Setting Yourself Up In Australia: Working Holiday Visa

Arriving in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa is a very exciting thought, but unfortunately, like all working holidays visas, there is important tasks that need to be done within the first few days of landing. The likelihood is you will be flying into a major city, so take advantage of this opportunity and get the hard stuff out of the way first before the exciting adventure begins. The four most important tasks are applying for a Tax File Number, setting up an Australian bank account, organising an Australian sim card and applying for Medicare if you are eligible.

Contents:

Cedar Creek Falls, Tamborine Mountain, Queensland

1. Applying for a Tax File Number (TFN)

2. Setting up an Australian Bank Account

3. Getting an Australian SIM

4. Applying for Medicare

5. What’s next?

Applying for a Tax File Number (TFN).

Applying for a TFN can now be done online and is crucial for you to make sure you get taxed correctly. Individuals on a WHV are taxed a 15% ‘backpacker’ tax, which applies to the first $45k you make in each tax year. If you’re fortunate enough to earn over $45k, the tax bracket will increase. However, if you start work and do not supply your TFN, you will automatically be taxed at 45%, so it really is in your best interest to sort this as soon as possible (you can claim back any overpayments in your annual tax return).

To apply for your TFN you must be in Australia and have a valid visa with working rights. You will need to provide passport details and you will need to have an address that you can have your TFN mailed to. This should be somewhere where you can access the mail for the next 28 days. I did also call up after a few weeks and was provided my TFN over the phone, so bare this in mind if you haven’t received yours and want to start working. Once you receive a job offer, you will be asked to provide your TFN with your onboarding documents.

Setting up an Australian bank account.

Deciding on an Australian bank account just depends on what they are currently offering, as some accounts will offer deals for newcomers coming from overseas. For example, Commbank are currently waiving the monthly fee for the first 12-months. I chose to go with Commbank simply because my Australian friends were with them, and because they were one of the bigger banks meaning they should have branches in more locations. In Australia, you can be charged a fee to withdraw cash from an ATM that isn’t associated with your bank, so it is handy to be with a bank that has more branches as this can save you money.  

Commbank do advertise that you can apply online for a bank account within 14 days prior to arriving, however I did this and never heard anything. So, after I arrived, I found the nearest branch and had an appointment set up within the hour. The set up was easy, just make sure to take your passport and have a copy of your granted visa on you. It did take around 2 weeks for my cards to arrive, however you are able to see your details on the Commbank App which allows you to add your card to your phone wallet and start spending. You will also have your BSB and Account number, meaning you can transfer money over from abroad. I usually do this using Wise. If you use this link you will get a fee-free transfer of up to NZ$900 (or equivalent) when you sign up.

Getting an Australian SIM.

Getting an Australian SIM is pretty easy as there are many places to get one. Make sure to shop around and get the best deal, as well as checking which providers have the best coverage for the area you plan to stay in. I chose to go with Optus because they were offering a good data package, and my first accommodation had already advised me there was no Wifi. As I was already bringing an unlocked phone with me, I just needed a SIM only contract, but you can get contracts that include phones. Just note, these will tie you in for a certain number of years, whereas SIM only is usually month to month with no minimum contract length, meaning you can cancel at any time.

You also won’t need your Australian bank account to open the account. I paid for my first month using my travel credit card, then switched the payment details over to my Australian debit card once it was activated. You do not need to go to a physical phone store to get your sim. They can be purchased in the airport when you arrive, in most major supermarkets, or even online (although you will need to wait for delivery).

Applying for Medicare.

Applying for Medicare involves patience, but I would highly recommend doing it if you are eligible. Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, and it guarantees access to a wide range of services at little or no cost. Only those on a WHV from a reciprocal health care agreement country can apply however. The process is therefore different for each country, but if you follow the link above to see if you’re eligible, it will provide you with more specific details.

I applied for Medicare the day I arrived and did not hear anything for many months, which is not abnormal from what I’ve heard. After almost 6 months I decided to call and was informed I had not provided the correct documents. I swiftly sent these off and after a few more calls, I received my card. It is worth noting that if you are from a reciprocal health care country, and you do need emergency care, there is unlikely to be a charge. But I know for a fact this is not always the case, so it is worth checking.

What’s next?

As you can see, your first few days in Australia will be busy and will seem overwhelming. The next challenges will be sorting accommodation and finding work if you have not done this already, make sure to subscribe below as I will publish a blog post on this shortly.