Packing all your gear and relocating from the UK to Australia is definitely an exciting and life-changing prospect. At the same time, it comprises elements which need a lot of time to plan and integrate into.
Here’s a comprehensive look at nine things to expect when you move to Australia.
For expert guidance on managing your move smoothly, you can find valuable resources at mybaggage.com.
1. Climate and Geography
Australia is an enormous country compared to home, with everything from tropical rainforests in the north to the hot deserts of the centre and the more temperate south. And if you live here you could well be melting through heavy hot and humid summers, and mild winters, in most places.
When it’s sunny, it’s really sunny – temperatures are high and the sun’s rays are fierce compared with the UK, especially in north and central Australia. Also do not forget the possibility of occurrences of natural disasters, such as forest fires and floods, which happen very often in some regions.
2. Culture and Lifestyle
Generally, the Australian culture is more casual and informal than that of the UK, with a more direct communication style. You will most likely embrace the “Australian barbecue culture”, where outdoor grilling and socialising are very popular activities.
Sports, like cricket, rugby, and Australian rules football, are a large part of Australian culture, and you might find yourself getting carried away with the passion surrounding them if you support your local team!
3. Cost of Living
That is why one should always find out in advance about the cost of living in their intended city or region. Do bear in mind, however, that salaries in Australia are proportionally higher, making up for some of the increased costs.
4. Healthcare and Education
Australia’s public health system, which covers treatments and services, is Medicare. Medicare is universal, though most Australians still invest in some private cover to complement services being offered along with gaining general coverage for more services including dental, optical, and private hospital care.
Australia also has its own highly respected public school system alongside a general number of private and foreign schools. The further education and university system holds great esteem, and students from all over the world are widely welcomed to a number of institutions.
5. Job Market and Visas
Finding work can prove to be extremely difficult unless you have knowledge about the local job market or you do not possess the required skills and qualifications. Make sure that you research widely on the available job opportunities in your area of specialisation; your qualifications and experience can be recognised in Australia.
It is also very important for an individual to have the right visa to migrate to Australia. Depending on the circumstances, you may need a skilled migration visa, a work visa, or perhaps even a family visa. The application can be complex and, for these reasons, individual cases are all different.
6. Transportation and Infrastructure
Australia is a pretty large country, with quite some long distances from one portion of the country to another, especially between major towns and very local communities. There is a pretty good public transport system in quite a number of large centres all over the country—trains, buses, and ferries.
Owning a car may, however, be practical if one intends to live in a suburban or rural area. Road infrastructure in Australia is in pretty good condition, so you can expect to drive long distances on highways and more remote roads, especially when on the way to another city or region.
7. Nature and Wildlife
One of the biggest and unique points of being in Australia is living among its diversified and (more often than not) unique flora and fauna. From the iconic kangaroos and koalas to hundreds of venomous snakes and spiders, you will find a whole plethora awaiting you out here. While most urban areas are relatively safe, do pay attention to what goes on around you as you go exploring in the wilderness.
Always follow local advice and take due precautions, especially when hiking and camping in remote places. Well, the raw natural beauty of the country encompasses virgin beaches, ancient rain forests, harsh outback deserts, and the well-documented Great Barrier Reef, among others. You don’t want to miss out on the exploration of biodiversity on offer.
8. Social and Recreational Activities
Australians love the outdoors, and here one can enjoy leisure activities of disparate descriptions. Truly, there is something for everyone, from surfing and swimming on some of the most magnificent beaches to rambling through the national parks, camping in the open, and a host of various sports.
Other cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane provide an overwhelming cultural environment where museums, theatres, restaurants, and nightlife are uncovered. Music, food, and arts festivals and events abound throughout the year.
For those who enjoy outdoor adventures, the Flathead Valley in Montana offers stunning landscapes and activities like hiking and boating that could be a great way to ease the transition.
9. Settling into a New Lifestyle
Moving to a new country is exciting and challenging; it’s really important for one to go there with an open mind in respect of change and adaptability. Approach the opportunities that come your way in terms of learning about your lifestyle and culture and try moving in social circles with local and expat communities to soak up the local culture.
It is natural to feel homesick at times, or you might suffer from culture shock, but try to get involved with the local community, by joining social clubs or taking up say a team sport, to step out of your comfort zone, and do not be frightened to do something different for the first time.
In Conclusion
Relocating to Australia is a worthwhile move, but it has to be very well planned and prepared for, and an open mind must be kept. Embrace what Australia has to offer, from the vast types of land to the wildlife; from a very relaxed pace of life and Greenwich Mean Time to the very vibrant culture itself. If one prepares rightly, one will be able to overcome the challenges in building this new set of life in this very beautiful and welcoming country.
