This article is for visa applicants, migrants, and job seekers who have received their Australian visa and are planning their travel to Australia.
Workinitiatives does not sponsor, arrange, book, pay for, reimburse, or manage flights for visa applicants, migrants, or job seekers. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own flights, travel insurance, baggage, accommodation, transport, and any other travel-related costs.
Workinitiatives can provide general information only. We cannot provide travel, migration, legal, or financial advice.
When should you book your flight?
You should usually wait until your visa has been granted before booking your flight.
Once your visa is secured, you can choose a travel date and book your flight to Australia.
Booking after your visa is granted helps reduce the risk of paying for flights before you have permission to travel.
Before booking your flight, check:
What to check | Why it matters |
Visa grant date | Confirms your visa has been approved |
Visa expiry date | Helps you understand when you must enter or leave Australia |
First entry date, if applicable | Some visas may require you to enter Australia by a certain date |
Visa conditions | Confirms what you can and cannot do in Australia |
Passport validity | Airlines and border authorities may require your passport to be valid for travel |
Arrival city | Helps you plan accommodation, transport, and work arrangements |
Baggage allowance | Avoids unexpected baggage fees |
Refund or change policy | Useful if your plans change |
Why booking early can help
Booking your flight early after your visa is granted may help you:
find cheaper fares
secure better flight times
plan your arrival date with more certainty
arrange temporary accommodation
organise airport transport
prepare for work, study, or settlement requirements
create a clear timeframe for moving to Australia
Flight prices can change depending on the airline, season, route, availability, and how close the travel date is.
Before booking your flight
Before you pay for your flight, make sure you have reviewed your visa grant information carefully.
You should confirm:
Your full name matches your passport.
Your passport number is correct.
Your visa has been granted.
Your visa allows you to enter Australia.
You understand any entry date or stay period requirements.
You understand your visa conditions.
Your passport is valid for travel.
You know which city you are arriving in.
You have enough funds for flights, accommodation, food, transport, and other arrival costs.
If you are unsure about your visa conditions, check your visa grant notice or use the Australian Government’s VEVO service.
Choosing your travel date
When choosing your travel date, consider:
Factor | What to consider |
Accommodation | Book temporary accommodation before you arrive |
Work start date | Allow enough time to settle before starting work |
Airport arrival time | Arriving during the day may make transport easier |
Public holidays | Services may be limited on public holidays |
Transport | Check how you will travel from the airport |
Budget | Allow for flights, baggage, accommodation, meals, and emergencies |
Jet lag | Give yourself time to recover before important appointments or work |
A good approach is to book your flight with enough time to settle in before you need to start work, attend interviews, inspect rentals, or complete other important tasks.
Booking temporary accommodation before you fly
Before booking your flight, it is a good idea to arrange temporary accommodation for your arrival.
Many new arrivals book one or two weeks of temporary accommodation first. This gives you time to:
recover from travel
inspect long-term rentals
understand local suburbs
open a bank account, if needed
organise a phone number or SIM card
arrange transport
attend interviews or onboarding appointments
Temporary accommodation may include hotels, hostels, serviced apartments, Airbnb, or staying with family or friends.
Travel insurance
You may want to consider travel insurance before flying.
Travel insurance may help cover certain unexpected events, depending on the policy, such as:
flight cancellations
lost baggage
medical emergencies
travel delays
personal belongings
Read the policy carefully before purchasing travel insurance. Make sure you understand what is covered, what is excluded, and how to make a claim.
Keep important documents with you
When travelling to Australia, keep important documents in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage.
You may need access to:
passport
visa grant notice
flight booking confirmation
travel insurance details
accommodation booking confirmation
employment documents, if applicable
migration agent or employer contact details, if applicable
emergency contact details
copies of important identification documents
It can also be useful to keep digital copies in a secure location, such as your email or cloud storage.