While this thread is based on a move to Australia the basic principles are the same for any area of the world. To say the list is extensive is an under statement and if you ever find a more helpful thread on any forum you are doing very well!

Some of the areas covered in the thread include bank accounts, public transport, car rental, house rental, mobile phones, finding employment and medical care to name but a few. The information is well presented, easy to read and has obviously been put together by someone who has been there and done it.

The beauty of this thread is the fact that there are even opening times for many of the governmental departments you will need to contact and rough timescales for certain procedures. However, more interestingly the thread, and the subsequent comments, also contain warnings as to the potential pitfalls you may encounter and how best to avoid them. One such example was the registration process at Centrelink (the government agency which looks after job seeking and social security payments) where the author of the thread was forced to register 3 times!

Apart from the more formal actions required, such as registering for social security, etc, the thread contains details about a mass of publications which will give you the low down on the country, what is happening and allow you to keep up to date with new rules and regulations. This list seems to cover everything which you could ever think of!

Summary

Even though this thread is skewed towards those looking for a new life in Australia it could easily form the basis of a ‘must do’ list for people moving anywhere in the world. The information is not only informative but it is presented in such a way, bullet points, as to make it very simple to understand. Headings also draw your attention to some of the more vital areas and the detail is much more than you normally see on similar lists.

So whether you are looking to double check that your shipped items will arrive on time, where to go for family medical care or how you register for the job seekers service it is all there. Many of the elements of the list also include telephone numbers, opening times and addresses for those specifically moving to Victoria, Australia and leave literally nothing to chance.

The need to take as much pressure off yourself as possible when relocating overseas is vital as this leaves more time for you to actually plan what you need to do when you get there. Knowing where to go, who to speak to and what level of service you can expect will ensure that your expectations are neither too high nor too low. When you see how much work there is to do when moving overseas it really is something of an eye opener but it is vital that you know what to expect because you will be in a foreign land after all!

Read the full thread on the things to do after you arrive in Australia