Live and work 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 there?
Get a better idea of what it would be like to live and get a job in Australia.
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Latest available jobs in Australia
German Junior SEO and Copywriter assistant for Job Squad – fully remote
Do you have a great track record of hiring solid and great employees? Or are you always the one who help and advice your friends on where to look for jobs? Then keep reading!
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.
German Key Account Manager, fully remote
We are currently looking for a German Key Account Manager for a fully remote position. You will be responsible for conducting company meetings and presentations, guiding sales processes from start to finish.
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
Basic facts about Australia
- Average working hours per week: 36 hours, plus breaks
- Typical working day: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 (depending on industry)
- Number of Vacation days: 20 days / 4 weeks, plus public holidays
- Commute: Mostly by train, tram, bus and car
- Work culture: Diverse workplaces with colleagues from all over the world, but English is the main language of communication
- Population: There’s approx. 26.6 million people in Australia and the country has an area of 7.68 million km2.
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
Economy and industries in Australia
Australia has a stable, strong and resilient economy. The key industries include mining, finance, healthcare, education, and tourism.The tourism industry contributes around 10% of GDP, with job opportunities in hospitality, travel, and customer service.
Due to the amount of tourists visiting Australia form all over the world, there’s a high demand for multilingual people. Apart from English, companies often seek employees who can speak Mandarin, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and Japanese, among others.
Read more about getting a job and living in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane.
How to find a job and housing in Australia
When you want to find a job in Australia, it is a good idea to ally yourself with an international recruitment agency. At Job Squad, we have helped a thousands of people find their dream job abroad – you can read their stories here. With a recruitment agency behind you, you’ll get help finding the right job positions. Agencies typically have contacts in a number of companies that are looking for candidates like you.
When applying for a job in Australia, it’s important that your resume focus on skills, work experience, and achievements. Cover letters should be short, direct, and tailored for each job.
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
Why should you get a job in Australia?
The main reasons why you should work in Australia are that you can enjoy the sun, surfing, and outdoor lifestyle in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. You can experience the amazing natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, and the Daintree Rainforest.
You will also find a very multicultural workplace where teamwork and personal growth are highly valued. The balance between work and fun is important, and you will find endless options for socialising and eating delicious food from all over the world.
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.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture: Experience the ancient traditions, stories, and art of Australia’s First Nations Peoples.
- Sydney Mardi Gras: One of the world’s largest celebrations of LGBTQIA+ pride with parades, performances, and parties.
- Vivid Sydney: A festival of lights, music, and ideas where the city’s landmarks are transformed with stunning light installations and creative projections.
- Woodford Folk Festival: Held annually in Queensland, this is one of Australia’s largest cultural festivals celebrating music, dance, and art from all over the world.
- National Museum of Australia: Learn about Australian history, culture, and Indigenous heritage through interactive exhibits.
- Great Barrier Reef: Dive into the world’s largest coral reef system and explore the underwater wonders of Australia’s marine life.
- Tasmanian Wilderness: Discover pristine wilderness areas in Tasmania, perfect for hiking, exploring waterfalls, and enjoying nature’s beauty.
- The Outback: Visit the Red Centre to experience the vast, rugged desert landscapes that have shaped Australia’s identity.
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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.
All this being said, Aussies love international cuisines and you will find a lot of Asian food when you go out for dinner.
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.
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.
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.
