Moving to Australia can be a great opportunity for families, students and professionals. Australia has a high standard of living. But it can be expensive to live in capital cities. Choosing where to live is a big decision. Do you want to live near the beach? In a city? In a regional town? There are options to suit everyone.
If you’re moving to Australia, an important decision can be choosing where to live. There are big differences in climate, culture and cost of capital cities.
It’s important to think about the cost of housing and your budget. Usually, suburbs closer to the central business district (CBD) will be more expensive. Think about how close you’d like to live to your work, school or university, and how you will be travelling around (by car or public transport).
Sydney is Australia’s most famous city. It has some iconic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.
If you’re moving to Sydney with your family and children, suburbs west of the city such as Parramatta or Baulkham Hills may be suitable. Suburbs in the north like Lane Cove or Frenchs Forest are also close to schools, playgrounds and beaches.
If you’re an international student, there are many student housing options in Sydney. Sydney has a range of universities including the University of Sydney, UNSW and UTS. Student housing may be available on campus. Housing in nearby suburbs like Camperdown, Ultimo, Kensington or Glebe may be convenient.
There are many suburbs suitable for young professionals in Sydney. Surry Hills, Newtown or Marrickville are close to the city. They have good cafés and culture. If you like the beach, suburbs like Coogee, Maroubra and Bondi are good.
Melbourne is well-known for art, cafés, music and sport. It can be a cheaper alternative to Sydney. For families, suburbs including Doncaster, Werribee or Coburg can be popular housing options for new migrants in Melbourne. For young professionals, Brunswick and Fitzroy are lively with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars. For students, Carlton and North Melbourne are suburbs with student housing options – both suburbs are close to the University of Melbourne and RMIT.
Brisbane is warmer than Sydney or Melbourne. It also has a lower cost of living compared to Sydney and Melbourne. There are many housing options for new migrants in Brisbane.
For families, Carindale and Chermside have many schools, parks, and public transport options. For young professionals, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane have access to nightlife and are close to the city. For international students, Brisbane is home to the University of Queensland and QUT. Suburbs like Toowong, St Lucia and Kelvin Grove are close to these universities.
Perth is located in Western Australia. It has many beautiful beaches. For families, Piara Waters and Carine are safe suburbs with lots of parks and nature reserves. There are also many public and private school options for children.
For young professionals, Subiaco, Northbridge and Scarborough are well known for cafés, nightlife, transport, and proximity to the CBD. For students, the University of Western Australia and Curtin University are education hubs. Crawley and Bentley are close to these universities so can be convenient options.
Adelaide is a quiet city. It is less expensive than other Australian cities. If you're moving to Adelaide with your family, suburbs like Mawson Lakes and Salisbury are close to schools. Mawson Lakes is close to many nature walks. Glenelg is a family-friendly suburb close to the beach.
If you’re a young professional, suburbs like Unley and North Adelaide are close to cafés, shops and public transport.
If you decide to study in Adelaide, there are many universities to choose from. Flinders University and the University of Adelaide are just two options. North Adelaide, Mile End and Bedford Park are suburbs near these universities.
Canberra is Australia’s capital city. Canberra has many green spaces and is very clean. Forde, Amaroo and Deakin are all popular suburbs for raising a family in Canberra. For young professionals, Kingston and Braddon are trendy suburbs. Kingston has many boutique shops, plus restaurants and bars.
Canberra is home to universities including ANU and the University of Canberra. Belconnen, Woden, and Acton are nearby suburbs.
It’s important to research suburbs you want to live in before you make a decision. Websites like www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au can be helpful. Think about the type of accommodation you require. Do you prefer an apartment or house? How many bedrooms? Would you like your accommodation furnished? How long will you commit to a lease? If possible, it’s a good idea to visit the area before you make a decision.
When you’re creating your accommodation budget, remember you might need to pay for other costs too. This could include moving costs, and ongoing electricity, gas and internet bills. In Australia, most people who rent a property pay a bond. This is an upfront payment (usually four weeks’ rent) which is a deposit. The bond acts as security for the landlord. If you keep your rental payments up-to-date, and do not damage the property, you will get your bond back when you move out.
There are many regional areas across Australia. They can offer cheaper housing, a slower pace of life, and less competition for jobs compared to capital cities.
The Australian government offers incentives for eligible migrants who live and work in regional areas. These may include priority processing of visas or access to the regional occupations list (more jobs compared to non-regional lists).
It’s important to do your research. If the regional town you choose is popular for tourism, it may have higher rent and a more expensive cost of living.
Read more about regional migration on the Australian government Department of Home Affairs website
These are just some of the most recommended places to live in Australia for migrants, but there are many more! Choosing the right place to live is an important decision to make when you move to Australia. Remember to do lots of research before you decide. With good planning, you will find a home that suits your new life in Australia.
This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness for the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.