Before You Arrive
Moving to Sydney from overseas or interstate requires planning. This guide covers the essentials so you can hit the ground running.
Visa & Immigration
Most migrants arrive on skilled work visas (subclass 482, 186, 189), student visas (subclass 500), or family-stream permanent residency. Check the Department of Home Affairs for current requirements. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) determines eligibility for points-tested visas.
TFN & Tax File Number
Apply for a TFN via the Australian Taxation Office as soon as you arrive. You cannot work legally without one. It takes 10–28 days to arrive by post.
Medicare
Australia's public healthcare system. If you're from a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement country (UK, NZ, Ireland, Italy, and several others), you can enrol immediately. Permanent residents and citizens are automatically covered. Private health insurance is recommended to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge.
Banking
Open a bank account before you arrive via CommBank, Westpac, NAB, or ANZ — the "Big Four." Digital banks like Up and 86400 are popular for everyday banking.
Settling In
Suburbs for Newcomers
Inner West (Newtown, Glebe, Marrickville) — vibrant, multicultural, good transport. Eastern Suburbs (Coogee, Randwick, Kensington) — near beaches and the city. Lower North Shore (North Sydney, Neutral Bay) — family-friendly with city views.
Cost of First Month
- Rent bond (4 weeks) + 2 weeks upfront: $4,000–$8,000
- Furniture & appliances: $2,000–$5,000
- Opal card (public transport): $50–$100
- Groceries (2 weeks): $200–$400
- SIM card plan: $20–$60/month
Transport
Get an Opal card from any convenience store or station. The train network connects most suburbs to the CBD. Buses and ferries fill the gaps. See our Sydney Transport guide for full details.
Useful Links
Where Newcomers Actually Live
Most new arrivals choose between four zones. The Inner West (Newtown, Glebe, Marrickville, Balmain) is the default for young professionals and renters — trains every few minutes, cafes everywhere, and 2-bedroom apartments from $550–$800 a week. The Eastern Suburbs (Coogee, Randwick, Kensington) suit beach lovers and UNSW students. The Lower North Shore (Neutral Bay, Crows Nest, North Sydney) attracts families and corporate workers with its quick CBD commute. Budget-conscious newcomers increasingly start in Parramatta or the Inner West fringe, where rents drop 30–40% for a 30–40 minute longer commute.
The practical tip for 2026: choose your suburb around your commute line first, because Sydney’s sprawl punishes bad transport choices. A place on the T4 line or the new metro saves an hour a day compared with a bus-dependent suburb.
The First Month, Step by Step
Week one: apply for a TFN online, enrol in Medicare if eligible (reciprocal agreements cover the UK, NZ, Ireland, Italy, and others), open a bank account (the Big Four plus digital banks like Up), and buy an Opal card. Week two: secure accommodation and set up utilities — electricity and NBN internet connect within days. Week three: register with a GP, join a super fund, and get your NSW driver licence if you plan to drive. Week four: start networking and job hunting in earnest.
Budget $5,000–$9,000 for the setup phase: 4 weeks’ bond plus 2 weeks’ rent advance ($4,000–$8,000 for most rentals), furniture ($2,000–$5,000), and connection fees. Sydney’s upfront costs are the highest in Australia — the single biggest barrier for newcomers — so arrive with a real cash buffer.
The Climate Adjustment
Sydney’s weather is genuinely subtropical: warm, humid summers with the occasional thunderstorm, mild winters where a light jacket suffices, and no snow at all. UV levels are extreme — sunscreen is a daily essential from September to April — and summer heatwaves can push 40°C, though the sea breeze usually rescues the coast by afternoon.
The lifestyle consequence is that Sydney is an outdoor city: year-round beach swimming (water stays 18–22°C), outdoor dining on every corner, and weekend culture built around the harbour and the national parks. Pack for layers and sun, not cold.
The First Week Checklist, Simplified
Day 1: TFN application online (takes 10 minutes), bank account opened (walk into any branch with your passport). Day 2: Opal card bought and loaded, phone SIM sorted (prepaid from $20). Day 3: Medicare enrolment if eligible. Day 4: start inspecting rentals with your application pack ready. Day 5: view the suburb you’ll live in at the times you’ll actually commute. Day 6: open a super fund (any of the big industry funds — AustralianSuper, Hostplus, REST — all work). Day 7: rest, explore, and book your first weekend adventure.