Moving within your city is difficult enough but moving overseas is even more complicated. There are so many things to consider when planning a move overseas including finances, shipping and tying up loose ends, and this can be one of the biggest transitions you will make in your life.

Moving to Australia doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you have the right set of skills and can contribute to the economy. However, there are certain legal requirements you have to follow. These requirements include the documents and forms you will have to present to the relevant authorities before and after you arrive in Australia.

In this article, you will find a comprehensive list of the documents and forms you will need. If you don't have all of them, you'll need to get them as soon as possible. The time it will take to put together all these documents differs by country, but it is always best to have them before you begin your travel plans.

Visa

This is possibly the most important document you will need to enter Australia. It doesn't matter the experience and skillset you have, if you don't have a valid visa, you will not be allowed into the country. The type of visa you need will be determined by how long you intend to stay in Australia and what you will be doing there.

If you are making the big move to Australia, chances are you are going to work or start a business. To do this, you will need a visa that allows you to work in Australia. You can get information on how to get the appropriate visa by visiting the style="text-decoration-line: none;">Department of Home Affairs style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. When applying for a visa, make sure you are contacting the right people, as visa scams are common.

Personal documents

If you plan on moving to Australia, you will need to present certain documents that show your personal records and identification. These documents include your passport (and that of members of your family if you are moving together), birth certificates (or adoption certificates, where applicable) and marriage or civil union documents.

If you are travelling with your children and intend to enrol them into a school in Australia, you will need to present their individual immunisation records.

If you intend to style="text-decoration-line: none;">work in style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, you may be required to present copies of your school records including all diplomas, certificates and degrees. However, you may still be required to undergo a professional evaluation service to assess your qualifications. While not exactly necessary, references, recommendations and a portfolio of your work will make it easier to find a good job.

Legal documents

In addition to your personal documentation and records, you will be required to present a series of legal documents to aid your move to Australia. One of these important documents is travel insurance that shows your coverage plan for your first few weeks in the country. Health and other forms of insurance in Australia have a waiting period and it is your travel insurance that will cover you during this time unless you are willing to deal with the high medical costs should you have a medical emergency.

Other legal documents you will need include a valid driver's license and an international driver's license. This is compulsory if you intend to drive a car in the country. If you plan on shipping your own car, you may be asked to present your car insurance or show proof of a good driving record in your home country.

Financial records

According to the experts at international moving company style="text-decoration-line: none;">, one of the important things to consider when planning a move to Australia is how to move your cash and investments. This is why one of your first steps should be to set-up a bank account. Fortunately, you can often do this online from your home country.

Having done this, it is a good idea to request your financial records from your local bank. This will show your credit history and ratings and will make it easier for you to get approved for credit in your host country.

If you have any investments up tied in arts and valuables that you plan to move to Australia, you will need to apply for a permit to that effect. You will need to present this permit when you arrive in the country in order to clear your works of art, antiques and valuable items.

Professional documents

Documents relating to your career and work experience are some of the most important things you will need to take with you if you want to get a good job quickly. Moving to Australia is half the battle but getting a job and earning an income is also very important, and you will want to contribute to the economy in your new country.

To improve your chances of coming out on top in the competitive Australian labour market, have the correct professional documents from your home country that show your qualifications, expertise and achievements. Of course, these items may not be required by immigration officials, but they will help ease you into the system.

Important professional documents you should bring include references from your past employers, letters of recommendation, educational credentials, diplomas, degrees and certificates. You will also need a resume. Even with all these, you may be required to sit for an style="text-decoration-line: none;">independent style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to determine if you need extra training in Australia to qualify for a job, but providing these documents will speed up the process.

Medical records

Australia has a strict health policy and is very careful to make sure that no one comes into the country with any potentially dangerous diseases or infections. You may be required to show proof of good health before you are allowed into the country so make sure to arrange for copies of your old and current medical records (and for other members of the family if they will be part of the trip).

If you are taking any prescription medication or require special medical care, this information will also be needed. If you are making the move to Australia, and not just visiting for a holiday, your dental records, x-ray records, immunisation records for every member of the family and medical prescription should be close by and available on request.

Receipts

As a permanent resident to Australia, you can bring certain style="text-decoration-line: none;">pre-owned style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> into the country duty free as long as you have owned them for a certain period of time, usually 12 months. However, you may be required to present the receipts and documentation for certain items. For example, you may need to present certificates for authenticity and valuation of jewellery, family heirlooms and other important valuables.

Other items that would need a receipt include: watches, antiques and jewellery, family heirlooms, works of art and even cash.

Ensure that every valuable you are moving with is assessed by a professional valuer in your home country. You may also be required to show proof that you have insured these items against damage or loss during shipping.

Wrapping up

Moving to Australia will be a very important transition, so it is important that you plan every stage of your move correctly to ensure that you don't forget anything or make a mistake.

While all the documents and forms covered above are important, you may not be asked to present all of them, but it is good you have them close by so that you don't miss the chance of a lifetime due to incomplete or missing documents.