Sun, beaches, surfing, kangaroos, plenty of opportunities to raise kids in a safe environment… this is what you are signing up for. However, this time you are not a simple tourist. Even though moving to Australia as a family can be challenging and you are often advised to move alone first, settle down and form a solids ground before letting your family come, we are giving you heads up so you can find your way around the land down under as a whole family at once.

Plan the weather

Australia is famous for its beaches and beautiful weather. However, there is more beyond sunny images you can usually come across. Depending on the purpose of your travel, weather may play an important role. Also, take personal preferences into account. High temperatures, winds, waves, as well as humidity levels can affect the perception of what the temperature actually feels like. Certain places are better visited in winter months, while others may be more convenient during spring and summer.

Plan your trip

One of the first things you should do is look into airfares. Everyone knows you should try to book as early as possible. Apart from that, try avoiding peak seasons if you want to succeed in an attempt to book a cheap flight. Furthermore, you need a place to stay. You should find temporary accommodation for the first couple of days/weeks and move onto finding a more permanent solution. A hotel is a luxurious option. At this point,  Airbnb is a cheaper alternative for a family accommodation.

The paperwork

Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork with you. Think about the folder you keep at home for the “essentials” and make sure to take it with you, along with the certified copies (all documents must be officially translated into English). This should include your birth/marriage certificates, children birth certificates, driving licenses, IDs, passports, booking confirmations, as well as any relevant medical documentation. If you or any of your family members use prescription drugs, bring those prescriptions as you may need them at airport customs.

Manage your accounts and subscriptions

Before you leave your home, cancel any subscriptions you may have. Doing this will ensure you avoid any unnecessary fees. Also, you and your partner should let your bank and credit card providers know you will be going away. If you fail to do this, a certain course of action could lead to them blocking your accounts for safety reasons. Once you get to Australia, open new accounts and transfer the balance from your old accounts to the new ones. Also, do not forget to get the most cost-effective sim cards once you get there, and get tax file numbers so you can work. Take out travel insurance before you set off.

Get a VISA

The purpose of your trip and your intentions should determine the type of visa you need to get – both you and your children will need a 457 visa (a subclass 101 if you’re applying for a visa from outside of Australia, or a subclass 803 if the application is made from within the country). Do not attempt to fly into Australia without the appropriate visa – you may not be permitted to enter the country. You could be moving as a skilled worker, seeking further education, or using an opportunity to get to know the country well with a working holiday visa. Having employment beforehand (and proving that with a Sponsorship from your Australian employer) or proving you have been accepted into a university or any other educational institution for that matter should make the process easier.

For permanent migration…

If you know you will want to extend your visa, or you are looking for permanent migration you need to find the most suitable way of doing so to avoid the hassle. If you are in Sydney, find references for reputable Immigration Lawyers Sydney has listed, and apply for a visa or residency through them. Let them guide you through the process as it may take years and you want to cut down the waiting period as much as you can.

Find an apartment

Once you have made your stay legal and settled all your affairs at home, you need to find more permanent accommodation. When looking for apartments make sure that what you are getting is worth the money. It will often be cheaper to get an apartment without furniture and buy used pieces, or even collect some on Hard Rubbish Day when people put out the furniture they no longer use.

Get a car

… or don’t. Decide whether you truly need a car, at least whether you need one straight away. Cars in Australia can be really expensive, so make sure you don’t get into debt over it. You may end up spending weeks looking for a decent deal, which is why you should start looking early. If most of your commuting is easily done by public transportation and you need the car only occasionally, rent one. When selecting the best car insurance, get a full coverage. It may be more expensive initially, but you will save a lot if you are ever in a situation where you have to pay for damages incurred in an accident.

Keep wildlife in mind

Wherever you go, get informed on the wildlife you can expect. Focus on home intruders. Always check your shoes, toilet seats, drawers, and cupboards before you carelessly stick your hand or foot in it. Most of the visitors cannot cause great harm but they can cause sores and pains which will last for days. This is especially important for the children as they have probably never before had an encounter with any of these exotic species.

Moving to a different country is a life-altering moment. Make sure you have a full closure at home by settling all of your affairs, so you can have a fresh start. Get informed about the country you are moving to, keep your eyes and ears wide open when it concerns you, and you will have no trouble coping.

Meet the Author