How hard is it to move from the US to Austrailia?

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Kristen

It depends. www.immi.gov.au is a good source or you could just google "australian immigration".

They have a points system. Age, occupation, experience, health, character, relatives in Australia, etc... they all can help or hurt you. Generally, their ideal immigrant is a younger, healthier, sound of mind, professional with occupational experience... someone who can contribute to the economy and society. However, you still may qualify without all of those things. There is a survey at the above link which will help you.

Australia is fairly strict about who they let into their country on a permanent basis (good for them!), but it is doable. There also is another option I had seen. Something about being sponsored -- that is, if you chose to live in a regional part of Australia. That means not any of the really popular places such as Sydney. I dont know if they choose for you or they give you a list and let you pick, but you have to live there for 2-3 years or so (depending on your plan). Migration Agents can be helpful if you have trouble, but they charge fees.

There are worker visas, student visas, working holiday visas, and a host of other options. As far as citizenship goes, it is only 2 years until you may become a citizen.

Also, you will need a good chunk of money when you move there. I cant remember the website, but they had listed about how much one might expect to save up for moving expenses. For me, a family of 3 (this applies up to 4) would need to save about $25,000 - $30,000 US$ (or about $30,000 to $40,000 AU$) For a single person, I believe its somewhere around $10,000. I would even save more than that if possible (just to be safe). Also, try to get a job beforehand. Look for employers to sponsor you. If not, its okay -- thats where you'd want to have the extra money though.

It's an expensive move, its a lot to get through immigration... but I'm sure its SO well worth it.

skattered0077

what a load of crap...Australia is full of bigots!!!!

have you been to the US lately? i moved from Australia to the US in December 06 and have never in my life been treated so badly for having a bi-racial child, being married to a black man and having another baby on the way...

im constantly being asked, are you're daughter and the baby you are having with the same father, are you married to your daughters father...seriously, cause im white and have a beautiful daughter white people are nasty about it and black people discriminate against her cause she is of mixed heritage...its disgusting and i never, never, never experienced this in Australia, ever!!!

on that note, if you move from the US to Australia then i doubt very much that you will want to return home on a permanent basis...Australia is the best country out of the two in my opinion...

i wont be living in the US for more than a few years for many reasons...and i cant wait to go back home for a holiday in the next year. what a relief it will be to be in a place of laid back, non-judgemental people...

mikewofsey

It's a pleasure, because it's so freaking beautiful over there. Every city is a little bit different. Sydney is a lot like L.A., but without the insane traffic. Brisbane is more like Florida, Melbourne is more like NYC, but much nicer weather.

The joke goes that New Zealand is the most British place in the world and Australia is more American than America.

Getting work for a Yank used to be pretty simple, it's gotten a lot harder. If you have a skill, like an electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc., you'll find work. Otherwise you'll need to find someone willing to break a law to hire you. The plus side of that for Yanks is that it teaches them some humility in how they treat Mexicans trying to find work in the U.S..

Understand too, that it is now possible to have dual citizenship between the U.S.A. and Australia, but you'll need to be very, very careful with how you approach it, or else you may end up on the road to naturalisation in Australia in such a manner that you forfeit your U.S.A. citizenship.

One of the replies to your question mentioned something about racism. Unfortunately, I found that true. Perhaps it is no worse that racism in the U.S.A., and perhaps it just seems so because it's in such stark contrast to the natural beauty of the place. But, I saw something there once that made my jaw drop, I couldn't even believe I was seeing it ... a Black man, probably a New Guinean (and they are officially Caucasian, but with dark skin, but you can see where I'm going) was sitting on a bus in Bondi, and I was flabbergasted to see that none of the white passengers would sit near him and crowded on the other side of the bus, as if he had rabies or something. I had moved to Sydney from NYC, and obviously thought nothing about it, so I just sat next to him. Suddenly I was getting the arrow stares. Weird.

But like anywhere else, Australia is maturing, and the problems of racism are bound to ease, hopefully.

A national characteristic of Australia and New Zealand, and one that is very foreign to us Yanks is called the "Tall Poppy Syndrome" and that's very real, as I found. If you excel above your mates, they'll cut you down, "like an old dead tree," as Shane MacGowen would say.

If you really want to do it, I would suggest -- and I learned this the hard way -- just forget about being a Yank while you're over there. Forget any residual love you may have for the U.S.A.. Fall in love with all things Australian, get rid of you Yank accent and learn to speak Australian (a few dozen stubbies will help in the regard). If you have hopes, dream and ambitions, keep them strong but hide them like any other weapon. Shout your mates a few stubbies, melch out with the five-pinter at the pub, do what you have to do.

And above all, be honest, but make friends. If confonted about your nationality, tell the truth. If you are eventually deported, c'est la vie. Maybe you can make money in the U.S., get $50,000 in the bank and then they'll welcome you into Oz with open arms.

Or the lad at the immigration office may take a liking to you and just push the paperwork through for you and you'll be on your way. Alcohol, hand-rolled cigarettes and ganja are popular down there, but avoid everything else, they are strict with enforcement.

And finally, a Yank in Australia understands what it's like for a European in America. At some point the Euros complain that we are a nation of children. You'll experience that. You'll hunger to talk about something meaningful and deep, and you'll experience the awe of listening to your table discuss a television show for an hour.

Old joke ...

A British man goes to his doctor ... "Doc, all my life, I've dreamed of becomming an American, is there anything you can do for me?" "Why yes," says the doctor, "there is a new operation where we remove 10% of your brain, and with the remaining 90% you'll think, talk and act exactly like an American." "Smashing," says the Brit. Later, as the Brit is recovering in his post-operation room, coming out of the anesthesia, the doctor runs breathlessly into the room, "dear heavens, we've made a terrible mistake, we were supposed to remove 10% of your brain and leave 90%, but it seems we've removed 90% of your brain and only left 10%!"

The man looks around, and big smile spreads across his face ... "she'll be right, mate."

Don't tell that joke down there unless you're dinkie die.

Australia is a beautiful place, full of beautiful, honest people. It's wonderful. Ignore every bit of this advice and just go there and find out for yourself. If you're open to it, you'll find that the reason Aussie's cut down the Yanks is because we're smug gits. You'll find that Yanks can learn a lot of Aussies, how to enjoy life, how to take it simple and slow and move at a better pace.

Enjoy bro.

tuppenybitz

Unless you are sponsored by family or are skilled in a field that Australia is looking for it will be very difficult as Australia is not looking for immigrants

check out the Australian immigration site for info on qualifying

don't listen to izi Australia is very multi cultural and all are accepted,

Nurse Kelly

You'll have to remember as well, in Australia we drive on the left hand side of the road. 18+ you can be served at a bar, if you become a permanent resident you can get Medicare= free health care. It takes 10 years in Australia till you can become a citizen (only 3 if you live in NZ first). Also it is compulsory for Aussie cits to vote.

renae

oh just a note for pwkwsfi - actually you spell it "practice" with a 'c' when referring to a noun and "practise" with an 's' when referring to a verb in Australia.

I.e - I went to football practiCe and I practiSed my kicking.

oh and to answer your question, if you can get a working holiday visa you might want to come out and try living and working in Australia out to see if you like it. The Australian Dept of Immigration should have details on their website.

I can't speak for other states but Western Australia is crying out for skilled and unskilled workers - so if you are willing and can get clearance, there WILL be a job for you.

But although I love Perth, it is quite dull - especially compared to American cities. Yes yes I know - great beaches and lifestyle...that is why I choose to live here too!

As for racism and bigotry - yes there are some but they are a minority. Most people here are used to cultures of ALL kinds and I have never experienced racism - and I come from a dark-skinned family.

Winnie

Just getting to stay in that country is a long and difficult process. If you are applying from outside the country it's a long application costing around A$1,000 to file your papers, after you get FBI and local US police clearance. The only way you can apply from within Australia is marry an Australian. You still have to go through the same process but you get to stay there till your application is approved. In the meantime, you can't leave the country nor get employed legally. If you have been married before, you need to bring all legal documents to show that you are now single again. Its a lot of red tape, just like in the US

pwkwsfi

I would suggest having a job lined up before you go, since it's generally harder to find work there and it will help with citizenship. You might also want to practice driving on the left side of the road (j/k). You will have to know when to spell practice as "practise" (thanks, renae!) and learn how to spell Australia (check your question!). Learn the jargon and the Aussies (pronounced "Ozzies") will admire you. Otherwise, enjoy a country the size of the US but having the population of Texas.

Chuck T

My friend did last year , all you need is a visa at first and then apply for citizenship, he met a woman on-line and married her , he is now a citizen...

iSABEL(:

you would have to get used to their custums, and when they speak they use some terms that we dont use so u have to understand wat those mean

Saki

I have heard Australia is no different than California. That sounds scary because im from Texas!

blueraincutie

yea it wud b hard to move sum-where u not use to
it b kinda hard trying to fit in wuth everybody else especially if don't the language there.

IZitall

I hear it is a very bigoted place.. no offense to anyone... but that's what I've heard of Australia. So if you are any other color than white.., you may have a hard time.

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