If you are thinking about living and working in Australia, it is important to take into consideration the costs involved in relocation. There are a number of Australian living expenses associated with relocation to Australia. The relocation costs associated with GP’s moving to Australia include:
- Registration application fee
- Overseas assessment charge
- Annual registration renewal fee
- IELTS English test
- Visa Application
- Police check
- Personal medicals
- Airfare & travel costs
- Private Health Insurance
- Accommodation costs
- Public health insurance (Medicare)
When budgeting for your relocation to Australia, you must take these costs into consideration. The costs can vary, and should therefore be further researched.
The Cost of Living in Australia
The cost of living in Australia varies dependent on the closeness to the capital city. Living closer to a state’s capital city, will generally have more expensive housing and rent. If you are happy to live on the outskirts of town, then housing and rent is more likely to be less. It is important to note, that Sydney is regarded as the most expensive state in Australia, therefore living expenses are higher in this area. However, salaries are currently higher in NSW compared to other states.
For more information on the cost of living, please refer to the cost of living in Australia on the Numbeo website.
Accommodation
Ensuring you have adequate accommodation for the duration of your employment in Australia is essential. Some hospitals in Australia offer on-site accommodation. This type of accommodation is usually basic, and contains shared living facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. Hospital accommodation is better suited to singles and is generally very inexpensive.
Although it is very basic, it is more convenient, and is an ideal way to meet like-minded people, especially if you are travelling on a Working Holiday Visa. Depending on the hospital, some may provide accommodation for the duration of your contract, and others may require you to leave after a specific period of time. This is often three months.
If you choose to rent accommodation during your stay, it is important to note most rental properties do not come furnished. Therefore, a good idea would be to secure a rental option that is fully furnished. There are some websites that can assist you in finding accommodation suitable for your budget. These sites will also provide you with a price-point for the area of which you will be staying.
Childcare in Australia
If you are moving to Australia with young children, it is important to consider childcare. Childcare can be rather expensive, and should be budgeted into your relocation costs. Some hospitals have on-site childcare facilities, whilst others do not.
It is important to keep in mind that there may be a waiting list for certain childcares. It would be advised that you make a shortlist of the childcares that are preferable for your budget. A great place to start is to search the Yellow Pages for childcares in the area of your future employment.
Another essential consideration is to understand that those using a Sponsored Working Visa are less likely to be entitled to the same governmental benefits and services that Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled to.
Australian Schooling
If you are moving to Australia with children who are of schooling age, it is therefore important to consider your child’s education. Do you want to enrol your children into a public or private school? What school should you send your children? As a parent you will have these concerns. To assist you in making an informed decision, please refer to the links below. Click the area of which you wish to pursue employment.
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
Private Health Insurance
If you are not an Australian Citizen you are not given the same access to the health care system. Most services provided by public hospitals are free for Australians, however if you travelled to Australia with a 457 Working Visa it is a condition of employment to provide proof of adequate insurance. It is therefore, important to consider private health insurance, to ensure you are prepared for any future health issues.
There are a variety of private health insurance companies, so it is best to compare these to ensure you choose a policy that best suits you. The main private health insurance providers in Australia include:
To make private health insurance comparisons please refer to the following websites:
Public Health Insurance
As individuals who are not Australian citizens do not receive the same access to the public health system, Medicare has a reciprocal Health Care Agreement with the United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and New Zealand. To learn more about the public health system and Medicare please refer to the Department of Human Services.
For more information on anything you have read on this page, please feel free to contact us on our quick contact form, and we will be happy to assist.