Australia’s New Quest Log

This isn't a how-to guide, because there are already plenty of those online! When I was a kid, TV shows always ended with the line, "The views expressed do not represent those of this station." So here's what I want to say: if you've made up your mind to go, be brave and experience all the good and the bad that come your way.

• Task 1: Getting a phone number I was too lazy to look into switching between providers to keep the monthly price low, so I went with Telstra, which has relatively reliable coverage. I bought a SIM directly from a Telstra store. After downloading the app, I just top up on my phone each month and can even choose my own plan. It's really convenient, a bit like a prepaid card. This is probably the easiest task of all, and you can easily get it done on day one! Paul and I deliberately chose different providers, because you can't always get a signal everywhere. When we travelled around the Balkans together, we were lucky to be on different networks: if one of us had no signal, the other could still cover! Though there were times when neither of us had any signal (haha).

• Task 2: Opening a bank account Before arriving in Australia, I talked with a friend who was studying here about which bank to choose. In the end I chose NAB (National Australia Bank) because it has no account-keeping fee (which is also why she recommended it). I went to open an account on my very first day. The process was quick, so after letting the Airbnb front desk know, I used our temporary accommodation for the first ten days as the mailing address for my card. (Also, I really like the bank's logo: black and red look so classy!) Another option, and my personal favourite, is Revolut. When I was living in Europe last year, I opened a Revolut account even though I had a local bank account. The great thing about an online bank is that when I travelled to other countries, I could pay in the local currency and it would take the money straight from my account, which saved me from exchanging cash all the time. The app can even show you nearby ATMs to withdraw money (I've never tried that myself). So after moving to Australia, I opened a new Revolut account (because a new country means a new card and account). The app and the physical card both look great and feel very high-tech. Remember to link your account to your phone number as a PayID. It's incredibly convenient in Australia!

• Task 3: Getting a Tax File Number (TFN) You fill in the form on the official website. You'll need an address where you're sure you'll be staying for the next 30 days, and then you just wait for the official reply! A friend of mine simply booked a youth hostel, and her TFN was issued and posted to the hostel without any trouble. Basically every proper job will ask for it, so I recommend applying as soon as you have somewhere to stay! For both of my current jobs, I filled in most of the onboarding paperwork through work apps, and everything was saved straight to my account. It's so convenient! The days of getting a hundred onboarding emails are over! (HOORAY~) This one is basically a must. Australian Taxation Office website

• Task 4: Finding a place to stay I'd like to share my experience of finding a place to rent in Dublin, Ireland, in a future post. As for our accommodation in Perth, I feel incredibly lucky. Before leaving, I joined Taiwanese LINE and Facebook groups where there were lots of room listings to look through. As for whether you should find a place to stay or a job first, I don't want to give a quick answer. I'd mainly look at how safe and convenient the area is. This time in Perth, we found a place about a 30-minute bus ride from the city centre. The person who contacted us was clearly Taiwanese, and it was also clear that she was subletting. We rented a double room, and shared the kitchen, bathroom and common areas with the others in the house. If you're renting without signing a lease, make sure you keep a clear written record of everything you discuss and confirm that you both agree. Luckily, we weren't far apart in age, so communication was easy, and she even gave us lots of useful information about daily life and work. I'm very grateful to her for our first stop, and I'm glad that when we later had to leave for work, we could part with each other's good wishes.

• Task 5: Getting around This time I'm on this adventure with Paul; on my own, I definitely wouldn't have bought a car. We're thinking about moving to other cities and driving around Australia, so we started searching for the car that was meant for us! I have no experience looking at or buying cars, and I'm not a confident driver, so Paul did most of the research and shortlisting. Petrol isn't cheap in Australia, and because of the war, prices aren't very stable either. There's a separate post about the car (I'm working hard on it)!

Whatever it is, starting is never easy. Everyone feels anxious, nervous and worried. But as I said earlier, if you are brave and experience all the good and the bad that come your way, it will be a wonderful journey, and you'll find you can do so many things. If the script of life is already written, then sit back and enjoy what happens in the next episode! Life will take you where you belong. If you need help or have questions, I'm happy to answer. I hope everyone clears every little level on their own path. You'll feel so accomplished!