airport, but nothing at all - it was the easiest time going through an Aussie airport - just make sure you declare all food - even throat sweets! (i got a small telling off about that one!)
Get your bank account opened - much easier in first couple of months.
Relax and take it easy - you don't have to do everything at once! See some stuff - do the touristy things, we've done very little touristy stuff since we've had jobs or been on the job hunt.
Most of all good luck for your new life down under - it's not all easy, but life wouldn't be interesting without some ups and downs.
Jul 2nd 2009, 6:07 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Oz
Posts: 408
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Been here just over 10 days, so my plan went fairly smoothly:
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Last edited by Twinset; Jul 2nd 2009 at 6:22 am.
Jul 2nd 2009, 8:10 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 992
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Been here just over 10 days, so my plan went fairly smoothly:
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Glad it all worked out..
Jul 2nd 2009, 6:11 pm
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Been here just over 10 days, so my plan went fairly smoothly:
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Day 1: bank account validated, headed notepaper with your new address printed by bank. Optus PAYG sim card bought (costs 20 bucks, gives 80 bucks value), UBD map bought and studied, Medicare registered.
Day 2: TFN number applied for via internet (takes 2 weeks min to come through, so do it early), PAYG internet bought - Top Tip: get a mobile phone and UK broadband dongle unlocked before you come over!!
Days 3 and 4: weekend, so chill!! Walk a little, get some wine and restorative sun on yer face....look for cars, long term rentals. Sort a rental car.
Day 5: Job interviews: prep, attendance, job offered 4.50 pm, accepted 4.50pm plus 1 nanosecond.....buy a bottle of sparkly...
Day 6: Get a hire car, start hammering the estate agents and realestate.com.au for a rental - you can do that from day 1, really...
Day 7: as per day 6 plus looking for cars.
Day 8: buy a car
Day 9: find a rental property and make lots of viewings for wife.
Day 10: rest of family arrives........to be presented with new car - right now, day written off as they are all asleep......but wife's TFN applied for as she sleeps. Next stop Medicare, bank and tourist stuff.......I start work in 10 days.
That's just a potted history, you need to know a Justice of the Peace or have access to one to apply for various things/get documents and IDs validated (start at the local police station), travelled about 600kms around Adelaide getting to know the city, scouting areas, buying cars etc plus setting up a mailbox (easiest way if you know you are going to move about a little plus getting mail from the UK) via Auspost, you should set up your bank before you arrive, scout for jobs etc. Always worth asking people you meet about local jobs, depending on your trade or profession (I got a really valuable contact via a Dive shop...).
I stayed for first 2 days in a hotel in the city - much easier than farting about with hire cars, rental properties with serious jet lag.....taxi, hotel, chill.....plus all amenities within 10 minutes walk......
PS ditch any propensity for road rage you might have and treat the roads like the locals - it's Hoon Death Race 2000 out there......favourite weapons SS utes, white vans and 40 ton trucks.......drive to survive!!
Twins
Jul 2nd 2009, 6:13 pm
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
When you arrive you will go through customs as normal and your visa will be stamped. It is all very easy.
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
Jul 2nd 2009, 6:15 pm
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 26
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Thanks for the tips, I depend so heavily on my SatNav in the UK so think it will be a must in Oz.
Jul 2nd 2009, 9:14 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 412
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
When you arrive you will go through customs as normal and your visa will be stamped. It is all very easy.
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
With regards to a mobile phone, check out the current vodaphone PAYG deal which allows you to call from abroad for the same price as a local call. If the offer applies to calls from Australia one of their free sim cards in your current phone might be a good idea for calling friends and family when you first get there (although you will have to get one before you leave).
Like the other guy said earlier too with the Optus one, when we were on holiday we literally walked into a shop picked up a PAYG sim for about $5 with $20 credit on and that was that. We used a cousins address to register it. I'd do both, after all the vodafone one is free.
Last edited by Tubbs2Oz; Jul 2nd 2009 at 9:20 pm.
Jul 2nd 2009, 9:21 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 412
Re: Building a 10 day plan for a new life in Oz
Which make have you got? I'm going to start looking at downloading Oz maps soon for our Garmin. Hopefully their routing advice will be better out there!