Things to do first "After" arriving in Australia

mhej · March 2014

Hi Everyone! We're here! Arrived in Sydney last Saturday around 6am.

So far, so good. We're temporarily living with a good friend of ours here in Pyrmont. Shucks! Ang sosyal ng area! Walang sinabi ang mga condo sa BGC.

We've already applied for a TFN online. Still waiting for the results of that.

We've successfully opened a joint bank account with Commonwealth Bank today. We took the one with a $6 monthly fee. Just to get things started.

We've also booked an appointment with Medicare on Wednesday. Hope that goes well too.

The next challenge is finding permanent accommodation.

We're a couple expecting a 6-12 month contract with our previous company. Our expected income daily would be around 1500 AUD (750 each).

Would it make good sense to rent a furnished place very near CBD (meaning no train transport required) for the first 3 months before really settling down and finding a bare apartment unit which is reasonably far away from CBD?

We don't have time to go buy our own furniture and we're raring to start working as early as next week.

Mahirap kasi humingi ng advice sa aming Aussie friend as their standard of living is very much different from ours. So hoping for more sound advices from fellow Pinoys living in Sydney.

TasBurrfoot · March 2014

Hi Everyone! We're here! Arrived in Sydney last Saturday around 6am.

So far, so good. We're temporarily living with a good friend of ours here in Pyrmont. Shucks! Ang sosyal ng area! Walang sinabi ang mga condo sa BGC.

We've already applied for a TFN online. Still waiting for the results of that.

We've successfully opened a joint bank account with Commonwealth Bank today. We took the one with a $6 monthly fee. Just to get things started.

We've also booked an appointment with Medicare on Wednesday. Hope that goes well too.

The next challenge is finding permanent accommodation.

We're a couple expecting a 6-12 month contract with our previous company. Our expected income daily would be around 1500 AUD (750 each).

Would it make good sense to rent a furnished place very near CBD (meaning no train transport required) for the first 3 months before really settling down and finding a bare apartment unit which is reasonably far away from CBD?

We don't have time to go buy our own furniture and we're raring to start working as early as next week.

Mahirap kasi humingi ng advice sa aming Aussie friend as their standard of living is very much different from ours. So hoping for more sound advices from fellow Pinoys living in Sydney.

daily income of $1500 would give you a very nice apartment... Stay in the city and enjoy what sydney has to offer!

mhej · March 2014

Hi Everyone! We're here! Arrived in Sydney last Saturday around 6am.

So far, so good. We're temporarily living with a good friend of ours here in Pyrmont. Shucks! Ang sosyal ng area! Walang sinabi ang mga condo sa BGC.

We've already applied for a TFN online. Still waiting for the results of that.

We've successfully opened a joint bank account with Commonwealth Bank today. We took the one with a $6 monthly fee. Just to get things started.

We've also booked an appointment with Medicare on Wednesday. Hope that goes well too.

The next challenge is finding permanent accommodation.

We're a couple expecting a 6-12 month contract with our previous company. Our expected income daily would be around 1500 AUD (750 each).

Would it make good sense to rent a furnished place very near CBD (meaning no train transport required) for the first 3 months before really settling down and finding a bare apartment unit which is reasonably far away from CBD?

We don't have time to go buy our own furniture and we're raring to start working as early as next week.

Mahirap kasi humingi ng advice sa aming Aussie friend as their standard of living is very much different from ours. So hoping for more sound advices from fellow Pinoys living in Sydney.
daily income of $1500 would give you a very nice apartment... Stay in the city and enjoy what sydney has to offer!

Hopefully, we can see the contract so we have a better idea where we can stay. We'd like to save up and start paying off our debts, of course. Pero as you said it sir, if we could possibly earn 1500 AUD a day, there may be room for a little convenience in terms of accommodation.

TotoyOZresident · March 2014

Hi Everyone! We're here! Arrived in Sydney last Saturday around 6am.

So far, so good. We're temporarily living with a good friend of ours here in Pyrmont. Shucks! Ang sosyal ng area! Walang sinabi ang mga condo sa BGC.

We've already applied for a TFN online. Still waiting for the results of that.

We've successfully opened a joint bank account with Commonwealth Bank today. We took the one with a $6 monthly fee. Just to get things started.

We've also booked an appointment with Medicare on Wednesday. Hope that goes well too.

The next challenge is finding permanent accommodation.

We're a couple expecting a 6-12 month contract with our previous company. Our expected income daily would be around 1500 AUD (750 each).

Would it make good sense to rent a furnished place very near CBD (meaning no train transport required) for the first 3 months before really settling down and finding a bare apartment unit which is reasonably far away from CBD?

We don't have time to go buy our own furniture and we're raring to start working as early as next week.

Mahirap kasi humingi ng advice sa aming Aussie friend as their standard of living is very much different from ours. So hoping for more sound advices from fellow Pinoys living in Sydney.

Ang suggest ko lang dahil contract ang offer. Better to look for accommodation yung fully furnish na muna. Para walang masyadong bibilhin na gamit at maka-ipon muna kayo dahil nagsisimula pa lang kayo mag settle in. You dont know kung after contract ay may kasunod na offer na work. Mahirap pa makahanap ng work ngayun. Staka lang muna kayo bumili ng mga gamit kung permanent work ang nakuha ninyo. GOD bless.

peach17 · March 2014

@JCsantos - tnx! Oks nga prices nila ah! Pero ano ibig sbihin min 1000$?
Minimum bundle deal of 1000$

check this site

http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/packageCategory/Living Packages/sc/Package Deals

Hi @JCsantos, okay po ba yung quality ng furniture nila?

Mukhang okay nga dito bumili

JCsantos · March 2014

Hi @JCsantos, okay po ba yung quality ng furniture nila?
Mukhang okay nga dito bumili

2 words

Pweda na

some of them are good some are not

stolich18 · March 2014

^i agree. you can definitely stay in the city. For one, maraming buses sa city, so no need na for a car. Although traffic can be very bad during peak hours. hehehe May mga apartment sa city na semi-furnished na.

My officemate is renting around 450AUD per week, semi-furnished pero studio since 2 lang din sila mag-asawa. :-) Note lang din na normally may 6-12 month contract ang rent.

Not bad for starters! You are very blessed to have a contract job waiting for you, with a very nice package. :-)

Don't forget to setup your superannuation account.

clickbuddy2009 · March 2014

Hi Everyone! We're here! Arrived in Sydney last Saturday around 6am.

So far, so good. We're temporarily living with a good friend of ours here in Pyrmont. Shucks! Ang sosyal ng area! Walang sinabi ang mga condo sa BGC.

We've already applied for a TFN online. Still waiting for the results of that.

We've successfully opened a joint bank account with Commonwealth Bank today. We took the one with a $6 monthly fee. Just to get things started.

We've also booked an appointment with Medicare on Wednesday. Hope that goes well too.

The next challenge is finding permanent accommodation.

We're a couple expecting a 6-12 month contract with our previous company. Our expected income daily would be around 1500 AUD (750 each).

Would it make good sense to rent a furnished place very near CBD (meaning no train transport required) for the first 3 months before really settling down and finding a bare apartment unit which is reasonably far away from CBD?

We don't have time to go buy our own furniture and we're raring to start working as early as next week.

Mahirap kasi humingi ng advice sa aming Aussie friend as their standard of living is very much different from ours. So hoping for more sound advices from fellow Pinoys living in Sydney.

Wow, as in WOW!! Grabe, napakablessed nyong couple. Ang laki ng salary, sarap nyan tumira sa CBD area. Haha..

TasBurrfoot · March 2014

Wow, as in WOW!! Grabe, napakablessed nyong couple. Ang laki ng salary, sarap nyan tumira sa CBD area. Haha..

1500 * 5 = 7500
7500 * 26 = $195,000 (assuming on 6 months contract lang)

pwede na!!

this is around 4 yrs salary for an entry level professional...

mhej · April 2014

Hi Guys! Change of plans. Suddenly, ang offer na sa amin is not a contractual job, but a permanent role. I think long term, it will be more beneficial sa amin. We don't have to worry about losing a job after 6 months. And since 2 lang naman kami (no kids) and no family to support back home (maliban sa mga utang), hopefully, we can settle down immediately. So di bale ng goodbye 750 a day, at least meron kaming job security, paid leaves, and maybe Profit Share at the end of the fiscal year..Each..so ok na rin no?..Processing is taking a while, so we're thinking of doing odd jobs for the next 2 weeks..My gf will be taking an RSA certification on Thursday para makapag apply sa mga waitressing jobs sa Sydney..Does this make sense?..Para kasing lahat ng jobs sa food and bev industry requires this..

We've decided to rent a room in Rhodes. Nagustuhan namin yung vibe nung lugar. Very modern, pero hindi crowded, malinis, at tahimik. We're thinking of settling down there din ng pang matagalan. So we thought of just renting a room there sa ngayon para if we decided to rent a 2BR apartment, at least hindi na malayo ang lilipatan.

Travel time to CBD is around 25-30 mins lang naman. So reasonable na rin. We got a room at 360 AUD (for couple na yun) a week. We live with a caucasian couple who travel a lot raw. Yung unang boarders niya, mga Pinoy rin. I think the previous Pinoy couple made a good impression on them kaya napili niya agad kami kahit may 4 na iba ng nag view ng room.

Anyway, thanks for all your advices and well wishes.. Nakakapressure maghanap ng work dito sa Sydney and there's always the worry something might go wrong and you need to really safeguard your interests and expenses na rin..

stolich18 · April 2014

Rhodes is a good choice. We live in a suburb next to that. very good deal ang nakuha nyong room!

Congratulations sa job offer! Yup tama regarding RSA. One-time course and certification lang yun according to my friends.

mhej · April 2014

@stolich18 - thanks for your comment. At least we know kahit papano, we made a wise decision. Alam mo naman, mahirap maging Pinoy. You always worry na niloloko ka at iniisahan. Nung first few days ko nga dito, praning pa ako sobra about walking in the middle of the day with my wallet just in my back pocket. I keep touching it making sure na hindi pa ako na pickpocket. hehehe.

stolich18 · April 2014

I perfectly understand what you feel. heheh ibang iba dito. Ako medyo nasasanay na pero praning pa rin na bka mamya may dumudukot na pla sa bag ko. hahaha Pero wala and wala naman magkakainteres din dahil ang mga tao dito usually naka-debit or credit card..

almost everyone is using a smartphone so ano pa ang ippickpocket nila.

glads05 · April 2014

Good day! Im a newbee here! tanong ko lang po,after pag receive ng grant ng student visa,what is the next step?meron pa bang mga visa stamping and mga pre-departure seminars? subclass 572 po pala type ng visa ko,taking Cert 111 in Aged Care

glads05 · April 2014

Good day! Im a newbee here! tanong ko lang po,after pag receive ng grant ng student visa,what is the next step?meron pa bang mga visa stamping and mga pre-departure seminars? subclass 572 po pala type ng visa ko,taking Cert 111 in Aged Care

tartakobsky · May 2014

Thank you lord! After 15 days of searching, sa wakas nakahanap din ng rental apartment. Mataas ang competition sa rental dito.

pioneer · May 2014

Very informative! Makakatulong to sa mga bagong dating dito sa Australia. Thank you!

LakiMasel · June 2014

Thank you lord! After 15 days of searching, sa wakas nakahanap din ng rental apartment. Mataas ang competition sa rental dito.

Saang state po kayo naghahanap ng rental?

tartakobsky · June 2014

@LakiMasel hi! adelaide po. tnx.

ruelcortez_BH · July 2014

We are now on board Adelaide po kami, family of four.

Things we have done so far:

Received ATM card (applied Offshore)
TFN (number to be mailed after 4 weeks)
Medicare
Centrelink
Skills for All

Okay naman so far so good, malamig po talaga so talagang balot na balot kami specially kids. If you kids below 6 years old, I suggest to bring Immunisation Records para maupdate nila records nila sa Medicare mo. Yung baby ko 1 year and 6 months may another vaccine na nirequire though sa country na pinangggalingan namin sa ika 2 years pa po, so pinabigay na naman libre namin kasi may Medicarena kami (naghanap agad ako malapit na doctor/pedia nearby sa Medicare building), Yung card after 2 weeks pa daw iemail.

I think all of the routines can be done in 1 to 2 days depende kung may family ka.

Sa Skills for All po (thanks @ringo for the advice), may free orientation sa mga new skilled migrants, I have booked my slot on 15th July. Bibgyan kayo tips and tricks regarding sa Job application, Aussie-Style resume, job interview etc.

Pwede rin po nila ire-assess for free yung result ng Assessment mo (in IT its ACS) para makita kung may required short courses pa or training ka pa mag isabak sa market. Based dun sa officer na kausap ko, iba kasi yung migration assessment sa actual assessment pag nandito na, pero sabi nung officer 90% is okay na. So nagbigay ako copies of my credentials and results, macomplete to in 4 weeks pero pwede na ako magjob haunt.

Sa Centrelink po online application na lang whereas bibigyan ka ng CAN or CRN code, ngayun po introduced na ang centralised site for all of these eto po yung my.gov.au

Dyan na po lahat in one site (except for Skills for ALL)

We have found our temporary accommodation for the time being, until we settled completely.

Update update na lang po pag oks na lahat, next in line is school nearby...

dhey_almighty · July 2014

@ruelcortez_BH sir paano po kayo nagapply ng ATM card?! :-)

ruelcortez_BH · July 2014

@dhey_almighty pwede po kahit wala pa Oz, sa NAB (National Australian Bank) meron po sila facility for Migrants applicants, at least 2 months bago kayo magtravel pwede na mag apply online then bibigyan na kayo account number, swift code etc. then 1 month before kontakin mo sila for an appointment, that time ready na rin yung ATM card.

johnvangie · July 2014

@ruelcortez_BH God bless sa Oz life! By the way, ano po yung Skills for All? Lahat po ba ng state meron nyan? Thanks!

dhey_almighty · July 2014

@ruelcortez_BH naku, paalis na ako, first week of august....pwede pa kaya?!

jvframos · July 2014

@ruelcortez_BH hello sir, how did you apply for TFN? kasi kami we have filled up TFN application online then upon finishing the process, there is an instruction that says print the form then bring to the participating post offices then present IDs. then upon presenting it to the post office they said na di nil a machecheck jun kasi kulang kami ng IDs…. I wonder why different yung case namin sa inyo.

rooroo · July 2014

hello, share ko lang experience namin. kadarating lang naming yesterday. today, the eto mga ginawa namin today: applied TFN online, registered at centrelink (binigayan kami ng online access para mafile na yung mga assistance na pwede namin makuha), registered in medicare. nag email na sakin un taga medicare ng medicare number nmin then ipapadala na lang daw un cards (requested for duplicate para sa wife ko) sa address ko.
nagpunta din ako sa NAB knna kaso joint account yung savings namin sa kanila so need daw un wife ksama ko, e di ko ksama nun nagpunta kami sa supermarket knna may NAB kasi na malapit, nag inquire ako baka pwede iactivate yun account kahit hindi sa main branch, kaya nagpa-appointment ako for tomorrow. then may interview kami with an agency na niprovide ng centrelink, baka makahanap work hehe we just bought sim cards also para update resume. job hunting will start tomorrow

rooroo · July 2014

@ruelcortez_BH hello sir, how did you apply for TFN? kasi kami we have filled up TFN application online then upon finishing the process, there is an instruction that says print the form then bring to the participating post offices then present IDs. then upon presenting it to the post office they said na di nil a machecheck jun kasi kulang kami ng IDs…. I wonder why different yung case namin sa inyo.

yung sa case namin, wala naman sinabi na iprint. sabi lang after ko isubmit, nagbigay ng reference number tapos pag d daw nareceive yung TFN nmin within 28 days, tawagan daw sila.

dhey_almighty · July 2014

@rooroo sir ano yung link para sa TFN?

pwede na ba magapply kahit papunta pa lang ng OZ??! :-)

rooroo · July 2014

@rooroo sir ano yung link para sa TFN?

pwede na ba magapply kahit papunta pa lang ng OZ??! :-)

hi @dhey_almighty, alam ko hindi pa pwede. kasi mattrace nila kung pumasok ka na ng bansa sa first entry mo palang e kasi naka tie up halos lahat dito daw sa passport mo. anyway, eto yung link para pagdating mo pwede ka na kaagad mag apply

https://iar.ato.gov.au/IARWeb/default.aspx?pid=4&sid=1&outcome=1