Complete Australia New Migrant Checklist (2026)

July 16, 2026

Last updated: July 2026 | Reading time: 12 min

When I arrived in Australia, I had a rough idea of what I needed to do — get a TFN, open a bank account, find somewhere to live. What I didn't realise was how many of these things connect to each other, and how getting the order wrong creates headaches that take weeks to untangle. No TFN means your bank withholds tax on interest. No Medicare card means you're paying full price at the doctor. No myGov account means you can't access half of these things online.

This checklist covers everything you need to sort out when you arrive — in the right order, with links to the full guides where you need more detail.

Your Progress

Settlement Checklist Progress 0%

0 of 32 tasks completed — tick items as you go

Week 1 — The Essentials

These are the things you genuinely cannot do without. Get these sorted in your first week.

🪪 Tax File Number (TFN) Week 1

Apply for your TFN online at ato.gov.au — it's free and takes 10 minutes. You need an Australian address to receive it. → Read our full TFN guide

Give your TFN to your employer when you start work — if you don't, they must withhold 47% tax from your pay.

Give your TFN to your bank when opening an account — avoids 47% withholding tax on interest earned.

🏦 Bank Account Week 1

Open an Australian bank account. Major banks (CBA, NAB, ANZ, Westpac) allow you to open accounts before you arrive using your passport. You'll need your BSB and account number for your employer's payroll form.

Provide your bank account details to Centrelink if you apply for any government payments — all payments are made by direct deposit, no cheques.

💻 myGov Account Week 1–2

Create a myGov account at my.gov.au using a personal email address. Use Gmail or Outlook — not a work or university email you might lose access to. → Read our full myGov setup guide

Link the ATO to your myGov account — required to lodge tax returns, check your super, and manage your HECS debt if you have one.

Link Medicare to your myGov account (if you're eligible) — allows you to update bank details for Medicare rebates and view claims history.

First Month — Healthcare and Super

💊 Medicare Month 1

Check if you're eligible for Medicare — Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and citizens of some countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements qualify. Temporary visa holders generally don't.

Enrol in Medicare at a Services Australia service centre or online via myGov. Bring your passport, visa, and proof of Australian address.

Register your bank account with Medicare for direct rebate payments — this means your doctor's rebate goes straight to your account instead of requiring a separate claim.

If you're not eligible for Medicare, arrange private health insurance or visitor cover before your first medical appointment.

🏦 Superannuation Month 1

Choose a superannuation fund before you start work — if you don't choose one, your employer will put you into a default fund. Compare options at moneysmart.gov.au/superannuation.

Give your super fund details (fund name, ABN, USI, and your member number) to your employer on the Standard Choice Form.

Provide your TFN to your super fund — without it, the fund pays a higher tax rate on contributions (32% instead of 15%) and you won't receive government co-contributions.

Check for any lost or unclaimed super from previous Australian employment using the ATO's online super tool in myGov. → Read about Payday Super 2026 changes

First 3 Months — Tax and Employment

🧾 Tax Setup Month 1–3

Complete a Tax File Number Declaration form with your employer when you start work. Indicate whether you want to claim the tax-free threshold (only claim it from your main job if you have multiple employers).

Understand your Australian tax residency status — residents and non-residents are taxed differently, and the rules can be complex for new arrivals. If unsure, consider getting advice from a registered tax agent.

Keep receipts for any work-related expenses from day one — tools, uniforms, professional memberships, self-education costs related to your job. These are claimable at tax time. → Read our work-related deductions guide

Lodge your tax return after 30 June each year. Most people do this through myGov using the ATO's online tax return. The deadline for self-lodgement is 31 October. → Read our tax return guide

💼 If You're Running a Business or Freelancing Before you invoice anyone

Apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) at abr.gov.au — it's free and takes 10 minutes. You need one to invoice clients legally and avoid 47% tax withholding on payments. → Read our ABN guide

Check whether you need to register for GST — required once your annual turnover exceeds $75,000. Below that threshold, registration is optional.

Ongoing — Government Services and Benefits

🏛️ Centrelink and Government Benefits As applicable

Link Centrelink to your myGov account if you're applying for any government payments — JobSeeker, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Parental Leave Pay, or Rent Assistance.

If you have children, check eligibility for Family Tax Benefit Part A and B — available to permanent residents and citizens based on income and family structure. → Read our FTB guide

If your child is in childcare, apply for the Child Care Subsidy — can cover up to 90% of fees depending on income. → Read our CCS guide

If you're renting privately and receiving an eligible Centrelink payment, check whether you qualify for Commonwealth Rent Assistance. → Read our Rent Assistance guide

🏠 If You're Buying Property When ready

Check your eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant in your state — cash grants of $10,000–$30,000 available for new builds. → Read our FHOG guide

Check eligibility for the First Home Guarantee — buy with 5% deposit and no LMI if you qualify. → Read our First Home Guarantee guide

Consider using the First Home Super Saver scheme to build your deposit inside super at a lower tax rate. → Read our FHSS guide

Research stamp duty costs and first home buyer exemptions in your state before making an offer. → Read our Stamp Duty guide

🚗 Practical Essentials Month 1–3

Convert your overseas driver's licence to an Australian licence — requirements vary by state. Most states allow you to drive on your overseas licence for 3–6 months after arriving.

Enrol to vote if you're an Australian citizen — voting is compulsory in Australia once you're enrolled. Register at aec.gov.au within 8 weeks of becoming a citizen or moving address.

Sources: ATO (ato.gov.au), Services Australia, Australian Business Register

Disclaimer: This checklist is general information only. Eligibility for government services, payments, and concessions depends on your visa type, residency status, and individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with the relevant government agency.

Search This Blog