@eccen3k - thanks for the tips!
<blockquote rel="eccen3k">Hello mates. Dahil sa bilis ng mga nangyari sa akin, I am now here sa Australia. I arrived last 07DEC2014 and completed some of the must to-do things for starters. I will post it dito to credit the hits to this very helpful forum site but will also list it to my personal page found <a href="https://eccen3k.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/first-week-in-adelaide-australia/">here</a>. Hope these helps.
<blockquote>1. Buy SIM card
This is for you to have mobile contact number and mobile internet. I bought the prepaid one but planning to apply for a postpaid once I got a job. I bought the SIM online then after 2-3 days, it was delivered to our doorstep. I got Virgin mobile for no other reason just because this is the same SIM of my girlfriend.
- Buy a Metro card.
This will be your transport card just like EZlink card in Singapore. You need to go to their office to buy this card and its not available on malls as far as I know. How I got one? I just grabbed my girlfriend’s Metro card. I used it on riding a bus. Only the bus at the moment.
- Applied for Tax File Number (TFN).
Do this once you arrived in Australia. Information and the link how to apply ONLINE is available here. You will need your passport number and your Au address. Better memorize or have a copy of your address handy along with your personal information since you will need these for most/all your applications.
- Applied for a Bank Account.
I chose BankSA just because this is my girlfriend’s bank. I went to the nearest branch to apply. They will need your passport and another proof of identification in Au. As I only have my passport, I tried if my visa grant letter would do and they did accept it. My whole application took less than 30 minutes.
- Applied for Medicare.
You also need to go to the Medicare office to apply for this. But before going, better print and fill up this Medical Enrollment Form to save you more time. Once you came in their office, approach the ticket machine, select “Make Claim or Enrol” then get your number. Go to the window when your number is flashed on the screen. Give your queue number, completed enrollment form and passport. After several minutes, it will be finished and your card will be sent via post to your address in about 3 weeks. My application took less than 30 minutes since I already have the enrollment form ready
- Applied for Drivers Licence.
To start first, I have a Singapore Drivers Licence so what I need to do is just convert it to Australia Drivers Licence since they recognize Singapore having the same driving standards. We went to their government office and approached the reception officer. They gave me a form and asked for a proof of residence/address. Examples he gave me are proof of tenancy and billing statements with my name. I don’t have any of those then he gave me another option. Since I already have a bank account, he gave me another form where I can use my Bank to prove my residence/address. We went to the nearest BankSA, gave the form to them. The personnel put her name on it, signed it and put the bank’s stamp with date. Well done!
We went back to the office to convert my license and I’m good to proceed. The reception officer gave me a queue number. Once called to the respective window, I gave my queue number, proof of address form, passport, my Singapore drivers license and the completed licence application/conversion form. Also, the staff is requiring me a card with my name on it. My debit card from BankSA don’t have my name but good thing they honored my credit card from Singapore (DBS) with my name on it so better bring one like I do.
We have option to select the years of validity of the drivers licence. 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc… are the choices. 1 year cost around A$ 40.00 and 5 years costs A$ 217.00. I chose 5 years, paid the amount on the same window, then went to the another window for picture taking. After that, they gave me a paper and advised to wait around a week to post my licence card to my address. I completed it the same day for about 1.5 hours including my journey and process needed for the proof of address from the nearby BankSA.
- Start job hunting.
I started job hunting even I’m not already in Australia but no one has replied yet. After I arrived, I updated my resume and cover letter with ASAP availability date and fortunate to land an interview with a recruiter. Recruitment firms are normal here just like in Singapore. That was my first interview and its a great experience. Hoping for more to come leading to employment. 🙂
So that’s it for my first week. I am not sure if the process is similar in other states but I hope I was able to give you an overview of what to expect.</blockquote>
Take note guys na I wrote it from my actual experience. Better consult the forum or the internet to know more.
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