How To Move To Australia: 8 MUST-DO Tips For Getting Started
Are you thinking of moving to Australia but you don’t know where to start, and you are confused and overwhelmed because there are so many things to consider? I feel you, I get you, I was in that same place 7 years ago, and it can be a bit overwhelming.
So to make your life easier, here you will find 8 ESSENTIAL tips on how to get started. Hopefully after reading this, you’ll feel MORE confident and prepared to start your plan to come to this amazing country!
I have an episode on my Youtube Channel about this exact same topic if you are a more visual person – you can find it here.
TIP #1: DEFINE YOUR GOAL
Let me ask you something: Why do you want to come to Australia? What’s your purpose? Do you want to come to work for a while or live here permanently, or do you want to study, or do you just want to backpack?
Knowing your goal is important because this is going to define what visa you need/get, what city you live in, your costs and how much money you’ll need, etc.
So in order to get started first ask yourself: WHY DO I WANT TO GO TO AUSTRALIA AND WHAT DO I WANT TO DO THERE?
TIP #2: VISAS
Once you are clear on your purpose for coming to Australia, you need to decide what visa you’ll get. There are plenty of visas depending on what you want to do here: work and sponsor visas, work and holiday visas, student visas, family visas.
The best way to find out what visa you need, is to access the Australian Immigration Website, and click on ‘Explore Visa Options’.
You will see that there are MANY visa options with SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS you need to meet in order to get that visa. So I encourage you to do your research.
IS IT WORTH HIRING A MIGRATION AGENT OR EDUCATION CONSULTANT?
Well, if you feel that you don’t have time to do all the research about visas and migration, or you are just a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information provided, getting in touch with a Migration Agent can help you know your options and they can take care of almost everything relating to your application. BEAR IN MIND though that migration agents cost money ($$$).
Another alternative is that if you are planning to come to study, you can contact an Education Consultant (which is what I did when I first came here 7 years ago). The advantages of Education consultants is that they usually do everything for you: from enrolment in the university you like, to applying to and processing your student visa. And do you know what the best part is? THEY ARE FREE! (this is because they get a commission from the university you are applying to if you enrol in that university)
How can you find a trustworthy migrant agent or education consultant?
For migration agents, make sure they are registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority). You can access the MARA website, and you’ll be given the option to search for all registered migration agents. You can even search agents by filtering your area and country you are in.
After you do this, go online and read the reviews. Both for migration agents and education consultants.
Another alternative is to ask for recommendations on expat facebook groups or expat forums. Just be mindful and make sure that the agent they recommend is registered and trustworthy.
As you can see, plenty of options!
TIP #3: STUDY ENGLISH
If you are serious about moving to Australia and English is not your first language, you REALLY (REALLY!) need to start practising your English (RIGHT NOW). This is because most visas and universities will ask you to demonstrate that you have a specific English level.
AND to demonstrate this, you’ll have to sit a test – this is usually the IELTS (British English) or TOEFL (American English).
If you are applying for a visa while offshore (this means that you are applying when you are in your home country), it is likely that you will have to sit this test in your country, before entering Australia.
I feel your pain, I hate tests too. And when I found out I had to study for an English exam, I freaked out. But then I realised how important this test was! Why?
Because one year before coming to Australia I could barely speak English, true story! BUT, studying for this test, is what took my communication skills to the NEXT LEVEL. My experience and day-to-day life here would’ve been so much harder if I hadn’t had to study for the IELTS. I’m glad this was a visa requirement.
So I encourage you to start studying English right away. Having at least a basic understanding of the language is what will help you to get the most out of this experience.
TIP #4: CHOOSE A CITY
You need to start thinking about what city you would like to live in. I’d recommend choosing the city that best matches the lifestyle you want – At the end of the day, if you’re moving here is because you want a better quality of life or adventures. Whatever the reason, you want to make sure that the city you live in is a GOOD FIT!
So, go to Perth, Sydney or Queensland, if you like the beach, the ocean, warm weather and the sunshine.
Or come to Melbourne if you want more of a European kind of lifestyle, cafes, culture, museums (and crazy weather). Melbourne has beaches as well, and very beautiful ones! Although they are a bit colder and further from the city. We also have snow resorts during winter. Melbourne has it all (I’m a bit biased though – I live here!)
Or, if you want something more chilled, and less crowded, and full of nature, maybe Tasmania, Adelaide, or even Canberra are for you.
And of course, you have to consider that if you are coming to STUDY, the city you choose may determine the university you go, OR THE OTHER WAY ROUND – the university you want to go may determine the city you live in.
It all comes down to your goal for coming here.
TIP #5: MONEY
Again, if you are serious about moving to Australia, you need to check your financial situation! Coming here is a HUGE investment – regardless of whether you are coming for work, to study, or as a backpacker.
Some visas will require you to demonstrate that you have enough savings to support yourself for at least 12 months in Australia, or for the period you are intending to stay.
However, the amount of funds you need to show will vary! For example, if you are coming to study for only 3 months, you’ll need to show that you have enough money to cover all your costs for that period. This is different to someone who’s coming for 2 years (their savings will naturally need to be higher).
Another thing to consider is that the visa application itself and the English test also have costs. The cost of the student visa is around $600 dollars. The cost of the English test will vary from country to country.
TIP #6: HEALTH INSURANCE
For whatever reason you are coming to Australia, I highly recommend getting private health insurance. WHY?
Well, because if you have a medical emergency (touch wood) or a tummy ache or you just need a general medical check-up, having health insurance will give you peace of mind that all your medical costs or part of your medical costs are covered.
Bear in mind that getting private health insurance is also a requirement for some visas.
How much does private health insurance in Australia cost?
There are many health insurance providers, and the price you pay each month depends on the insurance cover you choose. Your monthly costs can go from $45 to $200 (or more) depending on your cover.
For example, you can get a basic health insurance cover or a more premium one. The latter means that you’ll get more benefits, such as more expensive or specialised surgeries, or more hospital stays, or dentist, or any other ‘extras’.
So the cover you choose it’s up to you and will vary according to your health needs.
How do I find a private health insurance provider in Australia?
You can find a list of registered Australian private health insurance providers on the APRA website (Australian Prudential Regulation Authority).
If you google ‘private health insurance Australia’ you will also find plenty of websites that allow you to compare different health insurance providers according to your needs and price requirements.
If you are an international student you will need ‘Overseas Student Health Cover‘. This is usually a visa requirement. To find a suitable provider, check APRA and also google ‘OSHC Australia’. You’ll get plenty of options.
Another alternative is that if you have a migration agent or education consultant, have a chat with them as they might be able to find health insurance for you.
TIP #7: COVID-19 VACCINE
The Government is currently requiring (as of November 2021) all people arriving in Australia to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with a recognised vaccine. This is for your own benefit and that of the community. If you are not vaccinated (unless a valid medical exception), it’s unlikely you’ll be able to come into the country.
It’s up to you!
TIP #8: HAVE FUN!
Have fun doing your research, don’t stress too much and enjoy the journey!
There’s lots of information out there and it’s super exciting.
I highly recommend to start checking the major Australian job search websites such as Seek.com.au or Indeed.com.au to have a look at the different job opportunities in the city you want to live in, or if you are coming to study check out the different university websites, study plans, the different campuses, and others.
You can also start playing with Google maps to check out the different cities, and what they look like – (OR don’t check Google maps! and let Australia surprise you!)
Take advantage of the world of internet, there are so many resources that can help you get started.
MUCH MORE COMING UP
I hope you enjoyed these 8 tips. While moving to another country is a huge adventure, it can also a be a huge challenge. So hopefully this will you give you that confidence to get started.
I have much more content coming up about life in Australia, so stay tuned.
