Are you thinking about moving out of the country and purchasing a home in Australia?
Each year, over 10% of Americans move. Most move within the country, while some prefer to become ex-pats. If you’re thinking about moving to Brisbane or other parts of Australia, read our guide to buying a home below.
- Why Move to Australia?
The developed country of Australia offers a new leaf to all those who wish to migrate to it. It has a strong economy, many well-paying jobs, and a high standard of living. The country also offers a ton of great benefits to its citizens.
Australia’s Medicare system provides free or subsisted healthcare from some of the best hospitals in the world. The Australian education system also provides free or subsidized education. This applies to primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
Plus, many Australian schools offer programs in other languages and bilingual programs. It poses a wonderful future for the children of all those who wish to migrate here.
The weather and climate are also quite beautiful. If you want snowy winters and sunny springs alongside hot summers and cold falls, head to the East coast. Here’s a fun fact: because Australia is in the Southern hemisphere, it has inverted seasons.
In 2019, over 7.5 million migrants were living in Australia. This means almost 30% of the country’s population is from overseas. Other major attractors are the strong economy and having the world’s most livable cities.
- What You Need to Know Before Moving to Australia
Like all other places on earth, there are cons to living in Australia. First of all, if you have skin conditions where you can’t get exposed to the sun, consider another place. The continent of Australia lies under a hole in the ozone layer, letting more UV radiation to reach it.
There’s a higher risk of skin cancer in Australia, and the number of cases shows that. There are also flooding risks and unstable weather. On average, cyclones and hurricanes hit the country 10-13 times a year.
While the beaches are beautiful at the best of times, they can also be quite dangerous. Sharks, crocodiles, and the world’s most poisonous jellyfish inhabit the waters in and around Australia. Let’s not forget the exotic dangerous animals and insects you can also find in the country.
Finally, forest fires are common occurrences in Australia. They’re so common that the country’s iconic Eucalypt trees have evolved to survive forest fires. They’re flammable, but their charred seeds can still bloom in the ashes.
- Purchasing a Home in Australia to Live In
Once you decide that you’re moving to a new home in Australia, start planning. Buying a home in Australia is easy if you know what to do and where to look. Before anything, you want to make sure that you know your investment budget and goals.
Make sure you can stick to your budget, especially once you start looking at a local property. Next, decide on a suitable location. Research the businesses, schools, and attractions in each location.
Don’t forget to look at all the risks that come with the location. Are you at risk of floods or being close to bushfires? Make sure you know everything there is to know about the location and property first.
Once you find a prime location that suits your preferences and needs, talk to the right people. If you’re a first-time property buyer, you may now know how to value property in Australia. This is why you need to research and talk to veteran investors, accountants, and surveyors.
Ask about home insurance, price negotiations, market listings, and documentation. Once you’ve gathered enough knowledge about purchasing a home, you can start shopping. Again, remember, spend only what you can afford.
- What You Need to Know About Buying a House in Australia
While the lifestyles in Australia and the USA aren’t too different, there are some key differences you need to know. Here, we’re going to focus on the differences between buying a house in Australia vs. the US.
First, you may get surprised when you see that everything in Australia seems to be more expensive. Remember that there’s a high cost-of-living Down Under. You’ll also notice that there are fewer closets in the homes in Australia.
You’ll also notice that some homes have separate water closets. Outdoor toilets were common in old houses for cleanliness reasons. The practice persists in some houses until today.
Are you used to fixing your electrical wiring at home DIY-style? In Australia, DIY is more regulated. It means you need to be a licensed electrician if you want to do more than change the light bulb.
You can still replace your light fixtures by yourself, but this is risky. If you damage the wiring from a DIY job, you can void your insurance policy. Any shoddy work can also get called out in a house inspection when you plan to sell the property later.
- Residency and Citizenship in Australia
Are you still applying to become a permanent resident in Australia? Don’t worry because you won’t face any trouble when you buy a new home. As a temporary resident, you can buy new dwellings in Australia without being subject to any conditions.
If you are a non-resident, you must get approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). When you get approved, you can buy an established property as your home. The catch is that it must be your primary residence.
Once you’re a permanent resident, the pathway to becoming a citizen is easy. Also, Australia recognizes dual citizenship, which is a big plus to migrants. Children born to permanent residents in Australia can also apply for citizenship.
Buy a Home in Australia
Purchasing a home in Australia doesn’t have to be a hard process. All you need to do is prepare for everything beforehand. Make sure you check everything on your list and prepare to move today!
We hope you picked up something useful and essential before you move out to Australia. If you learned a lot from this guide, you may want to check out our other guides too.
