Living And Working In Sydney

So, you’re thinking of making Sydney your new home? There’s no doubt that changing addresses and finding a new job can be extremely stressful, so you’ll want to know the best areas for living and working in Sydney, whether you’re looking for temporary bar work or employment in a corporate office. Being such a huge metropolis, it can be hard to find the creme de la creme, so we’ve narrowed it down for you. We’ve also got great advice on actually living in Sydney, where you can go for shopping, swimming, eating out and relaxing, and how you can get your Tax File Number, which network and sim card is best to use, and how you can obtain your Australian driving licence.

Living In Glebe

In Glebe, you’ll find space away from the city but won’t be too far from the cool cafes and buzzing bars. Predominantly home to university students and the upwardly mobile, along with writers and artists, this inner city suburb also has studios for dance, music and painting, which are perfect for winding down after work. Glebe is a fashionable and trendy area that’s popular with travellers and expats alike. Hostel accommodation starts at around $45 per night and rented accommodation at about $150 per week. Whether looking for bargains at Glebe’s popular markets or traipsing through the many art galleries, it is the perfect place to reside, and is in easy reach of the CBD. Getting to Glebe is easy from the city – you can catch buses 431 to 434 from Circular Quay at the foot of the city.

Working In Sydney CBD

If you’re looking for corporate work, you will find openings to suit you in the CBD or North Shore, while hospitality and retail can be found in the city and eastern suburbs, and the tourism industry is mostly based in Bondi, Manly and Kings Cross. Keep in mind that work in Sydney is competitive, so before you approach anyone, make sure your CV is in order.

Drinking In Kings Cross

This is the major clubbing district in Sydney and is home to a number of trendy establishments. Locally known as ‘The Cross’, it houses a range of great clubs and bars to suit any budget and taste. Whether you’re looking for big clubs or boutique small bars, fruity cocktails or frothy schooners, this area is as diverse as it gets and welcomes anyone looking for a good time. It also serves as Sydney’s Red Light District and contains many venues with 24-hour entrance.

Eating In Darlinghurst

Venture into Darlinghurst with an empty stomach you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer. Along Victoria Street, there are a rolling number of restaurants, bars and cafes serving up sushi, steaks, burgers, pizzas and anything else you might fancy. Stanley Street is Sydney’s very own Little Italy, with Italian restaurants in abundance. There’s no doubt that everyone is catered to in Darlinghurst.

Relaxing In Tamarama

Tamarama Beach is right next to Bondi, and has huge waves that are great for surfers and those looking for a challenging swim. Make use of one of the many stationary BBQs to sit back, relax and cook up a storm, or take a stroll and discover why, in its own way, it’s favoured with locals for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Swimming In Double Bay

Have a unique and refreshing swim at Murray Rose Pool (formerly Redleaf Pool) in Double Bay. Located off the sands of Shilling Beach and into the harbour, take a dive off of the pontoons or from the edge of the enclosure, and swim in the waters of the most famous harbour in the world. This beautiful pool is divided from the ocean due to the increase in sharks in the harbour, and remains completely safe for swimmers all year round. There’s a kiosk, toilets and changing room facilities for your benefit, and you can chill out on the sands and grassy areas to regain your energy.

Getting Your Tax File Number

After you arrive in Australia on your working holiday visa, one of the first things you need to do is apply for a tax file number, or TFN, from the Australian Tax Office. This is a unique nine-digit number, basically the Australian version of your National Insurance Number back home, and will be given to any employer you have so that they can pay tax on your behalf. If you don’t have the tax file number 30 days after beginning work, your employer is legally obliged to tax you at an emergency-tax rate of 50%. Other people and organisations that may ask to see your TFN during your time in Australia include the Australian Tax Office regarding your records, your superannuation fund, tax agents when you request your tax back, and your bank.

The easiest way to apply for your TFN is online at www.ato.gov.au, where you’ll have to fill in a form and supply details such as your passport number and date of birth. You’ll need to provide a residential address, where your TFN can be sent, but, if you’re not too sure about your accommodation, you can always have it sent c/o to your local post office.

Once you’ve applied for the number, you’ll need to print off a receipt and reference number (just in case there are any problems with its arrival). You’re advised to allow 28 days for it to arrive, but it’s usually with you within two weeks.

Opening Up An Australian Bank Account

Opening an Australian bank account is essential if you’re looking for temporary work while travelling, especially as most employers will pay your wages via electronic fund transfers. If you’re on an Australian working holiday visa or residing in the country for a long period of time, you will need to get an Australian bank account. Once you arrive at your destination, go to your chosen bank as soon as possible and present them with your passport as identification in order to open the account. Try to do this within six weeks, because if you leave it any longer, they will require utility bills and other documents.

You have a choice of three bank cards: cheque, savings or credit card. Your everyday normal account in Oz is called ‘savings account’ and your savings or secondary account is called a ‘cheque account’. When you use your EFTPOS card (Electronic Funds withdrawal at Point of Sale), or a cash machine (ATM) you will be presented with three options on the screen: cheque, savings or credit. You will need to make sure you choose the correct option for the money to go from the correct account.

Most Australian banks charge a monthly account-keeping fee of around $5, and little or no interest. You’re also limited to the number of transactions, some banks limit the number of free withdrawals you can have per month. With a bank account you will normally receive an EFTPOS or ATM (cash machine) card so you can withdraw your money. If you use another bank’s ATM then you will incur a fee of around $1.50 – $2.00. The main banks in Oz are Commonwealth, National, ANZ, St George and Westpac, and you’ll need to shop around in order to get the best deal. To find a bank account that best suits your needs, the Australian Bankers’ Association provides helpful information. Visit www.bankers.asn.au to start looking. You can also find international banks such as HSBC and Citi Bank. We recommend banking with the largest banks in Australia, as they have many ATM machines dotted around, including in rural areas, which is useful when you’re travelling.

Each of the large banks have deals online from time to time in order for you to get the best out of your card, including no bank charges for the first 12 months. It’s always worth contacting the bank directly about these offers.

Getting Your Australian Driving Licence

Don’t worry – this part isn’t hard at all. The only thing to remember is that Australian driving licences are administered at a state level, so the regulations governing the driving licence can vary. If you hold a UK driving licence, you are allowed to drive on your existing UK licence for the first three months that you are in Australia. After six months as a temporary overseas visitor, you can apply for a NSW licence.

Australia recognises the UK driving licencing system as similar, which means that you will not have to take a practical test if you have had your UK licence for more than 2 years. For Sydney, you will need to go to the New South Wales governing authority: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/licensing/index
If you have only held your UK driving licence for a couple of years or less, you may have to have probationary restrictions applied to your new Australian driving licence.

For most states you will need the following to get your driving licence:
• Passport
• Proof of address
• Other form of identification

An official letter should suffice for the proof of address (such as your Tax File Number letter), but if you are staying with family/friends, you can get them to sign the form to vouch for you, as long as they hold a licence for the state in which you are applying. The other form of identification you will also need can usually be a bank card with your name embossed on it, even if it is from a UK bank.

The process for getting your licence should only last 15-30 minutes. The transport departments are efficient and will take your photo there and then, and give you your laminated licence straight away. The costs for the licence vary, you can usually specify between one and five years for your license with five years usually costing around $70, but this will again vary from state to state.

Getting Your Medicare Card

The final application you’ll need to make is for a Medicare Card. This is to cover you under the Australian equivalent of the NHS, for the duration of your approved visit to the country. The Australian Government has what’s known as a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with the UK, which entitles British travellers to limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment. “Immediately necessary” treatment translates as any ill health or injury that occurs while you’re in Australia and requires treatment before you return home.

As a Medicare Card holder, you will be entitled to receive free treatment as an in-patient or outpatient in a public hospital, at a private doctor’s practice, and also for subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Medicare does not cover things like dental treatment, hearing aids, glasses/lenses and ambulance services, so you’ll need private health insurance to cover these.

To enrol for Medicare, you can either fill out the Medicare Enrolment Application form online at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au, or head to your nearest Medicare Centre or DHS Service Centre, for which you will need your passport to prove eligibility. Don’t panic if you need medical treatment before you receive or have even applied for your card – you’ll have to pay for your treatment initially, but if you keep the receipt, it’s easy enough to claim the money back when your card does come through. If you’re worried about costs, make sure you check that the practice you’re visiting does bulk billing – otherwise you’ll have to pay for your consultation on the spot and then claim the money back later.

The Best Sim Provider To Use

When exploring Australia, Vodafone is a great phone provider for those who don’t want a commitment. All you need is an unlocked phone that is compatible with an Australian bandwidth frequency (that’s G900Mhz, G1800Mhz, U850MHz, U900MHz and U2100MHz). Then you can choose from a selection of prepaid plans that you can top-up online or at over 20,000 outlets across Australia. You can purchase your sim card before departing or when you’ve arrived at your destination. Starter packs are from $20, $30 and $40, starting with $1 capped calls to India, China, USA, Singapore, and landlines in the UK and New Zealand. We recommend the $40 package with which you can get flexible credit of $750 and 1GB data within Australia, along with unlimited texts nationally. There are 198 Vodafone stores in New South Wales, with many in Sydney itself, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one.