More than 130,000 people move to Australia every year, with many British and New Zealanders making a large portion of this figure. In the past 10 years, the number of people moving to Australia from the UK has doubled. There are now more than 100 Kiwis moving to Oz daily.
1)Work Life Balance
Australians enjoy a high standard of living, housing, public transport, medicare system and education. The pace of work and of life in general is slightly slower than it is in London or the United States. There is of course work pressure but the attitude to work is slightly more relaxed and holidays can be taken up to 4 weeks at one time, something unheard of in the United States. This allows those working in Australia to achieve a great work life balance, able to take advantage of the outdoor activity that Australia has to offer.
2) Economy
Australia has a strong economy, with unemployment falling to a 33 year low. It is very different to the uncertain economic climate in the UK. Unemployment is 5.3% in Australia, (partly due to the demand for jobs in the mining industry) which is significantly lower han the UK’s 8.3%. Australia has a growing economy, helped by the fact their main export buyer is China who are also experiencing a growth.
3) Career opportunities
With the strong economy, there are a lot of job opportunities all over Australia. If you have worked overseas in places such as London and the United States, this will be looked at very highly on any CV. With sites such as Linkedin, it is very easy to view and apply for jobs before leaving your own country, ensuring you can have a job in Australia before you arrive.
4) Space
Australia is the 6th largest country in the world but only has about 24 million people, which means there is plenty of space for everyone. In the big cities, property can be expensive but in the suburbs, housing is more affordable. Families can live relatively close to the beach and also close to the city without a long commute which you may find in places like London.
5) Good Retirement
Every employer is required to pay a minimum of 9% of an employee’s wage into a retirement fund which they cannot draw until you are of retirement wage. This means there will be enough money in the employee’s retirement fund (especially if they also contribute to it) to live on. In the UK, companies do not have to contribute to an employee’s pension, only those in some sectors such as banking will contribute to 9% to 11% to an employee’s pension.
6) Shortage of skilled labor
The rapid economic growth means that there is a shortage of qualified workers Down Under. If you meet the requirements the government is looking for such as doctors and teachers, it is far easier to get a working visa. Australia is constantly looking for skilled and professional workers for its growing economy. Check with Australia immigration company to see what you need for a visa before you head over.
7) Laid back lifestyle and Weather
There is a great community spirit and there is no real issue of class in Australia. People are relaxed and do not seem to be as preoccupied as to the area you are from or live in as they would be in the United Kingdom where they class system still exists. The great weather varies across Australia, but for the most part, it is better than in northern Europe. The winters are mild, not too cold and the summers are hot. Once everyone is in their bathers, it is hard to distinguish between the “rich” and the “poor”.
8) High Salaries
Australian salaries are very high even when compared to those working in New York or in London. Working in retail, such as the Apple store for example is around $20 an hour. The cost of living is high in Australia, but the wages outweigh these costs. For those that love the outdoor lifestyle, it is free to go to the beach, surf, kiteboard, meaning you can really save your high salary packet.
9) Beautiful cities
There are lots of attractions to visit in Australia. The Sydney Opera House for example, is part of the UNESCO heritage list. There are many festivals and creative events in each city in Australia throughout the year and the best part is that they are free. All events are well advertised months in advance. Snap printing services in Sydney promote many of the events in the city.
10) Holidays
The Australians love their holidays and every employee receives at least 4 weeks leave which they can take at one time. For those who work for a company for 10-15 years they can take up to 3 months leave fully paid. These employees will still have a job to come back to which is great. This allows people in their 30s to work and have the money to travel. Something that not many people are fortunate to be able to do.
