Are you considering making the move to Australia? Or perhaps you've already taken the leap and are settling into your new life Down Under. Whether you're in the planning stages or have already made the move, gaining insights from fellow expats can be invaluable in navigating the transition.
In this exclusive blog series, we sit down with expats who have made Australia their home to gain firsthand insights into their experiences, challenges, and tips for thriving in their adopted country.
From navigating the visa process to finding the perfect rental property, adjusting to the Aussie way of life, and embracing the diverse culture and landscapes, these expats share their stories, advice, and practical tips for making the most of life in Australia.
Join us as we delve into the diverse experiences of expats from around the world who have chosen to call Australia home. Whether you're a prospective expat or a seasoned resident, there's something for everyone in our insider interviews.
Stay tuned for our first interview, where we discuss the journey to Australia, the challenges faced along the way, and some top tips for newcomers to the Land Down Under.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from those who have walked the path before you. Subscribe to our blog and follow along as we explore the expat experience in Australia, one interview at a time.
Welcome to Expat Interviews: Navigating Life Down Under. Let's discover the world of expat living in Australia together!
Today we speak to Arianna who relocated with her family to sunny Perth from the UK.
Hi there! It's so nice to have you here today! Please tell us a bit about yourself and your situation - who did you move with, and what was your experience of moving to Aus like?
I moved from England with my husband and son, who was 15 at the time, I had a job secured before we moved and my husband secured one not long after arriving, we are both still in those same roles now. Our son has settled well into the local high school and made a small group of really close friends. The experience of moving to Australia was tense on the lead up to it, packing the house up and making sure everything was in order but following this is was smooth sailing (or rather flying) we arrived on time and were greeted by family that live here in Australia.
What made you want to move to Australia and how did you decide to move to (your location)?
We decided to move for a better quality of life and to have a more outdoor lifestyle.
We didn't really think too much about location as we have family here so have stayed nearby.
How did the kids handle the move?
On the lead up to the move our son would have mixed feelings, he looked forward to moving and then following having attended events ie family BBQ or a birthday party or gone to the fair with his mates he would feel less inclined. He has however made some good friends and settled really well.
How would you describe the cost of living in your Australian city compared to your home country?
In fairness I think it is much on par, some things are more expensive, some things are roughly the same and some things are cheaper, the wages, however, are more.
How did your family and friends react when you told them of your plans to move to Australia?
Mixed responses. Some were excited for us, some said they were happy for us but that they were sad, one family member in particular made it very hard, however, has now come round and we have 2 different groups of family members with flights booked to come and see us the beginning of next year.
How did you go about finding employment in Australia, and what challenges did you face during your job search? What advice do you have for expats looking to secure a job in Australia?
I already had employment secured prior to moving, I had applied to an employment drive in the UK and been selected for interview and was subsequently selected, there was a bit of waiting and a lot of form filling but worth it in the end, I have recently been promoted. My husband waited and started his searches once we had arrived, he did 2 interviews (jobs found on seek) was offered both and has stayed with the one he chose since starting and has had a pay rise in that time.
In terms of advice it's tricky as we have had the fairytale story really where we've both been successful at interview for the first things we applied for, I would suggest having a thorough but concise CV, Seek and Indeed seem to be the 2 big job websites here, lots of jobs in healthcare and hospitality and also lots of Fly In Fly Out (FIFO - which of course won't suit everyone)
How did you choose a school for your children, and what are the options for education in Australia? Are there any notable differences between the education system in Australia and your home country?
Schools are in catchment areas so our son attends the local school which happens to be a good public school.
I think you can apply to schools outside of the catchment area in which you live but would have to have special circumstances or perhaps a scholarship, I think.
Our son dropped back a year from what he was in the UK as the school years are different here, with the new school year starting in February and they do not sit GCSEs but do year 12 exams, for which they choose options, that is not too dissimilar to the UK with then a number of different options/pathways for future education/employment
There are private and public schools, I also believe there to be fees for public schools if you don't have a permanent residency visa, however, having said that we do have to make financial contributions to the school for our son's teaching plus we've had to buy exercise books for each subject as these are not provided and had to buy a laptop as the school operates a BYOD (bring your own device) approach to teaching so the kids can't not have them.
What are some popular leisure activities and hobbies in Australia that expats might enjoy? Are there any must-visit places or events in your city or region?
Gyms are very popular, the car park at the local one to us is always full, morning, noon and night, I only venture in to play netball.
Huge sports culture - netball, basketball, AFL, cricket, soccer (football), footie, rugby, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing, water polo, the list goes on....
Perth and surrounding suburbs have lots to see and do, lots of lovely places to eat and drink, there's the Perth mint, Fremantle prison, mini golf, open air cinemas, zip wiring, Kings Park, Swan valley and the vineyards, huge shopping centres (compared to where I'm from) you are never too far from the ocean and the beaches are stunning, there's dolphin watching, whale watching, wine tasting tours, chocolate factories, rottnest Island and the quokkas, paint and sip, comedy club, sunset markets, farmers markets, botanical Gardens, water parks, open air swimming pools, lots of concerts at the various stadiums and that is just locally, with lots of things to see and do in places like Dunsborough, Yallingup, I'm told Esperance is very much worth a visit as is true of the more northern destinations.
How did you go about making friends and connecting with the local community in Australia? Are there any expat groups or resources that were particularly helpful in building a social network?
We've made friends through work, our son - ie his friend's parents and through things like going to netball and going to the local quiz.
You have to out yourself forward, it can feel uncomfortable but worth it.
Lots of groups on Facebook, one in particular for women that always has events or meet ups that you can go along to.
How would you describe the climate in your Australian location, and how did it impact your daily life? What are some essential items or clothing recommendations for dealing with the weather?
Winters are much milder than in England, mixture of sunny, cloudy and rainy days - when it rains it rains!! It can get very cold at night and the homes are generally single glazing and no central heating so some warm pj's and a blanket is a must! However, don't be lulled into a false sense of security the last day of winter saw 29 degrees this year, however, the temperature did come down again.
Spring is beautiful, but can still be a bit chilly, the wind can have a nip to it but a light jacket can sort that. Does see days of temperatures in the 30s so shorts and t-shirts you know when it's considered a warm day as the beaches are busy.
We came in the height of summer and some days it was in the 40s, I didn't find this particularly overwhelming good aircon in the car and house makes the difference, do try and park in the shade!!
Autumn, like spring is a lovely time of year, not too hot, not too cold just right (well in my opinion)
So it does really depend on what time of year you are arriving as to what to bring, I would suggest a small selection of something for every occasion, there are hundreds of clothing shops when you get here anyway so can top that wardrobe up to suit your needs in terms of the weather.
Are there any Australian slang words or phrases that newcomers should familiarise themselves with?
No worries is the response to most things
Bottlo - off licence (only place you can buy alcohol from a shop)
Easy or too easy - response to having been asked to do something, I think it means yes I'll do that
Far out - a shocked response to something
Most words get shortened and an o shoved on the end
Are there any things you wished you had known about before moving to Australia?
Perhaps that the property market runs very quickly here compared to England, so we would have put our house on the market sooner but other than that can't really think of anything.
What are you enjoying most about living in Australia?
All the things you can see and do
Public transport is amazing
The weather
The facilities - shops/shopping centres
The beaches
What advice would you give to someone about to make the move to Australia?
Deep breath, you've got this, it will be worth it!
If you would like to share your journey with other expats, please get in touch.
It's nice to read about other peoples experiences that have already made the move. It's our time soon!! I'll keep an eye out for future interviews. Is there a way we can subscribe so we don't miss out on the next ones?