Week 1 — Do These First
Your first week priorities
The first week in Australia feels overwhelming. Do these five things first — everything else can wait.
Get an Australian SIM card
Woolworths Mobile, Aldi Mobile, or Telstra are cheapest. Buy at any supermarket or phone store. You need an Australian number immediately for bank verification, university contact, and accommodation.
Open a bank account
CommBank, ANZ, Westpac, or NAB — all have student accounts with no monthly fees. You can open online before you arrive or in-branch with your passport and student visa. You need this for rent, Centrelink, and getting paid.
Get a Tax File Number (TFN)
Apply online at ato.gov.au. Free, takes 10 minutes, arrives by post in 7–14 days. You cannot be paid legally without it — apply in your first week.
Enrol in Medicare (if eligible)
Kenya does not have a reciprocal health agreement with Australia — most Kenyan students are not eligible for Medicare. Check your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — your university requires it and it covers most medical needs.
Register with your university
Confirm your enrolment, get your student ID, and find out where your campus buildings are. Register with the international students office — they have resources specifically for new arrivals.
Banking
Setting up your Australian bank account
💡 Tip: CommBank and ANZ allow you to open a bank account online up to 3 months before you arrive in Australia. You arrive with a working account and card waiting for you.
Commonwealth Bank (CommBank)
Most popular with students. Smart Access account has no monthly fee for under 30s. NetBank app is excellent. Branches everywhere including near most universities.
ANZ
ANZ Access Advantage account — no monthly fee if you deposit $2,000+ per month or are under 25. Good international transfer rates for sending money home to Kenya.
Sending money to Kenya
Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives the best exchange rates. Cheaper than bank transfers. Download the app — you can send KES directly to M-Pesa or a Kenyan bank account.
Driver's Licence
Converting your Kenyan licence to Australian
Good news — as a Kenyan licence holder, you can drive in Australia on your Kenyan licence for the first 3 months. After that, you need to convert it to an Australian licence.
⚠️ Important: Licence conversion rules differ by state. Each Australian state has its own transport authority and rules. Check the rules for the state you are living in — not a general guide.
| State | Authority | Process for Kenyan Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria (VIC) | VicRoads | Knowledge test + eyesight test. No driving test if licence held 1+ year. |
| New South Wales (NSW) | Service NSW | Knowledge test required. May need driving test depending on licence age. |
| Queensland (QLD) | TMR Queensland | Knowledge test + driving test usually required. |
| Western Australia (WA) | DoT WA | Theory test + practical test usually required. |
| South Australia (SA) | Service SA | Knowledge test. Practical test may be waived for experienced drivers. |
Get an official translation of your Kenyan licence
Your licence must be translated by a NAATI-accredited translator. Cost is around AUD 50–80. Search "NAATI Swahili translator" or contact your state transport authority for approved translators.
Study for the knowledge test
Each state has a free online road rules handbook. Download it and study — the test covers road signs, speed limits, and road rules specific to your state. Practice tests are available free on each authority's website.
Visit your state transport authority
Bring: Kenyan licence, NAATI translation, passport, proof of address (bank statement or utility bill), and student visa. Pay the licence fee (around AUD 50–100 depending on state).
Finding Work
Getting your first job in Australia
Your student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during university breaks.
Seek.com.au
Australia's largest job board. Filter by "casual" or "part-time" and your suburb. Most common for hospitality, retail, administration, and warehouse roles that suit students.
Indeed Australia
Good for entry-level and casual work. Set up job alerts for your area. Upload your resume once and apply to multiple jobs quickly.
Your university careers centre
Every university has a careers centre with job boards exclusive to students. Many employers specifically target international students. Visit in your first week.
Set your location to Australia and connect with Kenyan professionals already here. The Kenyan diaspora community in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth is active and supportive.
💡 Australian resume tip: Keep it to 2 pages maximum. No photo, no date of birth, no marital status — Australian employers do not want this information and including it can hurt your application. List your most recent experience first.
Kenyan Community
Finding your community in Australia
You are not alone. There is a strong and welcoming Kenyan community across every major Australian city.
Kitwek (Melbourne)
Kalenjin community association based in Melbourne. Events, support, and connection for Kenyans in Victoria.
Kenya Community Victoria (KCV)
Broader Kenyan community organisation across Victoria. Cultural events, welfare support, and networking.
Taunet Ne Lel (Brisbane/QLD)
Kenyan community organisation in Queensland. Welcoming to new arrivals and students.
Still preparing for Australia?
AusPath helps Kenyan students ace IELTS and navigate the student visa application — before you even board the plane.
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