from surviving to thriving abroad: rebuild your confidence, purpose, and professional identity after relocating.

Finding a place to live (Even on a budget)

Start with shared or short-term accommodation:
- flatmates.com.au
- realestate.com.au
- gumtree.com.au → "Flatshare & Houseshare" category💡 Tip: Prioritise locations near public transport, schools (if you have kids), and supermarkets.

Public Schools & Education

- Government schools use catchment zones (Your address determines eligibility)
- Use myschool.edu.au to compare school by location and performance
- School years start in late January; you can usually enrol at any time during the year if you're a permanent resident or citizen

Getting Around Without a Car

- Most states use a transport card (e.g., Opal in NSW, Go Card in QLD, Myki in VIC)
- Plan trips and check real-time schedules at the transport company webpage (Transport NSW in NSW; Translink in QLD; Public Transport Victoria in VIC)💡 Migrants often start car-free. Living near a train or bus line helps reduce costs.

Community & Support

- Join local Facebook groups (e.g. Search “Latinos in [city]”)
- Visit multicultural organisations for free classes, job help & events:
     - Multicultural Australia - Offers support for newly arrived migrants and refugees, including help with employment, community connection, cultural orientation, and accessing essential services
     - Settlement Services International (SSI) - Support for employment, housing, education, and multicultural community services
     - AMCS – Australian Multicultural Community Services - Offers migrant support, especially for families and seniors, in VIC and beyond
     - Scanlon Foundation / Welcoming Australia - Promotes inclusion and runs community initiatives across the country

Quick Work Options

Great starting points:
     - Seek
     - Jora
     - Backpacker Job Board (Even if you are not backpacking)No need for perfect English. Attitude and reliability go a long way.