Australian Visa | Australia Migration Settlement Services

There may not be much time in the early days after arrival to focus on and organise all the things that you know are going to be essential to the well being of you and yours. It is so important to do all you can to settle every member of the family into your new life here as smoothly and quickly as possible - we don't want you turning tail back home soon after arrival!

Be prepared by undertaking lots of research before arrival so that you can plan for the early weeks - there is a wealth of information available to you on the internet these days. One of the first things on your mind is likely to be - where do we go when we get off the 'plane! Arranging short term accommodation at a reasonable cost can be a challenge for those without support in Australia (refer links to housing and rental properties to undertake some research.)

If you would like help to book accommodation for your arrival to meet your needs, please email Lucy to request an accommodation booking questionnaire. We are also pleased to be able to offer other 'Settlement Services' through our colleagues at Australiawide Relocations (Member of the International Relocation Associates (TIRA).

From experience, if you have to book a hotel/motel for your arrival, try to find one that is within walking distance of a major shopping centre. Ask whether they will discount the nightly rate for a longer stay and if they offer a room with a 'kitchenette'. When you first arrive your internal clocks will likely be out of whack for a while due to jet lag and children especially may fall into heavy sleep at odd hours. If you are able to access and prepare food easily whenever you need to for the first couple of days, it will lift the pressure off while everyone is adjusting. If you are close to a major shopping centre you will be able to easily locate a supermarket and also likely a variety of fast food outlets and cafes or restaurants for choice of meals. If the shopping centre is within walking distance, it allows one parent and children to reach it easily on foot for a shopping trip, while the other one could be off doing important things quickly alone in a hire car.

Below please find detailed information to help you to plan your early days in Australia. Note, you will also find settlement information in different languages on the DIMIA website.

Important things to do on arrival:

Apply for a Tax File Number - can be done on the internet

Enrol in Medicare - approx 10 days after arrival

Open a Bank Account - easier within 6 weeks of arrival

Enrol children in school - Australian Education

Organise a drivers license - within 3 months of arrival

Locate services and support - in your area of settlement

APPLY FOR A TAX FILE NUMBER

A Tax File Number is required if you intend to gain income from employment, or earn money from investments or receive government payments in Australia. You should apply for a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office as quickly as possible after arrival. If you do not have a Tax File Number you may pay more tax than you need to, or you may not be able to claim government benefits that you may be entitled to.

How to Apply
Permanent migrants and temporary visitors who are in Australia with work rights are now able to apply using an on-line TFN registration system. You do not need to provide physical documents if you apply on-line, as long as you are in Australia and are able to provide details of your valid passport or travel documents and are authorized to work by DIMIA. If you apply on-line you should receive your TFN within 28 days.

If you experience problems with the on-line TFN system, you can request an application form be sent to you by post: Telephone (within Australia) 132 861 (Personal Tax Information line), and you can also obtain an application form from Centrelink.

Once you receive your Tax File Number, remember to advise your bank to avoid higher rates of taxation on interest.

Medicare Australia is our national public health scheme. There is no charge to join Medicare, which helps you to pay for essential medical services and public hospital care. People who reside in Australia are eligible if they have been issued with a PERMANENT VISA. Permanent visa holders gain immediate access to health care services and programmes such as free public hospital care, and help with the cost of out-of-hospital care and subsidised medicines.

Others who are eligible to enrol within Australia:
· Australian citizens
· New Zealand citizens
· People who have applied for a permanent visa, but restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply) and certain 410 Retirement visa holders.

(Health care for visitors to Australia - the Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with certain countries.)

How to Enrol
You should wait approximately 10 working days after your arrival in Australia on your permanent visa, and then visit a Medicare office. You must take with you your passport or travel documents to complete the relevant enrolment forms. If you meet the enrolment requirements, you will be advised of your Medicare Card Number and your Card will be posted to you about three weeks later. This Card is used to identify you and your dependents whenever you request health services that are covered under Medicare.

Welcome kits providing health information for people arriving in Australia are available, translated into 16 community languages. The Kits explain Medicare and other government health services and the eligibility requirements for benefits and payments. If you have problems downloading the kit from the website, remember to ask for it when you contact a Medicare office in Australia.

Many Australian hospitals and large health centres have teams of health professionals who supply services for local migrant communities. These services include counselling, advice, referral and health information. Ring your local hospital or Community Health Centre to see if there is a Multicultural Health Worker for your language group. You can find Public Hospital Contacts at the front of the White Pages under Emergency, Health & Help.

Subsided Prescription Medicines
All Australian residents and eligible people under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) are given access to affordable medicines which are necessary or life-saving through the Commonwealth Government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The Government provides a generous subsidy under the PBS for most medicines available on prescription, so that you pay much less than the medicine actually costs when you have the prescription filled.

Private Health Insurance
There are a range of private health insurance organisations that offer insurance for many of the medical services not covered by Medicare. You may take out private health insurance as an alternative to Medicare or in addition to Medicare membership. For consumer information, visit the Private Health Insurance website, which includes Frequently Asked Questions.

OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT

Open an Account
If you can open a bank account within six weeks of your arrival, you will probably only require your passport as proof of identification. If you leave it longer than six weeks, you will need to show additional identification to open an account, eg a drivers license.

In Australia, it is usual for people to keep their money in a bank, building society or credit union, and bank cards and credit cards are commonly used by Australians for many purposes. In addition, internet banking is used extensively to pay bills on-line. There are four major banks within Australia, with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia being the largest.

· The Commonwealth Bank
· The National Australia Bank
· ANZ Bank
· Westpac Bank

These banks may have an affiliation with a bank in your home country, which could assist in transferring your funds and you may be able to organise an account before you arrive. However, we suggest you undertake some research on your finance related decisions and options before committing to a bank prior to arrival. (HIFX can provide information to help with this research, with no obligation.) There are also various State banks, credit unions and community banks such as the Bendigo Bank which is doing very well by giving back to the communities it serves.

Once you receive your Tax File Number, remember to advise your bank to avoid higher rates of taxation on interest.

REGISTER WITH CENTRELINK

A Government agency called Centrelink, offers a range of services for new residents covering such things as job search assistance, information on family payment, accessing courses, and claiming foreign pensions. Newly arrived residents have to wait for two years before they can access most social security payments, and so they must ensure that they can provide for their own support during this period of initial settlement in Australia, or by support from their sponsors. (Exemptions apply to Refugee and Humanitarian visa holders.) A range of translated Fact Sheets are available from Centrelink.

A Booklet called “Have you Recently Moved to Australia to Settle” provides information about payments and services you may be able to access after arrival. An Interpreter is provided free of charge by Centrelink - Telephone (within Australia) 131202. Centrelink will also arrange to translate any documents related to payments.

Register On Arrival
Newly arrived residents should register with Centrelink to ensure they receive the payments and services they are entitled to immediately. In addition, this will ensure you can access entitlements as soon as the two year settlement period has ended. Therefore, as quickly as possible after arrival, find out where your nearest Centrelink office is, and call them to find out what proof of evidence you are required to take with you. When you register you can gain access to services to help you to: gain employment and referrals to English Language Classes. In addition you can find out if you are eligible for Family Payments and concessions to help with your settlement.

The Job Network
The Job Network consists of a number of organizations who join together to help residents to find work. In each Centrelink office are Employment Self Help facilities and new residents can make use of:

· Touchscreen computers that list all job vacancies across Australia
· Printers
· Photocopiers
· Fax machines
· Newspapers for job vacancies

to find job opportunities and prepare job applications. Refer to our Links page for websites for employment research, but note it is recommended that you do not contact prospective employers too soon, as they are unlikely to be receptive to an approach until you know when you will be able to commence employment.

Your Finances
Centrelink also provide free and independent information to help you with financial matters after arrival (Telephone 132302 Centrelink’s Financial Information Service (FIS)).

Multicultural Service Officers (MSO)
Most Centrelink offices have an MSO, who consult widely with local migrant and refugee communities to help improve the Government services and programs offered. MSOs are able to advise on English language courses and how overseas skills can be recognized.

Other Help
Settlement will bring challenges as well as rewards. If you find you need some help with the challenges, Centrelink can put you in touch with a Social Worker who will offer support and assistance.

Change in Circumstances
If you receive payment from Centrelink, you are obligated to inform them if your circumstances should change, such as a change of address or any changes in earnings or income. If you plan to travel overseas and you receive a Centrelink payment, you must advise them of your travel plans before you leave.

Payments and Benefits
Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit - there is NO 2 year waiting period for family payments, which could help to meet the costs of raising your children.

Health Care Card
If you are eligible to claim the maximum rate of Family Allowance, new residents may be able to get a Health care Card, which entitles the card holder to health concessions such as low cost pharmaceuticals and a limited range of other concessions.

Special Benefit
If a newly arrived resident suffers a substantial change in circumstances and financial hardship is suffered as a result, they may be eligible for Special Benefit. The change in circumstances must be substantial and outside the resident’s control. You would not qualify for this payment if you are simply having difficulty in finding employment. You must make adequate plans to support yourself financially during the initial settlement period, as most residents are unlikely to meet the hardship requirements to access this payment. However, if you do experience substantial hardship as a result of circumstances beyond your control (have a child, lose a job, get sick, or need help in any way) do contact Centrelink immediately for advice or assistance.

AFTER the 2 year Waiting Period
Review Centrelink’s Fact Sheet '2 Year Waiting Period – Current Residents' in respect of the social security payments which are restricted to new residents, but which will become available after the two year waiting period has ended.

ENROL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

Review a database listing of all Australian government and private primary and secondary institutions

A point to note is that you may be restricted as to which school your child can attend according to where you live, and so look into this possibility before you make any decisions on which school and where you will live.

Education is seen as an Australian child’s birthright and schools encourage parent involvement and community support to maintain high standards. Each child is given the same educational opportunities regardless of gender. Schooling is compulsory for students in most states and territories until the age of 15, almost all complete their Year 10 qualification, or continue on to senior studies to complete Year 12. Some families home ‘school’.

Costs
If your child is educated in a public (state government) school, their education is free in most states, although a small annual fee may be requested to cover extra activities. In addition, parents usually need to purchase books, uniforms and pay for excursions and the occasional school camp. Schools often seek parent involvement in fund raising and community school events.

If you choose a private school education for your child, they usually fall into one of two categories; those administered by the Catholic Education Office, and independent schools who may or may not have religious persuasions, who are administered by their own boards. Both Public and private schools receive a subsidy from both Federal and State Governments. Many private schools are either only for boys, or only for girls. On the whole, Catholic schools tend to have a lower fee structure than independent schools, and some do accept non-Catholic students. Fees for independent schools can vary greatly, with high fees for the long established, prestigious schools.

Permanent residents enrolled in Commonwealth supported places in higher education may be eligible for a HELP Loan.

Australian Education System
Although there may be some minor differences between educational programs in each State and Territories, the national education policy is intended to ensure that consistency and standards are maintained throughout Australia. The learning experience in the preschool, preparatory and primary, and secondary sectors of school education in each State and Territory roughly follow this pattern:

-Preschool Education
The term preschool is used to refer to the two years in the educational program offered to a child before they reach Year 1 in Primary School. A child usually attends one year of preschool followed by a preparatory year, before reaching Year 1. Preschool programs are provided by public and private institutions for children around the age of three and four. Parents are encouraged to enrol their child but attendance at preschool is optional. The program usually consists of several half days sessions, or the equivalent time in full days.

-Preparatory Year
This is the year before the child reaches Year 1, and is known by different names depending on which State or Territory – preparatory, kindergarten, transition, reception or preprimary. With the exception of Queensland and Western Australia, the preparatory year is regarded as part of the primary school structure.

-Primary School
Children are normally grouped with students of a similar age. Government primary schools are generally co-educational but many private primary schools are single sex. Children move up to the next year level on the recommendation of teachers and in consultation with their parents, and there are no examination requirements to progress through the school. There is no end of Primary School examination, and students are accepted into secondary education having completed the final year. However, there are entrance examination for some specialist secondary schools and to gain entry into some private school.

-Secondary Education
Depending on which State or Territory you reside in, secondary schooling begins in Year 7 or Year 8. Secondary schools may divide their year levels into the lower or junior schools and upper or senior secondary. Most are co-educational but some government secondary schools and about a third of non-government secondary schools are single sex. The school day is usually divided into periods around forty to fifty minutes in length. Progress through the year levels is normally based on age, rather than by passing examinations.

-Senior Secondary
Years 11 and 12 offer students different types of programs to prepare them for tertiary study, employment and adult life. The programs and subjects are known by different names in each State or Territory, and the completion of year 12 will represent 13 years of education for most Australian students.

-Further Education
Students are then able to continue their education with career or vocational training, or apply for a place at University or other tertiary institutions.

If you hold a current drivers license, in English, from your home country you will be permitted to drive throughout all of Australia for the first three months immediately after your date of arrival. After that, you will need to apply for an Australian Drivers licence, and in order to get one you will usually need to pass a knowledge test, a practical test and also an eyesight test.

How to Apply
For following websites contain information on applying for your license in each State and Territory:

If you change address after your licence is issued, you must inform the licencing authority within 14 days.

Strict Laws
There are strict traffic laws in Australia, and large fines, loss of license or even imprisonment is possible if a driver breaks these laws. The laws include:

· strict speed limited
· strict limits on alcohol consumption before driving
· seatbelts or child/baby restraints must be used for all passengers
· if you are involved in a motor accident, you must call the police
· do not use a handheld mobile phone while driving. You are permitted to use a hands-free kit while driving

Australians drive on the left hand side of the road, and so most vehicles are right hand drives. This is important for new residents who may have to get used to looking to their right to check no cars are coming, before crossing a road.

LOCATE SERVICES AND SUPPORT IN YOUR AREA

Migrant Resource Centres and Migrant Service Agencies are located in most major cities and capital centres and provide a wealth of information to assist newly arrived residents.

We hope you will find this information valuable, and please email Lucy if you have any feedback or suggestions.

We have endeavoured to ensure the accuracy of the information provided here, which will be reviewed on a regular basis. However, the information is subject to change without notice, and it is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.

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