Relocating to Sydney
People live in Sydney because of its beautiful weather, cultural diversity, and proximity to Australia’s major cities.
Ensure you have everything you need before applying for a visitor’s permit. You can find out more at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website (https://www.immi.gov.au/).
Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has developed an online tool called SkillSelect to help them manage their skilled migration programs and address skill shortages across the country.
Immigrants account for a significant portion of the city’s annual growth rate. Most foreigners who move to Sydney come from Britain, China, or India.
On the one hand, these statistics show that new arrivals to Australia will benefit from having an established network of people who know where they’re going and how to get things done. But, on the other hand, there is a whole infrastructure to help newcomers move here.
On the other hand, though, this massive influx of people from overseas helped Sydney become one of the wealthiest cities in Australia. Still, it also pushed rents and living costs to levels higher than in any other Australian city.
Why Move to Sydney?
The city of Sydney offers a lot to visitors. It has a temperate climate with warm summer months and mild winter months. Visitors come here because of its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and culture.
In recent times, Sydney has seen an influx of new residents, mainly due to the booming business sector. More than two thousand businesses have opened their doors in Sydney, including many multinational corporations. These firms offer great opportunities for people who wish to work overseas. With the help of these firms, Sydney has managed to survive the global recession, becoming one of the world’s top economies. The city currently generates more than USD 108 billion annually, representing 7% of Australia’s GDP.
In recent times, Sydney’s economic growth has remained steady despite the global recession. Despite the downturn, the Australian Government has implemented a financial plan to help improve the country’s overall performance. The program focuses on creating a greener environment and improving the quality of life for residents. To achieve these goals, the Government plans to reduce reliance on the mining sector and focus on developing the services and information industries.
A Bright Future
Sydney is not just an attractive place for people who want to start their businesses; it’s also a popular destination for university students from across the globe. It has five major research institutions, including two world-class medical schools and a music conservatoire.
Sydney benefits culturally from having many immigrants and expats living there. It has a vibrant arts scene that supports a thriving music industry.
Visa Requirements
Before moving to Australia, you need to be aware of your options regarding visas and the application process. To ensure you get the correct access and fulfill all requirements, visit the Australian Government’s website of the Department for Immigration and Citizenship.
You need to prove that you’re eligible to live in Australia.
Non-native speakers who take standardized tests like the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Test of English as A Foreign Language (TOEIC) will be evaluated using these tests.
It would help if you had official recognition from an assessing authority for skills and qualifications.
Suppose you’re from a different country than where you want to live. Suppose you intend to work in a particular field or don’t qualify for any of the above categories. In that case, you may need a health check before applying for a temporary residence permit.
If you want to live in Australia, you must first pass an assessment called the Character Requirements Test. For example, to get a visa, you might have to show proof of having a clean criminal record or evidence of being a law-abiding citizen for some time.
Employee Sponsored Migration
Several visa types are relevant for expatriates who want to move to Sydney to work temporarily or permanently. These include employer-sponsored migration visas (ESM) and student visas.
A 457 visa allows an individual to enter Australia temporarily to perform skilled employment. Once the job is completed, the person must return home within four months. To qualify for a 457 visa, applicants must meet specific requirements, such as having a valid passport, being sponsored by a company registered in Australia, and possessing sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay.
To be eligible for this type of visa, applicants must demonstrate that they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to fulfill the role.
If you want to know more about migration visas and living in Sydney, continue reading.
Sydney: Migrating to Australia
General Skilled Migration
The other primary visa type, general skilled migration, was previously used by migrants who wanted to move to Australia to seek employment. It requires applicants to pass a points-tested skill test and to undergo an independent skill assessor.
At one time, skilled migrants could only enter Australia if they reached the required number of skill assessment point (SAP) scores. However, this was no longer an option for expatriate workers.
To live in Australia, you must register for the SkillSelect database. The Government of Australia has created an online system called SkillSelect to help them manage their skilled immigration program.
People interested in moving to Sydney can apply for a skilled migrant visa by filling out an online application through Skillselect. Afterward, these candidates are put into a pool, and an Australian company or state government chooses some. Typically, people are only invited if they have many points. Once a certain quota is reached, the Australian Government places a cap on the invites.
Finding Accommodation
Finding an apartment in Sydney works just like any other major city worldwide. You may be able to rent a room in a shared house, a private flat, or even a serviced apartment. There are several sites where you can look for these types of accommodations.
Luxury apartment rentals in Sydney include a wide range of options, from studios to penthouse suites. If you’re traveling with your extended family, consider staying at an affordable hotel instead of renting an expensive apartment. To get a general idea of where to stay in Sydney, visit the Sydney City Life website.
How to Rent or Buy a Home
If you’re looking for accommodation in Sydney, the best place to start is by checking the local newspaper or an agent’s website. You can then use the White Pages for Sydney to get all the agencies offering local property phone numbers. Alternatively, you could look at the Sydney City Life section of real estate for a listing of Sydney suburbs and a map showing where they are located.
The next step is finding a suitable rental. In Sydney, most properties are unfurnished and do not allow pets. It would help to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood, the proximity to schools and public transport, etc. When you find the perfect home, complete the application forms and submit them promptly. The housing sector in Sydney is very competitive.
Once you sign the lease, you and the landlord/agent should fill out a condition form. You may be required to pay a deposit, which will be refunded when you move out.
Where to Live
Sydney is made up of four central regions.
North and South
North Sydney is one of the wealthiest areas in Australia. If you’re willing to pay a premium price, you’ll find luxury housing in an environment with many private schools and lower crime rates, particularly near the beaches. Apart from the city center, where you’ll find apartment buildings and terrace houses, people live in detached homes in the outer parts of the suburb. They typically own their properties outright, not renting them out.
Suburbs in southern Sydney are not near downtown, but they’re usually quite affordable and close to the countryside with its beaches and national park. So they have some strong points: affordability and closeness to the country.
East and West
East Sydney is an area of Sydney where people live who work in the financial sector. They rent apartments and share houses rather than buy them. As a result, prices are higher than elsewhere in Sydney. But the city center is easily reached, and good public and private schools are nearby.
West Sydney covers a vast area; a few prestigious neighborhoods are interspersed with lesser-known ones. Accommodation is generally cheaper than elsewhere, but crime rates may also be higher. Inner West Sydney is home to most universities, so students dominate certain parts of the city. However, it also offers a wide range of good public and private schools.
Things to know before Relocating to Sydney
Sydney’s laws on drinking.
People in Britain may believe that Australia is a laid-back tropical island where people lounge around drinking Fosters (I’ve never actually seen it served here!) and surfing all day. Still, Sydney and its state of NSW have strict drinking laws.
To work in a bar, you must complete an RSA course. A lockout law also prevents entry into bars and clubs after 1 am, so pick your destination for the evening carefully. The irony! Doorkeepers are also extremely rude and won’t let you into a bar if you appear to have had a few drinks.
The city is deserted on Saturday nights when I walk through it. The Sydney CBD doesn’t have a very active nightlife. Due to the high cost of drinking out, people are likelier to host parties at their homes. You won’t ever see it happen in Sydney, so don’t expect it to be acceptable to drink on the sidewalk outside of a pub like in London.
Sydney Fashion.
Things I didn’t know before moving to Sydney.
What they say about Sydney’s fashion scene being behind is accurate. However, the biggest surprise I’ve discovered is that it’s currently two years behind what I see in Sydney’s stores: either everyone is exceedingly dressed up (like they’re going to the races kind of way), or they’re all wearing activewear.
I mistakenly assumed that everyone here exercised, but you’ll notice that many women are wearing a full face of makeup, so I believe this is more of a trend.
It’s all about monochrome, so don’t expect high-fashion or London-style trends. It’s okay that my style has somewhat adapted to this and become more tailored over time, but I miss seeing actual individual styles.
This is hilariously reminiscent of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Hours of Closure for Stores and Cafes.
I only knew these things after moving to Sydney.
Although there is late night shopping on a Thursday until 9 pm, otherwise it is 5:30 pm during the week and 5 pm on the weekends, don’t expect the stores to stay open as late as they do in London. While it’s a bummer, you get used to the fact that cafes on the weekends close at 4 pm.