Home » Emigration Guides » Australia » Money And Costs » Getting On Your Feet In Australia

The process to migrate to Australia is a long and expensive one for most emigrants. Visa costs, application procedures, medicals, interviews, and simply tying up loose ends should all be taken care of prior to a move to the Great Southern Land. However, upon arrival in Australia, there are a plethora of things people need to do to settle and begin life as an 'Aussie'. It is almost impossible to pinpoint the exact amount of money an emigrant should have upon arriving in the country. However, as the old saying goes – the more the better.

At minimum, emigrants who have already been set up with a job will be comfortable with about three months salary to their names. This averages to about $10,000 - $12,000 for start up costs, until the first pay slip comes in. It is possible to move to Australia with less though. If emigrants are without a place of employment when they arrive, then a safeguard would certainly require about six months in salaries, equating to over $20,000. This may seem like a lot of money, but when emigrants have to deal with food, accommodation, and job hunting costs, this 'six month buffer' is certainly eaten through quickly.

Accommodation
If newly arrived residents have not organised accommodation or housing prior to arrival, then be prepared to spend a few days in a short-stay rental apartment or hotel. This will set emigrants back about $50 - $100 per night, depending on the establishment.

Rental in Australia is cheaper than purchasing a house, but still takes a large amount off the salary each month. Most rental property in the major cities will cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per month. Before emigrants can rent, they must pay a one month bond fee, and sometimes a one to three month advance. This can amount to over $6,000 within the first month alone on rent.

Food
Expect to pay $15 - $30 per person per day on food. However, if living within a hotel-style accommodation for an extended period, the food bill usually increases because emigrants must eat-out or order take-away. A great way to save money is by purchasing food in bulk at the supermarket, then cooking meals.

Transport
Most migrants could be without their own automobiles or private transport for some time, so spending money will be needed for transportation. Getting an Australian license can be done as soon as possible, and will cost around $100 for a five-year open driver's license. However, this does go up each year.

Things to do…
There are a few things that arrivals need to take care of when they first move to Australia. Some of the most important steps an emigrant can take to set themselves and their families up include applying for a Tax File Number (TFN), registering with Medicare, opening a bank account (this can be done overseas), and enrolling children in school. This last step can incur different costs. For example, private schools can be several thousands of dollars, while public schools only cost a few hundred dollars.