into. You can set it up & transfer money before you go, and then activate when you get there (you'll need to show your passport and visa). Some of the most popular banks are Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ and NAB, although the latter's card cannot be used online as it's not a Visa / Mastercard. - Luggage -- a wheelie case is entirely viable in Australia, but if you plan on going somewhere like SE Asia, then buy a backpack -- their pavements simply aren't up to wheelie cases. Try and pack light -- you will accumulate more stuff over there, and if you forget something then it's not the end of the world -- you can always replace it later. What will I need to do when I get there? - Medicare card -- essentially it's a bit like the Australian NHS, and we're covered under a reciprocal scheme. However, it doesn't cover everything, so you'll need travel insurance too. To get it, fill out an application form from http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ and then take it to your nearest Medicare office once you get there. - Tax File Number -- necessary to stop you being taxed at 48%. You can get one from www.ato.gov.au , but you can only do it once you've entered Australia. You get a 30-day grace period in which you will not be taxed at 48%, which gives you time for the TFN to arrive. When you leave Australia, or at the end of the tax year on