Last reviewed: July 2026

Your first week in Australia does not need to be perfect. The goal is to get the essentials working, avoid rushed decisions, and know which official sources to check before you rely on anything important.

This guide is for people arriving from overseas and Australians relocating interstate. It is general information only, not legal, migration, tax, employment, healthcare, tenancy, financial, or personal advice.

Quick summary

In your first week, focus on:

  • safe temporary accommodation
  • access to money
  • a working phone number and internet access
  • transport for the first few days
  • healthcare basics and emergency information
  • rental inspections or housing next steps
  • work, TFN, and superannuation setup if relevant
  • updating your address with important services
  • checking official sources before making legal, visa, tax, tenancy, or healthcare decisions

Use the First Month in Australia Cost Estimator if you want to think through early setup costs.

Before you start: separate urgent from important

Some tasks matter immediately, such as accommodation, money, phone access, food, transport, and urgent healthcare. Other tasks can be started during the first week but may take longer, such as rental applications, Medicare enrolment, TFN setup, school enrolment, licence transfer, or changing government records.

Do not panic if everything is not finished in seven days. Use the first week to stabilise the basics and start the processes that depend on official rules or provider checks.

Today: arrive, get connected, and stay safe

On arrival, prioritise practical access:

  • confirm where you are sleeping for the first few nights
  • make sure you can access money
  • get mobile data or Wi-Fi working
  • save key addresses and documents offline
  • work out your first transport options
  • keep passport, visa, identity, medical, rental, and employment documents secure

If you are arriving from overseas, check your visa conditions through VEVO before making work or study decisions. If you are moving interstate, check whether any state-based tasks apply to you.

For a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, call Triple Zero (000). For non-emergency health guidance, use healthdirect or its state and territory service links.

This Week: start the processes that unlock other tasks

Once the immediate basics are stable, start the processes that affect housing, work, healthcare and everyday access. You do not need to complete every application in the first week.

Money and banking

During the first week, make sure you can pay for accommodation, transport, food, phone setup, rental applications, and unexpected costs.

You may need to:

  • open or activate an Australian bank account
  • check card access and transfer timing
  • keep backup access to money
  • avoid sending bond, rent, deposits, or service payments before you are confident the request is legitimate
  • update billing details if moving interstate

For deeper guidance, read Banking and Money Setup in Australia.

Phone, internet, and important logins

A working phone number can make other tasks easier, including rental applications, job applications, banking, government services, deliveries, and two-factor authentication.

In the first week, consider:

  • prepaid mobile or eSIM options if you need something flexible
  • whether you need a local number before applying for rentals or jobs
  • keeping access to your old number if it receives security codes
  • avoiding long contracts until you understand your needs
  • checking coverage where you will actually live or work

For phone and internet setup, read Mobile Phone and Internet in Australia. Check provider terms and official consumer guidance before signing up to long contracts.

Healthcare basics

If you are eligible or may be eligible for Medicare, start with Services Australia Medicare enrolment guidance. If you are not eligible, or you are unsure, check what private health cover, visitor cover, student cover, or travel insurance applies to your situation.

In the first week, it can help to:

  • know where the nearest hospital or urgent care option is
  • save emergency contact details
  • find a nearby GP or medical centre
  • keep prescriptions and medical documents accessible
  • check ambulance cover for your state or territory
  • update your address with relevant services if moving interstate

For more detail, read Healthcare and Medicare in Australia.

Renting and accommodation

If you are still looking for a longer-term place, use the first week to prepare instead of rushing into the first option.

Focus on:

  • inspecting properties where possible
  • checking the agent or landlord is legitimate
  • preparing identity, income, reference, and savings documents
  • understanding bond and rent-in-advance rules for the state or territory
  • keeping written records
  • avoiding pressured payments

For more detail, read Renting in Australia.

Use the Rental Application Readiness Checker to see which documents and checks may still need attention before you apply.

Work, TFN, and superannuation

If you plan to work, use the first week to check what applies to your situation.

You may need to:

  • confirm work rights if you hold a visa
  • apply for or provide a TFN
  • give bank details to an employer
  • choose or provide superannuation details
  • check pay, contract, and workplace rights through official sources
  • be cautious with job offers that ask for money or sensitive information too early

Apply for a TFN only through the Australian Taxation Office, and check pay and workplace basics through the Fair Work Ombudsman.

For more detail, read Getting a TFN and Starting Work in Australia.

If you moved interstate

If you are already in Australia and have moved to a new state or territory, your first week may include different tasks from an overseas arrival.

Check whether you need to:

  • update your address with banks, insurers, employers, super funds, and government services
  • understand local rental rules
  • check driver licence or vehicle registration requirements
  • find a new GP or transfer medical records
  • update school, childcare, or pet records if relevant
  • connect utilities and internet
  • redirect mail

For a fuller guide, read Moving Interstate in Australia.

Later: make long-term choices after you know the area

You can usually delay long contracts, major furniture purchases, buying a car, choosing a permanent suburb, and other expensive commitments until you understand your commute, housing options and regular budget. The first week should create options, not lock you into decisions made under pressure.

What to read next

Final thoughts

Your first week is about reducing friction. Get somewhere safe to stay, keep money accessible, connect your phone, understand your next housing step, and use official sources for anything involving visas, tax, work, healthcare, tenancy, licences, or government services.