नमस्ते Australia!
Your step-by-step settlement checklist. Tick off each task as you complete it — your progress saves automatically.
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Do these today
0/4Get a local SIM card
30 minWoolworths Mobile, Optus, or Telstra prepaid SIMs start from $10–$30/month. Buy at any supermarket, Woolworths, or the airport.
Open a bank account
1 hourCommonwealth Bank, ANZ, and NAB allow online account opening before arrival — bring your passport to any branch to activate. CommBank is most popular with the Nepali community.
Do it now →Confirm your accommodation
VariesIf staying with family or friends — confirm the address. If renting, make sure you have the first week sorted. Join local Nepali Facebook groups to find shared housing.
Get a public transport card
20 minPerth: SmartRider · Sydney: Opal · Melbourne: myki · Brisbane: go card · Adelaide: Metro Card. Top up at train stations or 7-Eleven. Saves money vs buying tickets.
First week essentials
0/5Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
15 minFree to apply at ato.gov.au. Takes 28 days to arrive. You need it to work legally and pay the right tax rate. Do this first thing — you can't work without it.
Do it now →Register for Medicare
1 hourIf you're on an eligible visa (student, skilled, partner), register at a Medicare Service Centre. Bring your passport, visa grant letter, and rental/address proof.
Do it now →Set up myGov account
20 minmyGov links your Medicare, ATO, and Centrelink in one place. Create a free account at my.gov.au — you'll use this to access all Australian government services online.
Do it now →Find your nearest Nepali grocery shop
30 minGet familiar food — dal, chiura, timur, Wai Wai, ghee. Hamro Find has Nepali grocery shops mapped across all major cities.
Open on Hamro Find →Join local Nepali community groups
10 minSearch 'Nepali Community [your city]' on Facebook. These groups are the fastest way to get advice, find rooms, get rides, and meet people from home.
Do it now →Within your first month
0/6Set up superannuation
20 minWhen you start work your employer must pay 11.5% super on top of your wage into a super fund. Choose a fund before starting work — or your employer assigns one. AustralianSuper is the most popular.
Do it now →Register with a local GP
1 hourFind a bulk-billing GP (free with Medicare). HotDoc and HealthEngine apps help find available doctors near you. A Nepali-speaking GP makes it much easier.
Open on Hamro Find →Plan your driver's licence conversion
2–4 hoursYou can drive on a Nepal licence for 3 months. After that, convert at your state's transport authority. Some states require a knowledge test and driving test — book early.
Do it now →Know your work rights
30 min readAustralia has strong worker protections. National Minimum Wage 2025–26: $24.10/hour. Understand penalty rates, leave entitlements, and superannuation. Call 13 13 94 for free advice.
Do it now →Enrol children in school
2–3 hoursEducation is compulsory for children 6–17. Contact your local state education department. Most government schools are free. Bring birth certificates, immunisation records, and visa documents.
Do it now →Check if you need private health insurance
30 minSome visa conditions (student visa, 485) require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or equivalent. Check your visa conditions. OSHC must be active for the full visa duration.
Do it now →Before 3 months
0/4Review your visa conditions & next steps
1–2 hoursUnderstand your visa conditions — work hour limits, study requirements, travel restrictions. Speak to a registered Nepali migration agent to plan your path to PR.
Open on Hamro Find →Understand your tax obligations
1–2 hoursThe Australian tax year runs 1 July – 30 June. Lodge your tax return by 31 October each year. A Nepali-speaking tax agent can maximise your refund and ensure you're compliant.
Open on Hamro Find →Find the best way to send money home
5 minCompare Wise, Remitly, IME Pay and Western Union to find who gives the most NPR for your AUD. Even a $500 transfer can vary by NPR 3,000+ between providers.
Open on Hamro Find →Save emergency contacts
5 minEmergency: 000 · Police (non-emergency): 131 444 · Lifeline: 13 11 14 · Nepal Embassy Canberra: +61 2 6162 9966. Save these in your phone.
💰 Cost of living tips from the community
- →Shop at Aldi or Woolworths Essentials for basics — significantly cheaper than branded items
- →Buy Nepali staples (dal, rice, spices) in bulk from Nepali shops — far cheaper per kg than supermarkets
- →Use Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for furniture when you first arrive
- →Always use a transport card (SmartRider/Opal/myki) — never buy single tickets
- →Compare energy and internet providers at energy.gov.au before signing up
- →Use Hamro Find's Send Money tool to compare rates before each remittance — it adds up
🆘 Save these numbers now
Emergency
000
Police (non-emergency)
131 444
Lifeline (mental health)
13 11 14
Nepal Embassy Canberra
+61 2 6162 9966
Official resources