Welcome to Melbourne

Edition 3 (Feb 2019) – by TaxAssist Accountants - Richmond

New to Melbourne “Everything you need to know”

Purpose of this document

is to help answering few ‘Common Questions’ that new Immigrants of Melbourne

may have. In most cases, we generally know someone, who hand hold us and help us
to settle down in new environment. But, surely there are some actions that get
missed out or we are too hesitant to discuss with our mentor. In either case this may
have material time impact. Hopefully, this guide covers it all.

Assumption made here is, you have got your ‘Permanent Residency’ and you plan to
move to Melbourne permanently sooner than later.

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” —Babe Ruth
High density Indian Population

Source: liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au
What Can I possibaly do? From India? From Australia?

Medicare Card

Tax File Number

Australian Bank Account

School Search (kids)

Accommodation Search

Networkings (Linkedin & FB)

Job Search

Car Search

Freelance Search

“Failing to prepare is, generally speaking, preparing very well to do the wrong thing”
- Sam Harris
How do I secure a Job in Melbourne?

If you are migrating on Permanent Resident Visa, there is a likely chance that your skills are in demand. So
believe in yourself and book the one-way flight to Melbourne.

Popular Job Site: www.seek.com.au

Further tips:
• Honesty helps (be confident, be realistic, and do remember no one is perfect)

• You may search Online and have a fair idea of skills and experience required (www.seek.com.au)

• Sharpen your Interview skills (https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/common-interview-questions-

and-how-to-answer-them)

• Make sure you have updated your Linkedin Account (sample https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvraj-verma-
tax-accountant-fipa-ffa-fcca-bsc-bba-5a59a218/ ). Post which you should try and connect with
Melbourne based individuals / recruiters . Caution: you should only start networking yourself, once you
have a firm travel date in mind.

• If you can offer independent services – You possibly can also explore Websites such as Airtasker / Service
Seeking / GumTree – possibly before you land here.

“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney
What can I expect to pay for Accommodation?
It depends on personal choice, but in general:

• Family – independent house, 3 bed ~ $1800/month

• Shared accommodation, single room ~$800/month
• Shared accommodation, shared room ~$400/month

Popular site: https://www.realestate.com.au/rent

Overseas drivers - Rules for permanent

visas holders
If you hold a permanent visa (issued under the Migration Act 1958) you may
drive on your overseas driver licence if it's written in English or accompanied by
an English translation or international driving permit for:
• 6 months from the date you first entered Australia (if the permanent visa
was issued before you entered Australia), or
• 6 months from the date when the permanent visa was issued (if the
permanent visa was issued to you while in Australia).

If you want to continue driving in Victoria after this time you must get a
Victorian driver licence. If your overseas driver licence has expired, you will still
be able to take the drive test as you are exempt from holding a learner permit
for the test.

Once you are issued with a Victorian driver licence or learner permit, it is
against the law to use your overseas or interstate driver licence to drive in
Victoria.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/new-to-
victoria/overseas-drivers
Medicare Card

The card lets people get a range of medical services and prescriptions at a lower cost,
and free care as a public patient in a public hospital.

For each person you want to enrol, you need to give us a:

• passport, travel document or Immicard, and
• visa from the Department of Home Affairs confirming permanent residency

Apply : Complete a Medicare enrolment form

(MS004) https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/forms/ms004

Submit your application

You need to give us: your form, and other documents we’ve asked for – either
originals or certified copies
• You can do this at a service centre. All people on the form who are 15 years old or
older need to come with you. This is because:
• you need to prove your identity
• you need to prove you’re in Australia

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/how-enrol-or-re-enrol-
medicare/36706#a1
Tax File Number

Before you start working in Australia, or soon after, you may need to get a tax file number (TFN). The main tax you will
pay is income tax. This is charged on income you receive, such as salary and wages, investment income and business
income. At the end of the income year (30 June), most people must lodge an annual tax return.

Foreign passport holders, permanent migrants and temporary visitors – TFN application

You can apply for a tax file number online if you meet these three conditions:

1. You are a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant or temporary visitor.

2. You are already in Australia.
3. Your visa is one of the following:
• a permanent migrant visa
• a visa with work rights
• an overseas student visa
• a visa allowing you to stay in Australian indefinitely (including New Zealanders automatically granted a visa on
arrival).

Apply online for a TFN - https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Apply-for-a-TFN/

To apply online you must have a valid passport or relevant travel documents.

You don't have to provide proof of identity documents – we will compare your personal and travel document details with
Department of Home Affairs records.

Within 28 days, we will send your TFN to the Australian address you give us on your application.

Can I work in Australia without a tax file number? Yes, however, without a TFN, tax will be deducted from your income
at the maximum rate. You can claim this back later once you submit a tax return, but it is more convenient to have
a TFN and have the correct amount deducted from the start. It is illegal to work in paid employment without paying
income tax.
Superannuation entitlements

Superannuation (or 'super') is Australia's retirement savings system. If you

are a temporary resident, your employer should pay super contributions
for you just as they do for eligible Australian resident employees. It
doesn't matter whether you work full time, part time or casually.

Your employer must pay super contributions into a super fund on your
behalf if you are paid A$450 (before tax) or more in a calendar month and
you are either:

• 18 years or older, or
• under 18 and work more than 30 hours per week.

Your employer does not need to pay super for you if you are doing work
of a private or domestic nature for 30 hours or less each week – for
example, if you are employed as a nanny.

Compulsory employer super contributions are in addition to your salary.

Most people can choose which Australian super fund these contributions
are paid into.

You can use the Estimate my super

calculator (https://www.ato.gov.au/calculators-and-tools/estimate-my-
super/ ) to work out if you are eligible for super payments and how much
your employer should contribute.

“Opportunity arises for the prepared mind”

- Louis Pasteur
 Living Expenses

Living Expenses to be considered for Single Individual

Description $ Monthly
Shared Accommodation (private room) $800
Myki Card (local travel card) $172
Food (self cooked) $210
Utilities (Water/Gas/Electricity) $100
Mobile + Internet $60
Car running exp/Misc $100
Total $1,442

Other Expenses to be considered for Single Individual

Description $ One Off
Taxi from Airport $90
House Deposit $800
Car (used) $6,000
Furniture (used) $2,500
Total $9,390

The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application.
– Miguel de Cervantes
 Income Tax
Resident tax rates 2018–19 (1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019)

Taxable income Tax on this income

0 – $18,200 Nil

$18,201 – $37,000 19c for each $1 over $18,200

$37,001 – $90,000 $3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000

$90,001 – $180,000 $20,797 plus 37c for each $1 over $90,000

$180,001 and over $54,097 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 2%.

Example of take Home Salary – Guide FY_2019

(https://www.paycalculator.com.au/)

• Gross (inc Super) – 50k, take home 39k • Gross (inc Super) – 125k, take home 82k
• Gross (inc Super) – 75k, take home 54k • Gross (inc Super) – 150k, take home 96k
• Gross (inc Super) – 100k, take home 68k • Gross (inc Super) – 200k, take home 124k

The national minimum wage is currently $18.93 per hour or $719.20 per 38 hour week (before tax).
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/how-we-will-help/templates-and-guides/fact-sheets/minimum-workplace-entitlements/minimum-
wages

Still confused? Feel free to call Yuvraj Verma @ 03 9043 3434 for (free) 1:1 discussion
What is myGov?

A simple and secure way to access government online

services:

• Australian JobSearch
• Australian Taxation Office
• Centrelink
• Child Support
• Department of Veterans' Affairs
• HousingVic Online Services
• Medicare
• My Aged Care
• My Health Record
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• National Redress Scheme

Setup My Gov Account :

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/online-
help/create-mygov-account
How do I perform School Search?

There are many factors that influence your school search. If you searching for school
scoring website - please find the link below

Top Primary Schools in VIC :

https://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/vic/vic_top_primary_schools.aspx

Top Secondary Schools in VIC :

https://bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/vic/vic_top_secondary_schools.aspx

Click the following to know more on Admissions:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/spag/participation/Pages/admission.as
px
How do I make new friends?

You may like to try following:

1) We proudly sponsor many networking opportunities for new

arrivals. Feel free join us as at Facebook Group -
#WeCaremelbourne - for latest Social event update

https://www.facebook.com/groups/666408807110516/

Also, populate following Google form, so that invite for

Networking can be extended to yourself:
https://goo.gl/forms/gJfIHiLrq5xfWifr2

2) You may like to join Facebook groups such as 'Indians in

Melbourne' and try to participate in the group activities.
Generally, group members are quite helpful.

From where do I buy my first Car?

Very popular website for buy and sell 2nd hand cars:

https://www.carsales.com.au
Important to Know - What is Lifetime Health Cover (LHC)?

Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) was introduced in July 2000 and involves a penalty for people aged over
30 who do not hold private health insurance hospital cover.
For each year over 30, a 2 per cent loading (cumulative) is added to the cost of the private health
insurance premium up to a maximum of 70 per cent. Those born before 1 July 1934 are exempt from
the penalty.

Health funds are required to charge different premiums based on the age of each particular member
depending on when they first took out private health insurance.

Currently, health funds charge the loadings on top of premiums paid by people who did not have
private hospital cover while they were younger or did not join before 15 July 2000.

The loadings have meant that a person who delays joining until the age of 40 has had to pay 20 per
cent more than someone who joined at the aged of 30.

Read here to find out more: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-

phi-fact27.htm
Other Information

Facebook : quick and easy way to network is via joining relevant FB groups, example
https://www.facebook.com/groups/indiansatmelbourne/ - This group is quite active with 66k
members, feel free to raise your queries to friendly members.

Latest Weather Observations for the Melbourne Area?

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml

Eco Shopping Options– These are popular stores, by exploring these you should have
fair idea on fashion / cost / what to carry / what not to carry from India

• Kmart https://www.kmart.com.au/
• Target https://www.target.com.au/
• BigW https://www.bigw.com.au/
• Coles https://www.coles.com.au/

Sim Card – to make life easy, you may think of buying sim card from Airport (with data, could be
Optus / Telstra). This will help you co-ordinate with Friends and family.
Good Luck & Thank you !!!

Yuvraj Verma FIPA, FFA, FCCA Contact us for:

TaxAssist Accountants Richmond
M: 0451071784 - Company Setup
130 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121 - Income Tax
Email: yuvraj@taxassistau.com.au - Bookkeeping
- Home Loan
- Personal Insurance
Ash Jindal CA, FCCA - Investment Options
TaxAssist Accountants Richmond - Superannuation
M: 0416396784 - Self Manage Superfund
130 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121
Email: ash@ayaccountants.com.au CALL : 03 9043 3434