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Interested in moving to Australia? Here’s what you need to know:
🇦🇺 Australia at a Glance
- 6th largest country in the world—7.6 million sq. km and about 27.7 million people.
- 91% of the land is covered by vegetation; home to unique plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else.
- 200+ spoken languages (with 45 indigenous ones)—talk about diversity!
- 30%+ of Aussies are immigrants—the highest migrant population among developed countries. Fun fact: Melbourne has the biggest Greek community outside Greece.
- Gender equality pioneer: In 1902, Australia became the second nation to grant women the right to vote.
- Wine lovers rejoice—over a billion bottles are exported each year.
🏠 Living Essentials
- Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Main language: English (but you’ll hear plenty more!)
- Ethnic mix: European, Aboriginal, Asian, Greek.
- Top religions: Christianity (43.9%), No religion (38.9%), Islam (3.2%), Hinduism (2.7%), Buddhism (2.4%).
- Biggest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth.
🤔 Why Choose Australia
- Endless job opportunities, strong economy, and low unemployment.
- Special visas for skilled workers—desert areas are being developed and they need YOU.
- Wildlife wonders: kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, kookaburras, Tasmanian devils, and dingoes.
- Laid-back lifestyle keeps anxiety and suicide rates low.
- Excellent work perks: 4 weeks annual vacation, 13 sick days, and parental leave—22 weeks paid (26 by 2026).
- World-leading minimum wage: $25.20/hour or $980/week (38 hours).
- Multicultural society—immigration has shaped a truly diverse Australia.
- Top retirement cities: Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide—plus high global livability rankings.
- Beaches galore—some of the best in the world.
- Fabulous climate: tropics, Mediterranean vibes in the southwest.
- Sociable, outdoorsy people—fresh food, clean air, and great company.
- Amazing wine (and it’s pretty affordable too!).
- Solid, free public healthcare for all residents.
⚠️ Australia Challenges
Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.
- Intense sun: higher risk of skin cancers, so bring that SPF!
- Venomous creatures: snakes and spiders galore—not for the faint-of-heart city dweller.
- Drinking culture: Aussies love a drink, sometimes leading to alcohol-fueled incidents.
- Aging population: greater pressure on government and welfare systems.
- Geographically distant: long, expensive flights just about anywhere.
- Tough immigration laws: getting a visa isn’t easy.
- Racism can be an issue: especially affecting Aboriginal and Asian communities.
- Refugee policy controversies: tragic incidents on overcrowded boats.
- Vast and mostly uninhabited: long road trips between towns, many remote areas.
- Water shortages: even surrounded by ocean, strict rationing often applies—especially inland.
🛂 Australia Visa Guide
General Info
- Tough Entry: Australia is picky with new immigrants—visa applications must be done from your current country, and approvals can be slow.
- Visa Types: Choose wisely! Main options are Tourist, Working Holiday (WHV), Business, and Student visas.
- Permanent Migration: 185,000 spots a year; 132,200 reserved for skilled migrants.
Visitor Visas
- Be Honest: Lots of visitor visa subcategories—state your true reason for visiting!
- 405 Investor Retirement: For wealthy retirees (55+), no dependents, strict income, ability to invest. It’s temporary.
- 416 Special Program: Join cultural exchanges (by invitation only).
- 417 Working Holiday Visa: Ages 18-31, no dependent kids, eligible passport required; stay and work for up to a year.
- 488 Superyacht Crew: Work on a fancy boat for up to 1 year.
- 600 Visitor Visa: Tourism or short business. Apply online if your country is listed, otherwise head to the embassy. Apply early—especially around Christmas!
- 602 Medical Treatment: For those getting medical care, donating organs, or visiting someone for medical reasons—must show proof.
- Bridging Visa: Already in Australia and switching visas? You’ll need a bridging visa to cover the gap.
Work Visas
- 124 Distinguished Talent: Got global skills in arts, sports, high-level professions, or research? This one’s for you—permanent!
- 132 Permanent Business Talent: Want to start or grow a business? Can prove $1.5 million AUD in assets and $3 million turnover? Apply here.
- 186 Employer Nomination Scheme: Skilled workers nominated by Aussie employers. Must be under 50 and meet English standards.
- 189 Skilled Independent Visa: No employer needed—points-based. Requires your job on the national shortage list, under 50, and good English.
- 400 Temporary Short Stay: Up to 3 months for short-term specialized work/invited cultural gigs.
- 403 Temporary Working (International Relations): For reps of foreign governments, foreign language teachers, or domestic staff for officials.
- 476 Skilled Graduate Visa: Graduated in engineering (under 31)? Get 18 months of Aussie work experience.
- 888 Business Innovation and Investment: Already got a subclass 188? This one gets you permanent residence to run or invest in a business.
- 890 Business Owner Visa: Ran your own business in Oz 2+ years on a temporary business visa? Stay and run your business for 5 years.
- 891 Investment Visa: Invested $1.5 million AUD (subclass 161 holders)? Get 5 years to move funds freely.
- Employer-Sponsored Visas: Up to 44,000 places in 2024.
- Skilled Independent Visas: 16,900 available in 2024.
- CSOL Update: The new Core Skills Occupation List (as of Dec 3, 2024) has 456 jobs—use this for work visa eligibility.
🛬 Residency and Citizenship
- Aussie Commitment: Citizens agree to follow laws, pay taxes, serve on juries, vote, and defend Australia if needed.
- Your Rights: Vote, work for the state, run for Parliament, get an Aussie passport, register overseas-born kids as citizens.
- Eligibility: Must hold a permanent residence visa for 6+ years, meet residency rules, and prove good health/character.
- English Requirement: Score 7+ on IELTS or equivalent.
- Citizenship Test: Covers lots—including Australian values, culture, and social norms.
💼 Business in Australia
- Work Life: Aussies have a laid-back style, but they’re honest, professional, and entrepreneurial.
- Business Immigration: Often easier to get in for business than other reasons—the government welcomes you!
- Full Rights: Business visa holders get the same setup rights as Aussies for starting up.
- Quick Steps to Set Up:
- ABN or GST: Register with local tax office, have a bank account and Aussie address.
- Register Business: Do it online at ASIC.
- Trademark: Not required, but recommended—shows you mean business at IP Australia.
- Payroll Tax: Register if you’ll have staff—even if you end up under the tax threshold. Rules change by state.
- Licenses: Use ABLIS online to check license/permit needs for your business.
📚 Helpful Resources
- Immigration and Visas – Australia’s official immigration and visa site with the most up-to-date info.
- Seek – Australia’s dominant job platform with millions of local and expat-friendly openings