When you are moving from one country to another, there are a lot of adjustments required in order to get settled in that new country. As long as you are in the same country, there are lesser challenges. But, the moment you cross the borders of your country, challenges increase.
One of the major reasons is because each country has its own set of laws; regulations and culture which you need to understand, respect and accept to stay in that country peacefully.
People face problems in adjusting to the big changes that comes their way after relocating to another country. But, if you are aware of most of the aspects of that country, things become comparatively much-more easier for you.
Same is the case with Australia as well. If you are thinking of moving to Australia, then besides going through the Visa procedures, you should also know about other important and crucial things about Australia before you move.
Australia is an established country and standard of living in Australia is very high. There is so much scope in Australia for growth that migrants from all over the world are moving to Australia, despite the fact that it’s very tough to obtain Australian Visa. And, why not, if putting some extra efforts in the beginning can help you enjoy a secure life in future then I think the efforts are completely worth it.
However, if you have already decided about moving to Australia, and have also started with the Visa procedures, then utilize the time in your hand to study about Australia and Aussie culture.
This will help you learn about the overall ambiance of Australia, know more about the people and their likes and dislikes, and also about certain important aspects about the country that will help make your stay in Australia much better and convenient.
To help you out, I have made a list of 10 important things to know about Australia which will hopefully benefit you to a great extent.
10 Things you must know before moving to Australia
There is a lot to explore in Australia and if you are moving to Australia, then there are certain things that you must know before moving. Knowing these crucial things about Australia will help you get rid of many troubles that may occur due to lack of knowledge.
Here are some of the most important things to know before moving to Australia:
Demographics
We all have an idea that Australia is a big country but unless you carefully study the map, you will never realize how massive it is. It is actually quite close to the size of Europe. You can see that the distance between Ukraine and Portugal is actually less than the distance between Sydney and Perth. So, yes, remember that the country is huge and travelling around will actually take a long time. Hence, if any time you will have to move from one part of Australia to another, make sure you keep sufficient time in hand.
The country is expensive
Australia is not cheap; rather I would call it expensive. Be it the rentals, the food, the cars etc. everything is a bit costly in Australia. And therefore, you should learn to become less spendthrift and invest on things that are absolutely necessary, if you want to save a decent amount at the end of the month.
You can definitely indulge in luxuries but you should also know how to strike a balance. And, yes, it is advisable that you secure a job first and then only move to Australia because otherwise life will become very hard for you there.
Weather
As per popular belief, every part of Australia has got hot and sunny weather throughout the year. But, it is a very big misconception that people has on Australia. In reality, there is a lot of variety in the climate of Australia.
If the southern parts of Australia are experiencing summer, then the northern portions are normally experiencing the wet season. Brisbane has a tropical climate while Melbourne is very well known for having 4 seasons in a day.
However, you should be very aware of the Australia sun. The temperatures in the summer in certain parts of Australia can be extremely high, most of the time well above 40 degrees. And it is expected to rise up to 50 degree by 2040. So, you can understand that the sun literally burns everything around in most parts of Australia.
Sydney has experienced heat waves which melted the tarmac roads. In fact, besides the heat what’s more dangerous is that the ozone layer that is there directly above the Australia is very thin, so direct exposure to the sun can cause extreme skin damages.
Hence, make sure you stay protected whenever you are going out in the sun. Wear covered clothes, and never forget to apply sunscreen, and carry an umbrella with you when you are outside.
Stay on the left
Well, most of you must be aware that the Aussies drive on the left. But are you aware of the fact that they also walk on the left? It actually forms a part of the Australia rules when you are on foot. So, unless and until you are overtaking on an elevator, try to stay left.
See, you will not be punished for walking on the right side of the road or pavement, but you will definitely look like an idiot walking on the right side while every other Aussie is walking on the left. So, you better stay on the left while on road.
Jaywalking is a crime in Australia
One of the most important things to know about Australia before moving there is to keep in mind that jaywalking is a crime. You just cannot cross the road whenever you feel like, because if you do so, you will be fined severely.
So, please make sure to use a pelican or zebra crossing while crossing roads. Do not just embarrass the name of your home country by breaking such simple rules in the other country where you are about to relocate.
Healthcare facilities
One of the reasons why people want to settle in Australia is because it has got good healthcare facilities. It is called Medicare and is free in Australia. If you have a permanent residency, you can enjoy this facility, but you will have to pay through taxes that are around 2% of the income. Well, the good thing is it is way cheaper than the private healthcare so it is better to opt for Medicare.
However, the ambulance rides are not free, so it is advisable that you take up ambulance insurance.
The magpies
There is overall nothing to worry much about the wildlife of Australia, but there is one bird that you should be very cautious about and that is Magpies. Trust me, these birds get very aggressive at times and have a history of attacking the pedestrians and the cyclists.
The male Magpies target people as far as 80 meters away and yes, their beaks are pretty painful. In fact, there is a website called Magpie alert and I want you to follow that, so that you are aware of the streets to avoid in order to prevent getting attacked by the Magpies.
If you are on a cycle, it is advisable that you attach cable ties or googly eyes to your helmets so that you look ridiculous. As far as the pedestrians are concerned, it is better to carry a stick but do not attack the magpies unless you have no option to protect yourself from magpies attack. Avoid swinging your stick too hard as Magpies are a protected species since 1992 in Australia.
Finding rentals
In most other countries, the rental listings include the monthly amount but things are different in Australia. The rent here is paid by the month but advisements of the properties are usually done using the weekly price. There are many estate agents who clearly mention it in the listing, but many still make the mistake of thinking the price mentioned being the monthly rent.
However, besides the overall rents being high, there is also a lot of competition out there. And therefore, it is hard to find a proper rental home that too an unfurnished one. So, you need to be very swift in whatever you do.
Workers are well respected there
One of the best things about Australia is that the country respects the right of the workers. If you are not aware then let me just inform you that Australia is one of the first countries to go for the 40 hour work weekly.
Also, the minimum wages paid here are highest in the world. Once the cost of living and taxes are considered, individuals in minimum wage are earning about USD$9.54 hourly which is like great. In addition to that, if you compare with the other countries, the taxes for the workers with low income are not that high.
Aussie humor
Well, you may find it weird when you find people insulting one another very openly including cracking jokes on themselves. And yes, you will also have to face the same when in Australia. But, do not worry, because they do not hate you. It is just a part of the Aussie humor and so, you should try to get used to it as fast as possible.
The Australians usually tend to find the funny side of any given situation which outsiders many a times find absurd. But once you start observing them, you will understand that it is a part of their nature.
Over to you
Australia is a perfect country to work and live comfortably. But, when you are moving there from some other countries like India, you need to be aware of the life there in Australia. As without knowing the country well, you will not be able to face the challenges easily.
As you can see, there are a lot of positive things about Australia, but few negatives like the scorching Australian sun, the high cost of living, etc. are some of the things that you should be aware of.
There will be certain changes in your day to day lifestyle after moving to Australia. But, trust me, with time you will get adjusted to things around you in Australia. Most importantly, the standard of living there is so high that you will start enjoying your stay in Australia within a few days.
And by the way, if you are looking for movers and packers near you for international relocation, then you can always use this platform to receive free moving quotes.
Are you living in Australia?
What are the other interesting things one should know when moving to Australia?
Feel free to share your favorite and interesting things worth knowing about Australia by commenting below.
