`Returning to Australia? Here are some tips to help you settle into life down under
Banking
How to do it?
You can open your account online 14 days before your travel and, then, you visit a branch with your passport within a week of arriving (which is very easy, as there are lots of branches) Visit https://www.commbank.com.au/moving-to-australia to learn more.
Other major banks include: Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank, ANZ, NAB, Bank of Queensland, Macquarie Bank, Bendigo Bank, Bank of Melbourne, Bank SA & Bank West
Transferring Money
You may decide to transfer money at the start, during or towards the end of your time in Australia
You can often do this via your bank or an online provider.
An option is also Halo Financial, and you can can get in touch with Geraldine Collett: Geraldine.collett@halofinancial.com
They are also at www.halofinancial.com
Tax Rates
Tax Returns
The tax year in Australia runs from 1st July to 30th June
You have from 1st July to 31st October to submit your tax return
Full details on the tax return process and to find out whether you need to complete one can be found here: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/your-tax-return/
Superannuation
In Australia, your 'pension' is called 'superannuation'
Money put aside by your employer over your working life for you to live on when you retire from work
Employers in Australia pay money - 'contributions' - into a 'superannuation' account
Most people can choose the super fund they want their contributions paid into. If you’re eligible, your employer must give you a standard choice form within 28 days of the day you started working for them so you can make that choice in writing. If you do not choose a fund, your employer will choose a fund for you. All employers have a nominated super fund, or ‘default fund’, where they make super guarantee payments for their employees who have not selected a preferred fund.
Any bonus amount communicated to you will be inclusive of super and excluding tax that is payable
You can find out more here: https://www.ato.gov.au/general/other-languages/in-detail/information-in-other-languages/your-superannuation-basics/
Medicare Card
Upon arrival in Australia, you will need to get a 'Medicare' card. This provides access to the Australian health system.
Medicare gives you access to a range of medical services for free or at a lower cost including:
doctors
specialists
optometrists, and at times, dentists and other allied health professionals
lower cost prescriptions, and free care as a public patient in a public hospital
To be eligible for Medicare you must live in Australia and be either:
an Australian citizen
a New Zealand citizen
an Australian permanent resident
applying for permanent residency - conditions apply
covered by a Ministerial Order, or
a Resident Return visa holder
You may also get a Medicare card if you’re visiting from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country. More information can be found here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.vu/medicare-card
Taking care of your mental health
No matter what, the process of moving can be quite mentally taxing and moving back to a country you have been away from for a while can be a bit of a culture shock so it is important to look after your mental health.
There is a wealth of knowledge and support services that can be found here.
Leave & Holidays
Annual Leave: employees are entitled to 4 weeks of annual leave for every 12 months worked. Leave begins accumulating from the first day the employee works and they can take leave as soon as they accumulate it
Sick Leave: Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to sick leave. Full time employees have 10 days and it is pro-rata for part-time employees
Public Holidays: this varies by state however it is between 11-14 public holidays.
Shipping
Robert Walters works with a partner to get Australian’s returning home or people moving to Australia for the first time competitive shipping rates.
We recommend Solaris Relocations. Out contact is John Morris: john.morris@solarisrelocations.com
Mobile Network Providers
Australia has three network providers: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone
- Broadband Network Providers:
- There are multiple broadband companies across Australia. You can use the following link to compare providers based off your location: https://www.comparebroadband.com.au/get-top-10-internet-providers-in-australia.htm
Setting up a home
Some rental properties can come fully furnished however this is not always the case in Australia. If you are looking to furnish your new home here are some places that will be of help:
- Myer
- Harvey Norman
- Kmart
- Target
- Ikea
- Freedom Furniture
Public Transport
Each state in Australia has their own public transport ticketing system. Most systems accept 'ApplePay' but there are also tickets and passses through:
