Across the world and across about 14 time zones, Australia is a long trek from the Lone Star State. However, that does not stop between 1,000 and 4,000 Americans from relocating to this exotic country every year. If you plan to become an Aussie in the near future, you should plan ahead for an exciting, and dramatic, change of pace from your current Texas lifestyle. Here are 10 of the most important things to consider before moving from Texas to Australia.
Visa and Work Requirements
One of the biggest obstacles you will encounter when relocating to Australia is getting the appropriate documents to make your immigration legal. With strict borders, Australia carefully protects its natural beauty, environment, and way of life.
This means that you will need to either obtain a job or a position as a student in the country BEFORE you apply for your visa. You may also need to be under the age of 45, unless you land a job in certain industries or pursue one of these alternative visa options.
You will then need to apply for the appropriate visa. Here is a general list of the steps you will need to take:
- Check the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List for the types of jobs that Australia will allow you to migrate for.
- OR explore the general skilled migration program
- Get an age exemption if applicable.
- Land a job in Australia.
- Ask your employer to nominate you for the appropriate work visa.
- Apply for the appropriate work visa.
- Make sure you have an updated passport.
- Purchase insurance.
If you want to live in Australia on a permanent basis, you can apply for permanent residency. And, if you choose, you can apply for citizenship once you have been a permanent resident of Australia for a certain amount of time.
You may also choose to work with a migration agent to successfully navigate the many ins and outs of fulfilling Australia’s visa and work requirements.
Moving Tips
If you want to move from Texas to Australia, you may want to follow a few essential tips for making the relocation less stressful. Here are a few of the most important:
Start the visa and job process early.
Your visa could take several months to process. Make sure to make applying for a visa and finding a job one of the first steps you take in your relocation adventure. You have a year after you get your visa to enter the country, so you really can’t start this process too early, and the more time you have, the less stress you will experience.
Plan ahead for the essentials.
From buying affordable flights to finding a place to stay, there are many essential steps that you won’t want to figure out at the last minute. Take time now to make decisions such as the following:
- Where you plan to move in Australia
- Which flights you want to purchase
- How you will meet other people in your new country
- Where you will live
- How you will get around
Save up for your move.
Australia is notoriously pricey, even for everyday essentials such as groceries or eating out at a restaurant. Make sure you have enough money to tide you over until your paycheck starts coming by saving up at least several thousand dollars (in Australian dollars) before you move. You may also need to save up for moving services, flights, or other relocation essentials.
Best Places to Live in Australia
Australia is a huge country, which can make it difficult to decide where to settle. Should you embrace the beauty of Perth or the beaches of Sydney? While the decision is yours to make, here is a look at some of the most exciting, rewarding, or beautiful places to take up residence in the land down under.
Sydney
This iconic Australian city overflows with food and scenery, beaches and beauty. Plus, it is easy to get around. Just watch out for the sky-high cost of housing and essentials in this location.
Adelaide
The capital of South Australia, Adelaide is known for its incredible food scene, beautiful and quiet suburbs, and family-friendly environment.
Melbourne
Australia’s second-largest city is known for its architecture, museums, and shopping. You can also enjoy sports and a unique environment with many suburbs from which to choose.
Brisbane
Affordable and surrounded by natural beauty, Brisbane is a mecca for those who want to enjoy an active lifestyle, natural beauty, and the amenities of big city life, all in one locale.
Perth
Located on Australia’s west coast, Perth is renowned for its beauty. It combines a thriving economy based on mining, oil, and gas with a warm climate that allows for beach and water fun.
Canberra
For families looking for a welcoming place to settle, Canberra offers open arms. The capital of Australia, it is also a small city, giving it a charming feel with affordable real estate.
Tasmania
An island off Australia’s southeastern coast, Tasmania offers 4 distinct seasons, a strong arts scene in Hobart, and a peaceful way of life.
Exchange Rate in Australia
Compared to the American dollar, the Australian dollar is very strong. That means that the U.S. dollar will be worth less than one AUD. This means that your American money may not go as far in Australia. Plus, you often have to pay fees to exchange your money. As a result, be prepared to save more than you think you will need, and factor in exchange rate and fees when planning your finances upon your move to the land down under.
Cost of Living
No matter how you run the numbers, Australia is an expensive place to live. This large continent ranks 14th in the world for cost of living. On average, a single person can expect to spend around $954 USD on living expenses every month. Of course, the exact expenses you face will depend upon where you choose to take up residence in the country.
One financial upside to living in Australia is that the country also has some of the highest wages in the world. With an average salary of $68,669, the country makes it possible to handle the high cost of living with an ample wage for many jobs.
Climate
If you are moving from Texas to Australia, you may be wondering what to expect from the weather. If you love the warm Texas weather, you are in luck – Australia is, overall, known for a warm climate that rarely falls below 60 degrees in the winter.
Of course, due to Australia’s size, the weather can vary quite a bit. Some places are deserts, while others experience all four seasons over the course of the year (or the day). Some peaks in the country even get snow in the winter.
Before plotting your course to the land down under, research the weather in the area where you wish to move. The continent of Australia almost certainly has a locale with the year-round feel you desire.
And, before you relocate, remember that, due to Australia’s position, the seasons are reversed. That means you will experience the coldest temps in June, July, and August. Plan, and pack, accordingly!
Gun Laws
After a mass shooting in the country in 1996, Australia enacted a series of strict gun laws. These laws make certain types of firearms illegal, while placing strong limits on the ownership of other types of guns.
This approach to guns could come as a shock if you are a Texan accustomed to the state’s more relaxed approach to carrying weapons. So plan ahead, and familiarize yourself with the existing laws. And start thinking about the possibility that you may need to leave your guns behind in Texas.
Australian Slang
Australians, like Texans, speak English. However, Australia has a rich slang vocabulary that may take some getting used to once you finish your move. You may also find certain words are spelled differently. For example, in many cases, Australia follows the British spelling of words rather than the American spelling (e.g. “humour” instead of “humor”). Here are a few slang terms that you may want to familiarize yourself with, though expect to encounter many more once you are actually on Australian soil:
Ta- Thank you
Bloke – Man
Sheila – Woman
Barbie – Barbecue
Bikkie – Biscuit
Cabbie – Taxi Driver
The Sun
Australia sunshine is a little different from even the bright Texan sun. In fact, most Australians take special care to protect themselves from the intensity of the sun’s rays. Expect to invest in broad-brimmed hats, and even in sunscreen that is specially formulated for Australian weather. It is better than getting a bad sunburn, or worse, from too much sunbathing in the intense rays.
Natural Beauty
It doesn’t really matter where you live in Australia – You will be surrounded by jaw-dropping natural beauty at every turn. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest, the Kings Canyon to endless national parks, you can spend a lifetime exploring this continent’s incredible attractions. Add in a sparse population, and you have undisturbed beauty and vast stretches of beauty and desert, beaches and more to enjoy, all at your fingertips when you move from Texas to Australia.
If you are moving from Texas to Australia, you will enjoy an exciting new adventure. To start, trust the overseas moving experts with decades of experience creating seamless moves across the country, and around the world. Here at Ward North American, we have the expertise, and the dedication, to make your cross-world move a success!
