If you’ve decided to make the move to the Land Down Under, it can be an exciting time. The thoughts of taking in the scenery, the wildlife, and the culture can be exhilarating. However, here are some helpful things you’ll need when deciding to make your move to Australia.

Consider Your Transportation Options

Moving to Australia is going to require some over ocean travel. Depending on where you’re traveling from, this may be on a plane or via a ship. Either way, you need to intelligently think about how you’re going to handle moving your items. From clothes to family heirlooms, your stash of things can take up a good bit of space. Apart from paying for extra luggage on your ship or plane, you can entertain the idea of simply paying to ship your items to your new home.

Keep Only the Essentials

It’s not uncommon for you to want to keep all of your household items when traveling. However, realize that this isn’t always the best option. The more items you keep, the more expensive it’s going to be to move them to your new home. Consider selling items that you can just re-purchase when you get to your new home, such as towels and dishes. For the items that you can’t sell or give away, you can always use various skip bin types to dispose of your items. Skip bins can be easily rented and left out to be taken away so you can focus on what’s needed for your move.

Get Your Visa Early

Before you even start packaging up your items and go through them, start with the essential paperwork. You need to get your visa, passport, and other forms of identification in order. These items take time to get approved, so start as early as possible. This will help to ensure that you aren’t dealing with any unnecessary hold up later on down the road.

Learn the Culture

Take some time to learn about Australian culture. This will help to prevent culture shock when you move to your new home. You don’t need to know their national anthem or their various sports teams, but get an idea of what’s customary cultural practice. Depending on where you’re moving from, you’ll notice there are variances in regular etiquette practices.

Moving to Australia is a big leap of faith for many. The idea of enjoying the relaxed culture and the sun can have you wanting to get there as soon as possible. However, realize that you should be aware of the four things above to ensure that your move goes smoothly.