Your first 30 days in Sydney

Documents you need

• Passport

  required

• Visa grant notice

  optional

• An address that can receive post

  required

• Overseas driver licence, if you will drive

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Day 1: get around and stay safe

   • Tap on and off public transport with a contactless credit or debit card or buy a free Opal card at a convenience store or newsagent and add value. Adult fares are capped at $19.30 a day Monday to Thursday and $50 a week (October 2026). See Public transport in Sydney.
   • Save 000 (police, fire, ambulance), 131 444 (non-urgent police) and 1800 022 222 (healthdirect nurse line). See Emergency and helpline numbers.
   • If you go to the beach, swim between the red and yellow flags.
2. 2

   Step 2: Days 1–3: check your visa and an address for post

   • If you hold a visa, check its conditions in VEVO and save a copy; you can send it to employers, landlords and banks.
   • Make sure you have an address that can receive post (your temporary accommodation is fine).
3. 3

   Step 3: Days 2–5: tax file number and bank account

   • Apply for your TFN online with the ATO; it is free and usually arrives by post within 28 days. See Getting a tax file number.
   • Open a bank account (or finish the one you started before arrival) by showing your original passport in a branch. See Opening a bank account in Australia.
4. 4

   Step 4: Week 1: myGov and Medicare

   • Create a myGov account (with an email address or a myID Digital ID) and link the ATO.
   • If you are eligible, enrol in Medicare through myGov; the card is posted to you. If you are not eligible, make sure your private health insurance is active. See Medicare and health care in Australia.
5. 5

   Step 5: Weeks 1–4: find a home

   • Inspect properties in person before you pay anything. You can be asked for a holding fee (up to 1 week's rent, only after approval), a bond (up to 4 weeks' rent) and up to 2 weeks' rent in advance.
   • Pay the bond through Rental Bonds Online, complete the condition report with photos and return it within 7 days. See Finding a home to rent in Sydney and Tenant rights in NSW.
6. 6

   Step 6: Weeks 1–4: work

   • When you start a job, give your employer your TFN and either your super fund choice or nothing (so your existing "stapled" fund is used). Check your first payslip, which must arrive within 1 working day of pay day.
   • Check your minimum pay with the Fair Work Ombudsman. See Your rights at work in Australia.
7. 7

   Step 7: Weeks 2–4: health and family

   • Find a GP near your home with the healthdirect service finder and ask whether they bulk bill.
   • If you have children, find your catchment school with the NSW School Finder and enrol them; temporary visa holders check the Temporary Residents Program first. See Schools, preschools and childcare in NSW.
8. 8

   Step 8: By day 30: local life

   • Join your local library. The City of Sydney runs 9 library branches with free wifi and computers, and membership is free if you live in NSW.
   • Learn your council's bin system. In the City of Sydney, the yellow-lid bin is for recycling, the red-lid bin goes to landfill and, where the service operates, the maroon-lid bin is for food scraps.
   • If you will keep driving, note your deadline for a NSW licence: up to six months on an overseas licence for temporary visa holders, three months for permanent residents.

Free English classes and translations

Getting help

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Starting work before you have a TFN and not telling your employer, so more tax is withheld.
• Using an address where you will not receive post for your TFN, bank card and Medicare card.
• Forgetting to return the condition report within 7 days.

Tips

• Fridays, weekends and public holidays have lower Opal caps ($9.65 a day for adults in October 2026).
• Keep digital copies of your visa grant, passport, lease and payslips in one folder.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Create a myGov account and link the ATOAdd to plan
• Register for free English classes (AMEP)Add to plan
• Apply for your tax file numberAdd to plan
• Open an Australian bank accountAdd to plan
• Enrol in Medicare if you are eligibleAdd to plan
• Find a long-term homeAdd to plan
• Check your visa conditions in VEVOAdd to plan
• Lodge your bond and complete the condition reportAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Feb 2027.