As with relocating to any country, some specific processes or steps must be duly followed to achieve your goal. So, to move to Australia from US, you need to take the following steps.
More Americans than ever are deciding to ‘up sticks’ and move to the Australia. This can be a daunting process to undertake, so we have put together some advice and information to help make the process easier. Please note, there are numerous visa options and entry routes available moving to the Australia, and even more rules and requirements to meet.
We have included the information you are most likely to need to move to the Australia to work or study. This is on the assumption you have no other routes in, such as family who are currently Australia citizens or any hereditary entitlement. Any of which can fast-track the process. All facts and figures are correct at time of print and subject to change.
Understand why you need to move
The most important fact to know about this visa is that you have to find work before you make the leap to arrive in Australia, as mentioned earlier. Be prepared for a lot of logistics and paperwork!
Once you find a job, you will need to go through having your work contract approved by the Australian Labour Ministry. Additionally, the employer and company that decides to hire you will need to explain why they are hiring you, and not an Australian! So be ready to handle all of this if you do decide to get a work visa.
The reason behind your move to Australia from US would help you decide the type of visa that best suits your needs to ensure that you achieve your dreams of living in the land ‘Down Under’. Your reason for traveling immensely determines the kind of visa you apply for. If you are moving to Australia to get a temporary job before making up your mind to move entirely to the country, you will need a working holiday visa. However, if you are strictly moving to Australia from US for employment purposes, you might be asking, what is a decent salary in Australia?
Salaries in Australia depend solely on the level of experience, education, and the industry or nature of your job. You can earn a minimum yearly income of AUD 23,000, an average annual income of AUD 90,800, and a maximum average annual income of $405,000, ceteris paribus.
Also, as your level of experience increases, so does your income. So, with five years’ experience, your salary increases by 36%. Ten years’ experience would earn you an increased salary of 21%, and fifteen years’ experience can drastically increase your salary by 14%.
Experience Years |
Income % |
2-5 Years |
36% |
5-10 Years |
32% |
10-15 Years |
21% |
15-20 Years |
14% |
20+ Years |
9% |
Know the numbers and requirements
After considering why you need to move to Australia, it would also help to know the cost. This will help you get a rough estimate of the total expenses or cost of relocating to Australia. For instance, knowing that the IELTS test fee costs $375.00 would help you understand what you are getting into.
Also, to get a permanent visa in Australia, you must not be over 44 years of age. But what happens when you are over 44? Can you emigrate to Australia at 60?
Moving to Australia when you are over 44 can be quite difficult and expensive, but there are a few options available for you at 60. If you already have kids who are permanent residents of Australia, you can apply for a parent visa. However, to obtain the parent visa, you would need to pass the balance of family test, which would earn you some points. Bear in mind that the parent visa is quite expensive; it costs AUD 40,000.
Another alternative to the 189 visas is the investment or business visa. This requires a high investment, but you might be able to pull this off if you are a genuine investor.
So, understanding the requirements will help you get ready for all the protocols and paperwork. Also, it will give you the confidence you need to be a full-fledged permanent resident in Australia.
Apply for a visa
Once you are sure that you completely understand all the necessary details, you can then apply for a visa. Most people use a migration agent; you might consider using one. But ensure that you provide the required documents.
Get ready to move
Once you have applied atained your visa, you can start packing for Australia. So, what things should you bring when moving to Australia from US?
Packing your things for Australia dramatically deals with the kind of visa you applied for and your personality and lifestyle. If you applied for a working holiday visa, your packing would be slightly different from those who applied for permanent resident visas. So, what is the packing list for moving to Australia from US with a working holiday visa?
- Toiletries.
- A few clothes (Australians have their style and fashion. With time, you would begin to feel odd wearing your clothes).
- Keychain LED flashlight.
- Sewing kit.
- Waterproof phone case.
- Packing cubes.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Affordable yet quality sun hat.
- Slip-on mesh water shoes.
- A good quick-dry towel.
The best way to reduce the stress of packing is by hiring a professional moving company as Earthrelo. Our efficient packers will save you all the trouble and time. Click here to talk to our moving expert.
There is no binding packing list; your lifestyle informs what you decide to remove or add to your packing list. But overall, make your list small to avoid packing things you will not use.
The final move
This step is to get yourself in Australia and have a taste of its humor and language with a tinge of British spellings as a Seppo (American).