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A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Australia

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Australia

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Australia

GUIDE FOR

Moving to Australia? Here is what you need to know

Moving to Australia? Here is what you need to know

Australia continues to be one of the most popular destinations for expats, students, and digital nomads thanks to its warm climate, laid-back lifestyle, strong economy, and spectacular natural beauty. Whether you dream of Sydney’s iconic harbour, Melbourne’s cultural scene, Brisbane’s sunshine, or the relaxed coastal life in Perth or Adelaide, Australia offers a unique, high-quality lifestyle with endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

To make your relocation go smoothly, it’s important to understand Australia’s culture, work life, climate, and the costs involved in moving.
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of Australia, including cultural insights, language basics, work environment, and practical relocation tips.

How much does it cost to move to Australia?

Relocating to Australia typically involves long-distance transportation, which means costs fluctuate depending on your home country, shipment size, and service options. Below are realistic 2025 price estimates to help you plan.

Average moving costs by region of origin

  • From within Asia: €3,500 – €6,500

  • From Europe: €5,500 – €11,000

  • From the UK: €6,000 – €12,000

  • From North America (USA/Canada): €6,000 – €12,500

  • From the Middle East: €4,500 – €8,500

  • From Latin America: €7,000 – €13,000

Prices depend on the moving volume, full or shared container, and extra services such as packing, insurance, pet transport, or storage.

Factors that influence your moving cost

  • Distance and country of origin

  • Volume of household goods (m³)

  • Transport method:

    • Sea freight – most economical

    • Air freight – extremely fast but expensive

  • Seasonality: higher demand between November and February

  • Additional services: packing, customs handling, insurance, pet relocation, vehicle shipping, temporary storage

Typical examples

  • Move from Singapore to Sydney with 10 m³: €3,500 – €5,000

  • Couple relocating from the UK to Melbourne with 20 m³: €7,000 – €10,000

  • Family moving from Germany to Brisbane with 30 m³: €9,000 – €13,000

A personalised moving quote will always give the most reliable price for your situation.

A Glimpse into Australia

Geography and climate

Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country and consists of diverse landscapes: tropical rainforests, vast deserts, snowy mountains, vibrant cities, and endless stretches of sandy beaches.

Climate varies significantly by region:

  • North: tropical, with wet and dry seasons

  • South: warm summers, mild springs/autumns, cooler winters

  • Central Australia: hot, dry desert climate

  • Coastal cities: moderate to warm with lots of sunshine

With more than 10,000 beaches, world-famous national parks, and thriving metropolitan areas, Australia offers an ideal lifestyle for nature enthusiasts and city lovers alike.

A snapshot of history

Australia’s history is shaped by its Indigenous cultures, European settlement, and rapid modern development.

Key historical highlights:

  • Indigenous Australians: one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, dating back over 65,000 years

  • British settlement (1788): establishment of colonies across the continent

  • Federation (1901): creation of the Commonwealth of Australia

  • 20th century: strong economic growth and multicultural immigration

  • Modern Australia: a vibrant democracy known for diversity, innovation, and outdoor lifestyle

Australia’s cultural mix and Indigenous heritage play a central role in shaping the country’s identity today.

Diving into Australian culture

Australian culture is relaxed, welcoming, and multicultural. Community, equality, and enjoying life are core values.

Food and drink

Australian cuisine reflects its diverse population and abundant fresh produce. Popular favourites include:

  • Barbecue (BBQ) culture

  • Meat pies

  • Fish and chips

  • Avocado toast

  • Pavlova

  • Flat white coffee

  • Fresh seafood, especially prawns, oysters, and barramundi

Major cities offer world-class restaurants and food markets influenced by European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines.

Festivals

Australia celebrates many lively festivals reflecting its thriving arts, cultural, and outdoor traditions:

  • Sydney New Year’s Eve firework celebrations

  • Melbourne International Arts Festival

  • Vivid Sydney (light & art festival)

  • Australia Day (26 January)

  • Splendour in the Grass (music festival)

  • NAIDOC Week celebrating Indigenous culture

Festivals often take advantage of warm weather and focus on community, creativity, and outdoor fun.

Lifestyle and social norms

Life in Australia is known for:

  • Laid-back attitude – friendliness and informality

  • Strong emphasis on work–life balance

  • Outdoor living: hiking, surfing, BBQs, and beach days

  • Multiculturalism: people from all backgrounds are welcomed

  • Respect for personal space

  • Direct communication style: Australians appreciate honesty and humour

Adopting this relaxed and open style helps newcomers integrate smoothly.

Working in Australia

Australia’s job market is dynamic and diverse, attracting professionals from around the world.

Business culture

  • Professional but informal

  • Teamwork is valued

  • Meetings are efficient and direct

  • Work–life balance is a priority

  • Punctuality is important

  • Dress codes vary widely depending on the industry

Job opportunities for expats

  • Healthcare

  • Engineering

  • IT & software development

  • Construction

  • Mining & energy

  • Education

  • Finance

  • Hospitality & tourism

Australia also supports remote workers with excellent internet infrastructure and coworking spaces in major cities.

Aussie English made simple

While English is the main language, Australia has its own phrases and expressions that newcomers quickly learn to love.

Common Australian English phrases

English

Australian English

Hello

G’day

Goodbye

See ya

Thank you

Cheers / Thanks

Please

Please (same)

How are you?

How’s it going?

I don’t understand

I don’t get it

Where is the nearest…?

Where’s the nearest…?

Can you help me?

Can you give me a hand?

How much does this cost?

How much is this?

Do you speak English?

You speak English, yeah?

Australians often shorten words (e.g., “arvo” for afternoon, “brekkie” for breakfast), so expect a fun learning curve.

Final thoughts

Australia offers a unique blend of sunshine, nature, multicultural energy, and high living standards. Whether you're moving for career growth, adventure, or a fresh start, Australia’s friendly environment and exceptional quality of life make it an exciting place to call home.

Explore its landscapes, embrace its relaxed lifestyle, and discover why so many people choose to make Australia their new home.

Welcome to Australia !

Sponsors

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

Our service is specifically designed for anyone making overseas payments to buy, maintain, or sell an overseas property. We understand the importance of an efficient and transparent currency service and have an experienced team in place to help make your money go further and secure your very own “place in the sun”.

Buying and transferring currency across borders is a critical part of any overseas property transaction to get right, and our personal account-manager led service is here to help you understand and navigate the process safely and securely, without incurring any unnecessary costs. You can benefit from our knowledge about both the currency markets, and the logistics of international payments.



Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.

From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.

It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.

Accru Accountants Australia

Accru Accountants Australia

Accru Accountants Australia

Established in 1984, the Accru group is unified by a shared vision: to provide responsive, personalised and proactive accounting, business advisory and financial services to our clients. You’ll find us accessible, interested in understanding your business and where our help can add the most value.

Naturally, Accru offers all the traditional accounting support you’d expect. We also provide a far broader range of services to meet clients’ needs as they change and grow. We’re not just accountants, we’re financial planners, tax advisors and business strategists whose aim is to help you achieve financial success. Our advisory services are an extremely valuable part of what we do, giving you guidance to effectively manage your finances, develop an effective tax strategy or increase your future profits.


ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.

By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.

Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

AIMS is a leading immigration and relocation consultancy based in Singapore, specializing in visa and residency solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence across Asia, AIMS provides expert guidance on immigration programs, investment migration, and global mobility solutions.

From securing work permits and permanent residency to facilitating business expansion through investor visas, AIMS offers personalized services to help clients navigate complex immigration processes. With a commitment to professionalism and efficiency, AIMS ensures a smooth transition for those looking to live, work, or invest abroad.

April International

April International

April International

Global Health Insurance, 100% Online – Anytime, Anywhere!

Whether you're an expatriate, student, frequent traveler, au pair, or business, we offer flexible insurance solutions for anyone traveling abroad. From registration to reimbursement, we make it easy to manage your health needs worldwide!

As a global leader in international health insurance, APRIL International provides comprehensive coverage for individuals, families, and businesses. Specializing in expatriate insurance, we offer tailored health plans that ensure access to quality healthcare—whether for short-term trips, long-term stays, or corporate needs.

With a strong focus on innovation, digital services, and customer support, APRIL International simplifies international health coverage, giving you peace of mind wherever you are. Our commitment to accessibility and personalized service makes us a trusted partner for those living, working, or traveling abroad.

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.

From retirement planning and superannuation to tax-effective investment solutions, Apt Wealth Partners offers comprehensive financial guidance designed to build and protect wealth. Our focus is on delivering financial advice that allows us to become your personal CFO. Your finances will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to concentrate on living the life you want. We're privately owned and focus on providing the most transparent advice possible.

Aquent

Aquent

Aquent

We are the leading global work solutions company. Through a range of brands, we help guide businesses toward the talent, technology, and services they need to excel. From specialty recruiting and talent experience to creative strategy and project management, we're making the future of work better for everyone.

From UX/UI designers and content strategists to marketing experts and developers, we connect organizations with skilled talent to drive innovation and success. Our commitment to career growth, diversity, and cutting-edge workforce strategies makes us a trusted partner for both employers and job seekers in the digital and creative industries.

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