Your First Week in Australia: The Complete Setup Checklist (TFN, Bank Account, SIM, Super, myGov)

The first week in Australia involves a specific set of administrative tasks that unlock everything else. Skip one or do them out of order, and you'll lose days waiting for things to activate. Do them in the right sequence — SIM card first, bank account second, TFN third — and by the end of the week you're ready to work, get paid, and start building your Australian life. This is the complete 2026 guide with the correct order, the exact steps, and the details that make the difference.

Most guides about arriving in Australia give you a list of things to do. What they don't tell you is that these tasks are interdependent — you need an Australian phone number to open a bank account, you need a bank account before you can nominate it for your super fund, and you need a TFN before you start work or your employer withholds tax at the maximum rate. The order matters.

This guide gives you the correct sequence, the fastest way to complete each step, and the specific details — the 6-week passport rule, the pre-arrival bank account option, the TFN phone shortcut — that save you time and money in the first days.

Before You Land: Two Things Worth Doing From Home

• 1

  Open a CommBank account before you fly — up to 14 days in advance Commonwealth Bank allows you to begin the account opening process online up to 14 days before you arrive. Your account goes into "deposit-only" mode immediately — you can receive money transfers, but you can't make withdrawals until you verify your identity in person at a branch. The benefit: your account details exist before you land, you can transfer money in before arrival, and your debit card is waiting at the branch when you visit. Transfer your initial funds from your home country account before departure so the money is there when you land. CommBank charges a $4 monthly fee after the first 12 months for most account types — after settling in, many people switch to NAB (permanently $0 fees) once they no longer need CommBank's pre-arrival advantage.

• 2

  Unlock your phone before you leave home Australian SIM cards work in any unlocked phone. Carrier-locked phones — particularly those purchased through contracts in the UK, France, Germany, and Ireland — may not accept an Australian SIM without unlocking first. Contact your home carrier before departure. Unlocking is usually free or low-cost and takes 24–72 hours. Arriving with a locked phone means waiting days to get a working Australian number, which delays everything downstream.

Day 1 — Arrival Day: SIM Card First, Everything Else Second

The SIM card is the first thing. Not your accommodation check-in. Not finding a café. The SIM card.

Every subsequent step — bank account verification, TFN application, myGov setup, job applications, accommodation inquiries — requires an Australian phone number for SMS verification codes. Without an Australian number, you are locked out of most online processes.

Which SIM to Get

Buy your SIM card at the airport on arrival — all major providers have airport stores or vending machines. Alternatively, Woolworths, Coles, 7-Eleven, and supermarkets nationwide sell SIM cards. Bring your passport — identity verification is required by law for all Australian SIM card purchases.

Day 1–2: Bank Account — The 6-Week Passport Rule

Australian banks use a 100-point identity check system. Different documents carry different point values — your passport alone is typically 70 points, requiring additional documents to reach 100. However, there is a critical exception that almost nobody tells new arrivals about:

If you visit a bank branch within 6 weeks (42 days) of arriving in Australia, your foreign passport alone satisfies the full 100-point identity requirement. The "new arrival exemption" acknowledges that you cannot reasonably be expected to have Australian secondary documents yet. After 6 weeks, you will need additional documents — Medicare card, utility bill, bank statement — to reach 100 points.

This means your optimal window for opening a bank account in person is within your first six weeks. Do it in your first week while the exemption is at its most straightforward.

Which Bank to Choose

The recommended two-phase strategy: open CommBank or Westpac before arrival to have an account ready immediately, then open a NAB account once you're settled (NAB is permanently fee-free with no conditions). Use CommBank for your first payslip and initial setup, then switch your employer payment details to NAB once it's active. This avoids CommBank's $4 monthly fee kicking in after year one while giving you immediate banking functionality on arrival.

What to Bring to the Branch

• Your passport
• Your Australian phone number (SIM — see why Day 1 matters)
• Your Australian residential address (hostel is fine)
• Your CommBank welcome letter if you opened pre-arrival

Day 2–3: Tax File Number — Apply Before Your First Shift

Your Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal identifier in Australia's tax system. Without it:

• Your employer must withhold tax at the maximum rate of 45% on all income
• Your bank must withhold 47% of any interest your account earns
• Your super fund is taxed at the top rate on all contributions

None of this money is lost permanently — you can claim it back through your annual tax return. But it creates a significant cash flow gap in your first weeks of work that is entirely avoidable.

How to Apply

Apply online at ato.gov.au. You need your passport and visa details, your Australian address, and your Australian phone number. The application takes approximately 15 minutes. Processing takes up to 28 days by mail — but there is a shortcut.

Once you receive your TFN: give it to your employer on your first day, add it to your bank account through the app or online banking, and add it to your super fund when you set it up. All three of these should happen with your TFN — not after it.

Day 3–4: Super Fund — Choose One, Stick With It

You need a super fund before your first payslip — not after. Under the new Payday Super rules (effective 1 July 2026), your employer must pay super contributions within seven business days of paying your wages. If you haven't nominated a fund, your contributions go to your employer's default fund — which may charge higher fees than you'd otherwise choose.

How to Set Up Your Super Fund

• 1

  Choose a fund — For most working holiday makers and new arrivals, a low-fee industry fund is the best default. Australian Super, Hostplus, REST, and HESTA consistently perform well and have low fees on smaller balances. Compare current fees and performance on the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool at ato.gov.au/super.

• 2

  Register online — Most super funds allow you to open an account entirely online in under 10 minutes. You need your TFN, your Australian address, and your Australian bank account details. If your TFN hasn't arrived yet, you can still open the account — add the TFN later through the fund's member portal.

• 3

  Give your fund details to your employer — On your employment commencement form (the Standard Choice Form), write your fund name, ABN, and member number. This ensures contributions go directly to your chosen fund from your first pay cycle.

• 4

  Review default insurance — consider opting out — Most super funds automatically enrol you in life insurance and TPD cover with premiums deducted from your balance. If you're a working holiday maker with travel insurance, log into your fund's member portal and review whether the default cover is worth the premium cost. Opting out preserves more of your balance for the eventual DASP claim.

Day 4–5: myGov — Set It Up Before You Need It

myGov is the Australian government's central online portal — the single account that connects you to the ATO (for tax returns), Centrelink (for any government payments), Medicare (for permanent residents and eligible visa holders), and other government services. Setting it up takes 15 minutes and requires your TFN and Australian phone number.

Most people set up myGov when they need it — typically when their tax return is due in July. The problem: creating your account in a rush at tax time, when you may have forgotten your original details or changed phone numbers, adds unnecessary stress. Set it up in your first week and it's one less thing to worry about for the rest of your time in Australia.

What to Link in myGov

• 1

  ATO (Australian Taxation Office) — Link immediately. This is where you'll lodge your tax return, track your TFN application, check your super balance, and view your income statement. Linking your ATO account also gives you access to the ATO app's myDeductions tool — useful for tracking work expenses through the year.

• 2

  Medicare (if eligible) — Permanent residents and eligible skilled visa holders should link Medicare to myGov to access the Medicare Safety Net, view your claims history, and manage your private health insurance rebate. Working holiday makers are not eligible for Medicare and cannot link it.

During Your First Week: The RSA and White Card (If Relevant)

Depending on what work you're planning, two industry certificates may be needed before you can start:

RSA — Responsible Service of Alcohol

Required for anyone working in hospitality — bars, restaurants, bottle shops, events. Each state issues its own RSA certificate and they are not transferable between states. Complete the RSA for the state you're working in — not a generic online course that isn't state-recognised. Cost: AUD $30–$80. Completion: typically one day online or in-person. Without a valid RSA, you cannot legally serve alcohol in a licensed venue.

White Card — Construction Induction

Required for anyone working on a construction site in Australia — carpenters, plumbers, electricians, labourers, engineers, and site managers. The White Card (unit of competency CPCCWHS1001) is obtained through a registered training organisation and takes approximately 6–8 hours. Cost: AUD $60–$120. Nationally recognised — one card works in every state. Cannot be completed from overseas and cannot be substituted by overseas safety certificates.

The Complete First Week Sequence

• Day 1

  SIM card at airport or supermarket — Telstra for regional work, Optus or Boost for city. Bring passport.

• Day 1–2

  Bank account branch visit — CommBank or Westpac if you opened pre-arrival (pick up card, complete ID verification). NAB if opening fresh. Bring passport + Australian phone number + address. Use hostel address if no permanent address yet.

• Day 2–3

  TFN application online at ato.gov.au — 15 minutes. Need passport, visa details, Australian address, Australian phone number. Allow 28 days by mail or call 13 28 61 after 28 days if it hasn't arrived.

• Day 3–4

  Super fund setup online — Choose a low-fee industry fund. Register online with TFN (or add later), bank account details, and Australian address. Review default insurance settings.

• Day 4–5

  myGov account creation and ATO link — mygov.au. Need TFN and Australian phone number. Link ATO immediately. Link Medicare if eligible.

• Day 5–7

  RSA and/or White Card if needed — Book RSA for hospitality work in your specific state. Book White Card course at a registered RTO if working in construction. Both completable within a day.

Common Mistakes That Cost People Days or Money

• 1

  Getting the SIM card last — Everything else requires SMS verification. If you do the bank first without an Australian number, you'll be locked out of online banking setup and app activation until you get the SIM. SIM first, always.

• 2

  Starting work before applying for TFN — Technically you can start work without a TFN — your employer can hold your tax at the standard rate for 28 days while you apply. But many employers don't know this rule and withhold at 45% immediately. Apply on arrival, tell your employer it's in progress, and provide the number the moment it arrives.

• 3

  Not nominating a super fund before your first payslip — Your employer uses their default fund if you don't nominate. You can consolidate later, but you'll pay fees on multiple accounts in the interim and go through the admin of consolidation. Nominate your chosen fund on your employment commencement form on day one of employment.

• 4

  Using a personal email address that isn't yours long-term — myGov, ATO, bank accounts, and super funds are all linked to your email address. If you use a temporary email or a shared address, recovering access when you need your tax return or DASP claim becomes complicated. Use an email address you own and will access indefinitely.

• 5

  Forgetting to add your TFN to your bank account — Without your TFN linked to your bank account, your bank is required to withhold 47% of any interest earned. The amount may be small on a transaction account, but it's an unnecessary deduction that takes until your tax return to recover.

The Bottom Line

The Australian bureaucratic setup is genuinely manageable — each individual step is straightforward and most can be done from your phone. The only thing that makes it feel overwhelming is doing things out of order or leaving them until the last minute.

SIM card on arrival day. Bank account within 48 hours. TFN before you start work. Super fund before your first payslip. myGov before you need it for tax time. That sequence, in that order, sets you up correctly for everything that follows.

The whole process takes less than a week of occasional admin between exploring your new city. After that, you can focus on the part that actually matters: finding good work, meeting people, and making the most of your time in Australia.