Are you thinking about moving down under? If so, you’re not alone. Over 1 million Brits are already living there, making it the most popular destination in the world for UK expats. From the warm weather to the stunning coastlines and laid-back lifestyle, it’s easy to see the appeal. Not to mention all the unique animals of the Australian outback.
There are other more practical reasons you might want to move of course, like pursuing professional opportunities or reconnecting with loved ones. You could even be travelling to study abroad. It’s even a country that could allow you to live a more natural lifestyle. But whatever your motivation for moving, there are a few practical elements to think about first.
Whether it’s a distant fantasy or soon to become a reality, read up on some key considerations when moving to Australia below.
Make sure you consider, is living abroad right for you?
Getting a visa
Getting an Australian visa from the Department of Immigration is no mean feat, and there are multiple types out there. There are tourist visas of several lengths for example, as well as multiple visas that allow you to work or study, plus visas for moving to live with a partner. Lots of visa options for emigrating to Australia!
There’s little way to get around this fact other than doing your research. Just try to see the fact that there are multiple ways in as a positive rather than something to stress you out. Avoid the myriad of companies that want to charge you a fortune to organise your visa for you. Go straight to the Department of Immigration in Australia and do your research and applications there.
Transporting your belongings
Another important consideration is how you’ll move all your belongings to the other side of the world. The scale of this step depends on a few factors such as what you own, what you plan to keep, and how long you intend to stay for.
However big your load, you’ll want to do plenty of research when arranging shipping to Australia from the UK. Read reviews, compare quotes and look out for necessary accreditations and standards, as there’s plenty that could go wrong in-between. Really think about what you need to take, and what you could just get in Australia once you’ve emigrated. It may be cheaper just to take some personal effects and buy new furniture and appliances over there. It’s a fresh new start after all!
The cost of living
Australia is famous for being expensive to live in, with typical items like beers costing more than most will be used to. If you’re traveling with any dietary requirements—like needing to eat gluten-free due to coeliac disease—your food costs might also increase.
The country is currently going through its own cost of living crisis too, with the consumer price index rising 5.1% in the year ending March 2022.
At the same time, bear in mind that wages are higher than in the UK. The same logical themes apply here too, like big cities being more expensive than smaller and more rural areas. You really need to spend time with your family (or on your own if you are travelling solo) mapping out all your expenses and what they’ll cost in Australia. Contrast this figure with your expected monthly income, to see what disposable cash you’ll be likely to have. It’s the only way to cost whether you can actually afford to live in Australia.
Finding accommodation
This part might already be decided for you if you’re moving for a specific job, course or person. But if not, you’ll need to choose where suits you – and that means understanding the sheer scale of the country!
Sydney and Melbourne are where many people think of first, but there’s much more to Australian life than cities. From national parks to beach towns, think about what pace of life you’re hoping to discover. It’s certainly a great place to be a digital nomad so it may be that you don’t want to have a permanent base at all!
Think you’ve got everything above covered? Congratulations, the outback is waiting for you! It’s time to leave your past behind youfor a new life in Australia.
Read my tips on keeping occupied on a long flight.
Main Photo – Sabel Blanco via Pexels
You can see what I’m loving, and what I’m doing, over on my Instagram.