Australia

Employer-sponsored work

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the old TSS visa in December 2024. An approved employer sponsors you for up to 4 years, with a pathway to permanent residence. It has three streams:

• Specialist Skills: for highly paid roles, with an income threshold of about A$141,210 from July 2025.
• Core Skills: for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, paying at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (A$76,515 from July 2025).
• Labour Agreement: for employers with a custom agreement with the government.

You usually need at least 1 year of relevant work experience and a positive skills check where required.

Skilled permanent and provisional visas

• Skilled Independent (subclass 189): permanent, points-tested, no sponsor needed.
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): permanent, nominated by a state or territory.
• Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491): 5-year provisional visa for regional areas, leading to permanent residence.

You submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and need at least 65 points, although invitations usually go to much higher scores.

Young people and students

• Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462): for ages 18 to 30 (35 for some nationalities), with 12 months of work and travel, extendable with specified work.
• Student visa (subclass 500): for full-time study. You can work 48 hours per fortnight during term.
• Temporary Graduate (subclass 485): lets recent graduates stay and work for 2 to 3 years depending on their degree.

The job market

Australia has low unemployment and ongoing shortages in healthcare, aged care, construction, engineering, teaching, IT and skilled trades. Mining and energy offer very high pay in remote areas, often on fly-in fly-out rosters. Hospitality and agriculture hire many working holiday makers.

Pay and conditions

• The national minimum wage is A$24.95 per hour from 1 July 2025, and many industries pay more under their award.
• Full-time employees get 4 weeks of annual leave and 10 days of personal leave a year.
• Casual workers receive a 25% loading instead of paid leave.
• Employers must pay superannuation of 12% of your ordinary earnings into your super fund, on top of your salary.

Finding work

• Seek is the dominant job board, followed by LinkedIn and Indeed.
• Recruitment agencies are widely used for professional and contract roles.
• Australian CVs are usually 2 to 4 pages, without a photo or date of birth.
• Many regulated jobs (nurses, doctors, electricians, teachers) require registration or a skills assessment before you can work.

Tax and paperwork

You need a Tax File Number (TFN) to be taxed correctly. Without one, your employer must withhold tax at the top rate. The financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June and tax returns are due by 31 October.

How renting works

Most properties are listed on realestate.com.au and Domain, and managed by real estate agents. Rents are quoted per week and usually paid fortnightly or monthly. Leases are commonly 6 or 12 months.

Costs to prepare for

• Bond: usually 4 weeks' rent, held by a state bond authority, not the landlord.
• Rent in advance: 2 to 4 weeks before you move in.
• Utilities: electricity, gas and internet are normally in your name. Water is often included.
• Furniture: most rentals are unfurnished.

Applying for a rental

Inspections are often open to many people at once, and agents choose from multiple applications. A strong application includes:

• Photo ID and passport with visa details
• Proof of income such as an employment contract or payslips
• References from previous landlords, even from overseas
• A short cover note about you

Newcomers without local rental history often start in a share house (found on Flatmates.com.au) or a furnished short-stay apartment for 1 to 3 months.

Your rights

Each state has its own tenancy law and a free tenants' advice service. In most states, rent can only be increased once every 12 months, and landlords must lodge your bond with the official authority.

Medicare

Medicare is Australia's public health system. It covers free treatment in public hospitals and subsidises GP visits, specialists and tests. Citizens, permanent residents and some visa applicants can enrol through Services Australia. Medicare is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy on taxable income.

Reciprocal health care agreements

Visitors from the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, Malta and Slovenia can get medically necessary care under Medicare. Cover varies by country, so check the details for yours.

Private health insurance

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory for student visa holders for the whole visa.
• Most work visas, including the 482, require Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
• Permanent residents often add private hospital cover to skip public waiting lists for elective surgery.

Using the system

• Register with a GP (general practitioner). GPs are your entry point to specialists.
• Some clinics bulk bill, meaning Medicare covers the whole fee.
• Pharmacies (chemists) sell many medicines under the PBS subsidy scheme.
• In an emergency call 000 or go to a public hospital emergency department.

What drives the cost

Housing is by far the biggest expense. A one-bedroom apartment in central Sydney costs A$3,000-A$3,800 per month, and Melbourne and Brisbane are about 25% cheaper. Outside the big cities, costs drop considerably.

Typical monthly budget for one person (Sydney or Melbourne)

• Rent for a one-bedroom: A$2,300-A$3,500
• Groceries: A$500-A$700
• Utilities and internet: A$250-A$350
• Mobile plan: A$30-A$50
• Public transport: A$150-A$220
• Eating out and leisure: A$400-A$700

A single person typically needs A$4,500-A$6,000 per month to live comfortably in Sydney, and somewhat less elsewhere.

Everyday prices

Coffee is a national obsession and a flat white costs about A$5-A$6. A pub pint is A$11-A$14, and a cheap restaurant meal around A$25. Supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles and Aldi compete on price, and fruit and vegetables are cheaper at local markets.

Saving money

• Share a house in your first months.
• Shop at Aldi and use weekly specials.
• Use public transport caps and off-peak fares.
• Compare electricity plans on the government's comparison site.

Public transport in the cities

Each state runs its own system and card:

• Opal in Sydney and New South Wales. You can also tap on with a contactless bank card or phone.
• Myki in Melbourne and Victoria, including the free tram zone in the CBD.
• go card in Brisbane and South East Queensland, where fares are a flat 50 cents per trip.

Most systems have daily and weekly fare caps, so heavy users never pay more than a set amount.

Driving

Australians drive on the left. You can usually drive on a valid overseas licence for a period after arrival, but the rules differ by state. Permanent residents normally must convert to a local licence within 3 to 6 months, and some countries need a driving test. The drink driving limit is 0.05 blood alcohol, with zero for learners and provisional drivers.

Long distances

Australia is huge. Flying is the normal way to travel between capital cities, with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar running frequent services. Long-distance trains are scenic but slow.

Cycling and walking

Inner-city areas are increasingly bike-friendly. Helmets are compulsory for cyclists in all states.

Everyday life

Australians value a relaxed attitude, directness and a good sense of humour. People use first names at work, and managers are usually approachable. Many workplaces finish on time, and long weekends are sacred.

Outdoors and sport

Life revolves around the outdoors. Beaches, coastal walks, national parks and camping are part of everyday life. Sport is huge: AFL dominates Melbourne, rugby league rules Sydney and Brisbane, and cricket unites everyone in summer.

Food and social life

Australian cities have an outstanding food scene shaped by migration from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Cafe culture is strong, and weekend brunch is an institution. Barbecues and BYO (bring your own drinks) restaurants are common.

Climate

• The north is tropical, with a wet and dry season.
• Sydney and Brisbane have mild winters and hot, humid summers.
• Melbourne is famous for changeable weather, sometimes "four seasons in one day".

Meeting people

• Join a local sports club, running group or surf lifesaving club.
• Use Meetup and community groups for expats from your country.
• Volunteer: it is a great way to meet Australians and gain local experience.

Schools

School is compulsory from about age 6 to 17, depending on the state. Children start with a foundation year (called Kindergarten, Prep or Reception depending on the state). There are three types of schools:

• Government (public) schools: free for citizens and permanent residents. Temporary visa holders may pay fees, depending on the state and visa.
• Catholic schools: moderate fees.
• Independent schools: higher fees, often A$20,000-A$40,000 per year in big cities.

Public school places are usually based on where you live, so check the school catchment before choosing a rental.

Universities

Australia has 40+ universities, with the Group of Eight (including Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, UNSW, Monash, Queensland) ranking well globally. International undergraduate fees are typically A$35,000-A$55,000 per year, and more for medicine.

Studying on a student visa

• You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered provider.
• You must show enough funds, currently around A$29,710 per year for living costs.
• OSHC health cover is compulsory.
• The Temporary Graduate visa (485) can let you work after you finish.

Early childhood

Childcare is expensive, but eligible families (usually citizens and permanent residents) receive the Child Care Subsidy.

Opening a bank account

The big four banks are Commonwealth Bank (CommBank), Westpac, NAB and ANZ, alongside digital banks and credit unions. Many let you open an account online before you arrive and verify your identity in a branch after landing. Within the first 6 weeks after arrival, your passport is usually enough ID.

Everyday banking

• Australia is close to cashless: tap to pay with a card or phone almost everywhere.
• PayID and Osko transfers arrive in seconds.
• BPAY is used for paying bills.
• Some small businesses add a surcharge for card payments.

Tax File Number (TFN)

Apply for a TFN online through the ATO as soon as you arrive. Give it to your bank, or tax may be withheld from your interest at the highest rate. Your employer also needs it.

Superannuation

Your employer pays super into a fund you choose. Pick one fund to avoid duplicate fees. Temporary residents who leave permanently can claim their super back as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP), which is taxed.

Sending money

Bank transfers overseas are often expensive. Specialist services such as Wise usually offer better exchange rates.

Biosecurity

Australia has some of the strictest border rules in the world. You must declare all food, plant material, animal products and certain medicines on arrival. Undeclared items can mean fines of thousands of dollars or visa cancellation.

Visa conditions

Your visa has conditions, such as work limits for students or the requirement to work for your sponsor on a 482. Breaching them can lead to cancellation. Check your conditions any time with the free VEVO service.

Driving and alcohol

• Blood alcohol limit of 0.05, and zero for learner and provisional drivers.
• Mobile phone use while driving is banned and detected by cameras in several states.
• Speed cameras are everywhere, and fines add demerit points.

Drugs, smoking and vaping

• Illegal drugs carry serious penalties, and a conviction can affect your visa.
• Vapes are only legally available from pharmacies.
• Smoking is banned in enclosed public places and many outdoor areas.

Workplace and consumer rights

Every worker is protected by the Fair Work Act, including visa holders. Consumer law gives you automatic guarantees on products and services.

Character requirement

Most visas require good character. Criminal convictions, including drink driving, can lead to visa refusal or cancellation.

Entering Australia

Except for New Zealanders, every visitor needs a visa before travel:

• ETA (subclass 601): for passports such as the US, Canada, Japan and Singapore, applied for through the Australian ETA app.
• eVisitor (subclass 651): free, for EU and several other European passports.
• Visitor visa (subclass 600): for everyone else.

Visitor visas do not allow work. If you plan to move, apply for the right visa rather than converting later.

When to visit

Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. Summer (December to February) is peak season in the south, while the tropical north is best from May to October.

Travelling around

• Flights: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar connect all capitals.
• Road trips: campervans are popular, especially along the Great Ocean Road and the east coast.
• Trains: the Indian Pacific and The Ghan are bucket-list journeys.

Must-see places

• Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains
• The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest
• Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Red Centre
• Tasmania's wilderness
• Perth and the Margaret River region

Travelling abroad from Australia

Bali, New Zealand, Fiji and South-East Asia are short flights and popular holiday spots.