Moving to Sydney

Opening a bank account as an expat in Sydney is an important part of moving to Sydney Australia. You can often open a bank account online or over the phone quickly. There are several requirements and documents expats moving their business to Sydney should have on hand when opening an Australian bank account.

• The date of your planned arrival and departure (if applicable) in Australia.
• The address of your residence in Sydney.
• The type of Visa you will use to enter Australia.
• The name and nature of your employer and your intended salary.
• Your passport information, including your passport number.
• At least 100 points of documentation related to the above.

There are several different types of taxes for expats in Australia which include sales, estate, property, excise, and income. Taxes are collected through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The tax burden in Australia is considered on the lower end of western-style developed nations and represented just under 28% of the country’s GDP in 2018.

Australia is actively reconstructing its tax system, so be on the lookout for changes especially if you are considering moving your business to Sydney.

There are specific aspects to mind when approaching relocation to Sydney. Make sure to get multiple quotes from international movers in your area and have them visit your house personally for assessment, before moving to Sydney. Also, become familiar with terms like:

• Door-to-Door – This means your mover will pick up the moving containers from your home and deliver them right to the door of your new Sydney residence.
• LCL (Less than Container Load) – This is when you share a shipping container with other people moving to Sydney. The most important aspect of an LCL container is that you may have to wait for the container to arrive since your move times may not line up with the other movers’.
• FCL (Full Container Load) – This is when you reserve a full container for yourself.
• Container sizes – though this may differ in your area, international shipping containers usually come in 20 ft or 40 ft variants. 20 ft containers are adequate for a three-bedroom residence and can cost around $8,000 from New York or about $3700 from San Francisco. A 40 ft container will usually hold up to a five bedroom household’s worth of items and usually cost more.

While different nationals moving to Sydney will need different resources, there are some documents and requirements that are universal for all expats in Sidney.

• Your Skills and Qualifications are subject to official recognition by an Assessment Authority.
• Health checks will likely be required since the outbreak of COVID-19. Regardless, depending on your country of origin, desired occupation, and category of visa, a health check may be required for relocating to Sydney. Even temporary visa applicants will require proof of healthcare.
• Anyone entering Australia will be subject to a character assessment and must submit an Australian Value Statement.
• Non-native English speakers will require an assessment based on international standardized tests such as the IELTS, TOEFL iBT, OET, PTE Academic, and the CAE.

Whether you are living temporarily or seeking permanent residency for moving to Sydney with your family, you will likely start your stay in Sydney with a Visa.

There are no specific visa types for expats moving to Sydney. Choose from a Student Visa, a Work Visa, or a Permanent Visa when applying for an Australian visa.

• Student Visas start at 630 AUD and allow for up to 5 years depending on the duration of your enrollment. Processing times vary for this type of visa and require full-time enrollment in a recognized educational institution.
• Work Visas are varied and have 42 different variants. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has an online questionnaire to help you decide which Visa fits your needs.
• Permanent Visas include Family-Stream Visas for people related to Australian or New Zealand citizens, Work-Stream Visas for workers with sponsorship from an Australian Employer, and Business or Investor-Stream Visa for Work Visa program participants, relocating their business to Sydney.
• Other options for Visa include people who wish to move to Sydney and retire in Australia, former residents, people who are considered global talents, and refugees.

As of 2020, the average cost of a house in Sydney was AUD 1,122,000 while the average rent in Sydney is around AUD 2,000, with prices rising in the central districts and closer to the shore. When looking for an apartment to relocate to Sydney, be mindful that most apartments in here are advertised with weekly rent instead of monthly. Here the prices are listed monthly.

When looking for a house to relocate to Sydney, be sure to search and inspect properties that catch your interest. Note the different regions in Sydney and how each fits your desired lifestyle. They include:

• Central and Inner Metro
• Northern Beaches
• North Shore
• Gladesville-Ryde-Eastwood
• Western Suburbs
• Parramatta-Hills District
• Outer Western Suburbs
• George and Sutherland Shire
• South Western Suburbs

You can listen to our podcast “Moving to Expatland: The Journey to Sydney” to get an overview of how to manage your finances when moving to Sydney and the many ways Expatland Global Network can be supportive in your move to Sydney.

The most populous languages in Sydney are English, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, and Cantonese. English can be found anywhere in Sydney and Australia and is by far the most common language. Arabic in Sydney is primarily found in the Western Suburbs, while Chinese is common in the North Shore.

The culture of Sydney is diverse and rich as you would expect from any major city full of expats from around the globe. It has a vibrant arts scene including theater, music, art, and literature. The most iconic sight of Sydney – the Sydney Opera House – is one of the most popular concerts in the world. Expect plenty of museums, festivals, libraries, sporting events, and more.

Australia’s Universal Health Care is called Medicare and subsidizes most medical costs for residents. As a new resident or a Sydney expat, you will need either a 457 visa or work visa to be eligible for Medicare, before moving to Sydney. To enroll in Medicare, you must meet Medicare visa holder requirements.

If the country you are relocating to Sydney from has a health care agreement with Australia, you may also be covered. Those countries include:

• Belgium
• Finland
• Italy
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Republic of Ireland
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

For regular wellness routines, gyms are extremely popular, and can be found everywhere in the Central Business District (CBD) and suburbs. Gym memberships may be eligible for subsidies through private health insurance, which is also available for expats in Sydney. There are also yoga centers, public swimming pools, indoor sports clubs that Sydney expats can enjoy.