New Migrant Complete Setup Guide

The First Month Essentials

Moving to Australia from China is a massive life change. The bureaucracy, systems, and cultural norms are very different. This guide walks you through everything in the order you need to do it, with specific tips for Chinese migrants based on common challenges we see in the community.

Priority order for the first 30 days: 1) Bank account, 2) Phone SIM, 3) Accommodation, 4) TFN application, 5) Medicare enrolment, 6) Job search/start employment, 7) Driver's licence conversion, 8) Children's school enrolment. See our detailed First 90 Days Checklist for step-by-step instructions on each.

Things That Surprise Chinese Migrants

• Shops close early: Most shops close at 5-6pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends. Supermarkets are open later (until 9-10pm) and some are 24 hours. This is very different from China where shops often open until 10pm+. Plan your shopping accordingly — weekend afternoons are the busiest times.
• Everything is more expensive: Food, dining out, and services cost significantly more than in China. A basic lunch: $15-25 (vs ¥20-40 in China). Haircut: $25-50 (vs ¥30-100). A plumber visit: $150-300/hour. Labour costs are high because wages are high — this is the trade-off of living in a high-wage economy. Cooking at home is the biggest money saver.
• Tipping is NOT expected: Unlike the US, Australians do not tip. Restaurants, taxis, hairdressers — no tip expected or required. Prices include service. Some high-end restaurants have a tip jar but using it is entirely optional.
• Quieter and more spread out: Australian cities are much less dense than Chinese cities. Streets can feel empty by 8pm. Public transport is less frequent than in Shanghai or Beijing. This can feel isolating at first — it's normal and will improve as you build local connections.
• Sunday culture: Many businesses are closed or have reduced hours on Sundays. Some suburbs feel deserted. This is Australian weekend culture — people are at home, at the beach, or at sporting events. Sunday is family/rest time.
• Queuing is sacred: Australians queue for everything and take cutting in line very seriously. Wait your turn — at shops, bus stops, service counters. Pushing ahead is considered extremely rude and will generate hostile reactions.
• Direct communication style: Australians tend to be more direct than Chinese in business and social settings. This isn't rudeness — it's cultural. Similarly, Australians may find Chinese indirect communication confusing. Finding the balance takes time.

Essential Apps and Websites

Common New Arrival Mistakes

• Not opening a bank account in the first 6 weeks: After 6 weeks, you need 100 points of Australian ID. Within 6 weeks, just your passport is enough. This is the #1 deadline new migrants miss.
• Using banks for international money transfers: Banks charge 2-4% hidden exchange rate margins. Use Wise or OFX instead — saves hundreds per transfer.
• Not comparing energy and insurance providers: Default energy plans and first-offered insurance quotes are almost always overpriced. Always compare using government comparison tools.
• Buying a car immediately: If you live near public transport, you may not need a car. Car ownership costs $8,000-15,000/year (registration, insurance, fuel, maintenance, parking). Consider if public transport + occasional Uber/DiDi is cheaper for your situation.
• Not claiming tax deductions: Many new migrants don't realise they can claim work-related expenses, even in their first year. Keep receipts for work clothes, tools, professional development, and home office expenses. Lodge a tax return even if you only worked part of the year — you may receive a refund.