Australia Working Holiday First Week (D+7) Survival Guide

"I've arrived in Australia but overwhelmed about what to do first. What must I do in the first week?"

The first week in Australia is crucial for completing essential administrative procedures. Complete immigration, SIM card purchase, bank account opening, TFN application, and finding sharehouse within 7 days.

This guide is based on experiences from over 500 working holiday makers.

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Day 0: Arrival Day

Immigration

Required Documents:

• Passport
• Visa Grant Letter (printed)
• Incoming Passenger Card

Example Questions:

• "What's the purpose of your visit?"
  • Answer: "Working holiday."
• "How long will you stay?"
  • Answer: "One year."
• "Where will you be staying?"
  • Answer: "Backpackers in [area name]."

Tips:

• Don't be nervous (most pass within 5 minutes)
• Don't lie

Baggage Claim & Customs

Baggage:

• Collect luggage at Baggage Claim
• If lost: Report to Lost Luggage Counter

Customs:

• Declare food items (gochujang, instant noodles, etc.)
• $420 fine if not declared

Airport → Accommodation Transport

Sydney:

• Airport Link (train) → CBD ($19)
• Duration: 15 minutes

Melbourne:

• SkyBus → CBD ($20)
• Duration: 20 minutes

Brisbane:

• AirTrain → CBD ($18)
• Duration: 20 minutes

Backpacker Check-In

What to Say:

• "Hi, I have a reservation under [name]."
• "What time is check-out?"
• "Is there free Wi-Fi?"

Tips:

• Store valuables in locker
• Clean bathroom after shower (Australian culture)

First Evening

To Do:

• Rest (jet lag adaptation)
• Explore nearby supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths)
• Meal (use backpacker kitchen)

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Day 1: SIM Card & City Exploration

Purchase SIM Card

Recommended:

• ALDI Mobile (best value)
• Optus (purchase at airport)

ALDI Mobile Purchase:

• Find ALDI store (Google Maps)
• SIM card $2 + recharge ($25-45)
• Activate: aldimobile.com.au

Activation Information:

• Passport number
• Australian address (backpacker address)

City Exploration

To Do:

• Walk around CBD (city center)
• Visit major landmarks
  • Sydney Working Holiday Guide: Circular Quay, Harbour Bridge
  • Melbourne Working Holiday Guide: Flinders Street Station, Fed Square
  • Brisbane: South Bank
• Confirm nearby bank locations (open account tomorrow)

Start Sharehouse Search

Websites:

• Flatmates.com.au
• Gumtree
• Facebook Groups

Filter Settings:

• Location: CBD or near public transport
• Price: $150-250/week
• Move-in date: ASAP

Tips:

• Contact at least 5-10 places
• "Hi, is the room still available?"

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Day 2: Open Bank Account

Choose Bank

Recommended Banks:

• Commonwealth Bank (CBA) (largest)
• ANZ
• NAB
• Westpac

Selection Criteria:

• Many ATMs
• No-fee accounts

Account Opening Procedure

Step 1: Visit Bank

• Appointment: Online or phone (recommended)
• Walk-in: May have long wait

Step 2: Required Documents

• Passport
• Australian address (backpacker accepted)
• Contact number (Australian phone)

Step 3: Select Account Type

• Everyday Account (transaction account)
• Savings Account

Step 4: Receive Card

• Immediate: Temporary card
• Official card: Mail (7-10 days)

Account Information

What You'll Receive:

• BSB (bank identification number)
• Account Number
• Internet banking login details

Usage:

• Receive salary
• Money transfers (Korea ↔ Australia)

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Day 3: TFN Application

How to Apply for TFN

Online Application (Free):

• Website: ATO TFN Application

Required Information:

• Passport number
• Australian address
• Bank account (optional)

Processing Time:

• Application: 10 minutes
• Issuance: Instant (online) or 28 days (mail)

Save TFN Number

After Receiving:

• Screenshot
• Save email
• Record in notes

Usage:

• Provide to employer when starting job
• Tax Return

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Day 4-5: Sharehouse Inspections

Inspection (Viewing)

Prepare:

• Book 3-5 sharehouses
• Create question list
• Save contacts

Question List:

• "How much is the rent?"
• "How much is the bond?"
• "Are bills included?"
• "When can I move in?"
• "How many people live here?"

Checklist Items

Room:

• Clean?
• Bed, desk, wardrobe present?
• Window present?

Common Areas:

• Kitchen/living room clean?
• How many bathrooms/showers?
• Washing machine available?

Location:

• Near public transport (10 min walk)
• Near supermarket
• Safe neighborhood

Pre-Contract Precautions

Verify:

• Written contract
• Bond deposited with Rental Bond Board (NSW)
• Take photos before moving in

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Day 6-7: Start Job Hunting

Prepare Resume

WHRESUME Builder:

• Free Resume Builder
• Complete in 10 minutes
• PDF download

How to Find Jobs

Online:

• Online Job Platforms

• Gumtree Jobs

Offline:

• Visit cafes/restaurants
• "Are you hiring?"
• Hand-deliver resume

First Week Goals

Goals:

• Submit resume to 10+ places
• Visit 5+ places offline
• Networking (backpacker friends)

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First Week Checklist (Complete)

Day 0 (Arrival)

• Pass immigration
• Collect baggage
• Backpacker check-in
• Rest

Day 1

• Purchase SIM card
• City exploration
• Start sharehouse search

Day 2

• Open bank account
• Set up internet banking

Day 3

• Apply for TFN online
• Save TFN number

Day 4-5

• Inspect 3-5 sharehouses
• Sign contract (if good conditions)

Day 6-7

• Write resume
• Apply to 10+ jobs
• Visit cafes offline

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Must I find sharehouse in first week?

A. Backpackers are expensive so finding sharehouse within 2 weeks is recommended. However, rushing can lead to bad places, so be careful.

Q2. What if I don't have address for bank account opening?

A. Use backpacker address. Banks accept this. You can change address later when you move to sharehouse.

Q3. Can I start working without TFN yet?

A. Yes, you can provide it to employer within 28 days. You can work without TFN before then.

Q4. Must I find job in first week?

A. No, first 2-3 weeks is adaptation period. Solve bank/TFN/sharehouse first, then find jobs.

Q5. I'm worried about my English.

A. Don't worry. Backpackers have many Koreans and Korean communities exist. English improves over time.

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Final: First Week Survival Tips

Priority Order:

1. SIM card
2. Bank account
3. TFN
4. Sharehouse
5. Job

First week is adaptation period.

• Don't rush
• Network with backpacker friends
• Experience Australian culture

Next Steps:

• Move into sharehouse
• Start job
• Begin full working holiday life

Wishing you a successful start to your Australian working holiday!

Related Articles:

• Australia TFN Application Complete Guide
• Australia Accommodation Complete Guide
• Australia Working Holiday Resume Writing Complete Guide
• Australia City Selection Guide
• Melbourne Working Holiday Complete Guide
• Sydney Working Holiday Complete Guide

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Was this article helpful? WHRESUME genuinely supports Australian working holidaymakers. Start your successful Australian life with our Free Resume Builder! 🇦🇺✨

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Related Articles

• Australia Bank Account Opening Guide
• Australia TFN Application Guide
• Australia SIM Card Guide
• Australia Accommodation Guide

About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

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