Many people in the world would like to immigrate to Australia and who can disagree with them? With a well-developed cultural life in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, its natural diversity and high standard of living, Australia is a dream destination for many people from all around the globe. But when you are thinking of moving to Australia, loads of things could differ from your home country. Whether you are getting ready for a working holiday such as a year of backpacking “Down Under” or you are prepping for permanent immigration, a move to Australia is easier when you are well-prepared.
These days many people are moving to Australia from the USA, but citizens of other countries also know their way to Australia. Australia has long been a favorite destination for people who are looking for adventure and a new future. However, nowadays there are serious requirements for when you want to travel to Australia or want to have a working holiday there. All the things that are crucial for having a pleasant experience, will be discussed in this article.
When you are relocating from the USA to Australia or from another country, you need to know the basics about Australia and the major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
| Capital | Even though Sydney is the biggest city (5.2M), Canberra (410k) is the capital of Australia. |
| Timezone | In Australia, there are 5 different time zones ranging from UTC +8 to UTC+10.30 |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Population | Australia has a population of some 25 million inhabitants. |
| How do you call someone from Australia? | Australian |
| Official language | The official language in Australia is English. |
| International dialing code | +61 |
| Emergency number | 911 for landlines and 000 or 112 for mobile |
| Driving | On the left side |
| Tipping | No needed, wages are included in the bill. |
| Unusual fact | Australia doesn’t have a volcano, which makes it the only continent without one. |
When you are looking for international removals to Australia, the Eurosender platform can be of great help. Shipping your possessions when you are relocating from the USA to Australia is only a few clicks away and has never been easier and cheaper.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us and you can start packing today!
Living in Australia might be in stark contrast with the place you hail from. Whether you come from Asia, the USA or Europe, life in Australia is something completely different. Let’s have a brief look at some of the things that caught our eye.
As in many countries, Australia has many different kinds of visas, supervised by migration agents. However, they can be split up in three main groups. Check out the list below to see what kind of Australian visa you need.
Australian citizens and holders of a permanent residence permit can use the Medicare system which covers most medical costs. Besides that, it is possible to take additional private insurance. This is for example often used for dental care. Private insurance companies also offer special insurance programs for those who are on a temporary visa. It is also possible to request offers before your actual trip to Australia.
When you are moving to Australia with children or when you are a student, it is important to know what kind of education is available in Australia.
Just like in most countries there is compulsory education from the age 6-16. An average school life consists of 3 stages which take about 13 years.
| Year | Type |
|---|---|
| 1-7 | Primary Education |
| 8-10 | Secondary Education |
| 11-13 | Senior Secondary Education |
Once you have completed your school education with a diploma you can go on to study at institutions of higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET).
When you study at a high education facility, a university, for example, you can get three different titles.
1. Bachelor degree
2. Master degree
3. Doctorate degree
There are no less than 43 universities in Australia, with a wide range of subjects to choose from. The biggest can be found in Sydney and Melbourne. Australian universities also rank high as the world’s best in many areas such as technology, finance, and medicine. The Australian government also provides a wide range of scholarship programs for students from all over the world, who want to study at an Australian university.
The Australian job market is quite competitive and the right documents are required, e.g. visa and a work permit. It will be hard to find a job with just any profession, but when your speciality is in fields such as construction, agriculture or tourism, and travel, you have a fair chance of landing a job, as these are considered to be skilled occupations. Also, areas such as health care and education are in need of a bigger workforce. It is best to find a job before your actual move to Australia and make sure that you are qualified for the job you will apply for. This way your future employer will assist you with all the necessary paperwork. Just register on one of the many Australian job sites and start applying even today.
Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra are the three most expensive cities in Australia and of course that also translates into the property prices. An average price you could pay for an apartment (completely furnished of 45 m2) is roughly 2.000AUD (+/- $1430) in an expensive area. When you move to a cheaper area you might be able to settle for about 1.400AUD (+/- $1.000) You could, of course, spend less by sharing living space.
When you want to buy real estate, there is a big difference between buying a remote farm or a fancy apartment in the heart of Sydney. That is why it is important to find a good real estate agent, that knows the niche you are looking for.
The cost of moving to Australia obviously depends on where you come from. But that is not the only thing. To answer: How much is shipping from the USA to Australia? depends on a number of things. Will you rent a furnished apartment or will you bring your own furniture and home appliances? Will you sell your motorcycle in your home country or will you take it with you? A lot of decisions have to be made. With a wide variety of shipping services, Eurosender can help you to take your most precious possessions with you to your new Australian life.
When we talk about the average moving cost in Australia, you have to determine which kind of transport is suitable for the items you need to ship. When you are looking for the cheapest way to move furniture to Australia, you are probably best of with an international pallet delivery. But furniture is not the only thing you have to think of. These are the main items people usually take with them when migrating:
| Type of items | Examples |
|---|---|
| Transport | Bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, car, etc |
| Furniture | Bed, closets, chairs, sofas, etc. |
| Electric appliances | Laptop, kitchen appliances, Television, washing machine, etc. |
| Clothing | Regular clothes, costumes, shoes |
| Valuable items | antique, jewellery, paintings, art, etc. |
All these items have individual packing needs to make sure that they are transported overseas without getting damaged. When you want to know for example how much shipping is from the USA to Australia, you can simply use our online Shipment Size Checker and within a few minutes, you will know how much it costs to ship your item. The same goes for all other international routes to Australia.
When your items exceed the dimensions for standard shipment, you can always contact our customer support team for an individual offer. They can also assist you when you have questions about other items that determine your average moving cost in Australia.
The cost of living depends on 4 main things that make up your budget.
Just like in most other countries is living in the cities pricier than living in the countryside. On the other hand, in larger cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney, the salaries are also more competitive. When you haven’t found a job yet when you arrive in Australia, it is advisable to keep your housing expenses to a minimum.
Be well aware of the financial costs for each person you take with you. When you have children, you have to think about schooling. Another thing to keep in mind is health conditions. Medical costs could be pricey for temporary visa-holders. So, it also a wise idea to save up some money beforehand, to cover unexpected medical bills.
We all have our preferences when it comes to things such as food, a job, clothing, and leisure expenses. These things can have a huge impact on your budget. So when you love the finer things in life, make sure that your income is big enough to support your lifestyle. On the other hand, you can also choose to live in a more economical way. This is possible by sharing living space, buying second-hand clothing and cutting back on your food expenses by ignoring restaurants and cafes.
With the astonishing natural beauty that Australia has to offer, driving in Australia is one of the best, if not the best way to explore this huge nation. But before you can embark on your new adventure, you have to be aware of the rules and regulations of the Australian roads.
As with many former British colonies, people in Australia drive on the left. This is something you have to take into consideration when you want to take your vehicle, such as a car, with you.
As for the driving licenses, the following rules apply:
Tips for when you are moving from the United Kingdom to Australia
The United Kingdom and Australia have exclusive ties and Australia is one of the most desired destinations for British expats and immigrants. Many young families are moving from the UK to Australia because they see this country as an ideal place to raise children and build a career. On the other hand, many older people and retirees are moving to Australia from the UK, because of the slower pace of life and the friendly climate. There is also a third group that is moving from the UK to Australia and these are students. They come to Australia because of the extremely high quality of the education system and the high standard of life, which is one of the highest in the world. Before you are moving to Australia from the UK, keep in mind that Australia is much more expensive than the UK. The prices that you pay in Australia for rent and grocery shopping are more than 25% higher than in the UK. The only thing that is cheaper than in the UK is the restaurant prices. The price level in cafes and restaurants is a little under 8% lower.
Moving from New Zealand to Australia
When two countries are so close but yet so far away from other nations, it comes as no surprise that there are many people who move from New-Zealand to Australia and vice versa. Many New-Zealanders move to Australia because the cost of living is lower and the job market provides more options for them. As the distance between the countries is not too big and the same language is spoken, it is a small step to start a new life abroad.
Moving to Australia from Norway
Maybe few would expect that there is a steady stream of people moving to Australia from Norway every year. The standard of life can be considered similar in both countries but the same cannot be said about the climate. Whereas Norway has cold winters and lukewarm summers, Australia has the opposite with various climates but in most cases hot summers. When you are thinking of moving to Australia from Norway, Eurosender can help you ship your belongings to your new address. All you have to do is request a free online quote.
Moving to Australia from Europe
Europeans have been settlers for centuries and you can find them in all far-flung edges of the world. So, it’s not really a shocker that these days there are still loads of people who are thinking about moving to Australia from Europe. With Europe becoming densely populated and severe economic crisis in many of the European nations, Australia is a tempting alternative for many who dream of a better future. A long time ago it could take months to reach Australia by boat and it was barely possible to bring any possessions with you. Nowadays, when moving to Australia from Europe, you can take a comfortable plane, sit back, prepare for your new job and let Eurosender take care of your shipping. Contact us now to get an individual offer.
Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article were collected from other credible resources to be used for general information purposes only. Given that the legislative basis of the country and its economic development have a changing nature, the information provided in the article could be subject to change. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up-to-date and correct, Eurosender will not be liable for any inappropriate, incomplete, or inaccurate information. Certain links will lead to websites which are not under control of Eurosender. Thus, Eurosender accepts no liability in respect of materials, products or services being not under control of Eurosender.