Moving to Australia – 24 Must Know Facts

Are you considering moving to Australia?

You have come to the right place!

Moving home is always a massive decision, never more so than when relocating abroad.

Living in a new country means you will be exposed to different cultures and ways of life.

This means it is essential to understand what life is like in a country before you move.

There are lots of stereotypes that spring to mind when thinking of moving to Australia.

Surfing and barbeques on the beach!

Whilst this is certainly on offer, there is also far more to life down under!

It may be the high quality of life, low pollution rates, the gorgeous weather or perhaps the rich wildlife and stunning scenery.

Whatever your reason for moving to Australia, moving to Oz is a popular choice for many expats.

In fact, Australia is the second most popular country among Brits, second only to the USA.

Regardless of whether you are already set on moving to Australia or you are still unsure, this article will highlight the most important things to know before you go.

These are our top 24 important facts to know before moving to Australia.

Visas

All British citizens will require a visa to enter Australia, this applies for holidays, work or any other reason for your visit.

The full requirements for obtaining an Australian visa here.

Many visas require you to read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.

You need to confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey the law.

If you are applying for a skilled migration visa, you may be required to take a skills assessment.

After you’ve lived in Australia for 4 years, you will be able to apply for Australian citizenship, making visa’s will a thing of the past.

It is important to arrange your visa well in advance of your move.

Australia is known for its strict immigration policies.

You do not want to be turned away after a 20-hour flight, so be prepared!

Environment

Australia is a particularly big country.

Covering an area of over three million square miles, it is almost the size to the whole of Europe!

What is even more interesting is the variety of different landscapes and environment within this vast country.

Ranging from tropical rainforests to bare deserts, and every other environment imaginable.

This means there is a plethora of choices when moving to Australia.

It may not shock you to know that more than 80% of Australians live within 50km of the coast.

Looking at a map of the country, it seems strange that most of the towns and cities are coastal.

There are however various benefits of living by the coast, most significantly is lower levels of pollution!

Pollution in Australia is considerably low, except for Sydney which has mild levels of air pollution.

Weather in Australia

It is a common misconception that every day in Australia is dry and hot, this is certainly not the case.

Covering such a vast area means that the weather is extremely variable from region to region.

When it’s summer in the south, it’s the rainy season up north.

There is even enough snow in Australia to support ski resorts!

If you want a more steady temperature, the densely populated coastal areas are very temperate, making them ideal for living.

However, this does not imply you should not bring sunscreen while moving to Australia.

Throughout the year, you can expect beautiful weather, occasionally exceeding 40°C.

With winter seeing highs of 17°C and around half the amount of annual rain than the UK, moving to Australia will be a pleasant change for many.

Sunshine

Australia is certainly known for its sunshine.

As just discussed, the weather will vary depending on where you are within the country.

But if you are tired of the UK’s miserable 1500 hours of sunshine per year, moving to Australia will be a pleasant change.

Depending on where you relocate to will dictate how much sun you will get.

In Melbourne, you will see a minimum of 2200 hours of sunshine, with Perth soaking in a staggering 3300 hours of sun!

If, like me, you are tired of UK winters which only provide 8 hours of sunshine per day, moving to Australia will provide a lovely average of 10 hours of sunshine per day.

This will certainly make the winter months more enjoyable, helping to fade the memories of wet, cold and grey winter days in Britain.

Outdoors Lifestyle

Warmer seasons, longer days and an abundance of sunshine mean one thing.

An unrivalled outdoor lifestyle.

Considering all of the climate advantages Australia has over the UK, it really isn’t a surprise that the country is renowned for its outdoor culture.

The variety in Australia is phenomenal.

Scenic beaches perfect for surfing, immaculate water with rich wildlife living below, mountain ranges for adrenaline junkies to navigate and stunning ski slopes a short distance away in the Victorian Alps, it really has everything!

When moving to Australia it is likely you will move to one of the popular coastal settlements, with over 80% of the population living here.

This is yet another reason the outdoor lifestyle is so prominent, you’re never too far away from the beach.

Those moving to Australia have a fantastic opportunity to explore and enjoy this stunning location.

If you are moving to Australia you should certainly make the most of everything it has to offer.

Quality of Life

Australia has been ranked as the second-best country in the world for its quality of life.

A UN report assessing economic, education and life-expectancy data scored Australia second only to Norway!

Many individual cities within Australia are noted for their fantastic quality of life.

As of March 2024, Numbeo shows that the two cities in the top 100 for the best quality of life in the world are in Australia.

Brisbane is currently sitting currently the second-best city for quality of life in the world, followed by Adelaide.

In fact, 5 cities placed in the top 50 including Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Moving to Australia provides a fantastic quality of life!

Economy

Australia’s economy has showcased resilience, rapidly recovering post-pandemic until late 2023.

Despite a GDP growth adjustment to 1.5% from an anticipated 1.8%, and rising inflation mirroring the UK’s financial climate, the situation still has its bright spots.

A population surge, notably larger than expected, has significantly boosted tax revenue, positively impacting the overall budget of the country.

Furthermore, with foreign investments reaching record highs, Australia’s economic foundation remains stable amidst domestic and global challenges, maintaining a positive outlook for its citizens.

Working in Australia

There are certainly a number of benefits to working in Australia compared to the UK.

Better pay, fewer hours, talent shortages, and a more relaxed work environment?

Effective July 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Australia is A$23.23, which is equivalent to £12.02, a rise from the significantly lower £10.18 for over-21s in the UK.

Those with “in demand skills” have plenty of professional prospects, which is by far the best route to get entrance into Australia and eventually citizenship.

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website will let you know if your expertise is in demand.

Exchange Rate

The exchange rate for GDP to AUD is currently at 1.94 AUD to the pound as of March 2024.

If you are migrating from the UK and transferring substantial sums of money, this is fantastic news. You can almost ‘double’ your money!

If you intend to buy a home in Australia, you should regularly monitor exchange rate changes.

Purchasing AU Dollars at the proper time will result in the greatest possible exchange rate and hence more money.

With more bang for your buck, you’ll be able to accomplish considerably more than you previously imagined!

Buying Properties

Property prices in Australia have shown a mixed trend in 2023, and the scenario is expected to be similar throughout 2024.

Location, high interest rates, inflation, as well as supply and demand all have an impact on local markets, with some areas seeing property values skyrocket, including Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Others, including Melbourne, Darwin, and Hobart, have not done very well, with local markets at best stagnant and many declining in value.

Property prices are expected to rise in the first half of 2024; however, the rate of increase has fallen in recent months.

SBS News has an excellent article breaking down what you can expect from the property market in 2024.

Their guide will provide you with valuable insights into the current situation of the Australian property market.

Cafés and Coffee

Are you a coffee lover?

If you are, Australia will seem like heaven.

No matter when you live in Australia, coffee is taken very seriously.

There are endless local coffee shops serving the very best coffee.

In fact, local cafes and coffee shops are so popular that big chains such as Costa and Starbuck are nowhere near as popular in Australia as they are in the UK!

Be sure to check out the 25 best coffee spots in Australia.

You are sure to enjoy more than just one cup of joe when moving to Australia!

Restaurants

Australia is home to almost 90,000 restaurants!

If you love eating out, you are sure to be spoilt for choice.

You may even notice that the food in Australia is better than at home, although nothing quite compares to a roast dinner!

Australia boasts a fantastic array of different cuisines, drawing influence from all around the world.

Just like any big city in the UK, you will have easy access to international dishes.

We are sure you will love eating at a restaurant no matter what part of Australia you move to.

Moving With a Family

If you are moving to Australia it is important to contemplate the effect this change will have on your family, particularly if you have young children.

Saying this, Australia has become somewhat of a haven for families.

This diverse and multicultural society provides children with so much to do, both in the beautiful outdoors as well as in one the numerous entertainment facilities that can be found across the country.

You’re never too far away from a new experience if the kids are bored.

Some of the best family weekends away in the world can be found within Australia including, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, some family fun in Canberra or a treasure hunt in Western Australia.

Education in Australia

Whilst it might sound like all fun for you and your family when living in Australia, it is important to consider the education your children will receive.

Moving to a new school, in a new country can be a very scary prospect for children.

Luckily, Australian schools offer first-class education, as well as some fantastic school trips, activities, and a host of sports to get involved with.

The education system is very strictly monitored in Australia.

From the age of 5 up to 18 (very similar to the UK) children are expected to attend school.

If your child is of university age, or you yourself are a student thinking of moving to Australia, both Melbourne and Sydney universities rank highly on general education and entice students from all over the world.

Crime

Australia has some of the lowest crime rates in the world!

What crime there is tends to be in typical hotspot areas.

These tend to be in busy areas of major cities and tourist hotspots.

Overall, moving to Australia should represent a safer environment with less crime.

In the unfortunate circumstance that you should need assistance, the emergency number to call in Australia is 000 or 112.

This will put you through to an operator who can then contact the appropriate emergency services.

Healthcare in Australia

Australia has a public healthcare system that is well established, offering both free and financed treatments to all registered Australian citizens.

Whilst public healthcare is very good, private healthcare services are also available.

Some employers even offer private healthcare services to their employees as a bonus in their contract.

Before you move to a new country, be sure that you and your family have had a health check.

If you have any existing medical condition, it is also advisable to do some research to find out if any medication you need is available in the location you are moving to.

This will ensure you are prepared for your move and prevent any unwanted health scares.

Australian Sports

Australia is a proud sporting nation, as we are sure you are aware.

Over the years England and Australia have clashed on the cricket, football, and rugby pitch.

Sport is a central part of Australian life, as it is in the UK!

Much like sports lovers in Britain, residents of Australia have a multitude of ways to enjoy their favourite sports!

If you are moving to Australia, be sure to head to a live match or your local pub for the best atmosphere.

There are even some sports that haven’t made it to the UK, such as the nationally loved Aussie Rules!

If you love playing sports, there are thousands of local clubs to join!

Regardless of the sport, you are sure to find a local club to fulfil all your sporting needs.

There is no better way to make some new friends and enjoy the great outdoors!

Driving

If you are moving to Australia, you will be pleased to hear that they drive on the left-hand side!

Whilst we have this in common, laws regarding your driving license vary depending on where you reside.

Some regions insist that you carry your UK driver’s licence, with some requiring an international licence to accompany it.

Regardless of the state, after 3 months you will be required to swap your UK license for an Australian one!

Getting Around

Similarly to the UK, Australia provides residents with numerous forms of transport.

A fantastic network of buses, trains, trams, and ferries means that you are sure to be able to reach any destination.

When moving to Australia you will notice that public transport is very well kept.

Much like Oyster cards in London, locals will have access to contactless cards which permit admission to buses and trains.

This modern convince makes using public transport exceedingly easy.

Public transport provisions will vary depending on what region of Australia you move to, so be sure to establish local prices and times.

Clean Streets

Many countries across the world take great pride in hygiene and cleanliness, sadly the UK is not one of them.

Countries such as Switzerland and Japan have an international reputation for their fantastically clean streets.

Australia certainly fits into this category.

Locals take great pride in ensuring that cities and towns are kept clean.

This may come as somewhat of a shock; we are sure you are used to seeing people litter in the UK!

We expect you to notice the significant difference when you move down under.

Expat Community

Australia is home to a large community of British Expats.

As the second-largest population of British expats, moving to Australia will certainly mean you meet some Brits who have also made the move down under.

If you are worried you won’t meet any expats, don’t!

There are a number of online forums and British pubs.

Who knows, maybe one of your neighbours is also from Blighty.

Culture

Whenever you move to a new country there will always be worries and concerns.

The fear of being rejected by the locals is a valid concern.

This should not be a concern when moving to Australia!

Alongside a community of expats, Australia is home to so many welcoming people.

When moving to Australia you will be certainly be welcomed with open arms.

Australians are generally very accepting and welcoming people, so don’t worry about rejection!

Be sure to get out and meet as many locals as you can when moving to Australia.

There are so many great things to do and see, you are certain to build a network of fantastic Ozzie friends.

Similarities to the UK

Whilst it may take some time to become accustomed to the accent, moving to Australia may be less of a culture shock than you would expect.

When moving abroad there will always be noticeable differences!

However, Australia is very much connected to the UK.

You will recognise lots of the same foods, some of the slang is the same and they love a beer just like us Brits!

There is no need to fret when moving to Australia, you will feel right at home!

Moving to Australia with Pets

Australia is known for having particularly strict import laws.

These have been implemented to help maintain the countries ecosystem.

However, providing you adhere to government rules, there should be no reason you cannot bring your pet.

The Australian government has implemented a strict quarantine period for newcomers arriving with pets.

This means that if you are moving to Australia with a cat or dog you must acquire an import permit before your pet stays at a quarantine centre for 10 days.

Ensure you have all of this documentation ready before you move to avoid any unwanted issues.

Are you ready to start moving to Australia?

Moving abroad is stressful for all involved.

That’s why GoodMove are here to help your move to Australia in 2024 be as smooth and stress-free as possible.

If you have found the perfect property in Australia that ticked all the boxes, GoodMove Moving & Storage are here to make moving an easy task.

We take pleasure in ensuring everything runs smoothly with your move, helping you to settle in your new home right away.

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