7 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Australia

We’ve all heard about how awe-inspiring Australia can be, with its beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife. It is no surprise that Australia just so happens to be one of the most popular emigration destinations in the world. And, of course, every one out of the thousands of migrants that pour into Australia yearly does so for their own reason: to broaden their academic horizons by studying abroad, seek a new life for themselves and their family, or travel.
Regardless of your reasoning, if you’re thinking of uprooting your life and moving to Australia, you should know a few things before making the big leap. Australia is a one-of-a-kind destination, one that has the potential to improve your quality of life, and whilst it’s no easy task, migrating to Australia is by no means an impossible feat. After all, there is truly a plethora of information to be found online about the entire process, and to shed some light, we’ve whittled down some of the most important things worth knowing before you go.

Travel to Western Australia

1. Table of Contents

   Toggle

   Secure our Australian Work Visa.

The visa application process may be the most crucial thing you must consider before planning your big move to Australia. If you hope to enter Australia to live and work temporarily or permanently, you must have a visa. Although it’s generally not quite as complicated as you might think (actually, it can be relatively straightforward and much more concise compared to many other countries worldwide), different types are abundant. That said, there’s no need to panic – the Australian Department of Immigration has a very clever visa finder tool online, so you can easily suss out which type of visa is most appropriate for you and your relocation circumstances. And don’t delay – the visa application process can occasionally be painfully long; in some cases, it can take up to 6-8 months for your visa to be processed. So, be sure to sort it as early as you can.

2. Australia is expensive.

Generally speaking, the cost of living in Australia is comparable to that of neighbouring New Zealand, but it is much higher than that of the UK, USA and Canada. Australia is somewhat notorious for having an expensive way of life, especially within main cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, and there’s no real getting away from it. This is particularly the case when it comes to buying or renting property; it could be argued that purchasing a house in Sydney is next to impossible. That said, once you get settled into your new way of life and a new job, your income will often reflect the cost of living, so it all becomes quite relative.

3. Finding work can take time.

Following on from the previous point, it is worth mentioning that finding work in Australia can take some time, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t find yourself in a significant role as soon as you get there. Just think ahead of time and prepare yourself in case work doesn’t come along as quickly as you’d like it to. That being said, Australia places a significant focus on skilled work, so if you have a particular special skill set, you will find opportunities aplenty.

4. The wildlife isn’t so scary.

Australia is world-renowned for its fascinating wildlife, and while there are some incredible creatures to be found, there are also many deadly ones. From crocodiles, to snakes, to spiders, and even the kangaroos! Unsurprisingly, many feel apprehensive about it when considering moving to Australia, because deadly creatures are everywhere, right? It might surprise you that coming face-to-face with a dangerous creature is less common than you think. Especially within cities, it isn’t so scary at all.

5. Australian English is unique.

Did you know? Australia doesn’t have an official language. That said, English is still the most widely spoken language, so if you’re an English speaker, you technically don’t have to worry too much about language barriers. We say technically, because you’ll quickly find that Australian English is unique – and that’s no exaggeration. Australian spelling draws many similarities to British spelling. Still, in speaking the Aussie way, you must spend much time talking to locals and getting your head around the local jargon.

6. Travelling is difficult.

If you’re a keen traveller, you might find that one of the significant drawbacks of uprooting your life to Australia is that it can limit your travel capabilities. If you’re from Europe or the USA, there are many countries on your doorstep just waiting for you to visit. However, leaving Australia can be incredibly expensive if you want to travel further than New Zealand or Bali, not to mention the long-haul travel involved to, well, anywhere.
That said, Australia is a vast country with so much to offer. Travelling internationally may not be an option when you move there, but there is so much to see and do domestically. From big cities to stretches of coastline to the Outback to variations of climates across regions, travelling across Australia can be just as fulfilling as travelling across the world.

7. Be patient and you’ll make friends.

Contrary to popular belief, Australians are a very friendly, easy-going bunch. They’re known for their laid-back nature and unique sense of humour; the ‘no worries, mate’ mentality is omnipresent in all parts of multicultural Australia. Generally speaking, Australians place a high value on friendships, and though it may take some time to integrate (you may have to earn their trust first), you’ll soon make friends. Just always be yourself!

Written by Katy Mairs, blog editor at UniBaggage.com.