Australia

Living in Australia: the short version

Australia pairs high wages and an outdoor lifestyle with one of the most structured skilled-migration systems in the world. Housing in Sydney and Melbourne is expensive, but demand for trades, healthcare and engineering workers keeps sponsorship routes open.

Best for: Skilled workers in occupations on the skills lists, young people on working holidays, and families seeking a relaxed lifestyle.

How to move to Australia: main visa and residency routes

Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

Employer-sponsored temporary work visa, the successor to the Temporary Skill Shortage visa.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Points-tested permanent visa that does not need a sponsor.

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Permanent residence sponsored by an Australian employer.

Working Holiday Maker (417/462)

For young people from eligible countries to work and travel for up to a year or more.

Healthcare for newcomers

Medicare covers citizens and permanent residents. Most temporary visa holders must hold private health insurance.

How Australia compares

Calculated from our data for all 55 countries. How we calculate this

Cost of living rank

6th most expensive of 55

Single person, core costs

$2,325/mo

Family of four, core costs

$4,373/mo

Take-home on $60,000

$46,878/yr

• Renting a one-bedroom home takes about 31% of the average local salary in Australia, less than the median of 36% across the countries we cover.
• Core monthly costs for one person (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, internet and eating out) come to about $2,325, or 51% of the average local monthly salary.
• On a gross salary of $60,000 taxed locally, our estimate leaves $46,878 a year after income tax and employee social security (an effective rate of 22%), the 11th highest take-home pay of 55 countries. After single-person core costs, that leaves roughly $18,978 a year to save or spend.
• Countries with a similar overall cost of living: Ireland, Denmark, United Kingdom.
• Cheaper options in Oceania: New Zealand.

Estimates for planning, using simplified national tax brackets in US dollars; local taxes, deductions and your own spending will differ. Try your own numbers in the tax calculator or budget planner.

Our guides to Australia

• How to Get a Work Visa in Australia · Immigration

Sources and methodology

Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on September 30, 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.