1

Tax File Number (TFN)

TFN is required by both employers and banks. Failure to provide your TFN to banks as a student will result in annual account service payment to the banks. TFN will be posted to you by postal mail, so make sure your postal address is correct and accessible.
Visit https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/ to apply for your TFN for free.
Please note, you only receive one unique TFN in your life time in Australia. It doesn’t change, even when you move from temporary visa to permanent or even become a citizen

2

TMR CRN

Transport and Main Roads’ Customer Reference Number
Some Migrants getting to integrate themselves into Australia may need to get a CRN (Permanent residency Visa Holders) in order to get other things like Blue Cards and Yellow Cards for Job purposes. This could be stressful, when we don’t know how. You may need the following to get yours;

1. Photo Identity card; this could be obtained from the TMR’s Department.
2. International Passport
3. Bank card [Debit master Card]
4. Australian Driver’s License

For more information; pls find out from the Transport department office.

3

Bank Account

The Australian banking system plays a major role in the country’s financial system. Apart from traditional banking services, banks also provide business banking, trading in financial markets, stockbroking, insurance, and funds management. There are 53 Australian banks, 14 of which are owned by the government.

The Top Banks are; *Commonwelath* WestPac* National Australian Bank [NAB]* Australian And Newzealand Banking Group [ANZ]*Bank of Queensloand[BOQ]* Suncorp* and Macquarie*.

Pick any of your choice, walk into the bank with your; Intn’l Passport, Drivers License, Proof of Address (If you have), Proof of Studentship, Student Visa, or your Permanent residency visa,and get your account opened

4

Enrollment

Try and attend the orientation day at your college or University to acquaint yourself with the environment.  Also, make sure you complete your enrollment by the due date, failure to do so may result in cancellation of your enrollment, which might result in cancellation of your visa.

5

Transportation

The unanimous means of transportation in Brisbane are by Translink buses, train, and ferry (Citycat).

To access the train, ferry and buses you need a GoCard. You need to buy a GoCard for $10 and put some credit in it.

You can get easily the GoCard at any train station and some retail outlets. If you are a student, you need to register your GoCard with Translink receive a concession on your adult GoCard. (https://mobile.gocard.translink.com.au/webtix/tickets-and-fares/go-card/online/concession/step-one)

Please try and register your card as difference in fares can be as much as $2 plus.

If you are in need of a GoCard please meet with any of the leaders in the church or call 0420 994 346.

6

Driving in Australia [Queensland)

You can drive in Australia with a valid driver license from another country. You are allowed to use your oversea driver license, provided it has not expired. Although, there are jobs that may require you to have an Australian Driver License to secure a Job. To secure Australia driver’s license, you must pass a written test, complete a 35- 40mins Practical driving/road test. Click on the link below to proceed further; Licensing (Department of Transport and Main Roads) (tmr.qld.gov.au)

7

Accommodation

For singles, you could easily get shared accommodation ranging from $150-225 per week, internet and electricity inclusive.
If you are married or with your family, you may need to get at least 2 -3 bedrooms apartment in order to have your privacy. This ranges between $180 – 450 per week, depending on your taste.
Highlighted below are some of the suburbs you could get cheap accommodation.
• Annerley *Fairfield *Durack *Oxley *Richlands *Doolandella
• Rockley * Coopers plains *Ellen Grove *Forest Lake
• Acacia Ridge *Redbank *Redbank plains *Wacol *Corinda
• Graceville *Collingwood Park ……and many others

8

Job insights

As a student, you need a job to foot your bills, even if you are on a scholarship, you are encouraged to get a job that suits your availability and capacity, such that you won’t jeopardize your primary purpose, which is studying. It could be once a week or 20hrs per fortnight.
There are so many benefits in this, like; Positive Exposures, opportunity to meet new people and familiarizing yourself with the city and their culture.
The two main search engines amongst others for jobs in Australia are; Seek (www.seek.com.au) and Indeed (www.indeed.com.au). If you would like to know how and when to submit your CV through Seek or Indeed, please send an email to info@winnerschapelbrisbane.org

It is therefore pertinent to mention that one of key requirements in getting a job in Australia is your driver’s license. We hope you brought your international driver’s license and we hope it is still valid.
Having a car before or after you get a job is important but if you don’t have enough funds with you, you may hold on until you do.
Also, when you are ready to buy a car, we have people who can assist in assessing the car.
Should you need guidance on the job search, please do not hesitate to reach out via info@winnerschapelbrisbane.org
Enjoy Divine Favour in your Job search.

9

Groceries Shopping

Getting groceries of your choice can be sometimes challenging. Groceries such as; Staples, Beverages, Steak, Cereals, and Vegetables can be bought from Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
If you need African and Asian groceries you will need to visit Inala Shopping Mall. Inala is also a good place to buy cheap meat and fishes.

10

Caution!

We won’t forget to mention here that, it has been observed, proven and generalized that the Australian economic system has been designed for people to work, work, and work without having a quality time for God or yourself, but “wisdom the Bible say is profitable to direct”.
Pls beware, any job that will keep you at a distance from God is not a Job, any Job that will take your Sundays away from you is not God’s will. Remember, you didn’t come here in the first place by your own power, intuition or might. God brought you here, and if He did, He knows you have need of those things you could be striving to get.
A word is enough for the wise.
Get acquainted with God, find a Bible believing Church like ours to fellowship, where raw word of God is shared without dilution.
Instruction gives life.
God Bless You!