Passports & Visas
Before we can start helping with your job search, you’ll need a valid work visa for Australia.
All visitors entering Australia, except for New Zealand nationals, will need a visa. The type of visa you require depends on your reason for travelling to Australia. To enter Australia you will also need to have a valid passport.
Chandler Macleod will work with you to get the appropriate visa before you come to Australia. The type of visa will depend on your personal circumstance.
For information on the most appropriate visa for you and to obtain the relevant application forms, please visit the Australian Government Department of Immigration website.
Below is an outline of the most common types of working visas available for travellers or professionals looking to work in Australia:
- Working Holiday Visa - those eligible can stay in Australia for up to 12 months. For information on eligibility and restrictions, visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm.
- General Skilled Migrant Visa - this visa is specifically for people who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. For more information, visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm.
- Employer Sponsored Visa - this visa is for people looking to work in Australia after being sponsored by an Australian or overseas employer. For information on eligibility, visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/index.htm.
- Spousal Visa - this visa is for partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. For information on whether you are eligible for this visa, visit www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/family-visas-partner.htm.
- Visa Companies - An option for obtaining your visa is to go through a visa company. For a specific cost, a visa company specialises in getting the right visa for you and looking after all the formalities that are involved in working in Australia.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance should be an essential part of any traveller’s plans. While healthcare in Australia is of a high standard and not overly expensive, considerable costs can build up and become extremely expensive if an accident was to happen. Make sure you check that your existing health insurance will cover you and if it doesn't, it would pay to find about getting extra cover.
There are a number of good reasons why you should get travel insurance - what if you lose your luggage or your flights get cancelled or, worst-case, what if you have an accident and you need medical treatment? Remember, you cannot plan for any of these situations and, if they happen, they will not only disrupt your itinerary but could end up costing you a lot of money.
Travel insurance can take all the worry and stress away, covering you from the moment you leave, to the moment you return home.
To book your travel insurance, make sure you visit your Travel Agent or Travel Insurance provider before you leave home.
Health & Safety
Australia is an extremely safe country to travel in. Diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, cholera and typhoid are unheard of in Australia. However, if you do require medical treatment you will find the standard of healthcare and hospitals high.
Vaccinations
Before you travel to Australia, ensure you are up to date on all your routine immunisations and visit your doctor four to six weeks before you leave. Generally, you don’t need any specific vaccinations before coming to Australia; however, please be aware if you are coming from a yellow fever-infected country, within six days of entering Australia, you will need to show proof of having had a yellow fever vaccination.
If you are worried about your health, there a few vaccinations you could consider for Australia – diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B. Make sure you ask you doctor for a ‘Certificate of Vaccination’ - this is a record listing all the vaccinations you have had.
Diseases In Australia
There are a few infectious diseases to be aware of. Giardiasis is widespread in Australia’s waterways and will cause diarrhoea and stomach bloating. Hepatitis C is a growing problem among drug users and is transferred through blood. There are sexually transmitted diseases and HIV rates are similar to other western countries. Exposure to meningococcal may occur through prolonged dormitory style accommodation conditions.
Health Care
Health care in Australia is of an extremely high standard and is not too expensive. Australia has a mixture of privately run medical hospitals and surgeries, and a public system funded by the Australian Government.
The Medicare system covers Australians for some health care and the Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of the following countries: New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Sweden, The Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Italy and Malta.
Medicare entitles you to limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment while visiting Australia. Immediately necessary treatment means any ill-health or injury which occurs while you are in Australia and which requires treatment before you return home.
Should you require medical attention through a GP or hospital, you will need to apply for your Medicare card. This can be done before or after you require treatment.
If you are travelling to Australia from a country that has no reciprocal medical arrangements with Australia, you are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance to cover the cost of any potential treatment once you are here.
It is also a requirement on certain Visas that you take out full medical insurance to cover any treatments required that are not immediately necessary. Please go to (another site) for a list of companies that offer this insurance.
For details on periods of cover and your entitlements, as well as enrolment, please visit the Medicare website.
Customs Allowances
When entering Australia, you can bring most articles in free of duty provided that customs is satisfied they are for personal use and that you'll be taking them with you when you leave. There's a duty-free quota per person of 2.25L of alcohol, 250 cigarettes and dutiable goods up to the value of A$900. All medication that you bring into Australia must be declared.
If you are bringing in any food, plant material and animal products, for example items made from rawhide, such as drums, shields, artifacts and any treated skins, hides, furs, hairs or feathers, you will need to declare them on arrival. Some of these items might be prohibited under international wildlife legislation and might require import permits. All permits must be obtained before you enter Australia. Weapons or firearms are also either prohibited or require a permit or safety testing.
First-time migrant or returning Australian resident
If you are coming to Australia for the first time to live or you are an Australian resident returning home from living abroad, you are entitled to bring certain items with you.
You are entitled to bring duty and GST free, all your personal and household effects that you have owned and used for the whole of the period of 12 months immediately preceding your departure for Australia.
Certain items are expressly excluded from the definition of "personal and household effects" and are subject to other requirements.
These include:
- motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts
- caravans, boats and trailers
- aircraft
- machinery and plant equipment
- fur apparel.
For comprehensive information on customs allowances visit the Australian Customs Service website.
Australian Quarantine
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) protect our unique environment against exotic pests and diseases. As a traveller or working holiday maker in Australia, you need to be aware of the quarantine requirements. AQIS inspect incoming luggage, cargo, mail, animals and plants and their products, and provide inspection and certification for a range of exports.
Quarantine is a serious matter in Australia and all luggage entering the country will be screened and x-rayed. If you fail to declare items on arrival and if you are caught, you will get a fine of $220 or be prosecuted where you could receive a fine over $60,000 or 10 years in prison.
For more information on quarantine regulation visit Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website.
Documents to Bring
There are a variety of documents you should bring with you when you come to Australia to ensure you make setting yourself up in a new city and country as easy as possible. Situations like finding accommodation and setting up a bank account can be a simple process if you have the correct documents on hand.
Please note that certain visas require documental proof of your eligibility – please ensure you have the relevant information before arrival.
Here is a key checklist of important documents it is advisable to bring:
Medical
Ongoing prescriptions
Contact details of your local doctor
Relevant medical history or files
Travel insurance policy (including health option)
Vaccination Certificate
Visa & Immigration
A copy of your Birth Certificate
Photo ID
Passport (with working visa)
Bank Account
Birth Certificate
Driver’s Licence
Passport
Debit/credit card for account you hold with another bank
Statements of other accounts you hold
Currency Converter
How far will your local currency go in Australia? .
Use the link below to calculate what the conversion rate is for your country. This link will take you to a new window for an external foreign exchange website. Calculate currency conversion now »
Tips on Arrival
There are a number of important things you need to do once you have arrived in Australia. The list below outlines some key tips for you to consider from the moment you land, up to your first few weeks in your new city. We suggest you print this list and have it handy, so you can refer to it as you need to.
At the Airport
- Passport clearance – have your passport, visa, bank statement and address of accommodation all handy for the passport officer
- Duty free – stock up on any duty free items you wish to buy
- Customs – know what is in you bag and declare anything that is required
- Currency – if you haven’t already, make sure you get some Australian dollars
- Information desk – visit the information desk if you require transport or need to organise accommodation.
Embassy
It is important that you register with your embassy once you have arrived to ensure you are accounted for as a foreign traveller in Australia.
Transport
Know your transport options for leaving the airport and getting to your accommodation.
Accommodation
Organise your first week’s accommodation and then explore your long term accommodation options. www.realestate.com.au
Open a Bank Account
You will need to open an Australian bank account.
Once you have found your accommodation and are now earning the Australian dollars, its time to relax, have some fun and enjoy the new lifestyle around you.
There are also a few of the major banks that offer the opportunity to do a lot of the bank account setup whilst in your home country. Please go to the major Australian bank sites to see if they offer this.
Australian Must Do’s
Australia has many things for you to see and do during your stay. For your true blue Aussie experience, we suggest you check out the following:
Visit Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Northern Territory
Uluru is one of the world’s great natural wonders and Australia’s most recognised landmark. This enormous red rock is nine kilometres in circumference and it rises approximately 400 metres above the surrounding plain. Visitors may wish to take a walking tour around the rock. Visit Northern Territory Tourism website »
Go snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef - Queensland
The Great Barrier Reef is a true wonder of the world and is an amazing place to visit. It is the world's largest World Heritage Area extending 2,000 kilometres and covering an area of 35 million hectares. Whether you scuba dive, snorkel or take a glass bottom boat, you cannot imagine how beautiful this place is until you actually see it. Visit Tropical North Queensland website »
See the Sydney Opera House - Sydney
The Sydney Opera House is situated on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point. It is considered one of the most recognisable images of the modern world and is also one of the world’s most photographed spots. This stunning performing arts building opened in 1973, designed by a young Danish architect. The Sydney Opera House is considered a true “Aussie Icon”. Visit Sydney Opera House website »
Swim or surf at Bondi Beach - Sydney
Bondi Beach is considered Australia’s most famous beach. It is located in the suburb of Bondi and is well-known for its white sand and wild surf. Bondi has a number of great cafés, bars and restaurants overlooking the beach which make it an exciting place to stay and visit.
Go to an AFL game in Melbourne
The Australian Football League (AFL) runs from April to September each year with the Grand Final fought between two teams. Up to 100,000 fans pack the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the Grand Final and millions watch it from home. To experience the fanatical sporting culture of the AFL, head to a Saturday game during the season. Visit AFL website »
Visit the Australia Zoo - Queensland
Australia Zoo was home to the legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. It’s a wildlife sanctuary where you can see all kinds of Australian animals, in particular the famous reptiles. The Australia Zoo is situated on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive, Beerwah, which is approximately a two-hour drive from the Gold Coast. Visit Australia Zoo website »
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge - Sydney
BridgeClimb offers you the unique experience of climbing to the top of the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. At 134 metres high, you will get a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and you can choose to climb at dawn, day, twilight or night. Visit BridgeClimb website »
Ride a tram in Melbourne
Melbourne's famous trams are a great way to explore the city - ride the free City Circle tram for a great overview of Melbourne. A novel dining experience is aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Visit Tramcar Restaurant website »
Drive the Great Ocean Road - Victoria
Discover the breathtaking coastline of South-West Victoria. Travel one of the world's most scenic roads through an extended area that includes the world-famous Twelve Apostles, the Otways Ranges rainforest, Bells Beach on the Surf Coast, and the Great Ocean Road itself. The winding Great Ocean Road twists its way from Torquay to Warrnambool in Victoria’s South West. You will see stunning ocean views and amazing beachscapes, laidback coastal towns and hillside townships. Take a breathtaking walk, swim at one of the sandy beaches or discover the hidden waterfalls. Visit Great Ocean Road website »
Visit Kakadu National Park – Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park has a traditional Aboriginal culture enriched with amazing surrounds of gorges, waterfalls, natural bush land and billabongs. Depending on the season you go, you could see crocodiles, wallabies, dingoes, goannas and a number of bird species. Kakadu National Park is situated 250 kilometres east of Darwin. Visit Kakadu National Park website »
Visit Australia’s famous wine regions
Australia is well-known for its many wine regions; it has a superb array of wines that are internationally renowned. Outlined below are some of the most popular Australian wine districts:
- Margaret River - Western Australia. This is one of the most popular and vibrant wine regions in Australia. Initially regarded as a producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, it has since gained an impressive reputation for being capable of producing all the classical wines. Visit Margaret River website »
- Yarra Valley – Victoria. Melbourne’s beautiful and scenic wine region, Yarra Valley is one of the best wine regions in the world and home to over 55 wineries. Take a winery tour and sample some of the finest wines Australia has on offer, including famous Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. Visit Yarra Valley Tourism website »
- Barossa Valley – South Australia. The Barossa Valley has a strong German heritage that is filled with a certain charm and relaxed atmosphere. Its styles of Shiraz and fine choices of Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chardonnay make the Barossa Valley Australia’s best-known wine region, both nationally and internationally. Visit Barossa Valley website »
- Hunter Valley – New South Wales. The Hunter Valley has a long history of winemaking and is the oldest wine region in Australia, starting back as early 1825. This senior region is famous for its long-lived Semillon and equally long-lived Shiraz. Visit Hunter Valley Tourism website »