Moving to Australia

Australia promises a laid back lifestyle filled with adventures in the great Outback. The land down under has rocketed to a top spot as a migration Mecca, especially for Brits.

A continent in its own right, Australia opens the door to a fresh start - be it for a career move or settling with family - life down under is a multicultural experience.

Australia is divided into eight geographical regions: New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory. It is a land of contrasts --- from harsh deserts to huge grazing lands, tropical rainforests to modern cities, and beautiful golden beaches and exotic coral reefs to mountain ranges.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world with a land area of about 7.6 million square kilometers. Despite the vast land area, it has a small population, estimated at only 22,772,329 people in 2011. About 89.3% of the population are of European descent and only 2.3% are indigenous or of Aboriginal descent.

Fertility rate has recently picked up with 1.9 births per woman in 2009. Currently, the Australian Government strongly encourages skilled and sponsored migration to sustain its population.

Australia has the loertwest population density in the world (2.5 people per square kilometer), thus providing the luxury of ample space, especially in residential areas. Most civic amenities are available with easy access whilst major cities are located around the coastal regions.

According to research carried out by a leading company, Mercer, which surveyed 215 cities, "Australian cities continued to rate among the highest for quality of life with criteria including political, social, economic, environmental factors, personal safety, health, education, transport and public services.Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane all feature within the top 25, ahead of cities like San Francisco, Paris, London and Montreal for all-round health, safety and good times."

Sydney is world-renowned as one of the most vibrant cities in the world with superb nightlife. Queensland, known for its great weather and beautiful beaches, also draws tourists.

The Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world, is located north of Queensland. Another cosmopolitan city, Melbourne, with a milder climate, is a haven for shopping enthusiasts.

Prior to becoming a British colony, Australia's majestic landscape was at the hands of the Aboriginals. Today, Western culture can be found in the media and sports (football, cricket and rugby are all popular options) and plays a major part in the Australian way of life.

Australia is a stable democracy where three levels of governance exist: Federal or Commonwealth Government, State Government and Local Government. The currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD).

You must apply for a tax file number once you become part of the workforce or receive any form of income. Call the Australian Taxation Office for a form or visit their website (http://www.ato.gov.au/) to apply online.

If you open a bank account within six weeks of moving to Australia, a passport is required. After six weeks, you will need additional ID. One you have a bank account, inform the bank of your Tax File Number to avoid paying higher taxes. Most salaries are paid directly into bank accounts.

New residents can register with Centrelink, a government office that provides job seeking assistance, social security payments, and other assistance to people living in Australia.

Recognized as the 'Lucky Country' because of the general feeling of well being experienced by people who have successfully relocated, Australia's ethic of "no worries" that reins amongst the locals makes it a pleasant place for expats.