Things to do first

1. Apply for tax file number (TFN)
It is important to register TFN when you first set you foot in Australia. Indeed, you can register TFN when you do the first landing for permanent visa holder.
With TFN, you are exempted for being charged 10% tax for the interest that you earn from bank investment account. In fact, this can help you to save substantial if the amount of saving in bank is large.

2. Register with medicare
If you are permanent resident visa holder, you will be entitle for medicare benefit immediately. With medicare, it also mean that you will be taxed 1.5% from you total income.

3. Open a bank account
Actually, if I am not mistaken, any foreigner can open an bank account in Australia. Compare the bank interest between Malaysia and Aus, Aus local bank give a substantial interest rate as high as 5%. If you are keen in investing AUD and earn some interest at the same time, open a bank account in Aus local bank is the best option while you are traveling to Aus. It also mean that you can start investing your money away before you settle into Aus.

However, as non-resident, you will be taxed 10% of every interest that you earn as well. Managing the acc out of Aus is also pretty challenging but the bank services are quite good. You can even communicate with bank customer service with email, view the statement and do transaction online.

4. Register with Centerlink
This will only applicable for permanent visa holder. However, some of the benefit provided by centerlink will have 2 years waiting period for permanent visa holder as well.

5. Register for English class
Communicating in English is very important and the key to understand some of local Australian English words.

6. Enroll children for school
It would be applicable to those who has family with kids.

7. Apply for driver's licence
This section is pretty tricky and interesting to find out procedure. I will explain more in getting Victorian licence section.