Living and working in Australia
Australia is best known for urban living, surfer cities, coral reef, kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, sharks, aborigines, didgeridoos, vegemite, meat pies and a laid-back and outdoor lifestyle. But what is it actually like to live in Australia?
Get a better idea of what it would be like to live and get a job in Australia.
Latest available jobs in Australia
Dutch remote freelancer – B2B credit card sales
Work remotely as a Dutch Account Executive from Athens or Barcelona. Manage the full B2B sales cycle and grow with a global tech-focused sales organisation.
German B2B Sales, fully remote
We are currently looking for a German employee in sales for a fully remote position. Full-time and part-time positions available.
Account Manager in Construction for Job Squad – Fully Remote
Are you a good sales person and have you worked with construction before? Then maybe this is the job for you!
Currency
The Australian Dollar, AUD, ($) is the official currency in Australia
Famous people
Some famous Australia people are Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, and Chris Hemsworth
Population
Australia has ~26.6 million residents, many living in Sydney and Melbourne
Typical food
Different meat pies, sausage rolls, BBQ with fish, meat, and steaks, lamington, pavlova, fish and chips
Avg. working week
Australia has an average of 36 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Australia is in the southern hemisphere surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans with New Zealand southeast and Indonesia north to it
Languages
The official language is English, and they use the Latin script
Healthcare
High standards with private and partially free public (Medicare) options
What you need to know about living in Australia
Australians, often referred to as Aussies, are generally laid-back, and friendly, and they are passionate about outdoor activities. Sports like AFL, cricket, rugby, and soccer dominate, both on TV and as a pastime activity. BBQs, beach outings, and coffee culture are big parts of social life in Australia.
Aussies value informality, and being on first name with everyone is common, even in workplaces. Punctuality is expected in professional settings but more relaxed socially. “Mateship” (friendship and loyalty) is a core cultural value.
Some of the main activities you can look forward to are:
- Hiking and camping (national parks, outback)
- Beaches (Bondi, Whitehaven)
- Surfing and snorkeling (Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast)
- Wildlife watching (whales, kangaroos, birds)
- Rainforests (Daintree)
- Deserts & Outback (Uluru, Red Centre
- Mountains (Snowy Mountains)
Get a job in Australia if you:
- Want to combine working abroad with experiencing amazing and diverse nature
- Dream of living and working under the sun, and having one of the highest average wages in the world (~$23.23 AUD/hour)
- Can see yourself becoming part of the friendly and welcoming Australian community
What is it like to work in Australia?
In Australian workplaces, relationships are important. Aussies are casual, informal and friendly. Hierarchies exist but are generally flat, which means that managers are approachable and open to inputs and ideas.
The offices are often multicultural and diverse, but English is the main language. In general you’ll find a good work-life balance with flexible hours, remote work options, and emphasis on well-being. This being said, punctuality is expected in professional settings across industries. Australians are generally deadline-driven, but they balance it with a relaxed working pace.
Collaboration and “mateship” (team spirit) are valued. Long working hours are in general discouraged, and employees are expected to take their full annual leave entitlement.
The average salary varies by industry, but professionals earn $70K–$100K AUD/year. Employers pay 11% of their salary to retirement savings.
Taxes in Australia
Australia has a progressive tax system, which means that the more you earn, the higher your rate of tax will be.
- Tax brackets (for residents) range from 0% (for income up to a certain threshold) to 45% (on income over a specific high amount).
- The tax-free threshold is $18,200 annually, meaning you don’t pay tax if you earn below this amount.
- For example, income between $18,201 to $45,000 is taxed at 19%, and so on, with the highest rate applying to those earning over $180,000 annually.
Popular cities in Australia
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Australia
Australia might be the ideal destination for you, if you like surfing, snorkeling, beach volley, and sunbathing.
There are more than 10.000 beaches to explore, and you can enjoy the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and Whitsunday Islands.
You will also find a diverse and multinational environment, as well as backpackers and people on work visa.
Cultural experiences
Australia is known for its nature, which includes deserts, coastlines, rainforests, and diverse wildlife. This also explains why they are famous for their outdoor lifestyle, where activities like surfing, hiking, and beach sports are central to daily life. So as you can read, there’s a big focus on sports with a passion for team sports and outdoor events.
Aussies love to celebrate, so you will find plenty of events to attend. You can celebrate Australia Day (January 26th) with barbecues, fireworks, and community gatherings.
There are also events with more traditional Australian music, like the iconic Didgeridoo, is part of cultural celebrations.
Australia has a great arts and music culture with museums, galleries, as well as live music. Indigenous traditions and Aboriginal culture play a key role in shaping Australia’s identity. The country’s relaxed attitude towards work-life balance, strong emphasis on education, and welcoming social environment make it a popular destination for both living and visiting.
Typical food in Australia
The food in Australia is globally admired, with a focus on barbecuing and fresh, local produce.
Some of Australia’s most iconic dishes are:
- Meat Pies: Pastry-filled pockets, typically filled with minced meat, gravy, and vegetables. Variations include sausage rolls and party pies.
- Barbecue (Aussie BBQ): One of the most common social activities, with meats like steak, sausages, and prawns grilled on the “barbie” (BBQ). Side dishes include coleslaw, salads, and bread rolls.
- Vegemite: A savoury, salty spread made from yeast extract and typically served on toast with butter. It’s an Australian breakfast staple, and it definitely is an acquired taste – especially for expats.
- Tim Tams: A chocolate biscuit with a creamy filling, often enjoyed with tea or coffee.
Australia’s coastline makes seafood a big part of their diet, and some of the most popular seafood include:
- Prawns: Often grilled, barbecued, or served with garlic and lemon.
- Barramundi: A prized fish often served grilled or pan-seared.
- Oysters: Fresh oysters are a delicacy, particularly in coastal regions.
- Fish and Chips: A classic Aussie takeaway dish, often enjoyed by the beach.
- Coffee Culture: Australia has a strong coffee culture, with flat whites, long blacks, and lattes being the most popular choices.
Still not convinced about Australia?
We can’t stress this enough: if you’re a nature lover, Australia is for you. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback, Australia is a paradise. There are beaches, coral reef, mountains, rainforests, and deserts, and you’ll always have a new landscape to explore.
Their wildlife is unique with animals like koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, as well as an amazing marine life in the coral reefs. You’ll find fascinating species like sharks, sea turtles, crocodiles, colourful fishes, and sting rays.
You get a high quality of life due to Australia’s excellent healthcare, high standard of living, and clean cities. The work-life balance is a big draw, with generous vacation days and a laid-back attitude toward life that helps you truly enjoy your time outside of work.
The economy and job market is thriving in Australia. They have a wide variety of career opportunities across industries like mining, technology, education, and tourism. This, combined with great salaries, makes it a place to thrive professionally and personally.
Their social safety nets are great and the public Medicare system ensures that healthcare is accessible and affordable. Australia also offers strong public services and safety standards, making it a secure place to live, work, and travel.
FAQ
Yes, as an EU citizen, you will need a work visa to get a job in Australia. However, the specific type of visa will depend on the nature of the job, your qualifications, and the duration of your stay.
You will typically need to prove your English proficiency through a test like IELTS or TOEFL.
Depending on the visa, you may need to have your skills assessed by a relevant authority.
Australia’s seasons are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere (i.e., summer is from December to February, and winter is from June to August).
Northern Australia has a tropical climate. This area includes regions like Queensland, Northern Territory, and Far North Western Australia. The weather is tropical, with hot and humid summers and mild, dry winters. Summer (December to February) has temperatures of 30–35°C with high humidity and possibility of tropical storms or cyclones.
In winter (June to August) temperatures range from 18–25°C, making it warm and pleasant.
Eastern Australia (Coastal/Subtropical climate) includes cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Gold Coast. The weather is temperate along the coast, transitioning to subtropical further north. Summertime holds warm to hot temperatures, ranging from 25–30°C, with humidity and occasional thunderstorms. The winter is mild with temperatures around 10–18°C. It rarely drops below 10°C.
Southern Australia (Mediterranean climate) includes cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart (Tasmania). The summer weather is hot and dry (25–40°C) with low humidity. The winters are cool and wet with temperatures between 5–15° with rain and strong winds.
Western Australia (Mediterranean to Arid climate) includes Perth, the Pilbara region, and Bunbury. The coastal areas have Mediterranean climates, while inland areas have arid conditions. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures between 30–40°C, especially inland. Winters are mild and cool along the coast, with temperatures from 10–18°C and occasional rainfall.
Australia has a well-developed transportation system:
- Public Transport: Major cities offer trains, trams, buses, and ferries for easy commuting. Contactless payment cards are used for seamless access.
- Domestic Flights: Flying is common for long-distance travel between cities, with budget and full-service airlines available.
- Driving: Renting a car or camper van is ideal for exploring remote areas and the Outback. Roads are generally well-maintained, though remote areas may require 4WD.
- Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Uber and other ride-sharing services are widely available in cities.
- Bicycles: Many cities are bike-friendly, with rental options and cycling lanes.
- Trains: Intercity and scenic trains offer a slower but comfortable way to travel long distances.
The best ways to find housing and rentals depends on the area/city you want to live in. In general Sydney and Melbourne are more expensive but great places for jobs. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are more affordable and with growing job markets. Canberra offers a lot of governmental jobs, and a quieter lifestyle. You can look for housing through these popular websites:
- Realestate.com.au: Best for renting & buying
- Domain: – A top real estate website
- Flatmates: For shared housing
- Gumtree: For budget-friendly rentals