Your first 72 hours in Australia

After a long flight, with luggage to carry and a new city to navigate, even buying a SIM can take more energy than expected. Start with a place to sleep, a phone number people can reach and a way to get around.

A bank account, TFN application and job search can follow. Use this three-day outline as a guide, not a deadline: if one task takes longer, you can still move on with the others.

Day 1: Make yourself reachable

The first practical thing is to have internet. You can use an eSIM or buy a local SIM at the airport, supermarket, convenience store or phone shop.

Choose by looking at three things:

• coverage in the area you are going to;
• quantity of data;
• easy charging from the app.

If you're planning to do farm work or take a road trip, don't look at price alone. Coverage outside major cities can matter more than saving a few dollars.

As soon as you have the Australian number:

• update it in your CV;
• use it in your applications;
• save it in the profiles of the work platforms;
• activate two-factor authentication only after you are sure you do not lose access.

Day 1: Set up basic logistics

Before diving into applications, make sure you have a stable base for a few days:

• hostel or room booked;
• address that can be used to receive mail;
• working payment card;
• offline map of the city;
• local transport card, if needed;
• power bank and adapter.

You don't need to find the perfect home right away. In the first few days it is more important to have a safe place, central enough to move around and flexible if you change city.

Day 2: Open or activate your bank account

To work in Australia you will need an Australian account. Many banks allow you to start the process online, but you may need to verify your identity at the branch or via the app.

When choosing, check:

• cost of withdrawals;
• quality of the app;
• presence of branches in the area;
• ease of receiving bank transfers and salary payments.

As soon as the account is active, save:

• BSB;
• account number;
• exact owner name;
• screenshot or PDF of your bank details.

You will be asked for this data when you start a job.

Day 2: Apply for a TFN

The Tax File Number is your Australian tax number. If you work without providing the TFN, you may pay more tax than necessary.

The ATO indicates that temporary visitors with a valid work rights visa can apply for the TFN online when in Australia. The application is free. After requesting, the TFN is sent to your designated Australian address and can take up to 28 days.

Before starting the question, prepare:

• passport;
• visa data;
• Australian address;
• accessible email;
• Australian number, if already available.

Don't ask duplicate questions again if the TFN doesn't arrive right away. Keep your receipt or ATO receipt ID.

Day 2: Prepare your superannuation details

Once you have somewhere to stay and a working phone, take some time to understand superannuation. If you work as an employee and are eligible, your employer makes contributions to a super fund in addition to your pay.

The practical advice is: when you receive the TFN, consider opening your own super account and communicating it to your employers. This way you try to have a single fund, easier to control when you change jobs.

If you don't choose a fund, the employer can use a stapled fund already linked to you, or a default fund. If you change many jobs without checking, you risk losing track of funds, fees, member numbers and accesses.

You can read about funds such as the following when comparing options. These are examples, not financial recommendations:

• AustralianSuper;
• Hostplus;
• REST Super.

Save fund name, member number and USI immediately. You will need them on your intake forms.

Day 2: Check Medicare and insurance

If you are an Italian citizen, you may be eligible for Medicare through the Reciprocal Health Agreement between Italy and Australia. Coverage may be valid for a limited period and covers medically necessary treatment, according to the official conditions.

To evaluate your registration, prepare:

• Italian passport;
• current visa;
• Italian health card or EHIC valid on the date of arrival;
• Australian address;
• myGov account, if you want to proceed online.

Even if you have access to Medicare, check what it does and doesn't cover. For many backpackers it remains sensible to have a private policy, especially for travel, emergencies, luggage, sports and physical work.

Day 3: Prepare your applications

When you are ready to apply for jobs, prepare the details you will need so you do not have to start from scratch each time:

• One page Australian CV;
• short message in English;
• immediate availability or specific date;
• Australian number;
• area where you are;
• any tickets or certificates;
• driving licence and willingness to travel, if applicable.

For hospitality, it also works well to show up in person at smart times: not during the lunch or dinner rush. For farms and regional jobs, however, more verification is needed before moving.

Questions to ask before accepting a job

Before saying yes, ask:

• what is the legal name of the company;
• what is the ABN;
• where exactly the job is located;
• how much you get paid;
• whether the pay is hourly rate or piece rate;
• how many hours are expected;
• when payslip and payment arrive;
• whether accommodation is included, mandatory or paid;
• whether the work can count towards specified work, when relevant.

A serious employer should not be scared by normal questions. If the answers are vague, aggressive, or too good to be true, stop.

What not to put off

Don't put off your TFN, account and CV. These are the three things that most often slow down the beginning.

Don't put off gathering evidence either. From your first job, keep:

• contract or confirmation messages;
• payslip;
• timesheets;
• address of the workplace;
• name of giver;
• ABN;
• photos or notes of the days worked, if useful.

This evidence becomes very important if you want to renew your visa or if you need to clarify wages and hours.

Give yourself time to settle in

You do not need to find the job or city you will stay in for the whole year straight away. Start applying, talk to people who live locally and leave yourself room to change plans.

Before travelling to a farm job, get the location, pay and accommodation confirmed in writing. The journey costs money even if the work falls through. When your first payslip arrives, read it: an error in hours or pay is easier to query now than months later.

Official sources

• Australian Taxation Office - TFN for temporary visitors: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn/foreign-passport-holders-permanent-migrants-and-temporary-visitors-tfn-application
• Australian Taxation Office - Working holiday makers: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/coming-to-australia-or-going-overseas/coming-to-australia/working-holiday-makers
• Australian Taxation Office - Super from your employer: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/super-from-your-employer
• Services Australia - Visiting from Italy: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements/visitors-australia/medical-care-visitors-australia/visiting-from-italy
• Fair Work Ombudsman - Before starting employment: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/starting-employment/before-starting-employment