Monkey2645 Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Hi all Does anyone have a checklist of things to do/cover in the first week or two of arrival? I've got: Find long term rental (!) and go shopping Register with Medicare Register for Centrelink (?) Get a TFN (Do I only need this if I'm working or is it like an NI number?) Get a PAYG SIM for my phone Pick up cards for bank account Register son for school in February (but thinking I'll need the rental sorting first) and find a nursery for daughter I'm sure I've missed some obvious stuff so any extras would be much appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenPen Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Following!! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benj1980 Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 You don't need to register for centrelink unless you're going to be claiming something from them. Drivers licence You need to get a TFN if you're working You may not be able to register at a school without proof of address Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Open a bank account Buy a car? Purchase ambulance cover as a minimum. You may need to buy health insurance if you're over 30 years old within 12 months of arriving to avoid the Medicare levy. You have to transfer your driving licence within the first 3 months but you need other forms of identification to do this like a bank statement, Medicare card etc so you won't be able to do it straight away. If you obtain the forms though you'll see what documentation you need to collate. Oh, and if you have children I would register with Centrelink as you may be entitled especially if you end up earning below the threshold. Edited July 31, 2015 by Lou8670 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Once you have done all your list - relax and enjoy your new surroundings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonG Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Leaving checklist: 1. Pack chocolate because eating Australian chocolate is like chewing on a candle. (contains less milk allowing it to have a higher melting point). 2. Pack more chocolate (see above) 3. Did I mention how bad the chocolate is? Arrival checklist: 1. Don't buy chocolate (unless it's Lindt) Edited July 31, 2015 by JasonG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey2645 Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks guys good info on ambulance cover too I would have forgotten that. With private health - do people generally bother with it or just rely on Medicare? Am I wrong in thinking state healthcare is a bit like NHS but you have to pay a bit at point of service too - like an excess? if not can anyone recommend a provider for family cover - preferably including dental if that's a thing. Generally pleased i seemed to have most things covered but it's weird - it's such a big deal to make the move I feel like the to-do list should be more complicated and longer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey2645 Posted July 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Leaving checklist: 1. Pack chocolate because eating Australian chocolate is like chewing on a candle. (contains less milk allowing it to have a higher melting point). 2. Pack more chocolate (see above) 3. Did I mention how bad the chocolate is? Arrival checklist: 1. Don't buy chocolate (unless it's Lindt) lol loving this. Think I'm going to avoid taking choc it might break me of some bad habits! (I think I know just the taste you mean - it's like cooking chocolate) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks guys good info on ambulance cover too I would have forgotten that. With private health - do people generally bother with it or just rely on Medicare? Am I wrong in thinking state healthcare is a bit like NHS but you have to pay a bit at point of service too - like an excess? if not can anyone recommend a provider for family cover - preferably including dental if that's a thing. Generally pleased i seemed to have most things covered but it's weird - it's such a big deal to make the move I feel like the to-do list should be more complicated and longer!! We had private health with Bupa for 7 years. However, we have now dropped it because I don't earn enough to be hit with the medicare levy anymore. It is a difficult one to assess on if it is worth having. Some things not covered by medicare can be expensive such as a lot of physio and things. Also, wait times for elective surgery - this includes things like joint replacements can have incredible wait times of a lot of years! However, on the flip side, most private cases also have an excess and depending on what it is, it can be large. A member of PIO last year had some serious surgery and the private excess was over $20k. It is def worth getting at least extras cover for dental, optical and ambulance as all are private here and expensive. For example, my dentist charges nearly $200 for a check up and clean. But, my options cover pays for one check up and clean a year. A crown can easily cost a couple of thousand. Ambulances are very expensive. A short trip with no real treatment is going to start at about $700 and goes up quickly! An air ambulance and you are looking at a small mortgage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 We have private health including hospital cover which I have used for one major operation and 2 day surgeries, daughter also used it for wisdom teeth. Worth the optical and dental. Hubby got reading glasses for the first time with nothing to pay. We're with medibank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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