So you’re packing up your life and moving to Australia — amazing choice. With world-class cities, ridiculously beautiful landscapes, a strong job market, and some of the friendliest humans on earth, it’s not hard to see why so many people dream of calling Australia home.
But here’s the truth no one tells you: loving Australia is instant… settling into Australia takes a little more effort.
Those first few months will shape everything — your cost of living, your social life, and how quickly you feel grounded. Whether you’re moving as a student, a professional, or someone chasing a new adventure, there are a few core things you need to know before you start your new life Down Under.
Let’s dive in.
1. Sort Your Essentials Before Anything Else
Before you worry about finding the best beach or learning Aussie slang, get your life admin sorted. Australia runs on systems, documents, and processes — and trust me, everything becomes 100x easier once these are in place.
You’ll want to organise:
- Your visa conditions: Make sure you know exactly what you’re allowed to do.
- A Tax File Number (TFN): Essential for getting paid.
- An Australian bank account: Most major banks let you set this up before you even arrive. If you need help navigating the options, this guide is a great place to start.
- A local SIM card: To get your phone working and make life instantly simpler.
- A personal ID card (Proof of Age/Keypass): Incredibly useful for everyday life — from collecting parcels to entering bars.
Tick these off in your first week and everything else becomes so much smoother.
2. Lock In a Home Base (and Be Ready for the Price Tag)
Australia is wonderful in many ways… but cheap? Nope.
Rent is one of the biggest upfront costs, so it’s worth planning ahead:
- Shared houses are super common and a great way to save money (and make instant friends). Facebook groups and flatmate apps are where most people start.
- If you’re moving with family or you prefer privacy, contact rental agents early — good places disappear quickly.
- If you haven’t secured anything yet, book temporary accommodation like a budget hotel or Airbnb while you house-hunt.
And once you do move in, make it feel like home. A proper bed setup, functional kitchen, and a bit of organisation can make that transition phase feel far less chaotic.
3. Budget Like a Local (Because Australia Is Pricey)
Let’s be honest — Australia can be expensive, especially in major cities. Getting on top of your spending early will help massively.
A few money-saving tips:
- Create a weekly budget that includes rent, groceries, transport, bills, and eating out.
- For cheap groceries, ALDI takes the crown, followed by Woolworths — according to a 2025 survey.
- Coles and IGA frequently run specials, so keeping an eye on catalogues can save you a surprising amount.
- Check Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree for affordable furniture and appliances — Australians love selling things in great condition for next to nothing.
- Be strategic with public transport — costs can add up quickly depending on where you live.
When you’re intentional with your spending from the start, Australia becomes far more manageable.
4. Get to Know Your New City (This Makes All the Difference)
One of the quickest ways to feel at home is to actually explore the place you’ve moved to.
Start with the basics:
- Grab your city’s transport card (Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, etc.) and learn how the buses, trams, trains, or ferries work.
- Download a real-time transport app — genuinely life-changing when you’re navigating a new area.
- Wander your neighbourhood on foot or bike; most Australian cities are designed to be enjoyed outdoors.
- Find your local parks, libraries, cafés, supermarkets, gyms, and weekend markets — these are the everyday spaces that make a city feel familiar.
The more you explore, the quicker you’ll shake that “new arrival” feeling.
5. Understand the Aussie Way of Working (and Living)
Aussie culture can feel surprisingly different if you’ve never lived here before — in the best way possible.
Here’s the general vibe:
- Workplaces are friendly and direct. People appreciate clear communication and punctuality.
- Hierarchy is low. Everyone’s voice matters, and collaboration is big.
- Work-life balance is real. Aussies take weekends and downtime seriously.
- Social life tends to revolve around the outdoors. Beaches, BBQs, hikes, sports, brunch — rinse and repeat.
- And yes, Australians speak English… but you’ll soon discover a colourful vocabulary of sayings that make zero sense at first. You’ll pick them up quickly.
Understanding these little cultural cues helps your transition feel smoother — and helps you connect with people much faster.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Australia is equal parts exciting and overwhelming, but those first few months set the tone for everything that comes next. Sort your documents early, find a home base, learn to budget, explore your new surroundings, and embrace Aussie culture — and you’ll be amazed at how quickly life begins to fall into place.
If you’re starting this chapter soon, welcome to Australia — you’re going to love it.
Planning a move abroad? Read these articles next:
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to London
- What You Need to Know When Moving to LA
- BIG life update! We’re moving abroad to…
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