Australia has always been a popular destination for British expats, with around 1.2 million calling it home.
Sunshine, laid-back lifestyle, outdoor culture and great work-life balance makes thousands each month start planning their removals to Australia. In fact, more than 20% of those questioned by InterNations cited the improved quality of life as their main reason to move to Australia.
To help with your research, we’ve listed 7 of the best reasons to move to Australia.
Table of Contents
1. A Glorious Climate
The climate in Australia affects every aspect of culture. Firstly, most of its main cities are set right on the coast, so you can really make the most of the long, hot, sunny days.
The great climate also fosters an outdoors culture, with children more likely to be out playing Aussie Rules, cricket or rugby, perhaps going on hikes, swimming or trying out water sports such as surfing and kayaking.
The open culture of the Aussie people is often put down to the climate too, with backyard barbecues and beach picnics a regular part of weekends.
2. Friendly Folk
Many British expats find it easy to settle into life in Australia due to the shared language and similar cultural norms. Australians are known for their friendly and laid back nature, which is evident once you’ve moved there.
If you’re coming from a big city like London, the local tendency to smile and greet strangers, not to mention sometimes having whole conversations with people they don’t know, could be disconcerting at first!
3. Amazing Natural Landscapes
It almost goes without saying that Australia is a place of extraordinary natural beauty. Yes, its endless coastlines are dazzling, but it also has areas of rolling hills and a Mediterranean climate that are perfect for wine-growing, as well as a rugged Outback that is perfect for adventure seekers.
It is home to lush green rainforests, spiked mountains and that great red centre crowned by Uluru (Ayer’s Rock), not to mention the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef.
Yes, the distances are vast, but if you want to get out and about to explore, you will be overwhelmed by choice. From abandoned beaches and the dramatic coastline of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, to the beautiful Blue Mountains in New South Wales, there is a lot to see.
4. Fantastic Family Life
Australia has a strong family dynamic and in a recent InterNations Expat Insider survey, 91% of expats said the attitude of Australians towards families is positive. The same percentage again said there was a great availability of children’s leisure activities, compared to a global average of 74%.
When it comes to education, 79% of expats said they were largely satisfied with the quality of the schooling. When it comes to higher education, Australia also has six universities in the top 100 in the world.
In school, the average student scored 502 in reading literacy, maths and science in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment, higher than the OECD average of 486.
5. Great Work Prospects
Australia is the world’s 13th largest economy and the average salary reflects that, which goes some way to supplementing the high cost of living.
Australia ranks 7th out of 53 in the InterNations 2024 Working Abroad Index thanks to a variety of different factors. Australia is famed for a relaxed atmosphere at work. They work hard but they also like to maintain a work-life balance.
Expats in Australia noted the local job market and a flexible business culture as reasons to work and move to Australia.
6. Cultural Delights
You may think of Australia as remote, sitting at the southern end of the globe, but its cultural offering will prove this is no backwater.
Sydney has museums galore, although it is Melbourne that takes the crown as the culture capital, with one of the highest densities of commercial art galleries in the world, not to mention a thriving theatre and music scene.
Australia’s cultural offerings go beyond buildings and performances, it also affects the very fabric of society, with a multi-cultural population thanks to the many European and Asian immigrants (as well as the many foreign students). This has also contributed to an exciting foodie offering which is well complemented by the thriving local wine-making culture.
When it comes to culture, Australia certainly isn’t lacking.
7. Good Quality of Life
In the OECD Better Life Index, Australians ranked their general satisfaction with life at 7.5 out of 10, higher than the OECD average of 6.5.
In general, Australia is a very safe country, the life expectancy on average is 83 years old (three years higher than the OECD average) and it has some of the lowest pollution levels in the world.
In fact, the Human Development Index ranked Australia third in the world out of a total of 174 countries based on high GDP, life expectancy, literacy and education, just behind Norway and Switzerland.
Removals to Australia
If you’re planning a move to Australia, get your free, tailored quote from 1st Move International. We’ve been helping people move to Australia from the UK for over 25 years. From packing and shipping to customs clearance and final delivery, we do all the hard work so you don’t have to.
About 1st Move International
1st Move International are a specialist international moving and shipping company offering packing, shipping and insurance for shipping household goods and personal effects overseas. We have a global reach covering over 80 countries and 6500 worldwide destinations. You can get an international removals quote here or find more information on our international removals UK to Australia service here.
