Being a migrant is not something anyone can be daring enough to do. And if you’ve gone through the hoops of securing a visa to stay in Australia, then you’re probably wondering how you can navigate this new land with ease and confidence if you do not have a valid drivers license .
Besides the obvious things like formalising your job outlook and booking your flight to the Land Down Under, one crucial yet frequently overlooked aspect of moving to Australia is organising your day-to-day life.
Things like making payments in stores, using public transportation, and even driving on the correct side of the street can be greatly different here than back home, so it’s key to be aware of these societal quirks to make sure you fit right in.
If you’re looking for some insider tips to move smoothly in Australia, you’re in the right place. We’ll list down five useful tips you can follow to make moving around Australia as a new migrant feel like a breeze.
Let’s get right into it!
- Work Your Way Towards Getting a Driver’s License
One of the best ways to travel around Australia is by driving your own vehicle. Nothing beats having the freedom to go anywhere the roads take you.
That said, you should always ensure that you’re abiding by local laws and regulations before getting behind the wheel. And as a migrant, this means securing the right license to be able to drive on Australian roads .
The state you choose to reside in will play a big role in influencing your right to secure a proper Australian license. As such, check your state’s rules online (Service NSW, VicRoads, TMR QLD, Service SA, and so on) before proceeding to confirm your driving rights—or the steps to follow to secure a license to drive.
If you already have a license back home, you can undergo a streamlined Australian license application process. You’d need to prepare the right documents (like an ID and IDP), book tests, and schedule and attend appointments before being granted the license.
Of course, you should pass these tests, which will consist of both theoretical and practical application of driving in Australia.
If you never had a license back home, you’ll need to apply for a learner’s permit and log supervised hours—just like a local student learner would. This process can take you a few months to get road-ready, so it’s best to know alternative ways to get around in the meantime.
Thankfully, getting around most major cities isn’t too difficult without a vehicle.
2. Familiarise Yourself With Public Transportation
During the first few days of your relocation, you’ll likely not have a vehicle ready for use. The good news is that in most cities, you’ll not be completely out of luck going from place to place, as there are buses and trains connecting hubs to one another.
Public transportation in most Australian cities is fairly reliable, with cities having more frequent bus and train schedules than smaller towns. Fares are pretty minimal and can be paid using city-specific cards (like Sydney’s Opal card, Brisbane Go card or Melbourne’s Myki card).
These cards don’t work outside their territories, so get ready to purchase another one if you’re travelling outside the card’s original territory.
Fare tickets can also be paid for using a credit card or contactless payment options. However, having a transportation card is more reliable.
In some cases, such as if you’re a student, you can also enjoy discounts on your fare—so be sure to apply for this once you have your ID to cut down on transportation rates. You should also download real-time apps that provide route updates to ensure that you’ll know when the buses or trains are coming.
Of course, you should also familiarise yourself with your local route. Know the fastest and most convenient way to go from your accommodation to your workplace or school, and vice versa. Familiarise yourself with the public transportation timetables (i.g, Bus schedules) as well, especially if you’re from a place with infrequent bus arrivals.
Understanding your route and transportation mode can help you transition more smoothly into living in Australia. You can also consider these transportation tips for new migrants in Australia for more information on the matter.
3. Learn Road Orientation and Rules
If you’re coming from a country that mainly drives on the right side of the road, then prepare to have your world flipped upside down when coming to the Land Down Under.
Australia is one of the few countries that drives on the left side. Car layouts also have a right-side driver configuration. Besides the feel of the car and the road, you’ll also need to adjust to intersections, roundabouts, and overtaking rules.
General driving rules insist that drivers keep left unless they’re overtaking. In roundabouts, priority always goes to cars on the right. Default speed limits are also things to know when driving, which are 50 km/h in residential areas and 100 km/h on highways.
In any case, you’ll learn these things once you take proper driving lessons in Australia , which is a mandatory requirement regardless of whether you have previous driving experience or not, as this step is necessary in order to obtain a license.
4. Book Rental Cars to go Anywhere
Don’t want to buy a car right away, but still want the freedom to go anywhere you want? That’s no problem at all.
Rental cars are plentiful across all major Australian towns and cities, and there are a range of options that can fit one’s budget, size needs, speed, and timing requirements.
Securing a rental car is a good way to enjoy the freedom of mobility without spending a fortune on transportation as soon as you move in. It’s especially useful during one-off events when you need the freedom to be mobile, like road trips or business trips out of town.
To book a rental car, you simply have to go to a hire car office and make an inquiry. You can also search for local ones online and send an email or call their number during business hours. They’ll assess your needs and get you fixed with a car and a quote—provided that you have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and are amenable to their contract.
By booking a rental car, you can drive with the freedom of owning one without actually spending on one. It’s a great alternative for transportation if public transportation options are limited, and if you’re smart, there are ways to get good deals. Plus, it can help you move multiple parties from one location to another with ease and convenience.
5. Know The Different Ways to Cover Long Distances
Australia is a massive country, and getting from one territory to another can be incredibly time-consuming (or expensive) if you’re covering the distance through a suboptimal method.
As such, it’s important to be familiar with the different ways to move from place to place in Australia, as well as their respective cost and durations.
For instance, let’s assume you need to travel to Melbourne over the weekend from Sydney. In such cases, you have four main transportation methods:
- Self-drive: Takes 10 or so hours without breaks. You’ll pay for fuel and maybe a rental fee if you’re using a car hire.
- Bus/coach: Takes 12 hours. Least comfortable option, but lowest cost. Costs about $60-90 AUD one-way.
- Train: Takes 11 hours. Comfortable seating. Costs about $80-100 AUD one-way.
- Flight: Takes about 1.5 hours. Maybe add 2-3 hours more to travel to and from the city centre. Costs anywhere between $90-300 AUD one-way.
The ideal transportation method depends on the type of traveller you are.
If you’re a migrant with limited funds, a bus or a train might be optimal to save costs. You can time the bus or train rides at night to maximise your schedule. However, if the purpose of the trip is business or something urgent, flights are better and more comfortable overall.
We hope these tips will help you adjust to moving around Australia more easily. All the best!
