Your first week: what to sort out first

The first few days are busy and you will still be jet-lagged. You don't need to do everything at once. Go in this order and none of it is hard.

Day one: get your phone working

Banks, uni systems and rental sites all send codes to an Australian mobile number, so a SIM card comes first.

• Prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport, convenience stores and supermarkets. You need your passport to activate one.
• Many universities hand out free SIM cards during orientation. Use one to start and compare plans later.
• The main networks are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Many smaller brands run on those networks and are usually cheaper.

Within seven days: give your uni your address

This is the one people miss, and it is a student visa condition.

A temporary address is fine to start with. Update it when you move into your long-term place.

The first few days: bank account and tax file number

Bank account. Some banks let you apply online before you leave. After you land, take your passport to a branch to verify your identity and collect your card. Many student accounts have no monthly fee, but the conditions differ, so read them first. See bank accounts and phone plans for how to choose.

Tax file number (TFN). You need one to work. Once you are in Australia, apply free on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. The TFN is posted to your Australian address and usually takes a few weeks. You can start work before it arrives, but give it to your employer soon, or tax is withheld at the highest rate.

Before you head out: a transport card

Each state has its own card: myki in Victoria, Opal in New South Wales, go card in Queensland, SmartRider in Western Australia and metroCARD in South Australia. Many cities also accept a bank card or phone tap. Whether international students get a concession fare differs by state, so ask your uni's student services.

Don't forget

• Save your OSHC policy number on your phone; you need it at the doctor. If health cover is still unclear, see the health cover page.
• Go to orientation week. Enrolment help, student cards and campus tours usually happen then.
• In an emergency, call 000 for police, ambulance and fire.

After a week, things start to settle into a rhythm. If anything is unclear, ask us.