Feeling fresh after a ridiculously long flight? Jet-lag taking its toll? Can’t tell the difference between koalas and drop bears? Trust me, we’ve all been there & we want to make your first few days in Australia as easy as possible!
First things first, RELAX.
It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, but let’s break it down for all you intrepid explorers. There are 3 main things you got to get sorted. An Aussie phone number, a Tax File Number (aka TFN, but more on that later) & finally, a bank account for all your precious dollaridoo’s to go into.
Call Me Maybe?
When it comes to picking a phone provider, it really depends on your budget, your needs & the type of trip you want to have in Australia. You probably realised this from flying over it, but it’s HUGE! So coverage can be a bit spotty in the outback.
The main providers are Optus, Telstra & Vodafone.
TELSTRA: Is the biggest provider in Australia and subsequently has the best coverage especially on if you’re planning to rent a van and head into the outback away from any metro areas. Because of this Telstra tends to be a little bit more expensive but it’s worth it if you’re travelling around quite a bit.
OPTUS: Want more bang for your buck? Optus gives you just that with more data options and cheaper talk/text rates. But they also have a lot of plans available so we advise going in store and chatting to a sales assistant to get the best deal.
VODAFONE: Vodafone offer great international roaming fee’s if you’re planning to hop in and out of Australia during your visa you can get $5 roaming in 55 countries!
There are more companies available that keep popping up in recent years so if the main companies aren’t doing it for you try; TPG, Amaysim & Lebara. Occasionally there are sim cards for these companies available at reception so don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff!
Tax File Number
A TFN is super easy to get! You do it online, & the ATO (Australian Tax Office) will send you one! *link to ATO* Granted you need to allow up to two weeks for it to be processed, but you can still apply for jobs and work in Australia once you have applied.
About Tax: From January 2016, anyone on a working holiday visa will no longer be able to claim the tax free threshold. So unlike workers on other visa’s you will be taxed from the very first dollar you earn.
The financial year in Australia starts in July and runs until June, & to claim your tax back you need to make sure you have payment summaries from all your employers. If you’re having trouble with your taxback, we recommend a company called taxback.com that specialise in backpacker tax returns!
Superannuation!
So you got a TFN, you landed your dream job? Perfect! Now let’s talk Superannuation. Australia’s answer to a pension. It’s essentially a retirement fund used by your employer to deposit a certain percentage of your income. Superannuation is a pretty sweet deal for backpackers because you can claim it back once you leave Australia for the last time!
So, setting up a fund is easy as. Your first employer should be able to help you set it up & because there are hundreds of companies that deal with supers and the major banks have started to manage them too it can be a hard choice. The important thing to remember is to try and stick to one super otherwise fees and admin costs will eat into any money accumulated in your accounts!
A word of advice? Cancel any default insurances that come up setup with your Superfund and get cover from an insurance provider instead. You’ll save up to 300 dollars a year by doing this!
What a smooth transition into insurance, eh? It’s always a gamble with insurance? Do you spend the money to possibly not need the cover? Or save the cash and fork out thousands in unexpected accidents?
Let’s save you the turmoil, GET THE INSUIRENCE! Travel is so unpredictable (the main reason we love it) & while you do save money by not getting the insurance, we’ve been doing this backpacking thing for a while now and can’t tell you how many times we hear the words “we should have gotten insurance!”
There are all kinds of options available for all kind of budgets, & let’s just say that the healthcare system here is amazing, it isn’t cheap at all if you have an unexpected trip to hospital from a dropbear attack.
Banks!
When it comes to banks, Australia has no limit to choose from. Most backpackers tend to choose Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac or St. George.
These banks all have a monthly charge of about $4 – $5 dollars & allow you uncapped transactions at each of their own ATMS.
Planning on heading to New Zealand after your Australian adventure? Westpac is the best choice!
Want the lowest fee? Commonwealth is $4 dollars for a smart access account!
ANZ have the most choice for ATM’s meaning you’ll never be stuck for cash. & even if you are ANZ supports Apple Pay!
To open a bank account, just pop into the one you decide on with your Passport & proof of address. We can print you a receipt of your stay at 790 to prove you’re here with us & we keep mail for 3 weeks from delivery, meaning you won’t miss your shiny new back card once it arrives!
Medicare!
So, by now I assume you read our handy tips and tricks about getting started in Australia. Let’s move on to the nitty and gritty, the adult things that no one wants to actually face, but let’s be honest, it’s better that you get these things sorted at the start of your trip.
Medicare is invaluable to you as a backpacker. & I know I’m going to sound like your Mum right now, but you never know what’s going to happen that needs a trip to the doctor!
Backpackers from certain countries like the U.K. can apply for Medicare & you can find the full list here. However, some countries like the Republic of Ireland aren’t eligible for Medicare but do have a reciprocal agreement in place for hospital cover.
How to apply? Just print off the application form, fill it out & pop into the Medicare center with your Passport. Easy as pie! Oh, but maybe bring a book, the office can be quite busy!
