6 things you need to know before moving to Australia

Moving to Australia can be a little daunting, but there’s really no need to worry. Whether you’re planning your move to Australia for a gap year, to study or even to set up home, whatever the reason, it can be the beginning of a brand new chapter in your life.

In a bid to shed some light on OZ, our friends at UniBaggage.com have put together a list of a few things worth knowing before you make your big move. Hopefully, they’ll help to make your transition to a new life down under a little smoother and help you to quickly adapt to the Aussie way of life.

Getting A Visa

Sorting your immigration is something that needs to be done well in advance of your travel dates. Some visas can take up to eight long months to process and be accepted after an application is submitted. So, start working on your paperwork before getting anything else into motion. Your future self will thank you for it in the long run.

The good news is that Australian visas are actually surprisingly easy to apply for. With the help of the Australian Department of Immigration, you can use their online tool to find the correct visa for your circumstances, which will help you to avoid applying for the wrong one.

Always carry cash

In the age of contactless cards and ApplePay, the thought of carrying cash has quickly become old-fashioned. However, if you’re heading to Australia, you won’t get very far if you don’t have any cash on you, as there are still so many places throughout the country that do not accept card as a method of payment. It certainly doesn’t mean you should ditch your cards as soon as you arrive, but just be sure to carry enough cash in case of emergencies. 

Jaywalking is a no-no

It sounds like an easy concept, but if you come from a country where people are used to crossing the road anywhere at anytime, then you could soon find yourself in a spot of trouble. If a light is red or flashing amber in Australia, it is actually illegal to cross the road, and if you do so, you could be hit with a rather hefty fine. These fines range from roughly $197 to $258, so they could leave you seriously out of pocket. Don’t even risk it!

You can travel luggage-free

Regardless of your reason for moving, it’s likely that you’ll have an abundance of beloved personal belongings to bring with you to your new home in OZ. Travelling on a flight with a lot of luggage can cost a pretty penny, and that’s the last thing you want, as the cost of relocating to a new country can be expensive enough, without baggage costs or even out-of-budget removals to contend with.

A super popular alternative with many movers is using a luggage shipping company to ship your personal belongings ahead to Australia. It’s convenient, as many companies will offer a handy door to door service, meaning all of your belongings can meet your right at your destination in Australia. The best part is, you can enjoy the travel experience without having to worry about your luggage every step of the way.

It’ll take a while to get used to the weather 

Seasons in Australia are reversed to those in the northern hemisphere, meaning Australians are having summer when others are wrapped in blankets and sipping hot chocolates in the winter. Temperatures in winter in Australia tend to drop to around 10 degrees celsius, which is usually considered as cold. Perhaps a welcomed change for some. In the summer, Australian temperatures tend to soar, with highs of around 40 degrees celsius. Preparing yourself for the extremely high Oz temperatures is vitally important as it will become your way of life so always take plenty of water, apply sun cream daily and avoid exposing yourself too much to the midday height. We’re normally pretty good at following these rules on holidays but when it becomes a daily occurrence it can be easy to forget.

Aussie slang takes some getting used to 

In Australia, everyone is your ‘mate’. It’s a popular greeting and term of endearment amongst Aussies, and that’s not the only slang phrase you’ll need to familiarise yourself with. Some popular slang terms include ‘coppers’ (police), ‘mozzie’ (mosquito) and perhaps one of the most popular, ‘barbie’ (barbeque). If you learn a few, not only will you sound like a true Bruce or Sheila when speaking to local Aussies, you’ll also know what they’re saying to you!