Updated 27/06/2017

Transition to Australia

Beginning a Life in Australia

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOWhttps://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents

/09_2016/webready_balia_4a_120916.pdf

Before you ArriveConfirm your travel information with ICE Group:

• Number of people travelling

• Date and time of arrival

• Flight number / airline

• Number of cases / amount of luggage

Contact - Elizabeth Cox: nurse@icegroup.ie

Meet and greet on arrival• If required, a representative of ICE Group will meet with you on your

arrival.

• We can organise transport to your accommodation

Essential tasks on arrival to Australia

1. Register your Working with Children Check*

2. Present ID to AHPRA office (if required)*

3. Apply for tax file number

4. Open a bank account

5. Enrol with Medicare

6. Enrol your children in a school

*requirement to work in St George Hospital

1. Working with Children Check (WWCC)

• Action the WWCC application online when you arrive in Australia

• Attend New South Wales Service Centre with your 100 pts ID and pay $80 https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre

• Provide SGH with your WWCC clearance as soon as you get it.

http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/Working-with-children/working-with-children-check

1. Working with Children Check• Your clearance certificate will be emailed to you (check spam folders)

• Once received, please forward immediately to email to nurse@icegroup.ie

• You cannot start your job until WWCC clearance has been received.

2. AHPRA ID Requirements

Original foreign passport/ travel document

Current Australian Visa

Proof of date of arrival

AND:

Evidence of your current Australian address or

Original signed statement from prospective Australian Employer verifying your identity, or

An original offer of employment in Australia

Additional ID is required after 6 weeks including: Bank Account and Proof of Australian Address.

After Six Weeks

3. Apply for a Tax file Number (TFN)

• Must have TFN to receive income

• Apply on-line @ www.ato.gov.au/tfn

• You must be in Australia to use the on-line application process

• Must have an Australian address where your TFN will be sent

• Require valid visa and provide passport details

• Takes approx. 20 minutes to complete on-line

• It may take up to one week (or longer) to get your TFN in the post.

4. Open a Bank Account

• You will require an Australian bank account / credit union account before starting your employment

• You will need 100 points of ID for Bank Account

• Please note, a delay of over 6 weeks opening a bank account you will result in additional ID requirements.

5. Medicare Information• Medicare is Australia's national health care system [ www.humanservices.gov.au/medicare ]

• It provides free / subsidised access to public hospital care, help with out of hospital care and subsidised medicines.

• Permanent residents (and Australians) are eligible for Medicare.

• Some temporary migrants may be also eligible – specifically: Ireland and UK have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia find out more at: [ https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements ]

5. Enrol with Medicare

• Go to a Medicare Service Centre with your passport and travel documents

• Find your closest office - http://findus.humanservices.gov.au/

• You will be given a temporary Medicare card number, and receive your permanent card in the post approx. 3 weeks later

• NB - Notify Medicare if you change your address !

6. Enrol your children in School

General School Information• From 6 to 15 years of age the NSW legislation requires students to be enrolled in

school and to attend school on each day that instruction is provided

• School times are generally from 9am to 3pm, may vary depending on school / catchment area.

• School year consists of 4 terms, starting at the end of January. Each term runs for approx. 10 weeks, with two week hols between terms.

• Two semesters (S1 – first 2 terms), (S2 – last 2 terms) – Schools provide a report for your child at the end of each semester.

• School fees are paid at the start of the first 3 terms, the last term has no invoice. The first term is the largest amount.

Term Dates

http://www.nswschoolholiday.com.au/index.php/nsw-school-holiday-dates-2018

Term / Year Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

2017 30/01/2017 –07/04/2017

26/04/2017 –30/06/2017

18/07/2017 –22/09/2017

09/10/2017 –15/12/2017

2018 30/01/2018 –13/04/2018

01/05/2018 –06/07/2018

24/07/2018 –28/09/2018

15/10/2018 –19/12/2018

Types of SchoolsTypes of School Costs Finding a School (on-line search)

Government Schools(Public Schools)

$5000 per year$5000 per year$6000 per yearNot including extras

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/nswps-finder/index.php

Catholic Schools(150 schools run by Catholic Education Office in Sydney);

Diocesan Tuition Fees, Building Levy and Service Different fee structures apply2014 Annual fees $991 (K-6) to $2053 (Y11-Y12) per child

http://stage.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au/2009//lisa.asp https://sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/about-us/ http://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/school-fees

Independent Schools (Private)

$30,000 and more http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/non-gov-schools/ http://www.exfin.com/private-school-costs

Levels of SchoolsLevel Costs Information Online resources

Preschool $40-110 a day depending on hours of operation (9am – 3pm) (7am – 6pm)

Child enrolled for one year, the year before they start school

Child can enrol from beginning of school year if child they are 4yrs on / before 31st July that year.

Schools accept enrolments from term 2 of the year before the child is due to start.

http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood

http://sydneymovingguide.com/preschools-in-sydney/

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/types/preschoollist.php

Primary $5000 annual feePublic Schools

Kindergarten to year 6 Begin at 5yrs of age Legally start at 6yrs

http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/primary/resources-your-journey/starting-school

SecondaryJunior High (Yr 7 – 10)

High School (Yr11 - 12)

Public Schools

$5000 annual fee$6000 annual fee

Year 7 to 12 Begin at 12yrs of age

• HSC (High School Certificate) – 18 yrsof age

• RoSA (Record of School Achievement) - 16yrs of age

Temporary Residents Programme

• Required to apply through the Temporary Residents Programme and pay Temporary Residents Administration Fee and Education Fee

• Non-refundable Administration fee of $110 is required per student for initial enrolment.

• Can be exemptions from paying the Temporary Residents Education fee

• Temporary Residents Programme:http://www.detinternational.nsw.edu.au/media-assets/trp/fees.pdf

Selective Schools

• For students with high academic ability

• Students are invited to take an entrance exam for selective school

• It is a public school with minimum fees

Before / After School Care

• Open from 7am to 9pm, and from 3pm to 7pm

• Can be on site at the school

• Eligible for rebates

• Fees are about $30 for morning and $40 for afternoon

• They get snacks, do crafts, and can go on excursions.

• They also look after children during school holidays, approx. $60 per day.

Day Care

• Long day care for working parents

• Open from 7.30 / 8.00 am to 6 pm

• Fees: $100 to $150 per day

• Expect waiting lists

• Centrelink will rebate parents up to 50% up to $7500 per child per year. See: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/child-care-rebate

Family Day Care

• Alternative to long day care

• Professional carer looks after children in their own homes

• Equivalent of a childminder (UK / Ireland)

• Only slightly less expensive than long day care, but provides more flexibility.

• https://www.mychild.gov.au/

Accommodation

North

SouthKogarah is South of Sydney CBD.

orientate yourself before looking for Accommodation.

T4 train line will get you to Kogarah train station which is a 5 minute walk to St George Hospital

Download Full Maphttp://www.sydneytrains.info/stations/pdf/suburban_map.pdf

Conduct your own Research

Locations around hospital:

Kogarah, Carlton, Hurstville, Rockdale, Bexley,

Allawah, Beverley Park, Ramgsgate, Brighton-Le-Sands.

The property market, especially in rentals is always changing. It is a good idea to do some research before you arrive on properties, prices and the locations.

General Rental Information

• Properties are normally shown 2 weeks before they are available

• All properties must be seen before they can be leased

• Properties cannot be held until someone arrives.

• May have to consider temporary accommodation before you arrive.

General Rental Considerations• Do you want a house or apartment?

• How many bedrooms will you need?

• What is your price range?

• Do you need to be close to Hospital, schools or public transport?

• Do you need parking?

General Rental Information• Once you find a property you must complete a lease and provide

standard documentation.

• This paperwork would include:

Your international ID (passport)

Bank statements

Letter of offer from the hospital

Copy of your visa

Real Estate Agents in Kogarah areaIt is important to shop around to find the right agent for you

here are some local agencies to get you started:.

Montgomery Real Estate Kogarahhttp://www.montgomeryrealestate.com.auRay Whitehttp://raywhitekogarah.com.au/McGrath Real Estatehttps://www.mcgrath.com.au/offices/18-st-georgeRaine & Hornehttp://www.raineandhorne.com.au/kogarah

Short-term Accommodation• St George Hospital have some rooms available to rent on campus (part of their old nurses

home).

• Rooms offer basic accommodation, and offers a short term solution (maximum of 4 weeks stay).

• Suitable for an individual travelling alone.

• Accommodation offered on a first come first serve basis, and is subject to availability.

• Approx. rental costs – separate bedroom (AUD$ 68.38 per week)

• If interested in finding out more please contact: nurse@icegroup.ie

SGH – Short Term Accommodation

Other Short Term OptionsService Website Additional Information

AirBnB https://www.airbnb.com.au

45 rental properties in Kogarah area (as at 04/09/2017)

Kogarah area:1 bedroom / shared accommodation –39-50 AUD$ per night.4 – 6 beds (entire house) – 104 –283AUD$ per night

Stayz https://www.stayz.com.au/short-term-rental-accommodation/nsw/sydney

Seem to be less expensive than AirBnB, however, watch out for hidden charges.

Short termApartment rentals

http://www.shorttermapartmentrentals.com.au/

Search in the Southern Suburbs

Accommodation Sharing https://www.flatmatefinders.com.au/

http://au.easyroommate.com/new-south-wales/sydney-share-accommodation?gclid=CNSuqOSN19ECFZUDvAodRzkERw

https://flatmates.com.au/sydney?gclid=CImQydON19ECFQxvvAodJeUFKw

One of our UK Nurses was able to organise their accommodation before they arrived into Sydney by using – www.flatmatefinders.com.au

Concierge Services

www.sydneyconcierge.com.au

Contact Layla to help with your move (there is a charge for this service)

Getting around Sydney

Public Transport• Sydney has an integrated public transport network which makes it easy

to get around (trains, buses, light rail and ferries)

• Use real time public transport apps to help you find your way around Sydney (http://www.transportnsw.info/en/travelling-with-us/keep-updated/apps.page)

• NSW Transport website provides trip planner function http://www.transportnsw.info/#planner-trip-tab

• Metrobus has 13 routes, high frequency, links across Sydney http://www.sydneybuses.info/routes/metrobus

Public Transport• Get yourself an OPAL travel card which can be used for all types of public

transport

• It provides discounts to normal fares

• There is an option to auto top up

• Register the card so if you lose it you can cancel and transfer the money

• https://www.opal.com.au/

Orientation Programme

St George Hospital Pre-Orientation• Meet / Greet and Hospital tour with St George Staff

• Provide St George Hospital with your Working with Children application number.

• Provide AHPRA registration, if not already submitted.

• Present 100 points of original ID documents for nursing workforce verification.

Hospital Orientation ProgrammeYour introduction to South Eastern Sydney Local Health District involves completion of a three phased Corporate Orientation Programme.

1. Online Orientation Programme

2. Attendance at Corporate Orientation (mandatory, dates non moveable)Day 1: Corporate Orientation

Day 2: Nursing Programme

Day 3: Computer Training

3. Work place orientation, specific to your role.

Corporate Orientation Day

Applicants cannot start work before attending the 3 day Corporate orientation programme.

Date Description

Day 1 (Monday) Networking, workplace culture, fire safety, salary information, unions, ID badges, and online orientation

Day 2 (Tuesday) Orientation of nursing protocols, procedures (falls prevention, clinical procedure safety, clinical documentation, beside handover, medication safety), elearning, meeting the Director of Nursing

Day 3 (Wednesday) Inpatient Management System (iPM), Electronic Medical Records (eMR)

Stay Connected !• If you have been happy with the service from ICE Nurse or have any

comment in relation to your transition to Australia could you put a comment on our Facebook page please -

https://www.facebook.com/ICEJobs

• Good luck with this new phase in your life, it has been great working with you throughout this transition, keep in touch through LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethacox/

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10330118