Planning a move to Australia? This is all you need to know

Australia is popular for its many beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, impressive architecture and hospitable people. These are just some of the reasons why people consider moving over to the land down under. But we all know that any place is more than the sum total of what is shown in movies and written in books. If you are seriously considering a move to Australia, you need information beyond koala bears and enormous spiders.

This article covers some of the essential information you will need for your planned Australian move including links to official government websites and a host of other useful resources.

Why move to Australia?

In a lot of ways, Australia is very much like New Zealand. They share almost similarities and have basically the same kind of features. There is no language barrier and many of the cultural aspects of Australian life are somewhat similar to that of New Zealand. For these and many more reasons, choosing to move to Australia is a great choice for many New Zealanders. In addition, Australia has a great attitude towards foreigners coming in to work, especially people who are hardworking and willing to contribute to the growth and development of the country. The country also has great almost year round weather, making it the perfect destination for the outdoors, sports and adventure. So if you are looking for a country where you can work, live and have fun without feeling lost or too homesick, then Australia is the place to move to. When you compare these factors with the educational, healthcare and economic standard of Australia, you will agree that moving to the land down under is an attractive proposition.

Choosing the best place to live in Australia

Australia is a huge country.  It is so big in fact, that the distance between two towns can be hundreds of kilometres It will take, for example, 10 hours of regular driving to drive from Melbourne to Sydney.

The biggest three cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, therefore, if you are looking to live in a populous city, you may want to consider one of the three. But, when planning your Australian move, you can’t simply select a city from a map. There are a number of factors that should influence your choice of where to live.  These should include availability of employment, availability of accommodation and the cost of living. While Sydney is the biggest and most cosmopolitan, and Melbourne is known for its British architecture, Brisbane is more popular with newcomers, has a sizable business district and great weather, so you may want to consider starting out here.

Whether you are moving to Australia for work or for the long term, chances are you would want to move some of your belongings, and, in that case you can get expert and cost effective moving quotes from experienced movers, Ausmove.

Finding work in Australia

Australia has great features and a wealth of natural resources, characteristics that have helped the country even through the recent global economic downturn. In fact, the economy of Australia has continued to grow and flourish, especially with the help of expatriates who are willing to bring their skills into the country.

If you are planning to move to Australia, there are a number of job opportunities in virtually every sector of the economy, from opportunities in the public sector such as mining and agriculture to opportunities in the private sector, and even self employment. It is important to point out however, that getting the job of your choice in Australia will necessitate you having a number of desirable skill sets. But, while finding your desired job and applying is quite straightforward, it is vital that you have the right Australian visa which will permit you to work in the country.

One visa that makes it easier to obtain employment in Australia is the Employer Sponsor Visa. This is an option that allows Australian employers to hire expatriates to fill vacancies that cannot be filled by the local labour market. This visa allows you to work for that specific employer for at least two years, after which you can apply for a more permanent status.

Many people who start working in Australia discover that about 9% of their salary goes into what is called “superannuation” – this is a form of pension fund in Australia. Before you are able to work legally in Australia though, you will need to apply for a tax file number. Thankfully, this is a very easy process and does not take much time to complete.

Getting accommodation

Renting accommodation in Australia is not as cheap as in other countries, and while the property market has stabilized somewhat in the last few years, house prices still remain on the high side. Renting a house in any of the main cities such as Sydney or Melbourne could set you back a significant amount of money per week, so you have to be certain that you have the means to maintain your rent.  This means getting a job as soon as possible. Properties in the suburbs of cities such as Perth are significantly lower in rental, but it might not be a good idea to live in a small town and commute to a large city for work. It is advisable to take your time when house hunting, spending at least 2 weeks looking for a suitable place, then doing the necessary research before paying and moving in.

Living in Australia

Living in Australia is expensive.  There is no easy way to say this because Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, the high minimum wage and high quality of living balances everything out, making it worth every single dollar you spend. That said, it is possible to live on a comfortable budget in Australia, but that would mean cutting down on some creature comforts, cooking your own meals and using the public transport system.

Wrapping up

Relocating to a new country is never an easy thing. There is the usual culture shock, loneliness and homesickness, all issues that will fade as you settle in, find work and make new friends. However, unlike a move to China or Africa, easing into the Australian lifestyle is easy enough, and hopefully, this article has provided some information that will come in handy as you plan your move.