Pros and cons of living in Australia? You'll wanna read this

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There are many reasons to consider moving to a new country. You may move abroad for work, to study, to follow love or to retire, but whatever the reason, it’s important to learn about the country you’re moving to before you take the plunge and start a new life.

Australia is well known for its quality of life, amazing beaches and bustling metropolitan areas. But what are the real pros and cons of living down under? Read on to find out.

Pros of living in Australia

There are many upsides to calling the land down under your new home — there are reasons, after all, that Australia is a top destination for expats from all over the world. There are the obvious ones, like beautiful beaches, friendly people, stunning natural scenery and all that sunshine. Australians also speak English, making things easy for immigrants from the US, UK and others with great English skills. But what other factors need to be considered?

Aussies are a welcoming bunch

welcoming/friendly people

Australians are known around the world for being friendly and outgoing, and they extend that hand of friendship to the expats in their midst. Newcomers will find welcoming, friendly faces in the Land Down Under.

Education is top-tier

education/schools

Public school up to grade 12 is free for all Australian residents, and textbooks are generally provided. US News and World Report ranks Australia’s public school system fourth in the world, above the United States, France and even Switzerland. Private schools in Australia can be pricey (think anywhere from A$23,000 - A$37,000 for a year of school), but you can know your child is getting one of the highest quality educations in the world.

The economy is booming

economy

Australia has a strong service sector and the fifth-ranked per capita GDP in the world. The economy in the Land Down Under is healthy, so jobs are plentiful. Which means getting an Australian work visa may be more possible than you’d think.

Australian healthcare is universal and high quality

healthcare/health insurance

100% of Australian citizens are covered by Medicare, the tax-funded public healthcare plan. High earners are encouraged to also purchase private health insurance, but the Medicare system ensures that no one is stuck paying out-of-pocket for necessary medical care. While those who earn above a certain threshold must either purchase private health insurance or pay an extra tax, private insurance is extremely affordable — around A$2000 a year for a single person. Australia has many public and private hospitals.

Getting citizenship isn’t too complicated if you qualify

citizenship/residency

Once you’re a permanent resident, getting Australian citizenship is more straightforward than in many other countries. If you have an Australian parent or are already a permanent resident, you may be in luck. You’ll have to prove you’ve lived in Australia for the previous 4 years and that you’re fluent in English. Then you will need to pay the fees (A$40-A$285) and pass a citizenship test.

Cons of living in Australia

Of course, no place is perfect. Australia has its downsides, too, and more than just some truly terrifying wildlife.

The cost of living is high

cost of living

Australia has the 12th highest cost of living in the world, with the US and the UK well behind it at 21st and 23rd, respectively. Housing and groceries, in particular, tend to be more expensive in Australia than in many other places around the world. And Australia has one of the most overheated housing markets in the world right now, with steeply rising housing prices, especially in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Getting a work visa is difficult and time-consuming

work visas

Australia is known for its tough immigration laws, and there are many variants to its work visa program, making it a complicated and sometimes daunting process to obtain the right to work in Australia. The exact process you’ll need to follow to get a visa varies depending on the kind of work you do, how long you plan to be in Australia and other factors that help determine which visa type you need to apply for. Luckily, the Australian government’s website spells out the different types of visas and their requirements.

Mortgages are hard to get, especially for foreigners

mortgages/property

It’s not easy for anyone to get a mortgage in Australia, and foreigners can expect even tougher standards. First, you’ll have to seek approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board. Then, you’ll have to find a bank that even offers mortgages to foreign investors — many of Australia’s large banks don’t. Non-residents of Australia can expect interest rates of up to 8%, and a maximum loan to value ratio of around 70%. A hefty downpayment for most people. As an expat, owning property in Australia will probably be an uphill battle.

The country can feel isolated

isolation

Australia is huge, and its major cities aren’t close to one another. Then there’s the fact that Australia is so far from other parts of the world — the distance and time differences can leave expats especially from the US and UK feeling extremely disconnected from the family and friends they left behind.

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With all these considerations in mind, does Australia still sound like the place for you? Even though it has its downsides, nowhere is perfect. Australia has many pros to go with its cons, and it could be the new home you’ve been looking for. Wherever in the world you end up, good luck with your move!


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