If you are planning a move to Australia, there are a lot of things you will have to take into consideration to keep the whole moving process smooth. From planning how to move your furniture and possessions over to the new city, opening a bank account, to meeting the appropriate legal requirements, the list seems endless.
In this article, you will find a number of helpful suggestions and insights that will help you plan your move, travel in the most effective way and seamlessly ease into the life of an expat living in Australia.
Carry only what you need
Making the move to Australia does not mean you have to ship everything you own. As much as you want to settle into a new place surrounded by familiar items, it is safer and more economical to ship only the most important items and buy anything else you need when you arrive. Of course, items like your furniture, clothes and valuables have to go with you. But you will have to leave behind your plants and decorative items, and those little odds and ends that clutter your home. In fact, there are certain items you will not be allowed to carry into Australia. Doing so will only cause delays and fines that you really could do without.
After you have decided on what to move and what to sell or give away, you should then decide how you want to move them to your new city. Because of the complex nature of moving things into Australia, it is will be better and more convenient if you ship only the essentials.
Keep your essentials close by
According to the expert movers at www.ausmove.co.nz, the rule of thumb for any kind of journey is to keep your most important belongings close by. Even if you are paying a moving company to ship your stuff to Australia, you should have a small bag on you that contains your essentials.
For one thing, shipping your belongings to Australia will take at least a couple of weeks, and unless you want your belongings to go ahead of you, there are important items you will need while waiting for your shipment to arrive. And, even if your belongings arrive before you, you should always ensure that things like your laptop, phones, passport, original documents and even toiletries are in a carry-on bag close to you at all times.
Choose a town that suits your personality
Australia is a massive place. It measures more than 3 million square miles, which is about the size of Europe. The country is so large that it would take you a decent amount of time just to travel from Sydney to Perth. For this reason, it is important you make the choice of where to stay before moving over.
There are countless towns and cities to choose from, so make sure to do your research and choose a place that best suits your needs and expectations. For example, Sydney is a vibrant city full of beach towns, trendy neighborhoods and neat suburbs. Melbourne, although smaller, is more cultural, has more personality and is known for lots of exciting festivals. Then there is Adelaide with its wine and Byron Bay surf. If you are over 55, you may want to consider living in a retirement village that provides you added support, security and a fantastic rural lifestyle. Once you decide on a city that suits your personality, you will find it easier to ease into Australian life.
Set-up a bank account
You don’t want to arrive at your new city and discover that you cannot buy the things you need or make payments to cover your initial costs. For this reason, it is a good idea to open an Australian bank account before you leave. Fortunately, some of the big banks allow you to do so online, so that everything will be ready for you when you arrive. You can even put some money into your new account so that you are not left without cash in a new country.
For the most part, setting up a bank account is simple; all you will need are copies of your identification documents and passport. But once you arrive in Australia, you will have to visit the closest branch of the bank to activate your new account. To do this, you may be required to produce your passport, driver’s license, original documents and a letter of confirmation from the bank containing your account information.
Be aware of the dangers in Australia
The real danger in Australia is not the thieves and crooks; although you will find those there, as you would anywhere else. The real danger is also not the creepy crawlies or the animals that walk on four legs, even though Australia has its own share of those. Rather, the real danger in Australia is the sun.
Australian is famous for having one of the hottest climates in the world. In fact, you will likely experience a sunny day every day of the year. In some areas, the temperature can go well in excess of 40 degrees. Earlier this year, the country was in the news as having experienced one of the hottest bouts of weather in history, in which tarmac roads melted and hundreds of bats died.
When you arrive in Australia, be prepared to cover up as much of your body as possible with sunscreen and protective clothing (hats not hazmat suits). And, when you finally settle in, try as much as possible to reduce your carbon footprint to keep Australia beautiful and safe for everyone.
Have a master plan
Making the big move is not something to take lightly; it is a big deal and should be treated as such. To make a mistake and so that you can enjoy your move, first take the time to draw up a master plan.
Your master plan should contain your purpose for moving, when you want to move, how you will fund the move, the mandatory things you will need for the trip and how you plan on tying up any loose ends. It wouldn’t do to move to Australia while your bills pile up in your hometown, you have to cancel the necessary subscriptions, utilities and redirect your mail.
Crosscheck your master plan multiple times to ensure that you are not leaving anything out, otherwise you may have to travel back to make sure that the loose ends are actually tidied up.
Final words
There is a long and complex process involved in moving to Australia, but, at the end of the day, you will not be sorry you did it. If you are too busy or find that you cannot handle your move on your own, don’t hesitate to hire a professional so that you enjoy every aspect of your relocation, from the journey to settling in.