Moving to Australia: visas, banking and SIM cards

By Jack Thornton, Australia host 23 October 2026 6 min read

Beautiful purple Jacaranda flowers blooming outdoors with green leaves in spring. — Photo by FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫ on Pexels

The magpies are still swooping, the jacarandas are just starting to purple the avenues, and the air smells like damp earth and eucalyptus. If you’ve just landed in Canberra, you might be surprised by how quiet it is compared to Sydney or Melbourne, but don’t let the calm fool you. This is the engine room of Australia, a planned capital where politics, public service, and bushland collide. As you step off the plane at Canberra Airport, your first few weeks will define your comfort here. You aren’t just visiting; you’re setting up a life in a city that runs on precision, weather extremes, and a very specific local rhythm.

Sorting Out Your Legal Stay

Before you even think about opening a bank account, you need to ensure your legal status is airtight. Australia does not offer a visa on arrival for most travellers, so your passport dictates your path. If you hold a passport from the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, you’ll want the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), subclass 601. It costs around A$20 via the official app and is the fastest route in.

If you’re from the UK or an EU/EFTA country, the eVisitor (subclass 651) is free and handled through ImmiAccount. Both allow up to three months per entry with multiple entries over twelve months, but crucially, they do not permit paid work. For everyone else, the Visitor visa (subclass 600, tourist stream) is the fallback, costing roughly A$250. New Zealand citizens have it easier: passing through with a NZ passport grants you the Special Category visa (subclass 444) automatically, allowing indefinite residence and work rights.

Once you’re settled, head to Access Canberra. This is the ACT’s one-stop shop for everything bureaucratic. Located in Civic, Belconnen, Gungahlin, Woden, and Tuggeranong, it’s where you transfer your driver’s licence, register your vehicle, and apply for a Proof of Age Card. You should also set up a Tax File Number (TFN) with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) immediately if you plan to work, and enrol with Medicare if you have reciprocal rights or permanent residency.

Navigating the Banking System

Getting cash flowing is next. The Australian banking landscape is dominated by the ‘Big Four’: Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. In Canberra, branches are concentrated in Civic and major town centres like Belconnen and Woden. If you prefer alternatives, Macquarie, ING, Bendigo Bank, and Bankwest are common choices.

To open an account, you typically need your passport, proof of visa/arrival details, and an Australian address. While some banks may let you start with just a passport, supplying your Tax File Number is critical; without it, interest earned on your savings is taxed at the top marginal rate, which can be steep. For those looking for ethical banking options, Bank Australia has a presence here, though the big players remain the default for most expats.

Budgeting for your move requires realism. Canberra is one of Australia’s most expensive cities. Rents dominate budgets, with a modest one-bedroom flat running approximately A$2,100 per month (around A$485/week). Groceries and dining are slightly below Sydney prices but still significant. Expect to pay about A$5.78 for a regular cappuccino, A$2.21–A$2.33 for a litre of milk, and A$4.67 for a loaf of fresh white bread. A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant will set you back roughly A$25, while a mid-range dinner for two comes in around A$123–A$129. Even a pint of local draft beer in a pub averages A$12.92, though supermarket bottles are cheaper at A$6.74.

Connecting Locally: SIM Cards and Transit

Your phone is your lifeline. Prepaid SIMs are cheap and widely available at supermarkets, convenience stores, and airport kiosks. Remember, Australia requires ID checks for activation, so bring your passport. The main networks are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone/TPG. Telstra offers the best rural and regional coverage, which matters if you plan to explore Namadgi National Park or the Snowy Mountains. Budget MVNOs like Boost Mobile (running on Telstra’s network) and Amaysim are excellent choices for cost-conscious users.

For getting around, the old MyWay cards are obsolete. As of November 2024, the system uses MyWay+. You can tap on and off using a MyWay+ travel card, a Visa/Mastercard, your phone, or a QR pass in the MyWay+ app. Fares include a free 90-minute transfer window. Peak adult fares are around A$3.32, dropping to A$2.63 off-peak. Daily caps sit near A$9.89 on weekdays and A$6.05 on weekends. Canberra’s transit hub is City Interchange, serving the R1 light rail line (currently extending across the lake to the Parliamentary Triangle) and a comprehensive bus network.

Be aware of current disruptions. Light Rail Stage 2A works between Gungahlin Place and Alinga Street mean buses replace trams this weekend (31 October – 1 November), with transfers pushed to Rudd/Bunda Street. Also, Northbourne Avenue closures were cancelled at short notice, so traffic flows normally, but keep an eye on National Circuit bus stop diversions later in the month.

Settling Into the Capital Lifestyle

Canberra is a city of distinct precincts, each with its own flavour. Start in Civic, the CBD locals call it, anchored by Garema Place and the Canberra Centre’s Tiger Lane hawker food precinct. From there, walk or bike to Braddon, a former light-industrial strip turned hipster hub along Lonsdale Street. Here you’ll find BentSpoke Brewing Co, street murals, and The Hamlet food-truck yard. It’s the heart of the creative scene.

If you’re into design and art, cross the bridge to NewActon. Home to the Ovolo Nishi hotel, it features the Palace Electric cinema and locally crafted interiors. For a more genteel vibe, head to Kingston and Manuka in the Inner South. Leafy streets hide buzzy spots like Queenies and Chairman & Yip in nearby Barton. The Kingston Foreshore is perfect for brunch, hosting Canberra Glassworks and the Sunday Old Bus Depot Markets.

Dining out showcases the city’s diversity. In Dickson, Woolley Street is nicknamed ‘the Chinatown of Canberra,’ offering Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Sichuan eats at places like Au Lac and Dickson Asian Noodle House. For high-end experiences, try Blackfire Restaurant or eightysix restaurant. Coffee culture is strong, with spots like The Cupping Room and East Row Cafe drawing crowds.

Don’t miss the seasonal events. Late October is peak spring. Floriade has just packed up at Commonwealth Park, but the energy remains. SpringOUT, Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ pride festival, opens with a flag-raising at Legislative Plaza and runs five weeks of events, culminating in the free Fair Day in Glebe Park on 31 October. Meanwhile, the Nara Candle Festival lights up Nara Peace Park at Lennox Gardens on 24 October with thousands of candles, Japanese food, music, and dance.

Safety and Environmental Awareness

Canberra is generally low-crime and very safe, but the real hazards are environmental. Summer brings extreme UV and heat, while winter can be genuinely cold and frosty. Bushfires and smoke risk are ever-present concerns given the surrounding national parks. Be mindful of shared e-scooters operated by Neuron. You must download the app, register, and follow strict rules: helmets are required, and footpath riding is prohibited in most areas.

Wildlife is part of daily life. You’ll routinely see eastern grey kangaroos, cockatoos, and the Gang-gang cockatoo. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is the reliable spot for koalas, platypus, and wallabies, while Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary protects bettongs and bush-stone curlews. Respect these spaces; they are integral to the ‘bush capital’ identity.

As you navigate your first week, remember that Canberra rewards patience. It’s a city built on compromise and planning, designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin over a century ago. Lake Burley Griffin, filled in 1964, remains its serene centrepiece. Embrace the rhythm, enjoy the coffee, and get ready to fall in love with Australia’s political and natural heart.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a monthly rent cost in Canberra?

Modest one-bedroom flats average around A$485 per week, or approximately A$2,100 per month, making it one of Australia's more expensive rental markets.

What documents do I need to open a bank account in Australia?

You typically need a passport, proof of visa or arrival details, and an Australian address. Providing your Tax File Number (TFN) is also recommended to avoid higher tax rates on interest.

Is there a visa on arrival for tourists in Australia?

No. Most travellers need an ETA (subclass 601) for ~A$20, a free eVisitor (subclass 651) for UK/EU passports, or a Visitor visa (subclass 600) for other nationalities.

How do I use public transport in Canberra now?

The old MyWay cards are replaced by MyWay+. You can tap on/off with a travel card, Visa/Mastercard, phone, or QR pass. Fares include a 90-minute free transfer window.

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