So you are starting a new life in the sunny and beautiful Land Down Under? Moving to Australia will be a life changing adventure and there are a lot of advantages to living here, including gorgeous weather, amazing nature, lots of fun outdoor activities and a fun and laid back culture.
Before you make your move, here are some things that you should know:
The Visa Process Will Take At Least Six Months
When you are moving to Australia and applying for a visa, keep in mind that it will take at least 6-8 months for your visa to be processed. Make sure that you get started well in advance so that you can have everything ready well in time for your move. There are emigration companies that will help you with the application process for your Australian visas in order to make things go more smoothly.
The Sun is Very Strong
It’s not a coincidence that Australians have one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the entire world. Make sure that you wear a strong sunscreen during your time in Australia and that you avoid spending a lot of time outdoors in the middle of the day. The UV rays are strong here because there is a large hole in the ozone layer.
Australia is Enormous and Very Diverse
When you are considering where to live after moving to Australia, you will have a lot of options to choose from. Australia is the 6th largest country in the world – larger than all European Union countries put together. To fly from the east coast to the west coast takes 5.5 hours and it takes over 9 hours just to drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Keep this in mind when you are thinking of travelling to different areas in Australia.
Aussies are Sport Mad
One thing you will notice right away is that Australians are absolutely crazy about sports. They are passionate about football and cricket and the games will draw tens of thousands of people. Also, your Australian friends will be likely to stay up late at night to watch sporting fixtures that take place on the other side of the world.
Don’t Expect to See Koalas and Kangaroos Everywhere
Although most people associate Australia with kangaroos and koalas, don’t expect to see them everywhere. You might see them if you go out in the countryside or to a natural park, but you will not see them in the big city. If you live in the countryside or in the suburbs you might spot them every now and then. If you really want to see some Australian wildlife you can visit the Melbourne Zoo, Australia Zoo, the Wild Life Sydney Zoo or the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Although koalas and kangaroos are not common in highly populated areas, other creatures are – including some snakes, possums, bats, bugs and spiders. You will also see many beautiful tropical birds such as cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets.
It Isn’t Necessarily Hot All Year Round
The weather in Australia is often hot and dry. However, don’t assume this is the case at all points of the year in every part of Australia. Winter temperatures in some parts of Australia can go down to -5 degrees Celsius or even lower. Sometimes it will even snow! Make sure that you find out about what the weather is like throughout the year where you live, so that you can be prepared.
People are Friendly and Welcoming
Most Australians are friendly and social people and they will be likely to strike up a conversation with you on the street about anything. If you have an obvious accent many people will be curious and will ask you about where you are from. Generally, you won’t find it hard to start up conversations with Australians!
Aussies and Kiwis Tease Each Other
The relationship between New Zealanders and Australians is somewhat like siblings – they will jibe, tease and annoy each other but deep down they have a deep love and loyalty for each other. When you move to Australia you can be sure that you will hear many playful jabs back and forth between Aussies and Kiwis – but it’s all in good spirits. The strong bond between these neighbouring nations dates back to the First World War when they battled alongside each other in the joint contingent known as the ANZACS.
These are just a few important things to know before moving to Australia, so that you know what to expect when you arrive in Oz.