This checklist gives you a few things to think about before you make the move to Australia.
At the 18-month mark basic research is all you should be doing.
1: Make a list of possible living destinations. This should involve talking to friends and relatives who have visited or lived in Australia. Do online research, look on travel sites, blogs, YouTube, government websites, Facebook and even Instagram to get an idea of what it’s like to live in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or wherever it is you want to live.
2: Create a budget for when you move. There are lots of government websites that provide useful information on the cost of living for specific cities (housing, food, transport etc.).
3: Find out about job and business opportunities. You can find business laws and regulations on government websites for each state. For jobs, there are plenty of job seeker websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Seek etc. You might even have friends or relatives in Australia who can introduce you to employers.
4: Thoroughly research your visa options and/or consult with an experienced Australian registration migration agent who will be able to advise on what is and isn’t possible. Australian registered migration agents are listed on the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) website. If the agent you are thinking about engaging isn’t listed on the MARA website, they could be operating illegally and/or they could be a scammer.
5: Once you are 100% sure that you can meet the requirements for a particular type of visa, start collating your documents. Check online to see which documents are required. If you engage a MARA agent, they will usually provide you with detailed checklists.
6: Consider coming to Australia on holiday to begin with. Online research can give you some useful insights into what it might be like to live in Australia, but actually coming here and experiencing Australia first hand takes some beating.
At the 12-month mark you will begin getting everything ready.
1: Ensure you and your family have valid passports. You won’t be able to apply for and be granted a visa unless you have a valid passport. Immigration authorities won’t usually let you leave a country if you have less than 6 months left on your passport.
2: Let your family, friends, work colleagues and your children’s school know about your plans to migrate to Australia. Who else do you need to tell?
3: Organize your finances. Consolidate bank accounts and debts. Research costs for relocation services and get rid of the things you don’t need. We have plenty of shops in Australia!
At the 6-month mark you might want to consider the following:
1: Lease, rent or sell your property. If you don’t own the property advise your landlord you will not be renewing the rental contract and prepare for handover.
2: Sell or donate any remaining unwanted furniture or household goods. If you have pets organize transport, vaccination or give him/her to a good home. 🙁 The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website has relevant information for bringing pets into Australia.
3: Undertake police checks, medicals, obtain medical records, obtain dental records and consider creating or updating your will.
4: Work out where you will live in Australia. Talk to real estate agents, landlords, or look at buying property so everything runs smoothly when you get here.
5: If you have children, research local schools and find out if the schools you like actually have places available.
At the 2-month mark consider finalising your new accommodation.
1: Booking temporary accommodation for when you arrive can work well.
2: Investigate transport options. How will you get to and from your temporary accommodation? How will you go to look at rentals or property? Look on Google maps for public transport or think about hiring a car when you get here. Shop around for a great deal!
3: If you don’t have a job already, start hunting for work and applying for jobs. Tell prospective employers when you expect to arrive and try to line something up before you arrive.
4: Make sure you get your finances, insurances and all legal matters in order.
At the 1-month mark consider the following:
1: Organise mail redirection and create a file of important documents and personal records that you can pop into your suitcase. Pay outstanding bills, cancel subscriptions and end all direct debits. Most importantly try and set up an Australian bank account. It’s actually quite easy! We’ve provided direct links to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ Bank and National Australia Bank.
2: Make sure you’ve got enough prescriptions to cover your first months inAustralia and request vaccination certificates, especially if you have children. Australian schools will request passports, full birth certificates and vaccination certificates for your children.
One week to go … whoohoooo ..
1: Obtain Australian currency or an Australian bankcard to use when you arrive.
2: Pack everything you can, don’t forget anything. Check the Department of Home Affairs Website to double check what you can and can’t bring into the country.
3: Organise flights, if you haven’t done so already!
4: Leave your forwarding contact details for the new occupants of your previous home and with your close family and friends
5: Learn to say G’day mate and have a great flight!
GET IN CONTACT WITH US
Please send your email to catherine.hoyle@easivisa.com or call +61 8 9429 8860 if you are interested in migrating to Australia. G’day!