Moving to Australia: your relocation checklist
How to move to Australia: the visa and residency routes, cost of living, banking, healthcare and taxes you'll deal with, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your passport, family, and budget below.
The average advertised salary is about A$107,005 a year and English proficiency is rated “native” (EF EPI).
Moving from the United States? See the Australia from the USA guide.
Budgeting the move? See the cost of living in Australia.
Australia at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Climate · Canberra
Jan 20° · Jul 6°
Open-Meteo
Air quality · Canberra
AQI 2 · Good
WAQI
Internet
~60 Mbps median
Ookla
Messengers
No known issues
OONI, 6 months to July 2026
Foreign-born residents
30.4% of population
World Bank 2024
Population
27.6M
World Bank 2025
Population density
3 / km²
World Bank 2023
Unemployment
4.1%
World Bank 2025
Avg advertised salary
A$107,005 / yr
Adzuna, June 2026
English proficiency
native
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
U.S. State Dept
Currency
AUD
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC+10
Open-Meteo
Temporary resident exemption
Most foreign income tax-free while on a temporary visa
Temporary visa holders are generally exempt from Australian tax on foreign-source investment income; ends when you become a permanent resident.
Verified June 2026 · ATO
Getting set up in Australia: key steps & official resources
The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.
- Visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) (common subclasses include 189/190 skilled, 482 employer-sponsored, 500 student).
- Get a Tax File Number (TFN) from the ATO (www.ato.gov.au); employers pay superannuation. Medicare (www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare) covers eligible migrants; otherwise you need OSHC/OVHC private cover.
- Main housing portals: realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au), Domain (www.domain.com.au). Emergency number is 000.
- Key figures (approximate — verify current values): the TFN is free from the ATO; rental bonds are typically 4 weeks' rent lodged with the state bond authority; OSHC student cover runs ~AUD 500–700/year single; the Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for those covered.
The Australia relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to Australia?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does Australia have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: Temporary resident exemption. Most foreign income tax-free while on a temporary visa. Temporary visa holders are generally exempt from Australian tax on foreign-source investment income; ends when you become a permanent resident. Status: active, verified June 2026 against ATO.
What is the weather like in Australia?
In Canberra, average daily temperatures run about Jan 20° · Jul 6° (Open-Meteo historical data, 2025). Regional climates can differ a lot; a city-level plan uses data for your exact destination city.
Can I use WhatsApp and Telegram in Australia?
Network measurements over the last six months show Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook Messenger working normally in Australia (OONI, 5 January 2026 to 7 July 2026). This reflects measured reachability, not an official policy statement.
What do jobs pay in Australia?
The average advertised salary is about A$107,005 a year (Adzuna job listings, June 2026). For a benchmark role like software engineer, the median advertised band starts around A$140,000. Advertised salaries skew toward roles that are posted online, so treat this as a signal, not a guarantee.
How high are taxes on salaries in Australia?
The OECD tax wedge is about 28% (2025): that is the share of what a job costs an employer that goes to income tax and social contributions for a single average worker. It is not your personal income-tax rate, but it is the honest way to compare countries.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 12 July 2026; prices, taxes and air quality 7 July 2026; messenger reachability 7 July 2026. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.