Moving To Australia: The Final Checklist
You need to be ready to move to a whole new country with a different time zone, culture and lifestyle altogether. There are a few steps which can make this switch as comfortable and smooth as possible. Here are a few things that you should look into before moving to Australia.
1. Bank accounts
- First thing you need to take care of before moving to Australia is getting your bank accounts in order.
- Ensure that all your bank accounts have the ‘minimum required balance’. Else, you might have to pay the ‘fall below’ penalty.
- If you have a salary account, it will be converted into a savings bank account (with minimum required balance Rs.XXXX) after a while, as no salary will be deposited after moving to Australia. Once again, you might be losing your money if you fail to maintain the required minimum balance.
- It might be wise to withdraw all of your cash and close the bank account.
- If you will be handling your bank account from Australia, make sure that the Net Banking facilities are activated before you leave.
2.SIM card
- By default, the international roaming services will not be activated for your SIM. If you are planning on taking your SIM card to Australia, get an international roaming plan enabled. If you have a postpaid plan, you can probably do this on the online customer portal.
- However, you will be switching to an Australian SIM card once you arrive in Australia. If you have any postpaid plan active, terminate it before you leave.
- All international airports offer free WiFi services. You can keep in touch with your family while travelling using the VoIP calling apps like MobileVoIP.
3. Other records
Lastly, we would like to remind you of these: confirm that all the income tax records are clean before you leave for Australia. You must also check that the services like your Health/Life Insurances, Provident Funds, Credit Cards, Business Partnerships etc. are taken care of. You must ensure that either (i) You can still manage them abroad or (ii) delegate your authority to a trustworthy person in your home country or (iii) end/close it.
4. Education loan
- Meet your bank manager and discuss on how to pay the interest for your study loan
- Note the list of the records/certificates to be submitted to your bank
- You might also want to think about a Life Insurance on your education loan.
5. Currency exchange
- You need to have at least a dispensable amount of $1,000 with you when you land in Australia. Splitting this amount in a travel card and cash is recommended.
- Usually, bank cards may charge you higher conversion rates or additional servicing cost when you use them in Australia. So, we recommend you have more money in your prepaid card instead.
- You now need to grab a decent deal for the money exchange. You can either (i) use this website-BookMyForex to get best deals near your place. (ii) Contact the dedicated Forex companies (iii) Visit some banks, UAE Exchange, Western Union, Thomas Cook etc. to find out the best exchange rate.
- Get yourself a prepaid travel card and load it with at least half the money you are thinking to carry. Click here for the detailed process in arranging the prepaid card.
6. Learn to cook
- Cooking will be the most crucial skill you will be using in Australia.
- You will be cooking at least one meal every day. Eating outside regularly is not good for your health, nor is it wallet-friendly.
- Learn to make simple, quick and nutritious dishes.
7. Do your shopping the right way
- Baggage allowance will be only about 50-60 kg based on the airlines you are choosing to fly in. Be smart in packing and in choosing what is really needed to be carried across the seas. Carry only what is essential and that are very expensive in Australia.
8. Install useful mobile apps
- Make sure you have all the important apps already downloaded in your phone before you leave for Australia. VoIP Calling Apps:MobileVOIP or any other app you are familiar about.
- Maps: You will be relying on maps at your destination, ensure you have it in your phone.
9. Spend time with your family
Make sure that you spend as much time as you can with your family. Last-minute chores and tasks for travelling will keep you on your toes and in the end you would miss out spending quality time with your family. Hence, stick to planning your tasks in such a way that you are spending at least a few hours in a day with family before moving to Australia.
10. Say your goodbyes
We know that goodbyes are not easy. This good-bye goes to your homeland too. Be grateful for everyone and everything that has played a part in your life, and bid adieu with a warm smile. Moving to Australia for higher studies is the wisest decision of your life as it will definitely share your career and life moving forward. Remember that to stay cheerful when you say your goodbyes.
