Moving to Australia: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Australia

• High standard of living.
• High-quality higher education.
• Political and economic stability.
• Ease of doing business.
• Multicultural society, equality of all nations.
• Cleanliness, mild and warm climate, unique nature.
• Popularity of sports and healthy lifestyle.

Cons of living in Australia

• Healthcare is paid and expensive, even for Australians.
• Education is paid for from kindergarten to university.
• High taxes.
• Expensive housing, both for rent and for purchase.
• The country's remoteness: it is easier to travel to America than to Europe.
• A large number of poisonous and dangerous creatures: alligators, jellyfish, sharks, spiders, snakes, and so on.

Visas to Australia

• Tourist (for short stays).
• Visitor (for visits to close relatives; an invitation is required).
• Student (long-term study: courses, school, college, university).
• Work (divided into two subclasses: subclass 457 — for stays in the country of up to four years, and subclass 400 — temporary employment for three to six months. An invitation/contract from the employer is required).
• Business (divided into 3 subclasses: subclass 888 — for doing business in this country and investments, duration up to 4 years; subclass 188 — for the same purposes, for a period of up to 180 days; subclass 132 — refers to a permanent type of visa, i.e., issued permanently, for business immigration).
• Business (business negotiations, exchange of experience, but you cannot work on this visa).
• Maritime (for sailors, requires an invitation from the shipowner).

You can select the type of visa and learn more on the official website.

How to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit in Australia

There are several ways to obtain them:

• Student
• Research
• Au pair
• For business
• For investment
• For employment
• For family reunification
• For refugees

Au Pair visas are available to applicants aged 18 and over on the basis of a contract with an Australian family to provide domestic services. The first residence permit is issued for 1 year with the possibility of reapplying for the document.

To obtain a residence permit, you must prepare the following documents:

• Passport.
• A completed application form in English (the form is available on the official website).
• Medical insurance.
• Information about your marital status.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Receipt for payment of state fees.

In addition to the dossier, you must attach: an employment contract, a certificate of enrollment in a university, and other documents required for the type of visa you are applying for.

Australian citizenship can be obtained:

• By naturalization. After four years of residence in the country (1 year of which as a permanent resident).
• By birthright.
• By right of family reunification.
• By right of doing business and investing in the country's development.

Australia allows dual citizenship.

Life in Australia

Work

To find employment in Australia, you must have a good level of English, confirmed by an IELTS certificate (the overall exam score must be at least 6). In 2024, the minimum hourly wage in Australia is about 20 Australian dollars (AUD) for unskilled workers and about 24 dollars for skilled professionals.

Websites for finding work in Australia:

• seek.com.au
• indeed.com
• jora.com
• careerone.com
• workforceaustralia

The most popular professions in Australia in 2024:

• Accountants
• Construction workers
• IT
• Energy and transport specialists
• Medical professionals
• Shipping
• Cooks
• Plumbers and water supply engineers

Tax

The country has a progressive tax rate: the higher the income, the higher the tax. For residents, the rate ranges from 0% (for income up to AUD 18,200) to 45% (AUD 180,001 and above). For non-residents, income tax rates range from 32.5% (for income up to AUD 90,000) and above.

Cost of living in Australia

The minimum budget for a comfortable life for one adult is approximately 2500-3000 Australian dollars (AUD) per month. This includes:

• Rent: AUD 1,200-1,500 (small apartment or studio)
• Utilities: AUD 150-200
• Food: AUD 400-500
• Transportation: AUD 150-200
• Internet and mobile phone: AUD 80-100
• Entertainment and personal expenses: AUD 300-400
• Health insurance: AUD 100-150

A comfortable budget for a family of four (two adults and two children) is approximately AUD 5000-6000 per month.

Food costs

To save money, it is best to buy groceries at large supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi. Food prices vary from city to city. Approximate food prices: milk — $1.45, bread — $2.80, eggs — $6, chicken breast — $7.

Transport

Public transportation includes buses, trains, and ferries. Transportation is not very developed compared to Europe, so it would be a good idea to buy a car, as distances in the country are long. Gasoline costs 20-45 AUD per week, depending on your mileage.

The average price of a bus ticket is AUD 3-4, a train ticket is AUD 4.4, a ferry ticket is AUD 7-10, and a day pass can be purchased for AUD 7.80.

Housing

Apartment prices in Australia depend on the city, neighborhood, and other factors. The rental cost of an apartment is indicated per week. In small towns, you can rent an apartment for AUD 420 for 7 days. In Sydney and other large cities, this cost will be twice as high.

Apartments in Australia are rented unfurnished, and houses do not have central heating. Apartments are heated by gas or electric panels.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

The cost of housing in Australia

Buying an apartment in Australia is a more budget-friendly option compared to a private house, on average by 30%. The most expensive cities to buy an apartment are:

• Sydney: AUD 750,000 (USD 503,000)
• Canberra: AUD 610,000 (USD 409,000)
• Melbourne: AUD 577,000 (USD 387,000)

Healthcare

Australia has a Medicare system (medical care). This system is funded by the state and a minimal percentage of workers' salaries. Low-income families, large families, students, and pensioners do not pay anything. Military personnel pay 0.2%, while everyone else pays 1.5%.

There are also public medical centers in the country where you can consult with specialists for free. The waiting list for specialists there is from 1 month to a year, while in private clinics there are no such waiting lists, and an appointment costs from AUD 250 to AUD 500.

Private insurance for a family of three will cost AUD 400-500 per month, and for one person, approximately AUD 200 per month.

Education

Kindergartens in Australia are only available for a fee. Most schools are public (free), but there are also private and Catholic schools. The duration of schooling is 13 years.

Approximate prices for private kindergartens and schools:

• Private kindergartens cost from AUD 160 per day (kindergartens are subsidized: if you are a resident and have a low income, the subsidy can be up to 80% — AUD 30-40 per day is your additional payment).
• Private schools: approximate cost is AUD 23,000-40,000 per year.

There are more than 50 universities, only 2 of which are private. Tuition fees range from AUD 12,000 to AUD 25,000 per year. You can apply for scholarships; every year, the state allocates more than 300 scholarships, which amount to about AUD 2,000.

Language

English is the main language spoken in Australia. It is not difficult to learn the language among native speakers, but a quarter of the population are immigrants, and not all of them are English speakers.

The Australian version of English is very different from British and American English.

Climate

Australia has a diverse climate: from beaches and rainforests, snow-capped mountains, lush meadows to arid deserts. Temperatures range from below freezing in winter to 40 degrees Celsius in summer.

The most inhabited area of Australia, the southeast coast, has a subtropical climate with hot, sunny summers and rainy, mild winters. In Melbourne, the thermometer usually stays around +25-27 degrees Celsius in summer and drops to +10-12 degrees Celsius in winter, and to +5 degrees Celsius at night.

Moving to Australia with children

There is no need to overload your child with English, except perhaps in a playful way — your child will easily learn the language on the spot by communicating with their peers. The main thing is vaccinations; without them, your child will not be accepted into kindergarten or school. Upon arrival, you should immediately apply for child benefits and subsidies for housing and food, as the state provides assistance (subsidies for the initial period). You need to find a place to live and choose a school and kindergarten in advance.

To move, you need to prepare the following documents:

• notarized permission from the parents for the child to enter the country (must be from the current year);
• birth certificate with apostille;
• medical documents, records of all vaccinations translated into English;
• education documents, translated and notarized.

Moving with animals

Australia is against importing animals because it cares deeply about its flora and fauna. Be sure to book a place in a shelter (which is available in three cities: Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney), as your animal will spend up to 30 days in quarantine there. If you do not do this, your animal will either be euthanized or returned to the country of departure at your expense. The cost of transportation can vary from $6,000 to $15,000 depending on the size of the animal, the cost of the shelter where it will be kept, and other related factors.

Documents required for importing animals into Australia:

• chip the animal; the microchip must be ISO-compatible (most veterinary clinics use such chips);
• Have the animal vaccinated against rabies (13 weeks before the planned departure date) and obtain certificates for all vaccinations and antibody titers.
• obtain an international veterinary certificate;
• The animal must be healthy.
• obtain official permission to import the animal via the website (cost approximately $500);
• complete a customs declaration for the animal's entry and register with the airline.

Relocation of retired people to Australia

There are two visa options available for retirees:

1. Standard retirement visa: you must be over 55 years of age, have sufficient funds to live on, be in good health, and have no criminal record. You must not have any family members other than your partner (issued for 4 years with the possibility of renewal every 2 years after 4 years of residence).
2. Permanent retirement visa — this is an investor visa: you need to invest a certain amount in the country's economy (the amount depends on the region, with an average development rate: assets worth $500,000 plus $250,000 for each family member and above). You can find out more on the Department's website.

Leisure and tourism

Australia attracts visitors with its unique nature and world-class cities. Travelers explore the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, observe kangaroos and koalas in the wild, and conquer the red monolith of Uluru. The beaches of the Gold Coast and surfing are popular. In Sydney, visitors can see the famous opera house and Harbour Bridge. Melbourne is famous for its cafes and cultural life.

Australians love active outdoor recreation. Many go camping in national parks, where they enjoy hiking and observing wildlife. Trips to the coast for surfing, swimming, and relaxing on the beach are popular. Residents of large cities often travel to the countryside for the weekend. Some travel around the country by car, stopping in small towns. Short trips to neighboring countries, such as New Zealand or the Pacific Islands, are also common.

Features of the Australian mentality

Australians are even overly law-abiding. They are friendly, hospitable, willing to help, and have a high level of trust in personal and even official interactions. There is no undesirable criticism of others, and a positive attitude prevails in general. Australians value and respect both their own and others' work. The law is respected here — you won't be able to get away with breaking it or bribing someone. Australians love cleanliness, they don't litter on the streets, and there are stands with bags for cleaning up after walking your pet everywhere.

Safety

Australia has a low crime rate. Australia is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Firearms are legal for civilians, but they are very expensive to purchase and require a lot of paperwork to obtain a license. The police, ambulance, and emergency services arrive within 10 minutes. The police and courts work well, and everyone is very principled and law-abiding. Since there are many Arab, Vietnamese, and Aboriginal immigrants, they may behave inappropriately, so it is important to be aware of this and take care of your safety.

Banking services

When opening an account, if you need a Visa or Mastercard debit card, it will be issued within a week. If you want to use a credit card, it will be issued approximately three months after opening the account. The limit will be set depending on your salary. Australian cards are accepted at all ATMs worldwide. However, there will be a commission for withdrawing cash in another country. ATMs in Australia are everywhere: in banks, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Who is Australia suitable for?

Australia is suitable for people who value a high quality of life and are ready for new opportunities. The country attracts skilled professionals, especially in the fields of technology, medicine, and engineering, offering them good career prospects. Students from all over the world choose Australia for its high-quality education and the chance to stay and work after graduation. Entrepreneurs and investors find a favorable environment for business development here.

Nature lovers and active lifestyle enthusiasts will appreciate the diversity of landscapes and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The warm climate and clean environment attract those who care about their health. Australia's open, multicultural society is suitable for people who value diversity and tolerance. However, the high cost of living and strict immigration policies should be taken into account when considering moving to this country.