v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → AU · verified 2026-04
India to Australia — relocation checklist
19-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian skilled professional / student on subclass 189/190/491/482/500.
From
Total cost
AUD 12,000-35,000 (₹7-22 lakh) — visa, settlement, deposit, shipping
Timeline
20-36 weeks pre-arrival, 6 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Indian skilled professional / student on subclass 189/190/491/482/500
Step-by-step checklist (19 steps)
Pre-departure (24-36 weeks out)
- Choose visa — 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (Skilled Nominated), 491 (Skilled Regional), 482 (TSS / employer-sponsored), 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), 500 (Student)
Pre-departure (20-24 weeks out)
- Skills Assessment via assessing authority (ACS for IT, EA for engineers, etc.) — 8-12 weeks
Pre-departure (18-22 weeks out)
- IELTS Academic / PTE / TOEFL — target 7.0+ each band for max points
Pre-departure (16-20 weeks out)
- SkillSelect EOI (Expression of Interest); points test minimum 65; invited at draws
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- Visa application within 60 days of invitation; biometrics, police clearance, medical (panel physician)
Pre-departure (8-12 weeks out)
- Subclass 189/190 processing 8-12 months typical; 482 sponsor processing 4-8 weeks
Pre-departure (6-10 weeks out)
- Tax planning — file IT-30; LRS USD 250K/year; pre-open Wise AUD
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- Housing — secure first 1-3 months accommodation (Airbnb, Realestate.com.au short-term)
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship — sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Sydney/Melbourne 30-45 days, AUD 3,500-9,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — strict biosecurity; Australian Department of Agriculture import permit (10+ months prep); blood titre test + microchip + quarantine 10+ days; AUD 4,000-10,000
Arrival (Week 1)
- Activate visa at port of entry; receive electronic visa label
- Apply for TFN (Tax File Number) online via ATO — required for employment
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Open Australian bank — Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, Westpac all offer pre-arrival migrant accounts
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- Medicare card registration (subclass 189/190/491 eligible; 482 holders depend on Reciprocal Health Care Agreement); private health insurance for 482
Arrival (Week 2-4)
- Long-term housing — credit history + employer references typical
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Driver's License — Indian license valid 90 days, then convert via knowledge + road test (varies by state)
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children school enrollment — public schools free for PR; international schools available
Arrival (Month 3-6)
Ongoing
- Australian citizenship after 4 years residence (3 years on PR); citizenship test + English
Cost breakdown
| Subclass 189 visa application (primary) | AUD 4,640 |
| Subclass 482 visa application | AUD 1,455 |
| Skills Assessment (ACS) | AUD 530 |
| IELTS Academic | AUD 410 |
| Medical exam | AUD 350-500 |
| Police clearance | AUD 0-50 |
| First month rent + 4-week bond (Sydney 2BR) | AUD 4,000-8,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | AUD 3,500-9,000 |
| Pet (biosecurity strict) | AUD 4,000-10,000 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Australian pet biosecurity strictest globally — 10+ month prep, blood titre test, quarantine 10+ days
- EOI ranking based on points — 65 minimum but actual invitations 75-90+ for most occupations
- Subclass 482 holders: no Medicare unless RHCA — must buy private health (AUD 100-200/month)
- Quarterly draws — invitations not guaranteed even with high points
- India-Australia DTAA (1991) prevents double taxation
- TRA + ATO data-sharing — full transparency for Indian-source income reporting
Official sources
- Australia Home Affairs — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
- SkillSelect — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect
- ATO Australian Taxation — https://www.ato.gov.au/
See also: India profile · Australia profile · all relocation checklists · Australia healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.