Have you ever considered relocating to Australia to live as a backpacker or working holidaymaker?
Many would-be backpackers are intimidated by the prospect of traveling to Australia because they are uncertain of how they will adapt to a new country and culture.
To assist you with the big move, we’ve compiled this guide, which is packed with useful information about moving to Australia.
Without further ado, here are twenty facts about Australia that you may not know.
Speaking the Language
Those of you who have never watched Australian soap operas such as ‘Home and Away’ or ‘Neighbours’ may not be aware that Australians speak with a distinct ‘twang’ in comparison to other nationalities.
In fact, it is safe to say that Australia has given the English language a unique twist!
Aussies frequently shorten words ending in ‘y’ or ‘ie’ to two syllables, such as mozzies (mosquitoes), barby (barbecue), and brekky (breakfast) (breakfast).
Examine the Tax System and its operation.
Sure, taxes are tedious. And it’s probably the last thing you want to consider before embarking on an exciting Australian backpacking adventure.
But by conducting research beforehand, you can avoid a great deal of trouble in the future. In fact, being an Australian tax expert can also be financially rewarding!
Every year, thousands of working holidaymakers in Australia are eligible for a tax refund.
Upon arrival in Australia, you should immediately obtain a Tax Filing Number (TFN). If you do not provide your TFN to your employer upon starting a new job, your employer is required to withhold a higher tax rate of 45% from your wages, regardless of your income level.
Even if you have no intention of retiring in Australia, it is likely that you will be required to establish a Superannuation pension fund.
If you are 18 or older and earn more than $450 per month, your employer must contribute 9.5% of your earnings to a retirement fund.
Prior to moving to Australia, you need a substantial amount of money, but you may have a substantial income.
According to the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics), full-time adults in Australia earned an average of $1,634 per week in ordinary time in May 2019.
If you do not have a job, however, you must take into account the high cost of living in Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are the fifth and sixth most expensive cities in the world, respectively.
In Australia, the average cost of living for a single person is $2,835, while the average cost of living for a couple is $4,118 per month.
Determine how long you intend to stay and where you will be staying.
Determine how long you intend to remain and where you will work. In 2019, the Australian Government announced that working holidaymakers can now remain in Australia for three years if they complete at least six months of rural agricultural work.
Therefore, if you wish to spend three years in Australia, you should carefully consider where you will complete your agricultural work.
Ensure you are utilizing a trustworthy mobile network
Australia’s Internet service is not always reliable. This is due to the absence of a national broadband network, the vastness of Australia, and the vastness of its outback.
In urban areas, you will have access to adequate broadband, whereas in rural areas, you may encounter connection issues.
Bank Transfers
Bank-to-bank transfers can sometimes incur hefty fees, so it is advisable to investigate them beforehand.
Additionally, Visa First provides banking and money transfer services.
Our staff will open your bank account in Australia (before you have even arrived down under).
Additionally, you can use our secure money transfer service to transfer funds from an account in your home country to Australia.
Our secure transfer procedure is more convenient and economical than any banking service.
Australians are avid sports fans
There is a strong emphasis on physical activity and participation in sports among Australians.
Aussie Rules, the national sport of Australia, resembles a combination of American football and soccer.
You will spend more on a night out in Australia than in many other countries.
For you partygoers, alcohol is significantly more expensive than in other countries. Beer costs between $3.50 and $6.50, while a bottle of wine can cost between $12 and $20.
This may mean that your night out will put a significant strain on your finances.
Remember that you are in a very large country!
Therefore, if you are taking a day trip to the outback, you must ensure that your vehicle is well-fueled.
You can travel for miles through the outback without seeing a gas station; therefore, you should never run out of gas here.
Be aware that there may be no phone service in the outback if you’re planning a trip there.
It is advisable to bring a paper map with you in case of difficulty.
Be sure to pack food and water, as you may not encounter a store for several miles.
Australian cuisine is quite unique!
In Australia, you will have the opportunity to sample some unique and intriguing foods.
Tim Tam (possibly the most famous chocolate), Vegemite (a spread made from leftover brewer’s yeast, vegetables, and spices), Kangaroo, and Fairy Bread must be sampled on every working holiday trip (white bread that is covered in butter and sprinkles).
Additionally, their beef burgers contain beetroot, so be prepared.
Hard Rubbish Day
If you are strapped for cash, you may find this to be useful.
On Hard Rubbish Day, Australians leave out unwanted items such as appliances and furniture for passersby to take.
You never know what you might find useful.
Road Signs vary in appearance
You will encounter road signs in Australia that you have never encountered in other countries. Become acquainted with them beforehand, especially if you intend to drive there.
*PS: Keep in mind that Australians drive on the left!
Observe the posted speed limits
The Australian government can impose fines of hundreds of dollars for speeding, so it is essential to be vigilant and adhere to the speed limits.
However, driving too slowly on major roads can also result in a fine. So, be careful!
Australia is so vast that air travel is sometimes the best option for travel.
Tiger Airways and Virgin Australia offer the most cost-effective domestic flights. As with any major airline, they offer numerous discounts, so keep an eye out for them.
Australia’s birds are incredibly loud.
The birds of Australia are loud! Their raucous squawking and screeching are deafening. When up to 500 birds congregate to feed on the seeds in the pastures, their flight is overwhelming.
They appear to take pleasure in yelling at the top of their lungs with a shrill, piercing cacophony.
The Barking Owl, the Little Penguin, and the Australian Southern Cassowary are renowned for their loudest calls.
Australia Day is a significant event.
On the 26th of January each year, Australians celebrate all that is great about their country.
And did you know that on Australia Day, over 16,000 people become citizens?
Be sure to enjoy the festivities to the fullest!
Summer Bay
If you enjoy “Home and Away,” you should visit Summer Bay, where the soap opera is filmed. Summer Bay is situated on Palm Beach (Sydney’s northernmost beach), where you can enjoy the beach and the Pier where numerous soap opera scenes take place.
Healthcare coverage is universal
As long as you have permanent residency, you are eligible for free healthcare in Australia (Medicare).
If you are a visitor from the United Kingdom or New Zealand, you will also have temporary access.
However, ambulance insurance is recommended as Medicare does not cover this service.
Get a Visa
Lastly, you cannot travel to Australia without a valid visa; they will not even let you board the plane!
Visa First is the simplest way to apply for an Australian working holiday visa.
There are a variety of visas for Australia, and one of the first things you will need to determine is the type of visa you require: Australian eVisitor Visa, Visitor Visa, ETA Visa, or another.
The type of visa you require depends on the duration of your stay, the reason for your trip, and your country of origin.
Visa First’s seasoned visa agents will evaluate your individual circumstances and determine which visa type is most appropriate for you.
Our Australian visa services cater to a wide array of customer requirements. Regardless of whether you are a backpacker, tourist, or business traveler, we have you covered!
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa, you need a valid passport and a properly filled out application form, both of which our team of visa specialists can assist you with.
Topic: 20 Things I Wish I Was Told Before Moving to Australia
Participate in Our Community “I Left My Heart in Australia” .A place where members can open up to one another, share their travel stories and photos, and experience a new way to travel Australia – together.
By InfoNewsLive