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Top tips for new arrivals in Australia

Just arrived in Australia and not sure where to start?

No worries, LinkTo is here to help you get settled with clear, and practical tips.

Besides joining groups, and getting involved in the experience, here are a few things that will make your life much easier in Australia.

๐Ÿงณ Getting Started –ย Must-Know Links

๐Ÿ“ Looking for your first job?
Make sure your resume follows the Australian style: short, clear, and straight to the point.
Sign up on job platforms like Seek and Indeed, and explore local Facebook groups and LinkedIn job boards.
Also, many supermarkets and gyms offer special discounts for students and newcomers, donโ€™t miss out!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Explore resume templates and tips on Seek

 

๐Ÿธ RSA โ€“ Responsible Service of Alcohol

Required if you plan to work in bars, restaurants, or any place that serves alcohol.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Complete your RSA online


๐Ÿ’ฐ Tax Return โ€“ Lodging your income tax

Learn how to file your tax return properly in Australia.

๐Ÿ‘‰ How to lodge your tax return (ATO)

๐Ÿ“Œ Important to know:
In Australia, the financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June, not January to December like in Brazil.
If youโ€™re filing for the first time, itโ€™s a good idea to see a registered tax agent, but you can also lodge it yourself using myGov.


๐Ÿงพ TFN โ€“ Tax File Number

You must have a TFN to work legally and be taxed correctly.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Apply for your TFN


๐Ÿ”ข ABN โ€“ Australian Business Number

If you’re working as a freelancer or running your own business, you’ll need an ABN.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Apply for an ABN


WHITE CARD โ€“ Construction work safety certificate

Required for all construction jobs in Australia.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Complete your White Card course


๐Ÿ‘ฎ Police Clearance โ€“ Background check

Some jobs (especially with children or in government) may require a national police check.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Request your National Police Check


๐Ÿ“„ Resume Templates โ€“ Professional Australian CVs

Your resume should match Australian standards โ€” clear, concise, and tailored to each job.
Seek offers professional templates and resume tips that are widely used across industries.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Explore resume templates and tips on Seek


โค๏ธ First Aid & CPR Certificate

Often required in jobs such as hospitality, education, fitness, and healthcare.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Book your First Aid & CPR course


๐Ÿš— Car History Check

Before buying a second-hand car, check for accidents, debts, and more.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Run a car history check


๐Ÿšฒ Bike Registration

Protect your bike by registering it with the local police database โ€” helpful in case of theft.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Register your bike


๐Ÿš˜ Brazilian Driverโ€™s Licence

Find out if and how long you can use your Brazilian driverโ€™s licence in Australia (rules vary by state).

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check driver licence rules โ€“ WA


๐Ÿฅ Medicare โ€“ Public Health System

Not all visas are eligible for Medicare. If your visa doesnโ€™t include it, you still pay the Medicare levy through your taxes.
If you use private health cover instead, you may be eligible to claim the levy back in your tax return.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check if youโ€™re eligible for Medicare

 

๐Ÿ’ผ Superannuation (Super) โ€“ Retirement Fund
Superannuation is an Australian compulsory retirement savings system where employers contribute part of your salary.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more about Superannuation


๐Ÿ“… EOFY โ€“ End of Financial Year

EOFY (End of Financial Year) offers special discounts in Australia before June 30. Buying work-related items during EOFY can help reduce your tax payable by claiming them in your Tax Return.


๐ŸšŒ Public Transport Cards

Each state has a smartcard for public transport:

  • NSW = Opal

  • VIC = Myki

  • WA = SmartRider

  • QLD = Go Card

Youโ€™ll need one for trains, buses and trams.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more about Public Transport in Australia


โ™ป๏ธ 10c Refund โ€“ Recycling Pays!

Return eligible cans and bottles at recycling points to get 10 cents per item.
Itโ€™s eco-friendly and puts a few extra dollars in your pocket!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Find a return point

๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ Setting up your home with Buy Nothing
The Buy Nothing group lets you receive free furniture, utensils, and other items from people in your local community โ€” perfect for furnishing your home without spending a cent.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more here

๐Ÿ“š Free English classes at the library
Many libraries offer free English classes to help immigrants and locals improve their language skills, with teachers and practice groups.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more here

๐Ÿ  Finding Accommodation
Looking for a place to live in Australia? Whether you’re after a rental, shared housing, or temporary stay, there are plenty of options to suit your budget and needs. Start by checking websites like realestate.com.au and Flatmates.com.au for rentals and shared rooms.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more about finding accommodation here

 

๐Ÿ”‘ Renting Tips
Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Always read your lease carefully, understand bond deposits, and keep communication with your landlord clear.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check tenant rights and tips here

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Temporary Accommodation
If you need a short-term place, consider hostels, Airbnb, or serviced apartments. Some community organisations also offer emergency or low-cost housing support.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Explore temporary accommodation options here

๐Ÿ“ฎ Australia Post
Need to send mail or parcels? Australia Post offers reliable postal services nationwide, plus you can easily track your shipments online. They also provide PO Boxes if you need a secure mailing address.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more here

๐Ÿ“ NAATI Translation
For official document translations in Australia, use NAATI-accredited translators. This is required for visa applications and legal purposes to ensure your documents are accepted.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Find a NAATI translator here

๐Ÿ“œ Certified (Juramentada) Translation
Certified translations are legally recognised translations of your documents. Make sure to get your papers translated by accredited professionals when required.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more about certified translations here

๐Ÿ”ฅ Gas, Energy & Water
Set up your utilities early! Compare providers for gas, electricity, and water to find the best deals. Many states offer online comparison tools.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Check energy and water providers here

๐ŸŒ Internet Providers
Stay connected with reliable internet services. Popular providers include Telstra, Optus, and TPG. Choose plans that fit your usage and budget.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Compare internet plans here

๐Ÿ’ธ Wise (Money Transfers)
Sending money overseas? Wise offers low-cost international transfers with transparent fees and good exchange rates.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more here

๐Ÿฆ Main Banks in Australia
The Big Four banks are Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. They offer a range of accounts and services for newcomers.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Explore bank options here

๐Ÿ‘ถ Working with Children
If you want to work or volunteer with children in Australia, youโ€™ll need a Working with Children Check (WWCC) or equivalent clearance. This ensures you have passed background checks and are suitable for child-related roles.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Learn more about Working with Children Checks across Australia here

๐Ÿ“š Many jobs in education, childcare, and community services require this clearance before you start.

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