Travel plans
Make all your travel plans; find out contact details for relatives, sponsors and friends in Australia ; and inform them of your itinerary; leave your new contact details with friends and family before you leave.
Before you apply visa
Plan a visit to Australia to investigate the country. If this is not an option, start researching the web and contact other migrants.
Take a look at the different regions and cities, and investigate house prices.
Decide when you will tell friends and family. Older children sometimes need a bit of time to get used to the idea.
Take a look at your finances and plan how you can best repay debt and save for the move.
Select a migration agent. Find out what you need to prepare for entry.
Investigate what type of visa you and your family will need.
Begin to ready your house for sale or renting out.
Attend an Opportunities Australia Expo to find out more about Australia and potential employment.
Check your passports. They need to be valid for at least two years before they expire.
Collect all your personal papers, including driver’s licences, birth, marriage and adoption certificates, references for employment and qualifications, evidence of qualifications, etc.
Talk about your plans with extended family.
Start the visa application process.
Put your house on the market.
Start job hunting and contact companies that match your skills and qualifications.
Take a look at the different regions and cities, and investigate house prices.
Decide when you will tell friends and family. Older children sometimes need a bit of time to get used to the idea.
Take a look at your finances and plan how you can best repay debt and save for the move.
Select a migration agent. Find out what you need to prepare for entry.
Investigate what type of visa you and your family will need.
Begin to ready your house for sale or renting out.
Attend an Opportunities Australia Expo to find out more about Australia and potential employment.
Check your passports. They need to be valid for at least two years before they expire.
Collect all your personal papers, including driver’s licences, birth, marriage and adoption certificates, references for employment and qualifications, evidence of qualifications, etc.
Talk about your plans with extended family.
Start the visa application process.
Put your house on the market.
Start job hunting and contact companies that match your skills and qualifications.
After getting visa
Inform schools that your child will be moving to give them time and help them adjust.
Book your flights to Australia.
Ask several freight companies for quotes for moving personal effects and furniture.
Research schools in Australia and read their websites. Read their ERO reports.
Find out what you need to do to ship your pets successfully, or find a new home for them.
Go for your medicals and apply for police checks for visas.
Sell any unwanted furniture and belongings.
Give formal notice to your current employer.
Open an Australian bank account.
Request credit references from your bank/lending institute.
Find temporary accommodation to bridge the gap between selling your house and leaving.
Book temporary accommodation in Australia.
Research taxes in Australia.
Register your children at their new schools in Australia.
Book your pet’s kennel accommodation in Australia.
Begin goodbye functions and social occasions.
Give notice to your landlord if necessary.
Start packing any non-essential items.
Book hotels and car hire for your first few weeks in Australia.
Give a forwarding address to all official contacts including your bank, passport office, DVLA, Inland Revenue and accountants.
Cancel accounts for TV, internet, phone and insurance.
Bring all your utilities and council tax up-to-date.
Give away or sell any remaining personal effects.
Pay off any outstanding debts.
Arrange for your post to be redirected.
Transfer your funds with a foreign exchange specialist.
Confirm bookings with travel agents and freight companies.
Cancel direct debits coming from your account.
Ask for a copy of your no claims bonus form from your insurance agency.
Book your flights to Australia.
Ask several freight companies for quotes for moving personal effects and furniture.
Research schools in Australia and read their websites. Read their ERO reports.
Find out what you need to do to ship your pets successfully, or find a new home for them.
Go for your medicals and apply for police checks for visas.
Sell any unwanted furniture and belongings.
Give formal notice to your current employer.
Open an Australian bank account.
Request credit references from your bank/lending institute.
Find temporary accommodation to bridge the gap between selling your house and leaving.
Book temporary accommodation in Australia.
Research taxes in Australia.
Register your children at their new schools in Australia.
Book your pet’s kennel accommodation in Australia.
Begin goodbye functions and social occasions.
Give notice to your landlord if necessary.
Start packing any non-essential items.
Book hotels and car hire for your first few weeks in Australia.
Give a forwarding address to all official contacts including your bank, passport office, DVLA, Inland Revenue and accountants.
Cancel accounts for TV, internet, phone and insurance.
Bring all your utilities and council tax up-to-date.
Give away or sell any remaining personal effects.
Pay off any outstanding debts.
Arrange for your post to be redirected.
Transfer your funds with a foreign exchange specialist.
Confirm bookings with travel agents and freight companies.
Cancel direct debits coming from your account.
Ask for a copy of your no claims bonus form from your insurance agency.
In last days
Cancel milk and newspaper delivery.
Sell your car.
Cancel car insurance.
Wind down the goodbye parties, leaving you with a bit of breathing space.
Finalise packing and ensure your possessions are ready to be sent.
Arrange any thank you gifts for friends and family who have helped.
Organise transport to the airport, leaving plenty of time.
Change money into Australian dollars for spending when you first arrive
Purchase little treats for children to keep them entertained on the flight.
Confirm transport to airport.
Double check your hand luggage has everything you need.
Try to have an early night!
Sell your car.
Cancel car insurance.
Wind down the goodbye parties, leaving you with a bit of breathing space.
Finalise packing and ensure your possessions are ready to be sent.
Arrange any thank you gifts for friends and family who have helped.
Organise transport to the airport, leaving plenty of time.
Change money into Australian dollars for spending when you first arrive
Purchase little treats for children to keep them entertained on the flight.
Confirm transport to airport.
Double check your hand luggage has everything you need.
Try to have an early night!
Financial matters
Check that you complete all the financial, taxation and legal matters that affect you and your family. You may need to set up bank accounts that operate from both your old and new country.
Important documents
You will need some documents a lot when you first arrive. These include the originals of birth, marriage, medical and work records. You can bring school reports for children and your university or trade papers. You will need your passport for travel.
Customs
If you plan to bring electrical items with you, check that they meet Australian standards. If you plan to bring personal and household goods with you, check that they meet custom's laws in Australia. We do not allow most animal and plant material and the country you leave may stop the export of religious and cultural items. The country you leave may limit the cash you take out. You must also declare large sums of overseas currency at customs when you arrive.