Australian Relocation Services
Australia is a wonderful country of around 23 million people with a wide array of climates, natural landscapes, and flora & fauna for you to enjoy. This page will provide you with access to information that you may find useful including finding visas, dealing with money (banks, exchange, mortgages), finding property, medical care, and moving your possessions and pets.
Visas
To find out about the visas available to you from the Australian Immigration department, it may be useful to use their find a visa service. Migration agents can be useful to help you obtain your visa with advice on which visa to apply for. They can provide advice on your submission and complete forms on your behalf, making the process much less stressful. It is important to make sure the agents are MARA registered see www.mara.gov.au The Emigration Group is the migration consultancy preferred by Opal Relocations. When it comes to emigrating, it pays dividends to seek reliable, professional advice from a source sufficiently experienced to provide it. The Emigration Group has been helping people achieve a new life in Australia for over 20 years. Since 1992, they have assisted over 12,000 people to successfully migrate to our shores. The company is the current holder of the prestigious “Down Under Award’ for ‘Best Visa Agent’.
Banks
- Worried about finding the right bank in Australia for your money? Opal Relocations recommend Westpac - one of the big four Australian banks. Features of Westpac banking include:
- Set up your bank account up to 12 months before coming to Australia, or once you’ve arrived
- No Australian address needed when opening from overseas prior to arrival
- Open an account in 3 minutes and you’re on your way to depositing money into your account.
Money Transfer
The best way to transfer your funds is via a dedicated foreign exchange company. Opal Relocations customers get their first two transfers fee free from our partner OFX by using the link opposite. Features of the OFX money transfer service include:
- No receiving bank fees in most countries
- Extremely competitive foreign exchange rates across 50 currencies
- Online access 24/7
- Access to a dedicated Dealer by phone 24-hours a day, 5 days a week
- Complete exchange rate transparency
- No transaction fees for amounts over AUD10,000
- Risk management tools through Limit Orders and Forward Exchange Contracts
- Exchange rate alerts via email
- Access to highly regarded daily and weekly “Market Commentary”
Property
When finding property there is nothing like local knowledge to help you work out where you want to live and find the best deals. Luckily your relocation agent at Opal Relocations has this in abundance!!! However, if you want to get an idea of what is available out there prior to speaking with a relocation agent, the web is a good place to start - why not try realestate.com.au by clicking the link opposite. For a property search tailored to your individual needs, use our Home Search Service performed by Opal Relocations agents.
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Utilities
Once you have found your dream place, you will need to setup your services such as telephone and internet (Telstra), electricity and/or gas (Origin), water in Brisbane (QUU), cable tv (Foxtel). Your relocation agent can do this for you as part of our Settling In Service if you don't have time to shop around. Some examples of utility companies and links to their sites are provided opposite. This will allow you to browse and get a feel for packages and prices helping you to understand the cost of living in Australia.
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Medical
Medical care is an important consideration within Australia and should be factored into living costs. Costs of procedures not covered by Medicare (Australia's national Government health scheme) can be expensive. Therefore many people have private health insurance. Medibank and Bupa are two of the many companies currently offering private health insurance, which you can explore by clicking their logos opposite. Medicare is only available to permanent residents and people from a country with a reciprocal health agreement with Australia. Doctors sometimes charge more than the allowable medicare expense leaving an amount payable after your consultation. Look for doctors that bulk bill to get free treatment. In an emergency in Australia, you can always call 000. However, there is also an international emergency call number 112 used by every GSM network all over the world. This emergency call number will work wherever you are as long as you are within range of a GSM network operator’s coverage (it even works when in range of the Telstra or Optus networks in Australia).
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Removalists
When you are moving to Australia from overseas or interstate you want to make sure your possessions are going to be taken care of. It is important to utilise professional moving services to achieve this. There are a few options available to you:
- Utilise excess baggage on flight to destination
- Utilise air freight to carry a small amount of important items including pets
- Utilise sea freight to carry your posessions
Pet Movers
Bringing the family pet to Australia needs to be considered carefully as many areas of Australia have harsh climates but if you can't live without your pet, you need to know the rules. Generally dogs, cats and horses can, subject to quarantine rules, be brought to Australia but many other species cannot be imported.
Relocating your pet will be expensive. There are flights, quarantine charges and vet bills to consider. In addition, having a pet will restrict your choice of accommodation when you arrive.
The best way to be informed about this process and likely costs is to engage a pet carrier such as Pet Carriers International.
Relocating your pet will be expensive. There are flights, quarantine charges and vet bills to consider. In addition, having a pet will restrict your choice of accommodation when you arrive.
The best way to be informed about this process and likely costs is to engage a pet carrier such as Pet Carriers International.
