Your Expat Community in Australia

Living in Australia: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Australia, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Australia. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Australia?
As an expat in Australia, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Australia currently are:

• British
• Indians
• Americans
• Germans

Which cities are most popular among expats in Australia?
Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Australia:

• Sydney
• Canberra
• Melbourne

How much rent do expats pay in Australia?
Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 1.338 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.608 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Australia.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Australia.

Average rent in Sydney

• Single expats: 1.773 USD
• Expat families: 3.413 USD

Average rent in Canberra

• Single expats: 1.630 USD
• Expat families: 2.640 USD

Average rent in Melbourne

• Single expats: 1.272 USD
• Expat families: 2.405 USD

How safe is Australia?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Australia as safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as rather low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Australia for women?
Female expats rated the safety situation in Australia as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Australia (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Begin Your New Life as an Expat in Australia

The enormous country of Australia can seem a little daunting. Despite the large numbers of expats living there, it can be difficult to know where to set up home; in the southern cities of Sydney or Melbourne, the western city of Perth or even the northern part of Queensland, Cairns. With access to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef, and landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, there is plenty to see and do wherever you base yourself in Australia. Lots of expats that have moved to Australia have moved for the lifestyle, the weather and the job opportunities. For the last two decades, Australia has seen low unemployment and continuous growth, and its abundant natural resources and thriving service industry keeps the economy relatively strong, with over 70% of workers in Australia working in this sector. Mining is also another dominant industry, and is centered in Western Australia around Perth, with a number of workers employed in the offshore sector. With a number of large international companies based in Australia, these companies are often looking for skilled expats to improve the skill shortage. While eating out is cheaper than in many other countries, rent and groceries can be more expensive, although many feel this is relative and say they feel safe living in Australia, even in the large urban areas such as Sydney.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Peru or Portugal, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

The Network for Like-Minded Expatriates in Australia

Every InterNations member has been selected and approved to become a part of our expat community in Australia. Every member understands and respects our guiding principles, making our community a perfect home away from home for everyone living and working abroad. If you have specific questions about living in Australia, you can find many of the answers you're looking for in our Australia Country & City Guides. If you want to ask expats about anything else having to do with your move to Australia, you can do that in our forums. Depending on what you are interested in, you may also want to join one of the many groups on InterNations Australia, such as the Sydney Craft Beer and Live Music Group, the Brisbane Outdoor and Adventures Group, or even the Melbourne Film Club. There's something for everyone, whether you already have a hobby you would like to continue or a new interest you are keen to get involved with. Meeting new and like-minded people is all part of a successful relocation, and trying new things or continuing to do the things you love just makes that big move a bit easier. Because InterNations members are so trustworthy, you can also meet up with members for events or as part of a group without any worries, and you'll soon find yourself making new friends and business contacts.