Moving to a foreign country can be a daunting experience, as you find yourself launching into the unknown. Questions about safe neighbourhoods, quality schools and local laws can all be confusing to an outsider, and Australia is no exception. However, the rewards of taking the plunge and venturing into a new way of life can be hugely satisfying. Forewarned is forearmed, so here are a few things to consider if you are about to make the move to Australia.
Let’s take a look at some important considerations which will affect how succesful your transition will be.
Where will I be happy?
The first thing to consider when moving to a foreign country is where you want to live. Australia is huge and has a wide range of weather variances and a diverse range of communities. From the heat of the tropics in Darwin and Queensland to the snowfields and beaches of Victoria, Australia has every imaginable climate.
Both Sydney and Melbourne are the prime business cities in Australia, with a faster lifestyle and denser population than the other capitals. They are often the cities of choice for people migrating to Australia because of their universities, employment opportunities and diverse property markets. The Melbourne Business School is one of the most famous in Australia.
Knowing your real estate market
Do your research! If you are looking to find the best new apartments in Melbourne or older, established homes, check out a variety of sites to give you an idea of what is available along with selling prices. You can’t go wrong with inner city suburbs, but these of course come with a higher price tag. Factoring in the cost and time of commuting though, can make these are far more practical option.
New laws have recently been passed in Australia which affect non-residents ability to purchase property. It pays to speak to a local real estate agent to find out if these laws will affect your plans to purchase property here.
Working in Australia
If you intend to work in Australia there are many laws surrounding your eligibility. A good place to start would be here, to assess whether you can legally obtain paid work or to begin the process to become eligible.
As with any country, skilled workers are always sought after, so do your research and find out if you have the skills, education or experience in a field which will make you a desirable asset to the Australian workforce. There is currently a shortage in trade workers and there has been a rise in the number of jobs advertised in fields such as medical, education, building, design and architecture. Unskilled labour requirements in fields such as hospitality have also been on the rise in recent years.
Making the kids happy
The Australian school system has a great reputation throughout the world. Our government run public school system is open to all residents and provides a quality education experience. We also have a range of independent schools, as well as prestigious private and religious options. The best educational institutions may have waiting lists, as an increasingly large number of Australians prefer the private school system for their children’s education.
Probably the best way to plan your move to Australia is to come over for an extended holiday. This will give you time to travel around and experience everything that Australia has to offer, before making a final decision as to where best suits you to set up house. You will find most Australians friendly and welcoming, and new friends can be the best way to decide where you will be happiest.
Australia really is the lucky country so you have made a great decision in taking the first steps at starting a new life here.
