Moving to Australia

Last updated on Apr 03, 2023

Summary: Many expats and digital nomads move to Australia for its high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, and strong economy. The most popular cities for expats and digital nomads in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. People looking for a place to live in Australia can search online for rental properties, contact real estate agents, or look for shared accommodation. Additionally, many expats and digital nomads use online forums and social media to connect with other expats and digital nomads in Australia and find housing.

What do I need to know before moving to Australia?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Australia, they said:

"My advice would be more based on a comparision of what they are used to with what it is like here. For example, for me it was EXTREMEM CULTURE SHOCK. I was living in Detroit, very cold most of the time, lots of shopping, entertainment, sporting events etc. I moved to a place where it is "HOT" most of the year, minimal shopping - entertainment-sporting events etc. Not to mention that I did not understand one word when I arrived. I would give advice on the type of clothing neeced, bedding, housing styles, furniture, cost of living is considerably higher than Detroit etc.," said one expat who made the move to Rockhampton.

"Look around a lot before you rent because the market is not very efficient. Most landlords are unwilling to make any improvements unless it is at the very high end of the market," explained one expat living in Sydney, Australia.

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How do I find a place to live in Australia?

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.