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Arriving in Australia

The first month is admin. Health cover, a digital identity, a bank account, and a tax file number unblock almost everything else. Do those before you compare phone plans.

First month, in order

What should you sort out in the first month?

Health cover, a digital identity, a bank account, and a tax file number come before phone plans. Each item on the list opens the official page.

  1. PrivateHealth.gov.auChecked 24 Oct 2026Overseas Student Health CoverWhat OSHC is, the insurers who can sell it, and how it sits alongside Medicare. (opens in a new tab)
  2. myIDChecked 24 Oct 2026myIDThe Australian Government digital identity used to sign in to services such as the Tax Office. (opens in a new tab)
  3. MoneySmartChecked 24 Oct 2026Money and working in AustraliaMoneySmart’s plain guide to opening an everyday account, getting paid, and keeping money in your own name. (opens in a new tab)
  4. Australian Taxation OfficeChecked 24 Oct 2026TFN for permanent migrants and temporary visitorsThe application path for people in Australia on a visa with work rights, including many students. (opens in a new tab)
  5. myGovChecked 24 Oct 2026myGovThe account that links to the Tax Office, Medicare, and other services. Create it in your own name. (opens in a new tab)
  6. Department of Home AffairsChecked 24 Oct 2026Check visa conditions online (VEVO)See the conditions on the visa you actually hold, including work. You need your passport and a visa grant or transaction number. (opens in a new tab)
  7. TranslinkChecked 24 Oct 2026TranslinkPublic transport across South East Queensland, including Brisbane. (opens in a new tab)

First month

Where do the official arrival guides start?

Study Australia and Home Affairs both publish settling-in pages for people who have arrived or are about to. myID is the digital identity used to sign in to services such as the Tax Office, and myGov is the account you create in your own name.

Household

Where do household purchases sit on this page?

Household setup is a shop, not an official step. The Amazon link on this page is a commercial referral, and it is not a government source.

Sources

The answers above use these official pages. If a page and Life in Australia disagree, follow the official page.