Validation Trip
 

Hi we are due to validate in August and would like some advice from those of you who have done it all before.
What can we actually do whilst we are there? Can we get drivers licenses, get tax file numbers, or register with medi-care etc ? We plan to set up a bank account from over here, but is there anything that you would recommend that we could sort out on the trip rather than having to wait until we take up residency?
We plan to move out permenantly in January and plan to look at various areas to hopefully rent in and check out various schools but what else would people recommend.
thanks for any advice
Michelle

Re: Validation Trip
 

Definitely get a bank account - you only have to show the passport and visa but have to do it within a fairly short time of first entry otherwise you will have to go through the 100 points maze.

If you can cobble together some address you can do everything - licences, tax numbers etc: after all, you will be "resident" then!

Re: Validation Trip
 

Hi, We validated 4 months before coming permanently. You cant get your medicare card until you are here permanently though as it takes a couple of weeks after arriving for the computer system to put you on to enable you to apply. Also, I believe that you cant do tax file number whilst just visiting.
The other things we did was bring extra luggage to leave with family(we got 40kg on both validation trip and on one way trip, so we took as much as possible and left stuff with family who live here. And we checked out schools, and got the children places. There are often waiting lists on the good schools so it helps to talk to the heads in person. Our school had places for 2 of our 3, but after pleading they squeezed the 3rd into her year. We also looked at heaps of real estate. Most importantly, have a bit of a break and enjoy the hioliday. By the time you get to validation trip you are quite knackered!!!

Re: Validation Trip
 

apar from opening a bank account i would'nt really recommend doing any of the others, if you get a tfn then it looks as though you have been resident in Aus for tax purposes for an extra few months, so you have a tax form to do. There is really no advantage to doing any of these on a validation trip. I would however spend my time loking at areas (properly) if you like an area find a real estate rep you like and get them onside so that you can contact them before you come back and know they will reply to you and not just ignore you. Most of all enjoy the time you have here, or save the upset when you go back and just stay :D

Lynn

Re: Validation Trip
 

All I can say is that on my validation trip I got driving licence, TFN, bank account etc etc - and was heartily grateful that I didn't have to rush about doing all that on "real" arrival!

Re: Validation Trip
 

Same here really...we took it as a validation trip and that was it...get as much of the paper work out the way as possible...we still had time for :beer: and chill'd out