Settling in
First weeks and months: housing, banking, Medicare, the basics nobody tells you.
First Aussie supermarket shop — what brands are actually any good?
Walked into a Coles for the first time yesterday and stood paralysed in the bread aisle for 10 minutes. Everything looks the same and the names mean nothing to me yet. Quick taste-test ask: what are the safe "you can't go wrong" brands for milk, bread, yoghurt, eggs, instant coffee, frozen pizza, and laundry detergent? Bonus points if there's a home-brand version that's genuinely fine because $$$.
Anonymous Curious Echidna · 3 replies · 0 reactions
Found out my international driver's licence only lasts 3 months in NSW. Surprise!
Was happily driving around with my UK licence for the past 5 months because I genuinely thought it was valid as long as my licence was valid back home. Turns out NSW gives you 3 months and then you need to convert or do the local test. If anyone else is on a temp visa or PR — check your state's rule. WA, NSW, VIC all have different timelines. I'm now booking a Hazard Perception Test and feeling like an idiot.
Anonymous Cautious Wallaby · 3 replies · 0 reactions
Family arriving next week — what should I have ready in the apartment?
My wife and 4-year-old land in Brisbane next Tuesday. I've been here on my own for 2 months and the apartment is, uh, minimalist. (Mattress on floor, kettle, two plates.) What's on your "must have before family lands" list? I've got a basic Kmart run planned for Saturday. Trying to avoid the "we don't have a single Tupperware container" moment on day one.
Anonymous Practical Possum · 3 replies · 0 reactions