How to Make a New Life in Australia the Right Move for Your Family

So you have gone and landed your dream job, and now you and your family are about to embark on a life in Australia. It’s an exciting time for you all but let’s face it, it’s kind of scary and overwhelming as well. As well as having much to organize before you leave over in Australia, there is also that realization that actually, it’s a long way from the comforts and familiarity of home. Don’t despair, though, as there is plenty you can do to ensure you and your family settle in and find your place in ‘Straya.

Once your family arrives in Australia, you’ll need somewhere to live. Speak to your company to see if they are able to help you out with this as some companies will offer accommodation and moving costs as part of your employment offer, but this will depend on various factors, so it pays to check. At the very least, an employer should be able to act as a reference on a rental application once you have arrived in Australia and are able to see properties in person. Otherwise, use online property sites to see what is available and get an idea of the areas you would like to live in, and then contact estate agents in those areas. Finding accommodation is something you can get started with before you arrive, even if it is just sorting out temporary accommodation for when you first arrive.

If you are arriving in Australia with children, you will want to get them settled in as soon as possible as well, so don’t forget to start looking at schools and childcare settings for them also. There are various daycare settings for young children and schools for older ones in Australia, so it pays to think about what sorts of places you would like to have your children attend. To help you find this information again, the internet is your friend. Suppose it is the capital city of Victoria you are lucky enough to be headed for; you can search centers in Melbourne on Toddle for pre-school settings and get an idea of the cost and which areas currently have availability.

Australia has a reputation for having a very outdoors lifestyle with sports being important, which is very true; however, there is so much more to the Land Down Under than just surfing and relaxing on the beach! There is plenty of cultures to be found with thriving music scenes (many a well-known band played the ‘Espy’ hotel in Melbourne before they made it big), an offbeat film industry (from Priscilla Queen of the Desert, blockbusters like The Matrix), plus many museums and art galleries on offer. And let’s not forget the amazing culture and long history of the local aboriginal tribes that infuse every part of Australian culture from place names to art. Australia is a country where people from all places and with a huge variety of interests can find a place to fit in and something to interest them, as long as a little tact and tolerance is practiced.

If the reason you are moving to Australia is that you have landed yourself a new job, great, that is one less worry for you; however, if you are a trailing spouse still sorting a work visa or can take the plunge without having work lined up, it will reassure you to know that the Australian job market is remaining in good condition despite recent global events. Due to various economic activities such as the mining industry, the 2008 financial crash did not damage the Australian economy much at all. The market is doing okay again, coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, so once you arrive, finding a job should not be too hard. A wealth of employment agencies can help you in your search for work once you are settled into your new surroundings.

An important purchase to make when coming to Australia is health insurance. Certain aspects of health care are free or subsidized for permanent residents and those from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements; however, some things are not and can be surprisingly expensive. However, it is recommended that you take out full healthcare insurance to have peace of mind if you need treatment. At the very least, take out ambulance insurance as you would not want an unexpected trip to the hospital to cost you several hundred dollars when it doesn’t need to.