Best Places to Live in Australia for Families

Australia has always been a popular place for British expats, with 1.2 million living there in 2024. Many families choose Australia for their new adventure because of the shared culture and language, family-friendly immigration options and a more relaxed way of life. 

Choosing where to live can take time and effort, with education, amenities and costs to consider. We’ve looked at the best places to live in Australia for families, highlighting the best things about each city.

Why are Families Moving to Australia?

Your reason for moving to Australia is personal, but many families choose to move for a better way of life. Here are some popular reasons many make the move each year.

Shared Culture and Language – Australia and the UK both have English as their official language and with a shared culture, it’s often easy to settle into life in Australia. The shared language makes the school transition less stressful for children too.

Career Opportunities – With visa options favouring skilled workers, many families move to Australia for career opportunities. Average salaries tend to be higher than in the UK too.

Outdoor Living – Australians spend a lot of their time outdoors, with a much more relaxed way of life on offer than in the UK. There is more of a work-life balance in Australia compared to the UK.

Better Weather – The weather does vary depending on where you are in Australia, but it is generally warmer than in the UK. The Northern Regions of Australia offer year-round high temperatures. 

Australian Visa Process for Families 

Australia’s immigration system favours skilled workers, family reunification, and business migrants, making the move easier for many UK families. A popular pathway for moving to Australia from the UK is through the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189). This lets families apply together so the skilled worker can bring their spouse and children to Australia with them. You’ll have to meet the following requirements: 

• Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
• Be 45 years or under
• Mark highly in the Points Test on age, English language, work experience and qualifications
• Pass an English language test 
• Pass health and character requirements as a family 

What to Consider When Moving Your Family to Australia 

When choosing where to live in Australia with your family, there are certain factors to consider. Look at the local schools, hospitals, and amenities to figure out if they match your requirements and are easily accessible. 

Education – Australia ranks highly on the global education system. There are excellent schools in all major Australian cities, but if you need specialised education or have certain requirements, it’s always worth researching the schools near your chosen destination. 

Healthcare – Ranked one of the best healthcare systems in the world, Australia offers universal public healthcare through Medicare. Free or subsidised healthcare is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Australia and the UK have a reciprocal healthcare agreement, meaning short–term visitors can access healthcare. This can be useful if you plan to visit Australia before the big move.

Amenities – Australia is home to world-famous beaches, an abundance of green space and famous attractions. To find the best place to live in Australia for families, you should research the amenities in your local area. You’ll want to be near important facilities such as a GP, dentist, supermarkets and schools.

Safety – Australia is the 22nd safest country in the world, with certain cities like Sydney ranking high. Australia is a welcoming and friendly country, but it’s important to research local crime rates in your destination of choice for peace of mind.

5 Best Places to Live in Australia for Families

We’ve looked at some major cities in Australia to highlight what makes it a good place to live with your family.

1. New South Wales – Sydney

Best for the highest-ranked high schools

Sydney is the 5th safest city in the world, scoring 87.9 out of 100, making it the safest city in Australia. This is an important factor to consider when looking for the best places to live in Australia for families. It ranks highly for digital, health, personal and infrastructure security. 

Sydney also ranks 37th in the quality of life index. It scores particularly high for its healthcare, reaching 70 out of 100. Offering universal public healthcare to citizens and permanent residents, Sydney is home to some highly regarded hospitals, including; the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital, and Sydney Children’s Hospital. Rest assured, the hospitals in Sydney provide excellent pediatric and maternity care. 

Some of the best schools in Australia are in Sydney, offering high education standards for both public and private schools. Schools follow the local curriculum, with international curriculum options available. The best-rated high schools in Sydney in 2024 are:

1. James Ruse Agricultural High School
2. Baulkham Hills High School
3. North Sydney Boys High School
4. North Sydney Girls High School
5. Sydney Boys High School

Good to know:

• Family of four living costs (without rent) – $6,196.7 (£3,222.28)
• Average house price  – $1,662,448 (£864,472.96)
• Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment – $3,930.08 (£2,043.64)
• Monthly travel pass – $217.39 (£113.04)
• Average monthly salary – $6,539.13 (£3,400.35)

2. Victoria – Melbourne

Best for the highest-ranked city for students

Although like most cities in Australia, the cost of living can be high in Melbourne, it remains lower than in other major cities like New York. Home to the world-class hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne’s healthcare system offers specialised pediatric care and family-friendly clinics.

With an abundance of green spaces, parks and gardens like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne is an ideal place to live in Australia for active families. It’s a city that’s also well-connected so you’re never far away from popular beaches like St Kilda, Brighton and Elwood. 

Melbourne is renowned for its excellent education facilities, with some of the best public and private schools in Australia. It also ranks 5th globally for the best student cities, making it the highest-rated Australian city to study in. If you want to be near well-regarded high schools, Hawthorn is an area of Melbourne that’s popular with families due to its proximity to Melbourne High School. The highest-rated secondary schools in Melbourne are:

1. Melbourne High School
2. Mac. Robertson Girls’ High School
3. Nossal High School
4. Suzanne Cory High School
5. Presbyterian Ladies’ College

Good to know:

• Family of four living costs (without rent) – $5,609.8 (£2,916.90)
• Average house price – $1,068,805 (£555,778.60)
• Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment – $2,771.41 (£1,440.33)
• Monthly travel pass – $180 (£90)
• Average monthly salary – $6,272.05 (£3,328.49)

3. Queensland – Brisbane

Best for its efforts with climate change

Brisbane is ranked the 16th best city for its quality of life, making it the 2nd best in Australia. It ranks notably high for its efforts in helping tackle climate change. They focus on green spaces, investing in public transport and the installation of renewable energy sources.

Brisbane is home to stunning natural beauty and plenty of green space for outdoor activities with your family. There is a focus on outdoor living in Brisbane, with many families engaging in outdoor sports, hiking and activities on the beach. 

There are many well-regarded schools in Brisbane, from early childhood education up to higher education. The education system caters to all needs to suit families, so you’ll be sure to find a school suitable. Here are the top 5 schools in Brisbane:

1. Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
2. Brisbane Grammar School
3. Brisbane Girls Grammar School
4. Brisbane State High School
5. Somerville House

Good to know:

• Family of four living costs (without rent) – $5,802.60 (£3,073.38)
• Average house price – $976,464 (£517,726.92)
• Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment – $2,657 (£1,409.21)
• Monthly travel pass – $210 (£111.30)
• Average monthly salary – $6,022.99 (£,193.99)

4. Hobart – Tasmania

Best for most affordable house prices

Offering a much lower cost of living compared to other cities in Australia, Hobart is an excellent place to live for families. Due to its distance from mainland Australia, Hobart benefits from much more affordable housing options. Families can buy larger homes with more garden space than in other cities. The average house price in Hobart is $686,053, making it one of the cheapest places to live in Australia. 

There is a much more relaxed, slower way of life on offer in Hobart, so if you’re looking to escape the big city feel, then Hobart is for you. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery in Hobart, including Mount Wellington, Mount Field National Park and Bellerive Beach which are all popular with families. 

Education in Hobart is of a high standard and due to its low population, schools can offer less crowded year groups with more focus on individual students. Hobart is also home to the University of Tasmania which has well-established research courses on offer. The 5 best ranked high schools in Hobart are:

• The Friends’ School
• Fahan School
• The Hutchins School
• St Michael’s Collegiate School
• Calvin Christian School

Good to know:

• Family of four living costs (without rent) – $4,000 (£2,120)
• Average house price – $686,053 (£364,611.09)
• Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment – $2,376.67 (£1,261.87)
• Monthly travel pass – $105 (£55.65)
• Average monthly salary – $5,314.48 (£2,818.88)

5. Western Australia – Perth

Best for the highest quality of life

Perth ranks 14th in Numbeo’s quality of life index, making it the highest-ranking Australian city for this factor.  The index looks at safety, healthcare, cost of living, commuting, house prices, climate and pollution to give an overall score.

Perth has a lower cost of living compared to Sydney, especially for a family of 4. House prices and rental costs are more affordable too, with the average property price standing at $852,240. 

The city is a hub for many key industries including technology and mining, with many families moving to support a career opportunity. Perth is also known for its community feel, with many families feeling safe in their neighbourhoods. Education in Perth is of a high standard, offering excellent primary, secondary and higher education facilities. The top-rated high schools in Perth are:

1. Perth Modern School
2. Christ Church Grammar School
3. Rossmoyne Senior High School
4. Carmel School
5. Willetton Senior High School

Good to know: 

• Family of four living costs (without rent) – $5,841.4 (£3,094.94)
• Average house price – $852,240 (£451,692)
• Average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment – $2,703.76 (£1,432.99)
• Monthly travel pass – $170 (£90.10)
• Average monthly salary – $5,997.89 (£3,179.18)

Data taken from Numbeo and Domain.

Removals to Australia 

If you’re ready to book your removals to Australia, get in touch with our team of experts at 1st Move International. We’ve been helping families move to Australia from the UK for over 25 years, so we have in-depth experience in international removals. 

Simply complete our easy form with details of your move and our team will give you a tailored quote for your move. We’ll handle everything, from the packing and shipping to customs clearance and final delivery in Australia.