New to Australia?

Australia 101

Your first months in 7 steps, in the order you need them. Tick off each step when it's done.

0 of 7 steps done

01
Your first week

A phone number, a bank account and the numbers to save. A free interpreter is there if you need one.
- Guide Your first week Just arrived? Do these first
- My rights A free interpreter Ask: government offices, police, public hospitals
02
Get your tax number

Get a TFN before your first job, so you don't pay too much tax.
- Guide Tax File Number (TFN) Starting your first job? Get this number first.
03
Medicare, if you can get it

Whether you can get Medicare depends on your visa. Check, and if you can, get your own card.
- My rights Your own Medicare card Ask: Services Australia
04
Find a home

Where to look, what you sign, who pays which bill, and how you get your bond back.
05
Start work

Your rights at work, the super your boss pays, and the payslip you should get.
06
Everyday rules

Roads, manners and bins. Small things that make daily life easier.
07
Your first tax return

Once a year you tell the ATO what you earned. You might get money back.
- Guide Your tax return Tax time: you might get money back

General information only, not legal advice. Laws can be different in each state.

AusBasic in your pocket

The same guide, made for your phone. Coming to iPhone.

iPhone app · coming soon

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Preferential voting

You number the people in order: 1, 2, 3. If your first choice can't win, your vote goes to your next choice.

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Compulsory voting

All enrolled citizens must vote. If you don't, you need a good reason.

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Electorate

An area that picks one member for the House of Representatives. Also called a seat.

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Coalition

2 or more parties that work together. In Australia it usually means the Liberal and National parties.

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Governor-General

The King's representative in Australia. Signs new laws, but follows the government's advice.

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Referendum

A vote by all voters to change the Constitution.

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Constitution

Australia's main rule book. It says how Parliament, the government and the courts work.

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Enrol

Put your name on the list of voters. You do it with the AEC.

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Magistrate

The person who decides cases in the Local or Magistrates Court.

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Bond

Money you pay when you start renting, often about 4 weeks of rent. You get it back at the end if there is no damage and no rent owing.

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Super

Short for superannuation. Money your boss saves for you for when you stop working.

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Tribunal

A place to fix disputes. It is simpler and cheaper than a court.

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Tax-free threshold

The first $18,200 you earn in a tax year. You pay no tax on it. Claim it from one job only.

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Rego

Registration

Your car's registration. You pay it regularly, often every year, to drive on public roads.

Short form

CTP

Compulsory Third Party insurance

Insurance you must have for your car. It pays for people who are hurt in a crash.

Short form

TFN

Tax File Number

Your own number for tax. It is free and you keep it for life.

Short form

ABN

Australian Business Number

A number for a business. You need one if you work for yourself, for example as a contractor.

Short form

GST

Goods and Services Tax

A 10% tax on most things you buy. It is usually already in the price.

Short form

PAYG

Pay As You Go

Tax your boss takes out of your pay and sends to the ATO.

Short form

HECS-HELP

Higher Education Loan

A government loan for uni fees. You pay it back through tax once you earn enough.

Short form

ATO

Australian Taxation Office

The government office for tax and super.

Short form

AEC

Australian Electoral Commission

Runs federal elections and keeps the list of voters.

Short form

PR

Permanent Resident

Someone who can live in Australia for good but is not a citizen yet. PRs can't vote in federal elections.

Short form

MP

Member of Parliament

A person elected to speak for your area in parliament.

Short form

RSA

Responsible Service of Alcohol

A certificate you need to serve alcohol at work, like in a bar or restaurant.

Short form

L and P plates

Learner and Provisional licence

L plates: you are learning to drive with a supervisor. P plates: you have a new licence with extra rules.

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Medicare

Australia’s public health system. It pays some or all of the cost of seeing a doctor and of public hospital care.

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Centrelink

The government service that pays benefits, for example to students, families and people looking for work.

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myGov

A free government account. One login for the ATO, Medicare and Centrelink.

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Council

Your local government. It looks after bins, local roads, parks and libraries.

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Minimum wage

The lowest pay an employer is allowed to pay. It is reviewed every year.

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Payslip

A record of your pay: hours, pay, tax taken out and super.

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Voluntary administration

When a struggling company hands control to an outside expert, who decides if it can be saved.

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Legal Aid

Legal help paid for by government. Often free if you can’t afford a lawyer.

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Lease

Your rental agreement. It sets the rent, how long you stay and the rules.

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Condition report

A form that records what the home looks like when you move in. It helps protect your bond.

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Prime Minister

The leader of the federal government.

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Premier

The leader of a state government.

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Territory

A part of Australia that is not a state, like the ACT and the Northern Territory.

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Fair Work

The government office that helps with pay and rights at work. Phone 13 13 94.

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Bill

A plan for a new law, before parliament passes it.

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Appeal

Asking a higher court to look at a decision again.

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Jury

A group of ordinary people who decide if someone is guilty.