There are many reasons to move to Australia; the great weather, the safety, the work opportunities, the financial stability, and immigration options. To help you make this process easier, we’ve detailed here how you can move to Australia in three easy steps.
Step 1. Understanding Your Immigration Options
To move to Australia successfully, you need to focus on immigration pathways that allow you to stay in the country long-term, such as the following:
- To work.
- To study.
- To join a family member.
- To retire.
Find out which visa may be the best for you (as there are over 100 types of visas) using the visa finder here, provided by the Immigration Department of Home Affairs.
Moving to Australia for Work
There are several options for a work visa to Australia, but some of the main categories include the following:
Skilled Migration Visa
Skilled migration visa types are usually based on a point system, and each qualification and professional experience is graded appropriately. They’re traditionally granted for in-demand occupations.
Some of the most common types are:
- Skilled independent visa (subclass 189)— for skilled workers without employer sponsorship.
- Skilled nominated visa (subclass 190)— for workers who have a nomination by an employer.
- Skilled work regional visa (subclass 491)— for highly skilled workers meeting the points requirements.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
These types of visas allow Australian businesses to sponsor foreign workers from other countries, and the most common include:
- Skills in demand visa (subclass 482)— for workers who have exceptional skills in demand in Australia.
- Employer nomination scheme visa (subclass 186)— permanent work visa for foreigners who are sponsored by their employer.
- Regional sponsored migration scheme visa (subclass 187)— for sponsored workers working in regional Australia.
- Business innovation and investment visa (subclass 188)— for foreigners who want to open or manage a business in Australia.
Other Types of Work Visas
- Temporary graduate visa (subclass 485)— for recent graduates from Australian universities.
- Working holiday visa (subclass 417)— for young adults from specific countries.
- Global talent visa (subclass 858)— permanent visa for highly talented and skilled foreigners.
Where to Find Jobs?
Use the following sites to help you find a job in Australia:
- WorkforceAustralia (government site)
- Seek.com
- Indeed.com
List of Professions in Demand in Australia
Some of the most in-demand jobs in Australia (See the full list of labor shortages here) include the following:
- Healthcare and Social Assistance.
- Nursing and Midwifery.
- Developers and programmers.
- Cybersecurity analysts.
- Construction workers and managers.
- Teachers.
- Warehouse operators and logistics coordinators.
- Chefs and cooks.
- Social workers.
- Administrative assistants.
List of Skilled Occupations in Australia
The Immigration Department also provides a list of skilled occupations eligible for work visas, which you can check here. This way, you can verify whether your profession is eligible for a work visa in the country.
Moving to Australia to Join Family Members
Depending on which of your family members you want to join in Australia, you can apply for any of the following visa categories:
- Partner visas are available to spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or residents. These usually include the following:
- Partner visa (provisional and migrant)— (subclass 309 & 100).
- Partner visa (subclass 820 & 801).
- Prospective marriage visa (subclass 300).
- Parent visas, which are available to parents of Australian citizens or residents, include the following:
- Parent visa (subclass 103).
- Aged parent visa (subclass 804).
- Contributory aged parent visa (subclass 884).
- Contributory parent visa (subclass 143).
- Child visas for dependent children of Australian citizens or residents, which include the following:
- Child visa (subclass 101).
- Adoption visa (subclass 102).
- Child visa (sub§ 802).
Family visas also include options for other dependant family members who are not your immediate family, i.e., partners and children. They also include carer visas, so you can apply for any of these visas, depending on your situation.
Moving to Australia to Study
To move to Australia to study, you must apply for a student visa (subclass 500). However, you must be enrolled in a study program in Australia to be eligible for this visa, so you can submit a confirmation of enrolment certificate. You can stay in the country for up to 5 years with this visa, depending on your study program.
Moving to Australia to Retire
You can also opt for a retirement pathway to move to Australia. However, this immigration route is trickier than others as you must already have had another visa such as a retirement visa (subclass 410) or investment retirement visa (subclass 405), and you can only apply for these visas if you already had another temporary or permanent visa in the first place.
Step 2. Applying for a Visa
To apply for a visa to Australia, you must do so online through their processing visa website and have an open account. In some (rare) cases, you may be allowed to apply with a paper application, but this depends on your visa type and where you’re applying from.
Process
Here’s how the application process goes:
- Open an ImmiAccount. You can do this on the website of the Immigration Department. This account will help you throughout the entire process, and you will also have instructions on how to apply.
- Prepare the required documents. You must attach the documents as scanned copies since everything will be online. Please keep in mind that the requirements change depending on the visa type.
- Pay the visa fee. To pay the visa fee, you must do it through the ImmiAccount (the same is required for paper applications as well).
- Submit your biometrics. For most long-term visa applications, you have to submit your biometrics. But no worries, you will be notified whether you have to do this and where to do it. You can check out the Immigration offices outside of Australia here.
- Obtain your visa. Check the visa details on your ImmiAccount, as it will show everything you need to know about your visa status and, most importantly, whether the Immigration Department needs more information. You can also use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online), where you can see the status of your residency.
Documents
The general list of documents for your Australia visa includes the following:
- Valid passport.
- Identity photograph.
- Visa application form.
- Proof of paid visa fee.
- Police certificate.
- Sponsor letter (if applicable).
- Proof of financial means.
- Health insurance.
- Authorized recipient form.
- Evidence of temporary stay
- Proof of accommodation.
- Employer permission letter.
- Invitation letter.
Fees
Australian visa fees change depending on the visa type, but they typically range from AUD 1,600 for a student visa to over AUD 4,000 for work, family, and other permanent visas.
Step 3. Settling in Australia
Once your visa has been issued, you can enter the country and start your new life. To do this, you must first complete a few other bureaucratic processes.
Register Residence
Everything about your visa status, residency type, and residency registration is done through and stored in your ImmiAccount. You can also use VEVO to verify your status. So, there will be no need to visit an Immigration Office in person unless specifically directed by the Immigration Authorities.
Find Accommodation
You can find accommodation in Australia by using the following housing sites:
Open a Bank Account
Opening a bank account in Australia is fairly straightforward; as long as you’re planning to move there long-term, all you need is your valid ID and proof of address. You can choose any popular bank you wish in the country, and within a few days, you’ll have a functional bank account.
Obtain a Tax File Number (TFN)
If you’re working in Australia, you will need a tax file number. While it’s not mandatory to have one, you should still apply for it since, without it, you pay higher taxes.
Because you don’t have an Australian passport, you cannot apply online for it but must apply by post. It will take around 28 days to complete the processing. Once you have your TFN, make sure to give it to your employer and update your bank details.
Obtain Health Insurance
Temporary residents are usually not eligible for government healthcare Medicare to receive subsidized healthcare services. So, you have to purchase private health insurance while you’re staying in the country.
Some of the most popular providers include:
- Bupa
- Medibank
- nib
- HCF
- Australian Unity
Please note that foreign students must be signed up with the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is mandatory and can be purchased at any insurance provider in the country.
How Much Does It Cost?
The price of health insurance varies based on your coverage level and your provider, but you can expect a starting price of AUD 200 for basic coverage to over AUD 350 for more comprehensive coverage.
When Should I Buy Health Insurance?
You can buy your insurance before or after you enter the country; it all depends on when it suits you best. The only exception is that some types of visas require you to have proof of insurance before moving, but you can verify this in your ImmiAccount.
Moving to Australia as a US Citizen
To move to Australia from the US, you have to go through the application process for your residence permit, the same as other applicants, i.e., submit a visa application via ImmiAccount. The only difference is that you can enter the country without needing an entry visa, and you can apply for your residence permit from within the country.
Moving to Australia as a New Zealand Citizen
New Zealand citizens do not need a visa to enter and stay in Australia as long as they have a valid New Zealand passport. After entering, you have to apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
With subclass 444, there is no limit as to how long you can stay in the country, and afterwards, you can apply for permanent residency and eventually become a citizen if you want.
Obtaining Australian Citizenship
To become an Australian citizen, you must have lived in the country for at least four years, and you must have had a permanent residence permit for the last 12 months before applying for citizenship.
Additionally, you must also pass a citizenship test and show you have enough financial means to support yourself and your family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Australia?
While the moving costs depend on many factors, such as where you’re moving from, whether you’re using a professional company, how much personal items you’re taking with you, and such, we recommend that you budget at least AUD 10,000 (approx. $6,000) to AUD 20,000 (approx. $12,000).
How Much Is the Average Salary?
In 2024, the average salary in Australia was around AUD 100,000 (approx. $63,000). Of course, in major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney, the average salary may be slightly higher, but it also depends on your chosen field.
What Are the Living Costs in Australia?
The monthly living costs for a single person in Australia are around AUD 2,000 – 2,500 (approx. $1,300 – $1,650) without rent.
With rent included, your expenses will increase:
- Rent— AUD 1,800 to 3,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney or Melbourne (approx. $1,200 to $2,000)
- Groceries— AUD 500 to 800 per month (approx. $330 to $530)
- Electricity & gas— AUD 150 to 250 per month (approx. $100 to $165)
- Internet & mobile—AUD 80 to 150 per month (approx. $50 to $100)
- Entertainment & eating out— AUD 300 to 600 per month (approx. $200 to $400)
Do I Need to Pay Taxes?
Yes, if you’re planning on staying long-term in the country, you’re considered a foreigner for tax purposes. Usually, you have to pay taxes on the following:
- Employment income
- Rental income
- Australian pensions and annuities
- Capital gains on Australian assets.
You can find more information about taxes and foreigners here.