It is a dream for many people around the world to move abroad, to live somewhere sunnier, by the sea or just different from what they are used to. Australia has long been considered one of the best places to migrate to, but is it actually possible and easy to do so, and is it really worth it? Here we look at some of the top reasons to head out, and some of the potential roadblocks and help you decide if it really is worth moving there.
Is life better in Australia?
The generally agreed-upon answer is yes! Australia has so many excellent things to recommend which can improve your life. One of the main highlights is of course the climate. It is hot in summer and has milder winters than many others, with long temperate evenings and no need to go into the kind of hibernation that a lot of people do when it is endlessly cold and rainy outside.
Apart from the pleasure that warmer weather brings, this also has an impact on the kind of life you lead and the activities available to you. People in Australia tend to have a more outdoor lifestyle, from sports and walks to eating and hanging out with people outside rather than in. You have so many options for how to spend your time, surfing, swimming, hiking or cycling, and getting up and going to work isn’t quite so tough when it is light and not freezing outside and you know you will be able to get out and enjoy the sun on your lunch break.
People in Australia also tend to be really friendly and welcoming. While arriving as a stranger, you won’t be for long if you don’t want to. With all the different things to do and places to go, it is easy to get out and meet people in a way that stands out from a lot of countries and cities where staying in is the most common way to spend an evening. It has everything you could wish for from beaches to rainforests and cities and has something for everyone. Getting out, getting more sun, and meeting great people are just a few ways that life is better in Australia!
Is moving to Australia worth it?
We have looked at some of the positives of living in Australia, but it can still be difficult to actually move and for some people, it is hard to decide if it is truly worth it. There is more to this country than just good weather, however, and all the components together definitely make it worth the trip.
It has excellent health care. Australia is known for being up there with the top places for healthcare and it has great a great education system too. You don’t have to worry about losing out on your own country’s institutions when Australia will definitely measure up. You get all of the things you like about your old life in a better setting and still accessible and English-speaking, a win-win.
Australia has a superior work/life balance. A good reason to consider making the move is to get away from the grindstone of too much work. There is a great deal of stress and unhappiness tied up with overlong workdays and lack of rest, relaxation and fun. In Australia, people do of course work hard but they also put a lot of weight on having free time and enjoying it. All of the above-mentioned activities are encouraged, as are socialising and chilling. Once you are settled in a job you like, in a house you love, and doing the things you enjoy you will feel certain you made the right decision.
How can I migrate to Australia?
Now you have decided that this might really be the move for you, it is time to discuss the potential pitfalls. Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up in Australia and live there. You have to sort out a visa which can be difficult, and while you don’t necessarily need the best immigration agent in Sydney, it really can help. There are several different visas available to you depending on your age, circumstances and what you plan to do when you arrive, so have a look and see which best suits you.
- Working and skill visas – A lot of people move or want to move to Australia for work reasons, and many enter with a skilled visa. You must be employed in one of the areas that Australia values on their skilled employment list, but you also have to hit a certain number of points and qualify in other areas as well.
- Student and training visas – You can apply to study or complete work training in Australia, but again there are specific boxes to tick mostly being able to support yourself, and this only lasts two years.
- Family visas – pretty simply this one is exactly what it sounds like. A family visa allows Australian citizens to bring in parents, children, spouses, and other family members with different ones for each situation.
- Naturalisation – this is the goal for people migrating permanently to Australia, to become a citizen and be able to stay. Again there are many criteria to tick and it is important that whichever way you wish to travel to and stay in Australia, you check the up-to-date information and advice from places like the Migration Centre of Australia.
What is the age limit for permanent residency in Australia?
While there are ways to move to Australia at any age, you are severely limited once you reach the age of 45. You can’t come in as a skilled worker which many people 44 or under can do, but you can still come as a spouse or relative and with certain investments so don’t lose hope.
Conclusion
Again like with any huge decision it is essential to plan everything as well as you can, research all the up-to-date information available, and don’t be afraid to seek out help if you need it from a quality agency or similar. Have a look today and think about making your dream into reality.