Karibu: your first 30 days

1. Done: Enrol in Medicare

   Week 1

   Enrol in Medicare

   Medicare pays for GP visits and public hospital care. Permanent residents can enrol straight away; some temporary visas can't. Take your passport and visa details.

   How to enrol in Medicare (Services Australia) (opens in a new tab)

2. Done: Apply for a tax file number (TFN)

   Week 1

   Apply for a tax file number (TFN)

   You need a TFN before you start work, or your employer must take more tax. It's free: apply online with your passport once you are in Australia.

   Apply for a TFN (Australian Taxation Office) (opens in a new tab)

3. Done: Open a bank account and get a phone number

   Week 1

   Open a bank account and get a phone number

   Many banks let you open an account with just your passport soon after you arrive. You'll need an Australian mobile number for almost everything else.

4. Done: Find a GP (family doctor) near you

   Weeks 1 to 2

   Find a GP (family doctor) near you

   Register with a GP before you are sick. Ask whether they bulk-bill (no fee with Medicare). For health advice any time, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

   Find a GP or service (healthdirect) (opens in a new tab)

5. Done: Enrol your children in school

   Weeks 1 to 2

   Enrol your children in school

   Every child in NSW can go to their local public school. Find the school for your address, then contact it or enrol online. Bring visa, birth and immunisation records.

   Find your local public school (Service NSW) (opens in a new tab) Enrol in a public primary school (opens in a new tab)

6. Done: Check what Centrelink can help with

   Weeks 2 to 3

   Check what Centrelink can help with

   Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy and other payments depend on your visa, and many have a waiting period for new residents. Check before you rely on them.

   Payments for people moving to Australia (opens in a new tab) Newly arrived resident's waiting period (opens in a new tab)

7. Done: Get your NSW driver licence

   Within 3 months

   Get your NSW driver licence

   Permanent residents can drive on a Kenyan licence for 3 months after arriving; temporary visitors staying longer than 6 months must switch within 6 months. Kenya is not a "recognised country", so you will need to pass the knowledge test and the driving test.

   Driving in NSW on an overseas licence (opens in a new tab) Check what you need to switch (opens in a new tab)

8. Done: Say karibu to KENEWA

   Any time

   Say karibu to KENEWA

   Tell us you've arrived and a member near you will get in touch. You don't have to be a member, and it's free.

   Tell us you're new Membership

KENEWA shares these links to help you find your way. We don't give legal, migration or financial advice: check the details with the official service. Last checked: November 2026.