A Complete Guide for Expats Moving ‘Down Under’
Thinking about moving to Australia from the USA, the UK, or elsewhere? Whether you’ve visited or just admired it online, Australia offers a unique lifestyle with a diverse culture, rich resources, and stunning natural wonders. While the cost of living is higher than in many countries, the relaxed way of life makes it worthwhile.
Moving to Australia requires careful planning. You’ll need a valid reason, such as work or study, and the right visa to support your stay. Understanding the cost of living and local culture will help you decide if Australia is the right destination for you. Here’s what you need to know to plan your move successfully.
Planning Your Move to Australia? Start Here
From healthcare access to visa requirements, preparation matters. See which insurance plans best fit your move abroad.
Migration Agents Can Help
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, especially when requirements change frequently. That’s why, if you are serious about moving to Australia, we suggest connecting with a migration agent.
Migration agents are up to date with the latest requirements for immigrating to Australia. They can give you the best advice for your own situation and needs.
They’re experts in immigration, so you’ll have fewer headaches and delays as they guide you through visa applications and an international move.
They don’t have the ability to speed up your visa application process or guarantee approval, but they will make the process much easier.
Find a Job in Australia
If you are moving to Australia for an extended period of time, you have to give the Australian government a good reason to let you do so.
The best reason? Line up a job from Australia’s Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. This list shows that Australia is open to healthcare professionals, engineers, social workers, chefs, IT specialists, and more.
Check this list every month: new occupations are added often. Even when travel restrictions are in place, people with these jobs waiting are allowed to enter Australia.
You must be under 45 years old to qualify for many Australian work visas. But if you get a job from the Skilled Occupation List, you may get an exemption from the age limit.
With an opportunity secured, you can move on to the next step, applying for your visa.
Apply for a Visa
Finding the right visa will answer the question, “Can I move to Australia?” There is a wide variety of visa options available for Australia.
As mentioned above, it’s important to identify your job opportunities first so that you know which visa to apply for.
If you’ve found a potential employer or secured a job, ask your hiring manager or new boss to nominate you for a work visa.
There are over 20 work-related visas available through the Australian government. Identifying the one that’s right for you is key.
In times when travel to Australia is open, you can also consider Australia’s general skilled migration program. Read the skilled occupation list from the Department of Immigration to see if you qualify for one of these visas.
If you have family in Australia, this can give you additional visa options. You can also consider spending time in Australia for training or advanced study.
Each of these has its own visa category, though they come with limitations around employment and what you can do after your studies.
Send Money Safely! Managing your finances is a critical part of moving abroad, but Xe lets you transfer money swiftly and securely, ensuring your funds arrive exactly when and where you need them. You can enjoy competitive exchange rates that maximize the value of your home currency, too!
Purchase Health Insurance
It’s official: people moving on a work or student visa are encouraged, or even required, to sign up for private health insurance in Australia.
Australia’s public healthcare system is excellent and funded by the government. But access to this is very focused on Australian citizens and permanent residents. As an immigrant, expatriate, or someone on a work visa, you may not qualify.
A global medical plan will ensure you have support and resources, including access to the best hospitals in Australia, no matter where you are or how long you stay.
You will have access to the best facilities, whether they are private or public, to maximize your treatment options.
Australian Health Insurance for Expats and Foreigners
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Cigna Global is a strong fit for expats who want customizable coverage while managing monthly costs. You can start with core inpatient coverage and add benefits as needed, which is ideal in a country where private healthcare can be expensive but predictable.
Best Health Insurance for US Expats in Australia
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
The BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier plan is ideal for U.S. expats who want maximum protection in a high-cost healthcare system. Private hospital stays, specialist visits, and ongoing treatments in Australia can be expensive, and Worldwide Premier helps remove those financial concerns with more complete coverage.
Hire a Moving Company
Moving all your favorite belongings abroad can be difficult. You may get some moving support as part of your job offer to come to Australia. If it’s offered, accept!
Hiring an international moving company is a huge timesaver. They can do everything, including secure packing, insurance, and tracking your belongings.
There are many companies, and costs will vary depending on various factors. We have partnered with Sirelo to help you find an international moving company, get price estimates, and choose the best one for your situation.
Find a Home in Australia
If you’ve secured employment and applied for your visa, you already know where you will live when you immigrate. But finding and affording a home is one of the challenging parts of moving to Australia.
The cost of living in Australia is higher than in most other countries. If you plan to live in the major cities of Sydney or Melbourne, you can expect to pay even more.
Review rents and real estate prices online. Rent is usually paid weekly, not monthly, and you may need to provide some appliances for the rental.
To make the right decision, stay in a homestay or Airbnb in the area where you would like to live. When you are pleased with your area, look for a place to rent or buy.
Shipping your belongings with an international moving company gives you additional peace of mind as you find your new residence.
Because international shipping takes 6 weeks to 3 months, you can provide your new home address to the shipping company once you have it.
Compared to the United States, taxes are also higher in Australia, though people from other nations may find tax rates similar.
There is a required superannuation (retirement fund) contribution from your paycheck. So, prepare for that when you negotiate your salary and benefits.
If you decide to leave Australia, you can take your superannuation contributions with you.
Discover the best places to live in Australia.
Adjust to Australian Culture
If you already speak the English language and are familiar with Western culture, you should be able to assimilate quickly when moving to Australia.
Many Australians live for the outdoors – beaches, sailing, hiking, and camping. And some prefer the vivid hustle and culture of the big cities.
Find the activities you love, and you’ll soon make friends. If you have children, you’ll also find it easy to meet new people. Many Australians are very family-focused.
Australians enjoy freedoms that many immigrants will appreciate. In Australia, you’ll have freedom of speech and religion, and all Australians are free and equal under the eyes of the law.
As an expat, you are expected to uphold all government laws, contribute to the public good, and maintain a peaceful presence.
You can read more about Australian culture and its values on the Australian government website.
Apply for Australian Permanent Residency
If you move to Australia from the USA or another country and want to stay long-term or permanently, there are ways to apply for citizenship or permanent residency.
With a permanent residency visa, you can live, work, and study in Australia without any restrictions. You are still a citizen of your country of origin.
Many people who obtain permanent residency in Australia intend to apply for citizenship. If you’re certain that you want to live long-term and retire in Australia, applying for citizenship is the final step of immigrating to Australia.
People making this decision often consider their age and retirement funds. As with getting visas, it’s usually easier for people under 45 to become Australian citizens.
You’ll have to meet some residency requirements, take a test, verify your identity, and sit for an immigration interview.
“Should I move to Australia?” Now that you know how to immigrate to Australia, you can decide. And you know what support you can get from international moving companies. Good luck on your adventure!
Ready to Move to Australia? Get Covered First
Before you relocate, make sure you have the right health coverage in place. Compare top plans and get expert guidance tailored to your move.
Emily Cotlier is an experienced communications consultant and business analyst, senior analyst at New Zealand’s Parliamentary Counsel Office, specializing in visas, immigration, international relocation, and managing finance, insurance, and real estate.
View
Full Bio
