Why Australia?

WHY LEAVE THE UK?

In today's modern world, travel is increasingly affordable and flights to exotic destinations that were once deemed remote are now reachable at the click of a button. As a nation, the British are travelling further and more frequently than ever before and an increasing number of people are taking the plunge and moving abroad for the simple reason that it is now so much more achievable than it used to be. Technological advances enable people to communicate quickly, cheaply and effectively, ensuring that time differences and distances are no longer the barriers they used to be. The internet and video conferencing now allow people to work from their homes instead of an office, providing opportunities for people to change their lifestyle to suit their own needs and desires. For many, this means they are now in a position to be able to live and work abroad.

In fact, in 2004 alone, nearly 200,000 people left the UK in search of a better lifestyle, warmer weather and the chance of a new, exciting life overseas. By the year 2020, The Centre for Future Studies predicts, a mind-blowing six million more Britons will be living abroad compared with today.

So you are not alone in your thinking! And who can blame you for wanting to leave a country that is over-populated, expensive, becoming increasingly unsafe and has less than desirable weather most months of the year. The world today is a much smaller place than it used to be and making the move to foreign lands is increasingly achievable for you and your family.

Research by Fresh Start has shown that the two of the key factors influencing Brits to move abroad are the climate and the lower cost of living. Australia, definitely can offer both of those, which has ensured that it is, and is set to continue to be, one of the most popular destinations for British migrants.

COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIA

For years, Australia was considered a relatively cheap country in which to live but, due to increased tourism, the 2000 Olympics pushing prices up across the board and the continually changing Aussie dollar, Oz is now officially on the high side.

In fact, Australia's cost of living rose faster than anywhere else in the world in the year to March 2004, due mainly to the appreciating Aussie dollar and booming house market (source - Mercer HR 2004. The costof- living survey by human resources company Mercer covered 144 cities and measured expenses such as housing, food, clothing, transport and entertainment).

The latest Mercer cost of living study (July 2006) shows that Sydney is still the most expensive Australian city in the country ranking at 19th place, pipping Rome and Los Angeles for cash-draining potential. Melbourne occupies 74th place, while Brisbane is in 99th position with the other Australian main cities not listed on the top 100.

Moscow has taken over from Tokyo as the most expensive city in the world, with London coming not far behind in 5th place.

Mercer's study also revealed that Sydney's housing rents are considerably higher than the rest of Australia and New Zealand.

So, it's official! Sydney is now an expensive city in which to live, especially as wages are much lower than in the UK and taxes are some of the highest in the world. These are key facts which cannot be ignored if you are contemplating making the enormous decision to permanently migrate there.

Having said this, not all of you will be planning on moving to Sydney, and Australia certainly has many more equally exciting and beautiful cities. Increasing number of Brits are shunning NSW's high cost of living and heading to Australia's other large cities including Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne, all of which are vibrant and cosmopolitan and considerably less damaging on your pocket. Not to mention the fact that some of the less metropolitan areas of Australia are facing skilled worker shortages, thus creating more opportunities for migrants which in turn may enable you to enter the country via the Regional Skilled Worker Visa (this is discussed in futher detail later in the book and always check www.immi.gov.au for the latest visa information as the situation is ever-changing).

Accommodation

The biggest expense you are likely to incur is accommodation. More than likely you will be renting a property, at least in the first instance. Clearly, rental prices vary enormously depending on location, size etc and there are properties for all tastes and budgets. Sydney and Melbourne are more expensive than other cities, but as a guide you should expect to pay at least a third of your salary for accommodation.

Utilities

In Australia you should expect to pay for the same services as in the UK, ie gas, electricity, phone, internet, etc. Fortunately, it is usually the responsibility of the landlord to pay water and rates.

Schooling

Depending on your visa status, the chances are that most parents will be required to pay schooling fees for children who are non-residents. This can run into thousands of dollars a year per child. Please refer to Chapter 7 for further information.

Entertainment

As with any modern country, the cost of entertainment in Australia varies from cheap to expensive, depending on where you are and what you are doing. You can eat out on any budget and, due to the good weather, many activities take place outdoors and each of the major cities has a wealth of free events for locals to enjoy.

Travel

On the whole, travel is considerably cheaper than in the UK. Public transport (buses, trains, trams and ferries) is a reliable and cost efficient way of navigating your way around the cities and suburbs. Taxis are very reasonable and it is unlikely that any local journey will break the bank, unlike the black cabs of the UK. If you are considering purchasing a car, then do shop around, as new vehicles in particular are not cheap, especially imports.

Personal items

Clothing and toiletries are average prices, and all tastes and budgets are catered for.

Groceries

Many of the items found in the shops are locally produced and therefore priced competitively. The quality of meat and fish is second to none and the range is incredible. Some fruits and vegetables that are imported from overseas are particularly expensive but, on the whole, groceries are affordable.

Price comparisons

Things you'll find cheaper than in the UK:

- Fresh meat and fish - seafood is cheap and of fantastic quality, as is the meat.

- Transport is very reasonable and of a high standard, particularly in the larger cities.

Things you will find more expensive than in the UK:

- Despite the fact that it is locally produced, wine is not cheap in Australia, either to purchase in stores or in bars/restaurants.

- Schooling - especially if you do not currently pay for your children's education.

- High quality menswear appears to be harder to find than women's and on the pricey side.

GST

GST is a tax on goods and services that at the time of writing stands at 10%. It currently excludes food.

AVERAGE WAGE

In 2004, according to the Australian Bureau of Statics (ABS):

- The average annual Australian wage stood at $49,000 AUD.

- After tax, a worker on average wages takes home $37,423 a year, or $720 a week.

At today's exchange rate this is the equivalent of £15,600 GBP.

Before you panic and worry that you cannot afford to work in Australia, you should be aware that for skilled workers and management, your potential earning power can well exceed the national average and allow you and your family to live more than comfortably.

UNEMPLOYMENT

In February 2006, the unemployment rate was 5.2% which is marginally higher than in February 2005 (5.1%) (source: Australian Labour Market Update April 2006). The unemployment rate was highest in the Northern Territory at 7.1% and lowest in the Australian Capital Territory at 3.3%.

The unemployment rate for migrants varies according to their country of origin. The current UK and Ireland rate is below the Australian average at under 4%, which is promising for those considering migration to Australia to work.

SO WHY LIVE AND WORK IN AUSTRALIA?

Despite the lower wages, there is no doubt that Australia is a highly desirable place to live. In a separate survey of 215 cities, research carried out by leading company Mercer found that Australian cities continued to rate among the highest for quality of life with criteria including; political, social, economic and environmental factors, personal safety and health, education, transport and public services. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane all feature within the top 25, ahead of cities like San Francisco, Paris, London and Montreal for all-round health, safety and good times. In 2004 Melbourne moved up from 15th place to 12th due to improved law enforcement.

Although the Australian visa process is complicated and time consuming, skilled British workers are considered a strength to the country's economy. Providing that you meet certain criteria, there is no reason why you cannot earn a good living in Australia and I challenge anyone not to enjoy the stunning scenery and incredible weather. It's not without good reason that the country is also one of the most popular destinations in the world for international visitors. The Australian lifestyle and stunning climate ensure that it attracts endless numbers of Brits, some of whom never leave after visiting and falling in love with all it has to offer. Despite being the sixth largest country in the world, Australia has a lot of space but not many people. It has the lowest population density in the world - only 2.5 people per square kilometre - a far cry from the packed cities of England! Aussie lifestyle is arguably the finest in the world and is the number one reason that most people flock to its sandy shores to live and work

If life in Australia is appealing to you, continue reading, do lots of research and start saving those precious pounds for the ultimate trip down under!