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, and 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. There are three main things you've got to get sorted: an Aussie phone number, a Tax File Number (TFN, more on that below), and a bank account for all your precious dollars to go into.
Call me maybe?
When it comes to picking a phone provider, it really depends on your budget, your needs, and the type of trip you want to have. You probably realised this from flying over it, but Australia is huge, so coverage can be a bit spotty in the outback.
The main providers are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
- Telstra is the biggest provider in Australia and has the best coverage, especially if you're planning to rent a van and head into the outback away from metro areas. Because of this, Telstra tends to be a little more expensive, but it's worth it if you're travelling around quite a bit.
- Optus gives you more data options and cheaper talk/text rates, with a lot of plans available, so we'd advise going in store and chatting to a sales assistant to get the best deal.
- Vodafone offer great international roaming fees if you're planning to hop in and out of Australia during your visa.
There are other companies too, TPG, Amaysim and Lebara among them. 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 easy to get, you apply online and the ATO (Australian Tax Office) will send you one. Allow up to two weeks for it to be processed, but you can still apply for jobs and work in Australia once you've applied.
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, a specialist backpacker tax return company can help.
Superannuation
So you've got a TFN and landed your dream job? Now let's talk superannuation, Australia's answer to a pension. It's essentially a retirement fund your employer deposits a percentage of your income into. Superannuation is a pretty good deal for backpackers because you can claim it back once you leave Australia for the last time.
Setting up a fund is easy, your first employer should be able to help. Because there are hundreds of companies that deal with supers, try to stick to one fund otherwise fees and admin costs will eat into any money accumulated.
A word of advice: cancel any default insurance that comes set up with your super fund and get cover from an insurance provider instead, you'll save money a year by doing this.
Insurance
It's always a gamble with insurance. Do you spend the money to possibly not need the cover, or save the cash and risk forking out for an unexpected accident? Travel is unpredictable, and while you save money by not getting insurance, we've been doing this backpacking thing for a while now and hear "we should have gotten insurance" a lot. There are options for all kinds of budgets, and the healthcare system here is excellent, but it isn't cheap if you have an unexpected trip to hospital.
Banks
Australia has plenty of banks to choose from. Most backpackers tend to choose Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac or St. George.
These banks generally have a small monthly fee and allow uncapped transactions at their own ATMs.
- Planning on heading to New Zealand after your Australian adventure? Westpac is a good choice there too.
- Want the lowest fee? Commonwealth's smart access account is one of the cheapest.
- ANZ have the most ATMs, meaning you'll never be stuck for cash, and they support Apple Pay.
To open a bank account, just pop into the one you decide on with your passport and proof of address. We can print you a receipt of your stay at 790 to prove you're here with us, and we keep mail for three weeks from delivery so you won't miss your new bank card once it arrives.
Medicare
Medicare is invaluable to you as a backpacker, you never know what's going to happen that needs a trip to the doctor. Backpackers from certain countries like the UK can apply for Medicare. Some countries, like the Republic of Ireland, aren't eligible for Medicare but do have a reciprocal agreement in place for hospital cover.
To apply, print off the application form, fill it out, and pop into the Medicare centre with your passport. Easy as pie, though maybe bring a book, the office can be quite busy!
Welcome to Sydney. You'll find your feet faster than you think.
