Setting Up…

Before leaving for Australia, you will need to consider the following things:

Banking

One of the key elements of relocating is organising your money and so you will need to make sure you set up a bank account. You will need as many forms of ID as possible to do this, most notably a passport. There are some Australian banks based around the world, which will allow you to open an account prior to leaving for Australia. The most notable example is Commonwealth or Westpac. Once you have arrived in Australia, you will need to go to your local branch within six weeks of arriving to identify yourself. You will need some ID and also a home address (this can be a short term address). Once you’ve done this, you can pick up your bankcards and register for telephone and internet banking.

The Aussie banking system is very different from that of the UK, and works on a points system as to whether or not you are allowed to open an account. You will need 100 points to be able to do so, and to achieve these you will need to provide at least a passport and driving licence.

There are a number of accounts available, most being deposit or transaction accounts for day-to-day usage. Interest paid is usually between 0-1% and overdrafts aren’t readily available, which can come as a bit of a shock! You can also open a savings account which you can place money into, and withdraw funds at any time.

Credit cards are available to foreigners although you may find that it can take time to build up a good line of credit.

Australia-Wide Banks

• Westpac Banking Corporation
• National Australia Bank
• ANZ Bank
• Commonwealth Bank

State-Specific and Other Banks

• St. George Bank  mainly NSW, VIC, SA
• HSBC
• BankWest (WA)
• Bank of Queensland (mainly QLD with some branches in NSW and VIC)
• Suncorp (QLD)
• Citibank

Phone and internet

As with any country, if you don’t have a phone line then you will need to have one connected. This can be done simply by calling your service provider and arranging for them to come out and fit one. However, in most cases there will be one fitted, and for around $60 you will be able to get it activated.

The two biggest telecommunications companies in Australia are Telstra and Optus, both of whom can also arrange for your internet to be connected. Bills are normally sent monthly instead of quarterly, and there are a huge number of packages for you to choose from depending on your requirements.

In terms of mobiles, you will need to buy a new one when you reach Australia and there are stacks of phone shops around so finding a mobile won’t be a problem. Nokia, Virgin and Telstra all offer packages, and a useful site to find the best deal for you is PhoneChoice (www.phonechoice.com.au), which can compare all the prices and rates for you. However, be aware that you may find yourself tied to a contract for two years instead of 12 months.

In terms of coverage and reception, this can vary dramatically, especially as such a large part of the country is isolated desert. Visit the Australia Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy for more information on networks and their coverage.

Utilities

In terms of connecting utilities, you will find this a relatively straightforward procedure. If you are living in rented accommodation, your landlord will generally pay your water rates. Your water supplier varies depending on the region you live in, and a detailed listing on these can be found at the Australian Government National Water Commission.

Energy Australia are the largest service provider of gas and electricity in the country, and a phone call to them is all that’s required to get you up and running - unless of course you need to secure a new connection.

However, to take the heartache out of sorting your utilities, visit Utilityone. One call to them and you can get your water, electricity, gas, telephone and internet all connected.

Australian Drivers licence

If you hold an international driver’s licence, then you will be able to use this to drive in Oz for the first year of your stay, or three months with a standard UK passport. After that you will be required to take a theory test to convert your license into an Australian licence - thankfully for UK citizens, Australians also drive on the left! You can find out more at License Quest.

Buying a car in Australia

You will find buying a car no problem for foreigners in Australia, and there are plenty of options, but as with any country, you must ensure you shop around to find the best deals.
In terms of actually driving the car, it will need to be registered to allow you to legally drive it, and you will need the following in order to do so:

• Registration fee: this is the equivalent of road tax in the UK
• Pink slip: Essentially a MOT certificate, stating that the car is roadworthy
• Proof of purchase and ownership
• Car insurance: third party or green slip
• Proof of ID: a passport or your drivers licence should suffice