Sample
The first fortnight in Brisbane, in the order that unblocks everything
By Yuvraj
Published
A sample article showing the weekly format. The official links are real. This is not a news briefing.
Filed under Arriving
Sample article. This post shows how a weekly piece is filed. It is not a news briefing. The official pages it links to are the source.
The order below is the one that stops the rest of the fortnight turning into errands. It is written for someone who has just landed in Brisbane. If you are in another city, swap the transport step for your state. The rules sit on the linked sites, not in this article.
Health cover before the first lecture
Student visas expect Overseas Student Health Cover (opens in a new tab) for the whole stay. Buy it from a registered insurer and keep the policy number. A reciprocal Medicare agreement, if your country has one, does not replace that visa condition.
Identity, then money
Set up myID (opens in a new tab) so you can get into government services, then create myGov (opens in a new tab). For an everyday account, MoneySmart’s guide for people working in Australia (opens in a new tab) explains what the bank will ask to see.
Apply for a tax file number as a temporary visitor (opens in a new tab) before your first pay. It is free. Do not pay a shopfront to apply for you.
Getting around Brisbane
South East Queensland public transport is Translink (opens in a new tab). Fares and the go card are on their tickets page (opens in a new tab). If you will drive, read Queensland’s overseas licence rules (opens in a new tab) before you assume the licence in your wallet is enough.
What this article is not
It is not a list of the cheapest SIM, and it is not advice about your visa. Check the conditions on the visa you hold in VEVO (opens in a new tab).