There are many great reasons for living in Australia as an American. Ultimately, it offers a great experience to both expats looking for work and to retire. However, there are pros and cons of living in Australia vs USA to look at first. We’ll take a look at them and why we still think many Americans should try it out.
Check out our article on the pros and cons for differences living in the Australia below!
Living in Australia: Pros and Cons Disclaimer
To start off, it is important to understand there are differences in life throughout Australia. Areas are different even within the same country. Living in Sydney will be different than Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, etc. For this reason, the differences for the Australia vs USA are broad and may not apply to all areas.
Pros of Living in Australia vs USA
There are many pros when living in the Australia vs the USA. The fact that so many Americans are living there right now should be a testament to that. We’ve listed some of the many benefits expats have told us they liked while staying here.
No Language Barrier
When living in Australia, many Americans find the fact that they speak English a great benefit. This means they can move here knowing they can speak the same language as everyone there. Be careful though, as the slang and terminology may be a bit different than what you use at home!
High Standard of Living
Australia is one of the countries with the highest standards of living and wages. They are know for one of the highest qualities of life and pay is significantly higher in the same industry. This translates to why there are many Americans, as they are here to accept new jobs.
Vast Natural Areas
Australia has biodiversity unlike anywhere on earth. There are rainforests, mountains, beaches, deserts, and many more. Each of these all have its own set of interesting creatures and animals native to Australia alone. With breathtaking views and climates available, many people enjoy going out to see nature more here.
Cons of Living in Australia vs USA
Though there are also cons when living in the Australia vs the USA. When living here, many Americans have experiences that are unappealing and detract from the overall experience. We’ve listed some of the many cons expats have told us they did not like while staying here.
Expats Still Pay US Taxes
Given that you are an American expat in Australia, you still have to pay US income tax if you make money. You can get rid of your US citizenship and become an Australian citizen, but that is pretty drastic. Most expats pay the taxes to both countries as they may want to return to the states in the future.
High Cost of Living
Since there is higher living quality and wages, the cost of living also goes up with them. One of the places this is the worst is in housing. Buying a home is very difficult and expensive, so you may be better off renting if you don’t plan on staying for a very long time.
Also if you aren’t covered by Australia’s national healthcare, you may end up paying a lot for health insurance as well. Though if you are covered, you’ll have some of the best health insurance for free.
Dangerous Weather and Animals
If you like really hot days and really cold nights or tons of snakes, then this isn’t a con. Otherwise, these are common throughout most of Australia. Even worse, some of the deadliest spiders lurk all around the country. Many expats say they get used to these over time, but it definitely needs some time to acclimate.
Want to Live in Australia?
With the pros and cons of living in Australia, there are definitely reasons to move here. Even though there are downsides, nowhere is perfect. Australia has had a boom in Americans living there for good reason anyways.
If you are moving or thinking about moving to Australia, we at Schumacher Cargo Logistics can help you out. With over 40 years of experience, SCL is the premier moving company to Australia. From cars to full households, we can ship your goods door to door from the US to anywhere in the country. There are definitely more differences living in Australia, but we’ll let you experience the rest while you’re there.
To get started fill out ourOnline Quote Formor read another of our Australia guides below.
More Australia Guides
- Moving to Australia from the US
- Shipping a Car to Australia from the US
- Shipping Containers to Australia
FAQs
'Better work-life balance and worker protections, free healthcare, no gun violence in schools. Australia also has the best beaches and so much beautiful nature - forests, mountains, snow, we have it all. '
Are Australians happier than Americans? ›
Australians are happier than Kiwis, Americans, and Brits, according to a new report. But there's also a generational divide that highlights a "worrying trend". Australia is among the 10 happiest countries, according to a new report, but there's a generational divide when it comes to just how cheerful we are.
What are the negatives of living in Australia? ›
Cons of Living in Australia:
The Dangers: Australia is thought of as a risky natural world, including sharks, jellyfish, crocodiles, venomous snakes, and toxic spiders. The High Costs: The High value of living with inflated fees for housing, gasoline, and leisure sports.
Is it hard to live in Australia as an American? ›
Moving to Australia as an American is not entirely complicated. All that is needed is to get all the necessary documents and meet the age requirement to obtain a visa. To make things easier, the Australian government has provided so many options to obtain visas to Australia.
Why choose Australia over the USA? ›
Both Australia and USA are developed countries which are considered to be top choices for studying abroad. But the affordable cost of education and a safer environment are a few factors that make Australia a suitable choice over the USA.
Which is safer Australia or USA? ›
Based on this ranking, Australia seems to be the safest country among them, followed by the UK and then the USA. However, this ranking may not reflect all aspects of safety and may change over time due to various factors.
Are Australians friendly to foreigners? ›
Be open to the new culture
Because Australia is known for its friendly people and diverse cultures, it's likely that you'll find a community of people that come from your own country and speak your first language.
What is better in Australia than America? ›
“Better work-life balance and worker protections, free health care, best beaches, no gun violence,” one person declared. The person ended the list by saying Australia was also “a lot less right wing compared to the US”. Another described Australia as a “well functioning country” with great weather and beaches.
Are Australians friendly to American tourists? ›
Aussies are incredibly friendly and enjoy a good chat. You might find someone starting a conversation with you on a train or even stopping you on the street for a quick “chinwag.” Australians are also known for their courtesy and manners. They'll hold doors open and if you're in their way, they'll step aside.
Is Australia worth moving to? ›
Overall, Australia offers an exciting place to venture for those considering migrating. From a professional perspective, Australia offers abundant career opportunities, exceptional healthcare services, world-class education institutions, and clear pathways to citizenship.
Healthcare facilities in Australia
Essential and urgent hospital treatment is free. There is a charge to visit GPs and receive prescriptions. Some costs can be recovered through Medicare, Australia's universal health insurance scheme. You can enrol with Medicare through Services Australia.
Why are expats leaving Australia? ›
Australia's blokey culture feels particularly alienating and outdated for many expats. Lawyer Claire Campbell, who now lives in Paris, says part of her reason for leaving Australia was that the work culture at law firms makes it harder for women to achieve senior roles.
Where do most Americans live in Australia? ›
Sydney. The vast majority of immigrants, especially from the United States, end up in Sydney, which has the biggest economy, the most jobs, and the diversity of needs that often require foreign talent.
What is it like for an American to live in Australia? ›
Laid-back, easy-going but upfront and hardworking: the people of Australia are culturally diverse and welcoming. With a growing economy, engaging new opportunities, a healthy, outgoing lifestyle on offer, and beautiful beaches and wildlife to discover, the country is an appealing place to start a new life.
Is it cheaper to live in America or Australia? ›
But how expensive is it? Australia currently has the 12th highest cost of living in the world, with the USA and UK well behind at 21 and 23rd place respectively. The overall cost of living in Australia is 9% higher than the USA, but 10% cheaper than London.
Which is better, Australia or the USA? ›
A. Both countries have different costs of living and tuition fees. Generally, it is more expensive to study in the USA than in Australia. The USA offers higher tuition fees and a higher cost of living, while Australia has comparatively lower tuition fees and a more affordable cost of living.
Are Australians healthier than Americans? ›
The 2019 Bloomberg Health Index rates Italy as the healthiest country. Australian came out 5th in that index. The USA did not rate in the top 25 healthiest countries.
