23 May The Ultimate Guide for Moving to Australia

Posted at 12:01h in Uncategorized by

So, you would like to make the move to Australia but still have a few doubts about everything? Don’t worry, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide so you will know exactly who to call and where to go. 

What to bring?

The weather in Australia is incredible and does vary across the country depending on where you’re living. You will enjoy hot sunny days and endless stretches of beach, but it does get a little chilly here too! In Queensland during winter you’ll need warm clothes like a light jacket, jeans, boots and a scarf. However, it doesn’t get so cold that you will need thermals, thick coats or beanies.

If you’re heading south it’s a different story. New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia get much colder than Queensland and you will need some thermals, a coat and most definitely a beanie if travelling to these states.

If you go inland, or even to the desert, as usual, you can expect it to range from really hot to freezing cold, so pack clothing for all seasons in that situation.

 

Organising your visa

It’s important to have your visa sorted before you arrive in Australia. Speak to an agent about your student visa and make sure you know the terms – such as how long you are able to stay in Australia, your course start date, your course end date and holiday dates.

Please contact Entrepreneur Education about any questions you might have about visas and we’ll be able to assist you with who to talk to and any further information required.

 

Deciding on where to live

Australia is a very big and amazing country and deciding on which city to live in can prove to be a difficult task. Consider the following options:

  • Do you want to live in a city?
  • What cost of living can you afford?
  • Do you want to live near the beach?
  • Do you want to live amongst nature?

 

If you’re looking for a smaller city with a lower cost of living, consider your options in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Surfers Paradise is often a popular destination for expats as it’s set on the beach, has great surf and a much lower cost of living in comparison to Sydney. It also has its own airport which makes moving between cities easy.

Byron Bay is another popular option for those wanting a different kind of pace. It’s also set on the beach, yet has a much smaller town vibe. The cost of living here is higher due to it being a more popular tourist destination with great surf and beautiful hinterland surroundings.

 

Getting a job in Australia

There are several ways to find work in Australia. For hospitality jobs, dropping off your resume is the most effective way. Otherwise keep track of websites like Seek, Gumtree and Indeed for updates on new jobs available.

  • Seek: www.seek.com.au
  • Gumtree: www.gumtree.com.au/jobs
  • Indeed: au.indeed.com

 

Paying tax

All workers are required to pay tax in Australia, however the amount of tax you pay will be determined by your income. You’ll need to apply for a Tax File Number in order to work so that you can be identified by the Australian Tax Office.

  • Details can be found here: www.ato.gov.au/

 

Adapting to the culture

Australia is a very multicultural country therefore it’s likely you’ll have no trouble adapting to it. This makes finding ingredients or restaurant options for different cuisines easy. Most supermarkets have an international food section, however for more refined country specific products there are small local stores dedicated to providing international foods. When dining out you’ll be able to find almost any variety of food – from Mexican, Italian, French, Ethiopian, Indian, Vietnamese to Chinese and more. Typically, Australian cuisine is made up of a fusion of different cultures.

For those with specific dietary requirements, most capital cities and larger dining precincts can cater for Kosher, Halal, gluten free and vegan. Supermarkets are well equipped for these preferences too.

 

A typical day in Australia

The typical Australian day starts early with breakfast usually eaten between 6am – 7am. The average working hours are 9am – 5pm and breakfast includes a choice of hot or cold options such as cereal, toast, porridge, Weetbix or bacon, eggs and sausages on toast.

Lunch is generally eaten at around 12pm and is often sandwiches or salads. Sushi, burritos or noodles are also very popular.

Dinner is eaten anywhere from 6pm – 8pm and you can expect when dining out, for the busiest period to be around 7pm. Dinner will vary greatly between people and their cultural background and generally for most people, this is the biggest meal of the day.

A typical Australian lunch with friends or dinner with the family would have to be lamb or beef on the barbecue with vegetables and salad too.

If Australian life intrigues you, chat to our team today to find out your options.