Apply for a credit
or debit card

Have mail diverted



Get a financial check-up, as well as a medical, check-up before you leave

Banking, Bill Paying, and Superannuation etc.

Where to find help - Sites to visit etc

Consider how you plan to pay your expenses while on the road.

• EFTPOS is available in many areas, but don’t count on them – always have another payment option.
• Do you need a list of ATM or branch details in the areas you plan to visit (other banks ATM’s will charge you fees per transaction, depending on the bank).
• Will your credit card be valid for the whole journey, or do you need a new one? (Check expiry date)
• You could put your credit card account into a credit balance to make things easier while you are away.
  Or you may prefer to just transfer money as you go via internet Netbank or similar. Set this up with your bank before you go.
• Consider how much cash you think you will need to carry, and consider how you will keep it secure.
  You may want a money belt or a small safe mounted inside your van to secure your valuables. Do not leave yourself vulnerable to theft by carrying large amounts of cash around.
• Personal cheques, and Travellers cheques, are difficult to use in some areas, and you will need ID to cash them. There is a systems called Travel Money (a plastic card), which is like plastic travellers "cheques" with a PIN number, which you could use if you prefer not to have a credit card at all. These are available at Australia Post, banks, travel agencies and perhaps money exchange outlets, in larger shopping centres. They look like a credit card and work in ATM's for more information

Now consider how do you plan to receive pay your bills for your home (if you still have one).
How are you receiving  your bills while you're away? Or are you lucky enough to have someone to take care of them all for you?

Mail re-direction via Aust Post, a Private service or friends?

Once you get your bills, you can pay them via Internet bank transfer, on NetBank or similar. Set this up with your bank, and practice before you go. (see Mobile page and check this issue out Email and Internet access

Another option is Phone Banking which works in a similar way to internet transfer. Again set it up and practice before you go.

A better way might be to set up automatic payments for major bills via your bank, or the provider of the service e.g Telstra, Health Fund, Mobil Phone account etc. Contact your bank for details, or done via each service provider, which may be a better way in some cases, just check out the options.

Financial issues: For a list of the 25 banks, who are members of the Bankers Association in Australia Bank lists.
Or just use the White Pages or Yellow Pages

Credit Cards Vs Debit Cards; Which do you use, Credit or Debit cards? Some people are reluctant to have a credit card, as they perceive "credit cards" to be living beyond their means. These days it is difficult to get by without a card, especially when travelling.

A way around this is to get a "Debit Cards", which acts like a credit card, but using your own money, just be sure to have the money transferred into it. You may want to keep only a set amount in there, and transfer money to it as needed; this could be a good compromise, which suits your needs.

You can also buy things like tickets for events, or booking a sightseeing trip over the internet, or on the phone. Booking in advance, is an option often denied to you, if you don't have a credit card.

Post Offices:
Have a BillPay facility, which can be very useful click here. Bills can be paid via their website or in person over the counter.

You can have your mail held at the Post Office - Moving services or redirected to someone else click here  If you have someone collecting your mail, they can redirect it to a Post Office you will be visiting in a week or two. 

You may wish to leave some Express Post Envelopes with the person & all the mail can be forwarded to a specific Post Office for you to collect. The envelopes/satchels come in various sizes, so check out the options and buy different sizes to accommodate different amounts of mail.

Redirecting mail: to "care of post office" or “Poste Restante mail” (this information is from Aust Post's website)
Applications to redirect mail to "care of post office" are only accepted where there is no street delivery available, or the applicant does not have a fixed address. The post office must be in Australia. (this describes the average itinerant caravan dweller in Australia)

Pension: Are you on a Pension, can you draw on it wherever you are? Retirement Information Or for more information about Seniors cards Australia Wide

Centrelink offices: - National locations: to find them click here Centrelink Offices Nationally. For general help about Retirement  or for general information about pension rates info and for Pension Rules that have changed.

Superannuation: Do you need help to retire early?  You may need to talk to a Financial Planner in advance of going, to sort out the best way arrange your money. Do you need help such as eg Financial Planner or a Bank Manager etc. or perhaps contact your "Super" company if you do not have your own advisor. Make sure you look at all the options, before making the leap of faith.  There may be tax implications, which you have not thought of, so advice should be sought, before, rather than after the event. See information from Centrelink about this issue as they have some limited services available.  Or this document from a Financial Planner, which outlines the changes to Super as outlined in the 2006 budget.

See also Budgeting, Calendar, Choosing a Caravan, News, Packing, Planning, Preparation, and  Supplementing your income.

NO RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ACTIONS TAKEN AS A RESULT OF INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS PAGE OR THIS WEBSITE

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