15 Reasons to Live in Australia
We’re going to make a quick observation: if you clicked on this blog post today, you’re either curious about Australia, thinking about moving to Australia, or… are completely bored. Either way, we’re confident that this post will give you the insight you’re looking for as to why Australia is such a popular destination, and what makes it unique compared to many other countries.
Thousands of people around the world find reasons for migration to Australia: new career opportunities, a change of environment, adventure, and more. Australia boasts a strong economy and is notably very friendly to immigrants. However, the bigger picture is what attracts people from around the world to move to the “Land Down Under”.
We’re going to break down 15 reasons to live in Australia (and yes, we might be a bit bias). By the end of this post, we will also break down ways in which you can move to Australia too.
Table of Contents
1. Best Country in the World to Live and Work
This may sound unbelievable, but this has been proven by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to their survey results, Australia is the best country to work and live in. Its competitive salary rates and a wide variety of job opportunities are only two of the many benefits of living in Australia. Moreover, Australians notably maintain a healthy balance of work and leisure, having extra time for their families and personal activities.
2. One of the Safest Countries in the World
Australia has consistently ranked high among its peers as one of the safest countries in the world. With low crime levels and regulated police forces, Australians live in a rather peaceful society. Even with the current situation the world is facing, the Land Down Under continues to prove how well they can stabilize. Just last year, Forbes ranked Australia 8th in the list of 100 safest countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Active Economy
As mentioned earlier, Australia is well known for having a strong, and stable economy. It is one of the greatest benefits of living in Australia. The Australian dollar is one of the strongest global currencies. Immigrants from Southeast Asian countries, for instance, find it easy and affordable to send money to their loved ones back home. With the country’s high and steady economy, even people living off minimum wage can afford to pay for their essentials.
4. Great Job Prospects
Speaking of minimum wage, it is one of the highest in the world. In 2019, Australia’s minimum wage was around $12.59 an hour. On 1 July 2020, it was raised to $19.84 an hour! In comparison, France offers a minimum wage of around $12.50 an hour. Ireland’s minimum wage stands at just $10.06 an hour!
This means that even if you have a “low paying” profession, you could potentially earn much more in Australia and live a decent life. This brings us to our next point – you don’t have to be a doctor or lawyer to apply for a job and live well in Australia; there are dozens of in-demand occupations in fields such as teaching, nursing, engineering, and construction available to you.
5. High-Quality Education
Among the long list of benefits of living in Australia is the quality of education. First of all, public schools are free of charge for permanent visa holders. Secondly, the Australian education system and institutions are regarded as world-class, providing students with internationally recognized degrees. These degrees can open career opportunities for you in other parts of the world, if you wish to go somewhere else. In fact, you can check out the Best Places to Study in Australia.
6. Free Healthcare
Much like their educational system, one of the benefits of living in Australia includes highly accessible health care. Public hospitals offer free medical care to all Australian citizens, residents, and individuals with certain Australian visas. These free or subsidized medical services include general practitioner costs, hospital costs, and 85% of specialist costs. There are heavy discounts on prescription drug prices and many other benefits.
7. Great Climate
Australia is known for having a comfortable, warm climate. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Australia literally has climate zones! Australia is so big that different parts of it experience different seasons – at different times! Also, some areas are tropical (such as Northern Australia), while others can be dry as a desert.
To understand more, go to abcb Climate Zone Map.
8. Spectacular Landscapes
Australia is home to some of the best beaches in the world – and they have over 10,685 of them! Many of these beaches still remain untouched, while some attract thousands of tourists every year, especially during summertime. You will also find great hiking spots and other natural landscapes that will sweep you off your feet. Indeed, Australia is a paradise for those who love to go on spontaneous nature escapades.
9. Intense Sporting Events
Australia is the perfect nation for sports-lovers. According to surveys, around 80% of Australians agree that sport is an integral part of the Aussie culture. This also coincides with Australia’s active lifestyle and adventure-seeking profiles.
Australia invests in a wide range of sporting events. Some of the major sporting events include Tennis Australia Open, AFL Grand Final, NRL Grand Finale, State of Origin (Rugby League matches), Cricket World Cup, and more. If you’re a sports fan – you’ll find plenty of things to do and people with this common interest.
10. Universal Cultures
Australia has been accepting immigrants for decades and has developed better immigration pathways to make the immigration process a bit easier, and more efficient. So, you will most definitely find people with cultural similarities to yours, or, with similar life stories.
11. Scrumptious Food
Speaking of decades of immigration, a notable “side-effect” of this is the food! Lots of diverse restaurants, cuisines, and cooking styles. Australian signature food would be meat pies, sausage rolls, Chiko Rolls, and dim sims. However, you will also find plenty of Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Lebanese, Greek, and Japanese cuisines. You may find that Thai cuisine is the most popular one.
12. Family-friendly Environment
Being one of the safest countries in the world, as well as providing free public education, you can already tell that Australia is family-friendly. However, Australia also has an outdoor lifestyle that is perfect for all ages. From sports to art activities, there are various recreational activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.
13. Inexpensive Lifestyle
Contrary to popular belief, migrating to Australia is not as expensive as you might think. Living in the suburbs is the best decision for those who are looking for good accommodation on a limited budget. Moreover, the cost of living in Australia is relatively cheaper compared to other countries.
14. Friendly Locals
One of the biggest worries immigrants face when moving to a new country is leaving their loved ones behind, and facing the fear of rejection by the new locals. While there is always that chance of not being immediately accepted by your surroundings, Australians are known for their friendly, and easy-going attitudes, as well as showing acceptance towards new immigrants.
15. Dozens of Immigration Pathways
Australia offers dozens of immigration pathways for tourists, international students, families, and individuals searching for a new future. You have the Working Holiday Visa if you want to work and travel in Australia. You can opt for a student visa and open doors to career opportunities in Australia. Your options are far and wide, and below we explain how you can pursue them.
How Can You Immigrate to Australia?
Were the reasons for migration to Australia enough to persuade you? If your answer is yes and you have decided to migrate to Australia, the next step would be applying for a visa. Much like any other country, the Australian Department of Home Affairs offers various types of immigration visas. Getting one would serve as your entry pass to the country, and it will also be the first step in applying for permanent residency or citizenship (depending on your visa).
If you are looking to continue your education in the country, you can apply for studying and training visas such as the Student visa (subclass 500), the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), or the Recognized Graduate (subclass 476).
If you have family members currently residing in Australia, there is a range of family and partner visas that you can apply for based on your relationship with said family members who are already citizens or permanent residents of Australia. If you want to pursue a career in Australia, you can opt for a Working Visa Australia.
Applying for visas can be quite tricky, especially for first-timers. If you misunderstood your visa application requirements or fail to submit certain documentation on time, you may waste valuable time and money, as well as lose your candidacy for your visa.
Save yourself any unexpected issues by hiring a certified immigration professional! At UIS Australia, our team of professionals will ensure that your visa process goes as smoothly as possible. Contact our team today to find out what is the best visa for you and how you can get started.