Australia (AU)

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay. Original required for bank account opening, Medicare enrolment and all government services; keep certified copies separately.

Official visa grant notice from the Department of Home Affairs; all Australian visas are electronic (no physical sticker). Download from ImmiAccount. Required for Medicare enrolment, employer commencement, bank account opening and Centrelink registration.

Required for citizenship applications, Medicare (for children), school enrolment and identity verification. Australia is a Hague Apostille member; foreign birth certificates from Hague member countries require apostille plus NAATI-certified English translation if not in English.

Required for partner visa applications, name change, Family Tax Benefit claims and joint financial applications. Apostille from Hague member countries; NAATI-certified English translation required if not in English.

Required for school enrolment, Medicare child registration, Centrelink family payments and children's citizenship applications. Apostille from Hague member countries; NAATI-certified translation required if not in English.

A valid overseas licence with an IDP (or NAATI-certified translation if not in English) allows driving as a temporary visitor for up to 3 months from arrival. Once you become a permanent resident, you typically have a further 3 months before you must convert to a state/territory driving licence. Rules vary slightly by state; check with your state road authority (Service NSW, VicRoads/VicRoads successor, DTES, etc.).

Degree certificates and official transcripts required for skills assessments (VETASSESS for general occupations, Engineers Australia, AHPRA for healthcare professionals), employer vetting and skilled visa applications. Apostille from Hague member countries; NAATI-certified translation required if not in English.

Required for visa character assessments and employment in childcare, healthcare, education and aged care. Obtain from every country where you lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years. The Department of Home Affairs has its own character assessment process; foreign clearances do not require apostille for immigration purposes specifically, but your employer or state authority may request it separately.

Letters from previous employers on company letterhead confirming job title, employment dates and key responsibilities. Required for skills assessments, employer sponsorship visa applications and Australian job applications. Each country has its own reference-letter conventions; Australian employers prefer detailed, signed letters rather than a numerical performance rating.

Immunisation history required to update the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) — accessible via myGov > Medicare after enrolment. Children's vaccination records are required for childcare enrolment and the Child Care Subsidy. Some visa categories require an immigration medical examination by an approved panel physician.

Apply for an Australian TFN from the ATO (ato.gov.au) after arrival — required for all payroll, income tax returns and superannuation contributions. Provide the TFN to your superannuation fund immediately on starting work; without it, employer contributions are taxed at the top withholding rate (47%) instead of 15%. Also keep home-country tax records for any foreign income declarations or double tax treaty claims on your Australian return.

Australia has some of the world's strictest pet biosecurity requirements. Cats and dogs must arrive from an approved country with a valid microchip, rabies vaccinations, a veterinary health certificate and an import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Mandatory post-arrival quarantine (10 days for approved countries; longer from others) applies at the Mickleham facility in Victoria. Begin preparations 6–12 months before travel.