Division of www.OverseasRegistry.com

Australia

Australia
	Capital	Canberra
	Population	21,262,641
	Area	7,686,850 sq km
	Language	English, native languages
	Currency	Australia, Dollar (AUD)
		1.000000A$ (AUD) = 0.926153$ (USD)

Australia has a population of just about 20 million, but the country itself is almost the same size as the USA; the States used to be referred to as ‘the land of opportunity’ but Australia has taken over that mantle.

With so much space and so many resources, you would be forgiven for thinking that Australia would welcome more people but in fact the country has some of the toughest immigration laws in the world. 

It is a huge and diverse country; starkly beautiful in the outback, culturally attractive in the main cities and with a generally mild temperature all year round.  Whether you want to live in a town like Alice or in a conurbation like Perth, the sunniest city in Australia, there is a great outdoor life waiting for you here.  The country has a pioneering character, shaped by the harshness that the original convict settlers had to endure, and the people are tough, and classless, with a vibrant love of life, cold beer and cricket!

Despite the fact that Australians speak English, things are not just the same as ‘back home’; Australians have a fun but basic sense of humour and quite a ‘macho’ view of the world.  The women are as tough as the men and expected to be so – maybe something to do with the fact that during its early history of European migration, men outnumbered the women by ten to one!

Infrastructure
The infrastructure is good….well built and maintained roads, all of which are tarmac, until you get right out in the bush, where you will come across dirt tracks where a 4x4 is a must.  Unlike the US but just like the UK you drive on the left hand side of the road and all cars are right-hand drive.  Because the country is so huge, towns and cities can be far apart and most Australians need a car for every day use.  Public transportation is good, but your own car is pretty much a necessity. Huge trucks are used to transport goods countrywide.

The phone, mobile and internet systems are good, apart from right out in the bush, and are an important part of every day life here.

Education
Schooling is compulsory for all children between 5 and 15 years of age, and the public school system is free. There are some private and church run fee paying schools. If you are on a Temporary Resident’s visa you will have to pay school fees, but this is dependent on individual schools.  Australia has a high literacy rate.

Healthcare
As in Europe there is a two tier system…public health care which is free, and a private, government licensed system which your taxes go some way to fund.  As a foreigner you won’t be eligible for free healthcare unless you have been a permanent resident for at least two years.  It is advisable therefore to make sure you do have medical insurance.  Medical services are generally of a very high standard.

Before you move to Australia, as a foreigner you will have to have a full medical examination.

You will not be eligible for other benefits such as age benefits (pensions) until you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 10 years.

Banking
Australia has an advanced banking system, with large, state banks and International branches.  You can open an account before you leave home, and within six weeks of arriving in the country you need to go to your bank to identify yourself and make sure all is in order.

As a foreigner you are not likely to have a credit rating in Australia, but the bigger banks do have special Migrant programmes to assist with mortgages and other loans.

Visas
The visa system is based on points accrued and you gain points according to whether you are providing a skill that Australia wants, whether you are bringing a substantial financial benefit to the country, whether you already have a job, and whether or not you have a sponsor, ie a person of company that has offered you a job and will attest to your good character.

You can also have visas based on study programmes and if you are the dependents or parents of an Australian citizen. 

The basic visas available are:
• Professionals and other skilled workers seeking work or business in Australia
• People moving permanently to Australia or returning from overseas
• Tourists, working holiday, people transiting, visiting family or friends, or visiting for business or an event
• People studying or seeking study, training, or skills development in Australia
• Education agents and providers
• Employers who sponsor skilled people to work in Australia
• Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian programs
Although not imperative, it is preferable to have at least conversational English.  Those applying for student visas, or employment visas of any sort will have to take a an IELTS (International English Language Test System) test to make sure they are proficient in both spoken and written language.
At present there is no ‘pensioners’ visa; there was a system whereby you could apply for a retirement visa, but this was phased out in 2004.

Where to live?
The majority of Australians live in the main cities or smaller towns, and usually  within 50 km of the sea…. and this would probably be the same for an expat.

Sydney has been compared to San Francisco and is very cosmopolitan; the massive harbour is instrumental in daily life and the ferries are used for day to day living as much as for sightseeing. Restaurants, theatres and clubs abound, and it you like boating, you cannot find a better location that Sydney. And of course it is characterized by the world famous Sydney Opera House which dominates the harbour.

Melbourne has the feel of a European city, and is widely regarded as the best city in the world in which to live in terms of cost of living, security and amenities.  There are theatres, cinemas, cultural exhibitions and a wealth of things to do.  Australians are sports mad, and Australian Rules Football, only played in this country, began its life in Melbourne.

Adelaide, in South Australia, is the wine capital of the country.  The Torrens River runs through the city, creating a distinctive north and south character. The river itself is instrumental in the life style of the city - grassy areas and a myriad of trees  make the parks attractive to picnickers and the like.  The architecture has a colonial feel to it and the Zoo and Wildlife parks are a popular to city dwellers and visitors alike.

Brisbane, called the City of Sun Days is laid back and casual; it is also a boater’s and sports lover’s paradise’ so spend your days on the water in Moreton Bay or visit the Museums on the south bank if you are more culturally inclined.

Buying Property
As a foreigner you can buy a property or buy land on which to build, provided you have Permanent Residency.

If you are on a Temporary Resident visa you may need permissions from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). Priority is usually given to purchases of new homes or land for building packages.

As with anywhere the cost of living depends on what you want to spend your money on.  Food prices are similar to those in the US and about a quarter less than most European countries.  Transport costs are high due to the distances between places, but petrol is cheaper than in Europe.  Manufactured goods, particularly imported items are more expensive than either the US or Europe.

Australia is not the sort of place where you stand on the sidelines and watch; you need to get involved and make the effort.  Outdoor life – hiking, walking, surfing and sports are all part of the package, and if this is what you like, this is what you will get.