Moving to Australia, Part Three: Taking Up Residence

expat network

Moving to Australia, Part Three: Taking Up Residence

You’ve arrived. The weeks and months of planning have passed and you’re living and breathing the checklist. The focus of getting things done will be a welcome distraction. There is a sense of excitement at wanting to explore your new surroundings, although you’re missing home and are feeling a little anxious and scared, having to navigate a new system to get settled in and compliant with all the paperwork and practicalities.

Sharon Swift continues to share her experience of moving from the UK to Australia

Now it is all about finding a place to call home and ensuring that you kick off the process of establishing your new life in Australia.

Most people will be focused solely on renting a property to start with, although of course this depends on your circumstances. I would suggest if you have not lived in Australia before, it is prudent to rent for the first 6-12 months of your stay. This period will pass very quickly and will give you an opportunity to get an initial taster for your immediate area and beyond. If you have a job before arriving, commute times and other factors will be clearer than if you have no idea where your work will take you.

Be prepared to make quick decisions during this stage of your move, and make sure you cast as wide a net as possible. This applies to your job or home search, or setting up multiple appointments for schools to ensure you gather as much information and knowledge as possible. I find that, while exhausting, every conversation you have in the early stages will provide an additional level of knowledge and, ultimately, comfort and confidence. This will help immensely with your sense of belonging.

Staying focused and having a daily routine is key. Build a checklist of tasks and goals for the first few weeks, including a list of all the paperwork required for each step. Ensure that you prioritise accordingly. For example, finding the nearest hospital and doctor may be most important to you, and I would suggest that this is closely followed by Medicare registration and obtaining a tax file number (TFN).

It is worth knowing that most of your property viewings will likely be towards the end of the week. Most estate agents will spend the early part of the week updating listings and finalising applications submitted during the weekend viewings, so you can plan on using Monday-Wednesday for administrative matters, registrations and other tasks. By this time, property listings will be updated and agents will be ready to talk about rental inventories and scheduling inspections.

Make sure you have a ‘fun’ checklist also – whether to be checking out a new restaurant, sightseeing, or simply exploring supermarkets and shopping areas. These are crucial to ensure that you feel settled and at home.

Don’t put your personal needs at the bottom of the list, as these are crucial to your wellbeing. This familiarisation needs to feature as a priority every couple of days or so, ensuring an enjoyable and balanced introduction to your new life.

Sharon Swift’s book ‘So, You’re Moving to Australia’ is available to purchase here:

<br />

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.