So, it’s official. You’re making the big move to Australia, famously nicknamed the “Lucky Country.”
Australia is a land brimming with opportunities and natural wonders. It’s home to some of the world’s most economically developed and renowned cities. In Sydney and Melbourne, it’s teeming with mesmerising sights and road trip destinations like the Blue Mountains and the Great Ocean Road.
Besides the sights and opportunities, the country is also known for its one-of-a-kind culture. From frequent barbecues to its laid-back beach culture, there’s a lot to love about this land down under. And don’t get us started on the friendly locals and the healthcare system of the place.
As exciting as it is to undertake this new chapter of your life, it’s not something that you can just do on a whim. You have to make some necessary preparations beforehand. This is to ensure you don’t encounter any hiccups before moving to this new and foreign land.
If you’re keen to learn more about how to transition into this new life more easily, you’re in the right place. We’ll give you a rundown on what you should know before initiating your move to Australia. Let’s jump right into it.
Secure an Appropriate Visa
Before moving to the lucky country, it’s essential for you to secure the privilege to live, work, and/or study there. This proof of evidence comes in the form of a visa.
There are different visas that migrants can consider securing to legalise their stay in Australia. For instance, migrants looking to study in Australia full-time can get the Subclass 500 Student Visa. For those with valid work experience, they can get a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa or a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa.
Note that these visas limit a migrant’s stay for only a few years. Ensure that your planned stay in Australia is within the threshold of your visa’s constraints. You can work towards permanent residency if you have the qualifications (Subclass 189-190) or if you marry a person who’s fully recognised as an Australian citizen.
In any case, applying for a visa is the first step to any aspiring migrant’s dream of living in Australia. The timeline of acquiring a visa can take several months—if not a full year—to process. And even then, not every applicant will be approved. So, be sure you get in touch with a reputable travel agent who can guide you every step of the way to ensure the best outcome.
Prepare Ample Finances
Australia is one of the world’s most expensive countries to live in, particularly in metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne.
It’s not uncommon for migrants who’ve been steadily saving up for months to face a financial wipeout in just a few weeks of moving to the country, particularly if they have no source of income lined up in Australia.
Regardless, it’s still very crucial to maintain control over your finances. This means not spending recklessly and instead sacrificing bits of worldly temptations for the betterment of your future.
In your home country, continue saving your funds and putting them away in anticipation of your upcoming move. Allocate at least 20% of your savings for the move. An even better approach is to set a target savings goal and work your way backwards to reach it via a series of weekly micro-goals.
You can use budgeting apps like Pocketbook or follow a budget template online to track your expenses, income, and moving capital over time.
Moreover, you should also strive to stay on top of your finances when in the country by opening a local Australian Westpac bank account. This will serve as your primary financial storage account, as well as a place to grow your interest.
Build an emergency fund if you haven’t yet, and fill it with an amount that can cover at least three months’ worth of living expenses. By being proactive with keeping your finances in check, you’ll have a much smoother transition into Australian living.
Know The Healthcare and Retirement System
Australia has a uniquely well-structured healthcare and retirement system that is built to cover basic rights, namely medical services and retirement funds. Depending on your citizenship status, there are different levels of care and financial aid you can access for your benefit as you continue to live in Australia.
Regardless, it’s important to familiarise yourself with what you can access to ensure that you fully maximise the amenities in your new environment. You also need to prepare for emergencies. If you’re on a temporary visa, you may only be eligible to get an Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), for instance.
For those seeking to live in Australia permanently, employers must contribute to your retirement fund, which is locally known as a superannuation fund. That said, even if you leave Australia, you can be eligible to get your super as a lump sum in the form of a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)–so be sure to utilise that if you do decide to move out.
Get a MyGov to Centralise Government Tasks
An online portal that every Australian citizen should have is a myGov account.
This website is a secure portal managed by the Australian government. It allows you to connect to various government agencies such as Medicare, Centrelink, and the Australian Taxation Office. You can manage your life through this portal. It helps you stay on top of important matters, such as your taxes and health records.
Creating an account is as simple as long as you have a valid ID and an email address. Once you’ve created an account, connect the services you have with this website (via your tax file number, Medicare number, etc.). Doing this makes managing administrative work with various agencies much simpler and more organised.
Understand Aussie Culture
Aussies are a laid-back, friendly, and humour-loving bunch. If you want to integrate into this society, it’s best to emulate these values while still keeping things socially appropriate, depending on the setting.
For instance, Aussies typically shorten words to make things sound more casual, like arvo for afternoon. Of course, in more professional settings, formal language is often observed.
Besides the language, it’s also important to know various cultural norms. Some things to know: tipping isn’t big in Australia, almost all Aussies love the great outdoors, and being late is quite disrespectful. Malls and cafes also generally close earlier than the rest of the world at about 5 PM.
By being open-minded about Aussie culture, you’ll make it easier to feel at home in your new surroundings.
Find a Suitable Home
The Australian housing market is quite competitive, especially in urban areas. That said, it’s not impossible to become a homeowner or rent a decent apartment near the city.
Most people moving to Australia opt to rent during their first few months. Typically, you’ll be requested to make an advance payment of four weeks, as well as show proof of income to prove your reliability to the landlord.
Consider your needs when choosing a home. Are you flying out solo? Maybe you are bringing family along? Are you planning to have a family in Australia? Depending on your answer, you will be able to narrow your options to the most suitable choice—whether it’s a townhouse, an apartment unit, or a full-scale suburban house.
In any case, be sure to inspect and review the housing contract to ensure that the terms are agreeable and that the property is livable.
Know the Driving and Public Transportation Rules
If you plan to drive a car in Australia, it’s crucial that you familiarise yourself with the road rules. You need to understand the general driving etiquette of your state.
But firstly, you’ll need to convert an overseas driver’s license to a local one. Left-hand side driving is also the norm in Australia, as are strict seatbelt laws.
If you plan to relocate to a city, then you can get away with using public transportation. The Opal card in NSW, Myki in Victoria, and Go Card in Queensland are some local tap-on card systems that allow you to use trains, trams, and buses at your convenience.
Transportation options are more frequent than others, so be sure to familiarise yourself with their schedules before picking a property as well.
In any case, knowing the road laws in Australia ensures that you can move around legally and safely.
We hope these tips will serve you well as you venture forth to the land down under. Good luck with your upcoming move!
