Quick tips for living in Australia
Moving to Australia has most likely been your dream for a while but now that you’ve completed the skilled migration process and bagged your Australian residency, it’s time to find out more about our amazing country that is your new home.
Gorgeous landscapes, exotic wildlife, and awesome food are some of our biggest charms. With incredible wine countries, unique culture and insane beaches Australia is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime! Here are some tips for living in Australia and making the most out of the sun-drenched country. Oh and be sure you never do these things, very unaustralian!
Related: “Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam”
Quick tips for living in Australia
More Resources for living in Australia
Living a ‘holiday’
A friend of mine once said something that stuck with me – When it’s 5pm and you finish work in Australia, you’re on holiday. And it’s so true. Where ever you are, when it’s the end of your day you’re usually only a few minutes away from a stunning beach, amazing walk or vibrant city centre. From the best views in Sydney– botanical gardens, Harbour Bridge and Opera House to Melbourne’s laneway bars or Perth’s Kings Park and Gold Coasts Beaches, cities and towns around Australia are truly unique in their offerings for a positive lifestyle.
Related: Benefits of a working holiday
Travel & Explore
From the wide and open Nullarbor Plains to the stunning Great Barrier Reef now that you live in Australia you can start really exploring our country and visiting some of the lesser well-known travel destinations that make our country so special.
When you travel around Australia, and the sun is beating down on you, make sure that you protect your eyes and skin before exploring outdoors. For example, wear polarised sunglasses and apply some maximum-strength sunscreen on your skin.
Take some time to backpack around Australia or take an east coast road trip and stop in at the famous Byron Bay before heading into Queensland to see the picturesque Whitehaven beach pictured below. Don’t go past the beachside town of Noosa for the perfect little escape. Here is a a look at the best places in Australia and New Zealand for short getaways!
Mini Adventures
If you’ve decided to move to Sydney you’ll soon find there are some incredible place close by you can explore during your days off! Head just up the road to the Northern beaches where its a tad more calmer with beautiful beaches and cool dining spots! Check out this full guide to Manly for best places to explore!
The Blue Mountains are another stunning destination right on your doorstep. The Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park was the first place the British Discovered and his home to some of Australia’s oldest indigenous heritage sites, while a ferry ride home to Manly from Sydney CBD could take you home past the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and stunning architecture of the Opera House. Head up north to Nelson Bay or the Central Coast for a weekend beach getaway and amazing hikes like Bouddi National Park and Mount Tomaree. Here are some great tips on the ‘cost of travelling in Aus by car‘.
Accommodation
So you’ve moved to Australia and you need to find your new digs. If you’re planning on sharing, flat websites like flatmatefinder.com.au, Gumtree or Facebook Groups are great places to start. You will need temporary accommodation whilst you set yourself up, you can book this via Airbnb, Booking.com or Hostelworld. Deciding where to stay in Sydney or Melbourne can be challenging too as there are many areas that are great! Our top picks are Coogee, Bondi and Surry Hills in Sydney and St Kilda, Richmond and Fitzroy in Melbourne.
Sun, Sun, Sun and fun
Ok so on average we probably have around 70% more warm sunny days than countries like the UK and it’s all about embracing that Aussie culture and learning how to settle in. Parks in our cities will be buzzing with people joining in group fitness classes from 5am before a quick run along the beach before grabbing a brekky and coffee on your way to work.
Lunch is also pretty social affair in most offices and then after work you’ll have time to hit the gym or grab dinner at one of the many top restaurants or bars with your new colleagues and expat friends. Getting involved in fitness classes and clubs or meet ups can be a great way to integrate with society and make sure you’re meeting Australian’s as well as fellow expats.
Editors Tip: Australia’s climate can change drastically from state, here is an extensive packing guide for Australia that will help you prepare for your time here!
Plan Ahead
Whether you’re coming to Australia on a working holiday visa, as a student or on employers sponsored visa make sure you plan ahead. It’s a good idea to review your CV and keep in mind what Australian employers expect to see. From temp jobs to perm jobs, be sure to have access to your references and certificates. Australia’s big on certificates and making sure people have correct qualifications and this can be the difference between securing that dream job.
Apply for a working holiday visa and note if you plan on working in a bar, you will need to obtain an RSA license (responsible service of alcohol). All bar staff, managers and licensees are trained in responsible service of alcohol. You can find more training information here. For more tips check out this website.
What are your tips for living in Australia? Comment below!
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