Moving to Australia is an exciting adventure that can completely change your life. Think of endless beaches, a relaxed lifestyle, and a fresh start on the other side of the world. But before taking that step, there is also a lot of practical planning involved. We ourselves emigrated to Australia in 2019 and had to figure out many things along the way when it came to living in Australia. From choosing the right bank to finding accommodation and arranging insurance.
A lot went well, but there were also plenty of moments when we thought: this could have been easier and faster. That is exactly why we help others who are about to take the same step. In this blog, we share our complete checklist and highlight the best providers we personally had very good experiences with. This way, you not only save time, but also avoid unnecessary costs and stress when starting your new life in Australia.
Renting a house in Australia
In most cases, it is smart to rent first before making a final decision about where you want to live in Australia. The country is large, and every city, region, and even neighbourhood can offer a completely different lifestyle, commute time, and price level. By renting first, you get the chance to experience different areas yourself, without immediately committing to a property purchase or long-term obligation.
Finding a rental home in Australia is more challenging than ever in 2026, as rental prices in many cases have risen sharply, just like in other countries worldwide. Australia is now among the most expensive rental markets in the world, especially in major cities. Most people search through platforms such as Realestate.com.au and Domain.com.au, where new properties are listed daily.
How much you end up paying depends heavily on where you choose to live. In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, prices are significantly higher than in regional areas or smaller towns. It also makes a big difference whether you live close to the city centre or in the suburbs. Another important factor is distance to the coast: homes closer to the beach or popular coastal areas are often much more expensive than locations further inland or in rural areas.
Buying a car in Australia
Buying a car in Australia is often one of the first big decisions after your move, but in the beginning you may not want to invest in a new car straight away due to all the costs involved in relocating. Fortunately, there are good alternatives for a reliable second-hand car. Through platforms such as Pickles Auctions, you can often find well-maintained vehicles that are perfect for a fresh start in the country. We ourselves bought a car in Melbourne from the Netherlands via Pickles Auctions, which meant we already had a car available as soon as we arrived.
Our own Subaru has already taken us thousands of safe kilometres and has proven to be a truly reliable travel companion. We even crossed the Outback twice with it without any problems. This really shows how important a good, reliable car is in Australia, where distances are vast and road conditions can vary greatly.
Opening a bank account in Australia
Opening a bank account in Australia is one of the first things you arrange after arrival, as you need it for salary payments, rent, and daily transactions. We ourselves have had very good experiences with Ubank, a modern online bank focused on ease of use and transparency. In addition, for payments in other currencies and international transfers, we have also had very good experiences with Wise, mainly because of the low fees and the convenience of sending and receiving money in different currencies.
At the moment, Ubank offers one of the highest savings interest rates in Australia (depending on conditions and balance). This makes it not only a practical choice for your everyday banking needs, but also an interesting option for temporarily growing your savings.
What we also like about Ubank is its user-friendly app. Everything is clearly organised: from payments to managing your savings, without complicated steps or paperwork. In addition, we have always experienced their service as fast and helpful. You can also easily group multiple savings accounts in the app, giving you a clear overview of your savings in one place.
Open your own Ubank account here and use our personal code P3TARAL when signing up in the app to receive $30 for free from Ubank.
Working in Australia
Finding work in Australia often works differently than in the Netherlands or Belgium. Most people start their job search online through platforms such as Seek and Indeed, where thousands of vacancies are posted daily across various industries. There is particularly high demand for staff in hospitality, construction, healthcare, and tourism, which often means you can find work quite quickly.
In addition, a lot of work in Australia is arranged through recruitment agencies, which help you find temporary or permanent employment and can connect you with employers who are actively hiring.
Applying for a Tax File Number
As soon as you start working in Australia, it is important to apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) as quickly as possible. This is your personal tax number and is required for every job, so that you do not pay the highest tax rate. Without a TFN, extra tax is automatically withheld from your salary.
In addition, in Australia you automatically build up retirement savings through superannuation, also known as ‘super’. This is a mandatory pension scheme in which your employer sets aside a percentage of your salary into a dedicated superannuation fund. It is wise, when choosing a job or employer, to also consider how this is arranged, as it forms an important part of your long-term financial planning in Australia.
Internet connection in Australia
Arranging internet in Australia is one of the first practical things you want to take care of once you have moved. Especially because you need it for work, staying in touch with family, and daily life. We have been connected with Aussie Broadband since the beginning of our time in Australia and have had very good experiences with them.
What really makes the difference for us is the speed and stability of the connection with Aussie Broadband. At the moment, we reach speeds of up to 350 Mbps, which is more than enough for working, streaming, and video calls without any issues. In addition, our internet is almost always stable and rarely goes down. Only during scheduled maintenance might there be a short interruption, but this happens rarely, and they always notify you in advance.
Set up your own Aussie Broadband internet connection today and receive a $50 discount on your first bill with our personal code 2548287.
Insurance in Australia
Insurance in Australia is an important part of your new life and something you should take the time to carefully consider. There is no single standard package that works for everyone. You really need to compare what best suits your situation, depending on your visa, lifestyle, and where you plan to live.
In Australia, you will quickly come across different types of insurance that are important to arrange. These include health insurance (in addition to or as a supplement to Medicare), contents insurance for your rental home, car insurance if you own a vehicle, and often also travel and liability insurance. Especially in the early period after your move, it is wise to carefully check what is and isn’t covered.
It is also important to know that Australia regularly experiences extreme weather, such as bushfires, heavy rainfall, and flooding. This makes it even more important to be properly insured so you are not faced with unexpected costs if something happens.
At the same time, it is worth remembering that insurance terms and coverage change regularly. Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What is the best option today may be different in a few months. It is therefore sensible to always check which insurance best fits your living situation and personal circumstances, and to regularly compare policies to see if you can save money.
Grocery shopping in Australia
People who have travelled through the country or settled to live in Australia will certainly recognise the names Woolworths and Coles. These are the two largest supermarket chains and they can be found almost everywhere, from major cities to smaller towns and regional areas. Based on our own experience, we feel that Coles is sometimes slightly cheaper than Woolworths, but the difference is small and also depends heavily on the products you buy. Prices can vary quite a lot per product and per week.
What is useful to know when you are going to live in Australia is that both chains offer loyalty programs that allow you to save on your everyday groceries. At Woolworths, this is done through Everyday Rewards, and at Coles through Flybuys. By simply doing your shopping, you earn points that can later be redeemed for discounts or other benefits. Especially since the cost of living in Australia can be relatively high, it is smart to start using these kinds of programs right away.
Building a new life in Australia
A move to Australia is an adventure you want to prepare for well, but ultimately one you also need to be willing to take. With the checklist above, you have outlined the most important steps for a smooth start: from finding a rental home to arranging work, a bank account, insurance, and transport. Everyone experiences the process differently, but one thing is certain: good preparation makes the difference between stress and a flying start. If you have any questions about this checklist or about living in Australia, feel free to send us a message. We wish you all the best with your move to Australia.
