Living in Australia:
A Guide to Moving to Australia as an Expat

Guest Post by Claire Adams

As we cut deep into the second decade of the 21st century, Australia has replaced the United States as the most popular and coveted country for migration in the world. Once you hear about the perks, it is easy to see why: a strong socio-economic infrastructure, cutting-edge medicine and health benefits, as well as space – so much unadulterated, unconcerned space. As a matter of fact, “only” 23 million people live on the 7.7 million square kilometers of the continent, which means there is a lot of unoccupied ground in the Land Down Under. If a few breezy facts like these aren’t enough to convince you, read on for a comprehensive guide to moving to Australia as an expat.

Why Australia and not another first world country?

English language is what Esperanto aspired to become — the universal language (mostly) everyone speaks. This gives Aussieland an upper hand, and puts it in the same category with the United States, Canada and Britain. However, from a socio-political point of view, Australia is the most relaxed out of all the English speaking countries, and the fact that it is located half-way around the world and it boasts incredible climate probably has something to do with it. It is a perfect country for youngsters — students especially. If you are a young and open mind who’d like to be surrounded with like-minded people from the most incredibly diverse cultures, than lauded Australian student campuses are the best places for you to be.

What is the visa conundrum?

Of course, before you get a chance to step onto Australian soil with some confidence in your future, you have to grind through a lot of paperwork. The first thing you have to do is apply for the Australian visa. If you are like me — a casual (and fortunate) world-trotter, you’ll apply for Working Holiday Visa. Many people get intimidated by this process, but it has never been so transparent and foolproof thanks to the accessibility of information on the internet. If you have a particular set of skills and you intend on working in a specific field, you should probably make an expression of interest based on the worker demands and fill out a 457 visa. If you find an employer, this visa will keep you in the green zone for up to 4 years before you need to renew it.

How much will my lifestyle cost?

Most expats avoid living in Sydney, and for a good reason — it is by far the most expensive city on the continent. Overall, it is a country with a high cost of living, and that is probably the only downside of moving here as an expat. Just keep in mind the fact that the benefits outweigh this financial aspect by far. Domestic employees also tend to pay expats less, so it is best to come into this country if you already work in an online environment — in this regard, I was lucky.

It is probably the best if you come into this country as a student. You can utilize the amazing system of student programs and the financial aspect will be the least of your worries. You’ll have an opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the amazingly diverse student environment.

Can I expect any career opportunities?

The world is still suffering from the consequences of the economic crisis — in fact, the economic crisis is in many ways still in full swing, yet the unemployment rate in Australia is low. If you are not already working for an online firm or an organization, you can search basically all levels of income for a job, and if you are ready to work hard, you’ll most likely find one. Take a look at websites like Career Development Association of Australia, Career Advice Australia and My Future for further guidance, but no matter what, there is one golden rule you need to follow: you always need to have enough money to survive at least half a year without any income.

The Australian continent has it all. Its natural beauties are undeniable and the first thing a newcomer notices is the amazingly vibrant landscape with beautiful nature and endemic biosphere. It is a melting pot of cultures that is welcoming to everyone, so you’ll never feel like a stranger in this strange land. Opportunities are there for those who are ready to work hard, and a well implemented system of checks and balances make the economy easy to comprehend and navigate. If you are eager to try your luck in this vast country, the conditions could not be more stacked in your favor.

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Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success.   You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.