The past two months since arriving in Australia have been an absolute whirlwind. Between settling into our new home and adapting to a different way of life, it’s been a mix of excitement and adjustment. We’ve made the most of the school holidays, exploring our surroundings and embracing the Australian lifestyle. The girls have settled into their new schools, and it’s been incredible to see how quickly they’ve adapted and made new friends. As for me, starting work has been a rewarding experience—I’ve enjoyed diving into my new role and getting to know my colleagues. It’s been a busy but fulfilling start to our new chapter!
Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, it doesn’t have to be. When we arrived in Australia, we stayed in temporary accommodation: a comfortable two-bedroom apartment that served us well for the first week. From there, the focus shifted to becoming recognised as residents in Australia. Below, I’ve outlined the steps we took—surprisingly straightforward and easy to follow and hopefully it will help others along the way.
Phone Numbers
Sorting out an Australian phone number is the first big win and unlocks all the other admin. We opted for Telstra, as it’s reported to have the best coverage across Australia.
I signed up for three SIM-only contracts, which cost $130 per month altogether. Setting these up was hassle-free; all I needed was my passport. Within minutes, we were connected.
Telstra: Broadband Internet, NBN, 5G, TV & Mobile Phone Services
Driving Licence
Once you have a phone number, the next step is obtaining an Australian ID. The easiest way is by converting your UK driving licence to an Australian one.
Since we’re in Queensland (QLD), here’s how the process worked for us: I visited the Department of Transport with my passport, UK driving licence, and an additional form of identification, such as a credit card (a utility bill works too, but we didn’t have one yet).
I paid for a five-year licence and walked out with a temporary paper version, which is valid as official ID until the plastic card arrives.
Home (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
Bank Account
With a phone number and ID sorted, opening a bank account was the next priority. We chose NAB (National Australia Bank) because they participate in the Defence Home Ownership Scheme.
I brought my passport, paper licence, and a printed email from DHA confirming our service residence (finalised during our flight to Australia). The staff set up a joint account for my wife and me, including online banking access, all in a single visit. A virtual card was added into my phone so we could use the account without the physical card.
Medicare
Getting Medicare was another box to tick. Instead of spending hours in a queue, we found it faster to download the forms from the Centrelink website, print them, and email them back.
It took about three weeks for our Medicare cards to arrive in the post—an efficient process overall.
Centrelink – Services Australia
Tax File Number TFN
Applying for a Tax File Number is simple once you have a mobile number. You can complete the application online. Although they say it takes a few weeks to process, I called after 48 hours and was given the number over the phone.
Once you receive your TFN, pass it along to your bank and unit admin cell to ensure you’re taxed correctly.
The Australian Tax Office ATO can link to Home | myID which makes things easier to manage.
Apply for a TFN | Australian Taxation Office
Internet/TV
For internet, we returned to Telstra and opted for a 5G home broadband box. It’s incredibly fast, with 1TB of monthly data, but at $170 per month, it’s pricier than what we were used to in the UK.
Amazon Firestick and Foxtel
We brought our Amazon Firestick, which has been our go-to for streaming Netflix and other services. However, I also subscribed to Foxtel, Australia’s equivalent of Sky, for $80 per month. To be honest, we haven’t used it much, so I’m considering cancelling it.
Cars, Insurance, and REGO
I’d ordered a UTE back in July, and once we arrived, I finalized the finance with Ford. This not only got us a vehicle but also helped start building a credit history for future house purchases. We also bought my wife a smaller car from a dealer in Brisbane. Both processes were straightforward.
Car insurance was simple to set up. Although we didn’t have any no-claims history in Australia, insurers considered how long we’d been driving. Fully comprehensive insurance cost us around $800 each per year.
REGO
In Australia, car registration (REGO) is paid annually and depends on your car’s engine size. The process is straightforward and handled online. Point to note is that each State does things slightly different.
Gas and Electricity
Setting up utilities was similar to the UK. In Toowoomba, there’s only one major electricity provider, which made the process simple. Last month, our electricity bill was just $7, thanks to government rebates for the “cost of living” crisis. Without the rebate, it would have been around $80.
For our Defence Housing Australia (DHA) house, we use gas bottles. Each bottle costs $119, and we estimate one will last about four months based on our current usage.
Wise Account
I opened a Wise account after the visas were approved and started transferring small amounts when the exchange rate was favourable. The Wise account will be handy for initial expenses, and the rates aren’t too shabby for smaller transactions. I later transferred bigger sums of money as the rate was better than my IFX account.
If you havent set up a Wise account yet add my referral and we both get rewards. http://Wise.com/invite/ihpc/danieldavidt4
