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Tips for Relocating to Australia

We know how stressful relocation can be but we’ll help ease your relocation worries by being there for you and giving you the advice you need on relocating to Australia.

We’ve put together this collection of handy tips to help you along the way but you can also get in touch with our team of property experts through our dedicated 24/7 helpline.

get free help moving Down Under via our Aussie experts


research

Relocation is most likely going to be one of the biggest decisions of your life, so it’s important to take plenty of time to do research before committing.

You’ll find a wealth of information on this website to help you find out where and how to reach your relocation dream.

transport

Arrange car rental before you travel so you’re good to go as soon as you’re on the ground.

Holden, Ford and most Asian imports are the easiest car brands to maintain, whereas European brands can be costly to service and replace parts.

Also, if you don’t have your licence or you’d prefer to use public transport, most cities and towns have good systems that operate quite far out into the suburbs.

accommodation on arrival

Self-contained accommodation is usually the best option, especially if you avoid arriving in the more expensive summer peak season.

There are many great resorts that offer longer term places with all the nice comforts you’d expect such as swimming pools, restaurants, tennis courts and so on.

This helps you avoid having to make big decisions on where you’ll live before you’ve had a chance to familiarise yourself with your new home.

lose the junk!

Leave behind everything that isn’t essential for your move or can’t easily be replaced. Sell, give away or donate anything you don’t need.

Research the prices of goods you might need to buy so you can weigh up the cost of transporting heavy items. Get a quote from a specialist international freight company.

Most rental properties are unfurnished and there are many secondhand furniture shops that offer a low cost option until you buy your home.

Plus, many white goods such as fridges and freezers are built for the Australian climate so it’s wise to purchase them here where they have Australian warranties (and plugs!).

jobs

Research your employment opportunities in advance. In some cases, such as specialised occupations, it may be worth registering with an employment agency.

It’s important to know your employment rights before you move, as well as any Australian standards that might apply to your job.

For example, electricians and plumbers will need to gain an Australian qualification or complete gap training before they can work here.

If you’d like advice on getting a job Down Under, talk to our employment experts about what you’re looking for.

explore your area

If you know where you’re planning to live, you can explore the things that interest or may affect you.

Be sure to check out schools, beaches, parks, local amenities and whatever else is important to you.

rent or buy?

Allow yourself plenty of time to look at the housing market in your chosen area.

It’s well worth spending 6 months getting to know the area because it will help you decide which cities and neighbourhoods you like before making a commitment to buy.

Your employment may also affect your choice if, for example, you need to do contract work in different locations.

Aussie real estate agents will often drive you to the property and answer questions about schools and other services in the area.

tick the boxes

Be sure to tick the boxes about all the little things you may need to do.

Here are some things to help you know what to do (but it’s well worth making a detailed list for yourself):

  • Register for Medicare, Australia’s healthcare
  • Licence your car at a local police station or traffic authority branch
  • Open an account at an Australian bank before arrival
  • Organise insurance issues
  • Make school arrangements

money

We recommend setting up a bank account before you leave. Have a look at Our Finance Network Partners for the companies that we recommend.

Whichever bank you choose, they can let you know where your nearest branch on arrival will be and give you the details of a contact person there.

You should also make sure you have at least AUD $200 in cash for when you arrive so you have money on hand for basic conveniences.

Pro tip: do what you can to learn about Australian money – even a simple coin lesson can be very handy.

culture

We here Down Under have a strong work/play culture, meaning we’ve got a strong work ethic but we also really value our weekends as a time to have lots of fun (especially outdoors!).

Get ready to work hard and play harder!


thinking australia? talk to us!

Through our dedicated 24/7 helpline, our Australian property experts are available to answer any questions you might have about relocating your life Down Under.

free advice on moving to Australia? Yes please!

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