Beginning a Life in Australia Welcome to Australia dss1690. 12. 15 Edition date
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- 1 What to do soon after arrival
- What you need to know
- Telephones –making calls
- Telephone directories
- Time zones
- Self-service
IntroductionWelcome to Australia. This booklet is for all prospective and newly arrived permanent and temporary migrants to Australia. Sponsors may also find this booklet useful. Refugee and humanitarian entrants should also refer to information supplied specifically for them by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and Department of Social Services (DSS). Government and community organisations provide Australian residents with many services. This booklet will give you an introduction to the services and assistance available, and where you can go for advice. Some permanent migrants and most temporary visa holders may not be eligible for all the services described in this booklet, or may have to pay for them. Please read this booklet carefully. You will find it useful as you begin your new life in Australia. You should use the edition at the ‘Settle in Australia’ web pages at www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-services/beginning-a-life-in-australia Chapters 1-2 deal with important matters for your first weeks in Australia. Chapters 3-5 cover how you can get help with the essential elements of successful settlement - English language, education and employment. The issues you will face as you begin your new life in Australia will be different to those in your homeland. However, there are many services to help you settle successfully and become a valued member of the Australian society, just as millions of people who arrived in Australia before you have done. 1 What to do soon after arrivalIn this sectionThis chapter sets out some important things you should do as soon as possible after arriving in Australia. Not all of them will apply to you, but you should consider them.
If you need documents translated or an interpreter, see Chapter 3, English language What you need to knowAustralia’s governmentAustralia has three levels of government – commonwealth (or federal), state or territory, and local – which provide services for migrants and residents. The states (New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (Qld), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (Tas.), Victoria (Vic.) and Western Australia (WA)) and the Northern Territory (NT) are divided into many local government areas, managed by local councils. In Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government provides local council services as well as many services usually provided by state governments. For more information on how government works in Australia, see www.australia.gov.au/about-government Telephones –making callsIn Australia, telephone calls can be made from fixed-line phones (or land lines), payphones or mobile phones. Phone numbers can start with
The area code is not required if you are phoning from a number with the same area code. Calls from one mobile phone to another do not require area codes. The cost of the call varies depending on the type of phone you are calling from, the telephone company you use and the call plan you have chosen. If you are uncertain about the cost of the call you should check with your telephone company. For information about call charges to 13/1300 or 1800 numbers in Australia, see www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-numbers/Special-numbers/charges-for-calls-to-13-1300-and-1800-numbers-i-acma To make a call to a telephone number that does not begin with 13, 1300 or 1800:
If you want to call an international number from Australia, use Australia’s international dialling code – 0011. Telephone directoriesThere are two main Australian telephone directories. The Yellow Pages lists business numbers such as shops and tradesmen by the type of service or product. The White Pages lists businesses and residents by name. The White Pages also has a government section with contact details for local, state or territory and Australian Government agencies. They are referred to throughout this booklet. These phone books are free and are delivered to every household each year. They are also available in post offices and libraries. Online, you can access the Yellow Pages at www.yellowpages.com.au and the White Pages at www.whitepages.com.au or call Directory Assistance on 1223 (free call). Time zonesThere are three time zones in Australia - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST or EST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). Daylight Saving Time applies to some states from October to April – go to www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/facts-and-figures/time-zones-and-daylight-saving for information. Self-serviceMany organisations have options so that you don’t have to come into their offices to solve problems or register for a service. Self-service options include phone lines and online accounts. You can do most of your Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support business using self-service through:
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