Australia is one of the best places in the world to call home. With a high standard of living, great quality of life, low crime rate, and excellent healthcare, who wouldn’t want to move downunder?
This blog explores some of the reasons why Australia tops the list for Americans seeking a change, and the next steps to calling Australia your new home.
Australia is considered one of the safest countries in the world. A stable political system, low crime rate, and strict security all contribute to a safe and secure lifestyle for those living in the country.
Overall, America experiences 21% more criminal activity than Australia. Notably, Australia has strict gun laws for the possession and use of firearms. To own a firearm, a person must obtain a licence and permit, be over 18 years old, provide documentation on where they will store the firearm, and complete safety training. They will also need to provide a justifiable reason for owning the gun, which, unlike in the US, does not include self protection.
Australia’s last mass shooting was in 1996. Comparatively, there have been more than 600 mass shootings in the past four years in America. For more and more Americans, this is one of the main reasons for migrating to Australia.
At the moment, many US citizens are also concerned about rising political tensions and social unrest in the United States. Australia offers a sense of stability with its well-functioning government social cohesion. This calmer political environment provides a safe place for families and individuals alike.
Australia is an attractive place to study, with its higher education system ranking third in the world. Students can benefit from high-quality education, a great student experience, and respectable qualifications valued by employers around the world. Tertiary education is also affordable, especially for in-demand fields which are subsidised by the government. Such fields can also provide a pathway for specific visas and, eventually, permanent residency Australian citizenship.
If you are considering moving to Australia for education, you will need the right visa. Some visas, including the student visa (subclass 500) and graduate visa (subclass 485) allow you to live, work, and study in Australia for the duration of your course. The language in common is English, making any language requirements a breeze for US citizens!
In addition to tertiary education, Australia offers a great place to raise young children. Childcare services are much more personalised, affordable, and regulated than America. The Australian government also subsidises the cost of childcare services of up to 90%, depending on your circumstances and income. At a primary and high school level, Australian literacy, numeracy, and science scores are significantly higher, too. This makes Australia a great choice for Americans in search of both a fulfilling career and a place where their children can thrive.
Unlike in the United States, all Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to Medicare; a universal healthcare benefit. With Medicare, you can access free or low-cost healthcare services, including doctor visits, hospital treatment, and specific prescription medicines.
The Australian healthcare system is among the best in the world, providing a high standard of care for all. There is better coordination between Federal, State and Territory, and local government, making healthcare a highly accessible service regardless of location, income, or culture. Because of this, life expectancy is nearly 10% higher in Australia compared with America—an extra 6 years to enjoy!
Australia offers a comfortable climate and natural beauty that attracts many international visitors each year. You’ll find almost everything from sandy beaches to beautiful mountain ranges. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the country provides some of the best conditions for surfing, hiking, snorkelling, and camping.
Unlike many regions in the United States, Australia has a more consistent climate without extreme weather fluctuations. In summer, the average temperature is 29°C or 84°F. The winter average sits around 13°C or 55°F.
Some cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, effortlessly combine city life with the outdoors. Here, you can enjoy a great quality of life with top-notch restaurants, theatres, and museums, whilst still being in close range to the beach and national parks.
Australia is an appealing destination for people looking to establish or expand their business. The country has a highly skilled workforce, lots of economic opportunities, and a stable regulatory environment, eliminating most challenges for businesses of all sizes.
Starting a business in Australia can be done quickly and with minimal money. The Australian government also offers a number of programs, grants, and incentives for small business owners, including:
Generally, life in Australia is more laid-back and less stressful than life in America. While there is a strong work ethic, there is also a strong emphasis on a work-life balance. Australian employers are flexible—it’s usually not an issue if you need to leave work early for an appointment, change your working hours, or work from home.
Life outside of work is encouraged. Your job stops when your work day has ended, and there is no expectation for you to take work home with you or continue working past your set hours. You simply pick up where you left off the next working day. This gives you more time for yourself, your hobbies, and your friends and family.
In Australia, it is socially acceptable for many workers, regardless of their occupation, to go out with their colleagues every once in a while. Whether it’s for drinks at a local pub, dinner, or a fun activity, this gives you a chance to connect with your colleagues outside of work and make new friends.
Under Australian employment law, all employees receive a set of minimum entitlements. These include things like leave, superannuation, and minimum wage. Upon moving to Australia, many Americans are pleasantly surprised with the employment benefits they gain access to. These are compared below:
Entitlement | America | Australia |
Minimum wage | The minimum wage in America is currently $7.25 USD / $11.26 AUD per hour. | The minimum wage in Australia is currently $15.66 USD / $24.10 AUD per hour. |
Penalty rates and overtime | N/A | If you work outside of your normal hours, on a weekend, or on a public holiday, you will be paid extra. |
Annual leave | The amount of annual leave varies for each employer. On average, American workers receive around 10 days of paid holiday leave each year. However, this is not compulsory. | Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 4 weeks of paid leave per year. Casual employees do not get annual leave. |
Sick and carer’s leave | Currently, there is no federal legal requirement for employers to offer paid sick leave to their employers. | Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Casual employees do not get sick leave, but can access unpaid carer’s leave. |
Parental leave | Employers are limited to 12 weeks of parental leave. Depending on the state, this leave is either paid or unpaid. | Eligible employees receive 12 months of unpaid parental leave. They can also request another 12 months of leave. |
Family and domestic violence leave | Domestic violence leave is only available in some states. Other areas provide access to any other leave for family and domestic violence. | All employees can access 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave each year. |
Community service leave | N/A | All employees can take community service leave. With the exception of jury duty, community service leave is unpaid. |
Long service leave | N/A | Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 2 months of paid leave if they have been working for the same employer for 10 years. |
Superannuation | The American equivalent of superannuation is an Individual Retirement Account. This is not compulsory. | All employees receive superannuation contributions of 11.5% of their ordinary earnings. |
The requirements of migrating to Australia from America is different for every applicant. The process of finding and securing an Australian visa can come with certain challenges and be complicated and lengthy, too. This is why speaking with a professional is important.
If you are an American looking to migrate to Australia, we advise you to seek expert advice to simplify your migration journey. Contact us at AustraliaMigrate today and speak with one of our experienced immigration agents.
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