The Department of Social Services (DSS) has produced a resource called Beginning a Life in Australia which is a must-read for new migrants.
The book lists the wide range of services Government and community organisations provide to Australian residents. The booklet will give you an introduction to the services and assistance that you can access and where you can go for advice.
It is important to note that some permanent migrants and most temporary visa holders may not be eligible for all the services mentioned in this booklet.
Based on the advice in the booklet (and own personal experience), the following are the four priorities, in no particular order, that we recommend you attend to immediately as part of your settlement in Australia.
1) Register with Medicare
Medicare is the Government subsidised assistance for medical expenses. Joining Medicare will enable you to gain immediate access to health care services and programs, such as free public hospital care, assistance with out-of-pocket expenses for hospitalisation and subsidised medicines.
You cannot apply for Medicare online as you will need to present personally at one of the Medicare offices with your passport and visa grant documents.
| MEDICARE AUSTRALIA | CONTACT DETAILS |
| Telephone | 13 2011 |
| Visit an office | Medicare office locations |
| Medicare Information Kit – available in languages other than English | Information Kit |
| Website | www.medicareaustralia.gov.au |
2) Register with Centrelink
Medicare and Centrelink offices are usually co-located so you should register with Centrelink as soon as you have registered with Medicare. By registering with Centrelink, you can get help with looking for work, have your overseas skills recognised for employment purposes and access relevant courses.
Note that many of the entitlements such as Family Assistance may be subject to waiting periods before you can receive any payments.
| CENTRELINK SERVICES | CONTACT DETAILS |
| Multilingual Call – for Centrelink and Family Assistance Office enquiries only – help in languages other than English | 13 1202 |
| Self Service | 13 6240 |
| Employment Services | 13 2850 |
| Disability, Sickness and Carers | 13 2717 |
| Youth and Student Services | 13 2490 |
| Online Services Support | 13 2307 |
| Customer Relations | 1800 050 004 |
| Australian Apprenticeships | 13 3633 |
| Family Assistance Office | 13 6150 |
For a complete list of Centrelink telephone numbers go to the Centrelink website.
3) Apply for a tax file number
All employees require a tax file number (TFN) to receive income as well as pay taxes in Australia. The TFN is a unique number issued to individuals for Australian taxation purposes.
You can apply for a TFN in a number of different ways:
| AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS | |
| Telephone | 13 2861 |
| Translating and Interpreting Service | 13 1450 – 24 Hour |
| Apply for a tax file number online | Online individuals TFN |
| Visit an office | ATO shopfront locations |
| Information in languages other than English | Taxation information in languages other than English |
| Website | www.ato.gov.au |
4) Open a bank account
If you haven’t already opened an Australian bank account while overseas, you should visit one of the many banks that operate in Australia to open a personal bank account.
AUSTRALIAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
Bank Account Basics web pages www.bankers.asn.au
The ‘Big Four’ banks of Australia are Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) and National Australia Bank (NAB).
I still couldn’t believe it. Wow, I am blessed and so overwhelmed.
One thing that I really appreciate about you is that you are so connected with your client. You are so alert, attentive and very passionate with your job. Thank you so much Miss Gigi.
My dream is now realised because of you. I will really recommend you to my friends, to anyone who is interested in migrating to Australia.
It has been a pleasure working with you. And I am grateful for your prompt reply to whatever concerns I raise during the course of Tadi’s visa application.
Once again, I do hope you will be able to continually help make a difference in other people’s lives through the migration services you provide.
God bless you.
It’s been a long 10-month-smooth journey and I’m glad you guided me throughout.
If I would have continued to transact with an immigration consultancy here in the Philippines, it would not be just a 10-month journey, I would have spent Ph300k plus for the agency fee, I would have a denied visa since they were pushing me to go for Quantity Surveyor (QS) as the nominated occupation which I know most if not all QS applicants failed in this pathway.
And for that, my biggest thanks to you and Pinoy-Australia forum online – this forum which I stumbled upon when searching, pointed me to you!
Thank you very much! We are still floating in the air from the great news that we received. It is a realization of my dream of greener pasture and, most importantly, to finally able to get our daughter and be with us.
We would like to extend our appreciation for the professionalism and great help that you provide to us. We’ve seen your dedication and commitment to efficiently advise us further in all our migration queries. We made the right decision in choosing and trusting you as our migration agent, Ms. Gigi. Maraming maraming salamat!
We would be glad to see you in Canberra when we visit there, we will let you know. We’re planning to make a big move in Australia between March to May this year.
We are ready to begin our new phase in Australia -> the last frontier to settle down our family overseas.
We will surely recommend Reach Out Migration and you, Ms. Gigi to any of our friends and family who may want to migrate in Australia
Thank you and more clients to come to Reach Out Migration! It is a great pleasure working with you. Ms. Gigi!
