Your first week in Australia
SIM / eSIM
A physical SIM or eSIM is the format; the plan determines the features. Check data, calls, SMS and whether you get an Australian number separately.
| What you need | What to ask before signing up |
|---|---|
| Receiving calls from employers | Does it include an Australian number and incoming calls? |
| SMS verification codes | Can it receive the verification texts I need? |
| Keeping your home-country number | Can my phone use both numbers, and how do I avoid roaming charges? |
| Travelling beyond the city | Which network does it use, and what coverage is shown for my route? |
| Sharing your connection | Is hotspot use allowed, and what are the limits? |
| Managing costs | When does it start, how long does it last and how do I renew or cancel? |
Check your exact phone model with the network provider. Following the 3G shutdown, some 4G devices may also be affected if they rely on 3G for calls, including emergency calls. A 4G or 5G label alone does not establish compatibility.
Felix Mobile discount
CAF Connect has a Felix Mobile discount. Check the eligible plans and offer conditions.
CAF Connect code: PC00954
View the Felix discount CAF Connect partner linkCAF Connect referral link.
Banking and payments
For everyday use, compare transaction accounts: account fees, ATM charges, international transactions and the conditions for avoiding fees. Look beyond the introductory promotion and check what happens when it ends.
Ask which identity and address documents the bank accepts in your circumstances, whether you need to visit a branch and which services you can use while verification is pending. If you can start an application overseas, check what you must finish after arrival.
Follow these steps:
- Compare two or three accounts for the same everyday needs: receiving pay, making payments and transferring money.
- Check the requirements directly with your chosen bank.
- Complete the identity checks and keep your confirmation private.
- Check account access, payment details and the status of your card before considering the task finished.
Do not share passwords or login codes with anyone claiming to act as an intermediary.
Bank processes differ. Keep your existing card as a backup and share banking details only with a verified employer.
Shopping for food and your room
- Woolworths · supermarket
Groceries and everyday essentials. Compare pack sizes, unit prices and offers for things you will actually use.
- Coles · supermarket
Another supermarket chain for everyday groceries. Check which store is convenient and compare the whole basket, not just one discounted item.
- Kmart · room essentials
A budget department store rather than a supermarket, with homewares, clothing and many items for setting up your room.
Separate groceries and everyday items from what you need to set up your room. These three retailers are useful starting points:
Kmart: setting up your room without buying everything at once
It may become a useful stop when you first arrive. Depending on local stock, you can find pillows, sheets, bedding, kitchenware, suitable adaptors, basic work and sports clothing, shoes, bike accessories, games and other room essentials.
Before shopping, check what is included in your accommodation (in Spanish) and what the household shares. Buying a second frying pan or sheets that do not fit will not help your budget. Start with what you need to sleep, cook and get through your first shift; the rest can wait.
Before buying work clothes, confirm the uniform and safety requirements. Check the getting-ready-for-work checklist (in Spanish). Shopping suggestions do not guarantee stock, prices or that an item meets the protective requirements of your job.
Weather and what to pack
Across much of Australia, winter falls between June and August. The tropical north has wet and dry seasons, while inland areas, alpine regions and coastal cities have different conditions. It is not summer everywhere all year: check the region and time of year. See Tourism Australia's guide to the seasons and the Bureau of Meteorology's explanation.
Australia is not all flat, either
Sydney is hilly, which matters when walking or cycling. Two places that look close on a map may not make an easy commute: try the route before choosing a room or accepting a shift. Australia's landscapes also include mountains and cliffs. For cycling, see City of Sydney's cycling routes.
TFN and ABN
How do I apply for a TFN after arriving in Australia?
The ATO offers an application pathway for migrants and temporary visitors. To use its IAR application service, you must be in Australia with a valid visa that allows you to work. Check the eligibility exclusions before starting. Applying for a TFN is free.
Have your passport or travel document and an Australian postal address ready. Follow the application link from the ATO and save your reference. The ATO says you should receive your TFN within 28 days of a complete application and asks you not to apply again during that time. If it has not arrived afterwards, contact the ATO with your reference.
If you already have a TFN, follow the ATO's guidance on finding it or recovering your notification. Keep the number and your tax account access private.
Why does an ABN not replace a TFN?
Your TFN identifies you for tax purposes. An ABN identifies a business that is entitled to register. The Australian Business Register explains who is entitled to an ABN: looking for work does not automatically make you eligible.
| Your situation | What to check next |
|---|---|
| You will work as an employee | The TFN pathway and tax information your employer needs. |
| You will provide services through your own business | ABN entitlement and your business obligations. |
| The job ad asks for an ABN, but the arrangement is unclear | Clarify the arrangement and check Fair Work's guidance before accepting. |
Whether you are an employee or contractor depends on the actual working relationship and the applicable test, not just the contract's title. Read Fair Work's contractor guidance if you are unsure. An ad mentioning an ABN does not decide your employment status. Neither number changes your visa's work conditions. For tax and super, continue with the tax and superannuation guide (in Spanish).
RSA
Check the training required for roles that sell or serve alcohol. Not every hospitality role requires RSA.
CBD's course offering in NSW. Check recognition and the requirements of the state where you will work.
Check your role, state, approved provider and recognition requirements before booking. Training does not guarantee a job.
Referral link: CAF Connect may receive a reward if you complete an eligible course. CBD College manages bookings, the discount and its conditions.
White Card
Understand the safety induction required for construction work. A White Card does not replace other licences or training your role requires.
CBD's face-to-face course in Sydney. Check identity, English-language and recognition requirements for where you plan to work.
Check your role, state, approved provider and recognition requirements before booking. Training does not guarantee a job.
Referral link: CAF Connect may receive a reward if you complete an eligible course. CBD College manages bookings, the discount and its conditions.
Australian CV
Update your phone number, city, availability and actual experience. Match relevant duties to the job ad and save a clear PDF. If you do not yet have Australian references, use genuine professional references you can provide.
Do not invent experience, qualifications or English skills. Check the filename and make sure your email address and phone number work.
Community
Choose Hispano or International on the Community page and read the group rules. If a group is full or you are arriving next year, use CAF's private contact option. You do not need to subscribe to emails to join.
Do not post passports, TFNs, payslips or login codes. Verify important offers and advice before acting.
My advice is to start in a sociable hostel if it suits your budget and need for rest. You can meet people, explore neighbourhoods, attend rental inspections and get a better feel for where to apply for work. You may meet people you would like to share a place with. It can help you settle in, but it does not guarantee a quick job or room.
Events
Browse upcoming plans by city and check the date, venue and information published by each organiser.
Superannuation
When you start a job, ask what payroll needs and check the super fund choices that apply to you. Keep your fund details and check contributions when due. If you already have a fund, do not open another one without considering your options.
Do not budget super as take-home pay or an immediate refund. Departure and DASP eligibility need to be checked separately.
Keep your pay and tax records
Give only the necessary details to a verified employer through a secure channel. Keep your contract, hours, payslips and payment records. Fair Work says employers must provide payslips within one working day of payment; compare them with your own records.
Tax residency and visa status are different concepts. An ABN does not automatically turn an employment relationship into self-employment.
Get the 20-step checklist in Spanish by email
We will email you a link to the eight-page PDF, currently in Spanish. Any email address works, not just Gmail.