Moving To Australia From Kuwait

If you are considering making the move from Kuwait to Australia, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Australia Facts:

Population: 25.7 million (2022 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto) spoken by the majority of the population
GDP Per Capita: $55,000 USD (2022 estimate)
Random Fact: Australia is home to a very long fence – The Dingo Fence – which stretches 5,000 km, spanning Queensland to South Australia, designed to keep sheep safe from dingoes
Currency: AUD Dollar (AUD $). As of early 2024, £1 = $1.92 AUD, €1 = $1.65 AUD, $1 CAD = $1.12 AUD, $1 = $1.51 AUD

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Australia from Kuwait

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from Kuwait and shipping it to various ports in Australia:

Destination Port	20FT	40FT
Adelaide	$5,200 - $5,900	$8,400 - $9,200
Brisbane	$5,300 - $6,000	$8,500 - $9,300
Darwin	$5,400 - $6,100	$8,600 - $9,400
Melbourne	$5,100 - $5,800	$8,300 - $9,100
Sydney	$5,200 - $5,900	$8,400 - $9,200

All figures are in Australian dollars;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Hapag-Lloyd or GoComet;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move To Australia from Kuwait?

Let’s take a look at both the cost and the time it takes to travel from Kuwait to Australia considering a range of locations.

Kuwait to Sydney – 19 hours, 15 minutes, 555 KWD
Kuwait to Melbourne – 25 hours, 45 minutes, 425 KWD
Kuwait to Adelaide – 35 hours, 55 minutes, 528 KWD
Kuwait to Brisbane – 40 hours, 35 minutes, 397 KWD

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Australia from Kuwait

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

When moving to Australia, the entry requirements will vary depending on the visa type you choose. Skilled Migration visas operate on a points basis which determines if you are granted access, while other visas such as family or partner have different guidelines – you can see these on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

There will be a quarantine of goods as Australia has strict rules to prevent introducing diseases or pests that could harm plant, animal or human health. To comply with this, you will need to fill in an Incoming Passenger Card declare any ‘risk’ goods, and dispose of any deemed unsuitable before boarding your flight – full information on permitted goods can be found at the Department of Agriculture’s website.

If you are planning on bringing a pet to Australia from Kuwait there will be a strict process to follow including vaccinations, certificates and a mandatory quarantine period for the pet on arrival.

There are currently no COVID-19 test restrictions, although the Australian government’s website will hold the most up-to-date information on this if this changes. This can include any quarantine periods if necessary at the time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to Australia from Kuwait

Depending on the length and the purpose of your visit or stay, the visa you will need to gain entry to Australia from Kuwait will vary. Alongside a valid passport with at least one blank page, you will need one of the following visas:

Skilled visa – these are suitable for individuals who fit Australia’s current employment criteria in areas where they lack workers
Work visa – these are suitable for individuals with an Australian employer as their visa sponsor, or those who have been ‘nominated’ by the state to enter and work in Australia
Student visa – these are suitable for students wishing to start or continue their education as part of an Australian educational institution
Visitor visa – these are suitable for individuals wishing to visit Australia temporarily, including the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Family visa – these are suitable for individuals with family members already living in Australia who can act as your visa sponsor

The eVisitor visa allows you to visit friends and family, take part on a cruise or have a holiday, and undertake business visitor activities (this can include visiting conferences or attending interviews to scope out employment, but you cannot earn an income in Australia on this visa), and it can allow you to study or train for up to 3 months.

The ETA visa is similar, but no studying or training can take place during your stay. You must also apply outside Australia to get this visa, have an eligible passport and use the Australian ETA app.

The working holiday visa is fairly self-explanatory – it allows you to work in Australia and can grant you residence for longer than a typical tourist visa while you earn money through short-term employment contracts.

There are several other visas available – especially for those joining family in Australia – which can be accessed on the Department of Home Affairs website. For all other visas, take a look at your visa options here.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Australia

While this article is covering Australia as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price – we have focused on Melbourne for this example.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Melbourne is 61.4% higher than that of Kuwait, with rent being around 70.1% higher, and local purchasing power 7% lower in Melbourne when compared to Kuwait.

Monthly Rental Prices in Melbourne, Australia:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: A$2,400+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$1,900+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: A$4,800+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: A$3,000+

Melbourne, Australia Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: A$13,300+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: A$11,300+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Australia

Citizens of Kuwait have no personal income tax, which applies to both wages and investment income – and there is no value added tax (VAT) at the time of writing. However, Australian citizens need to pay taxes on their income – which can be one of the biggest changes when moving from Kuwait to Australia.

If you are moving to Australia to take up employment, you will need to fully understand these terms to ensure you are abiding by the local laws. There is no specific tax agreement between Kuwait and Australia, meaning that the income can and will be governed by the jurisdiction of each country.

At the time of writing, Australia’s income tax rates are as follows:

A$18,200 – tax free
A$18,201 to A$45,000 – 19% per dollar over A$18,200
A$45,001 to A$120,000 – 32.5% per dollar over A$45,000
A$120,001 to A$180,000 – 37% per dollar over A$120,000
A$180,000+ – 45% per dollar over A$180,000

Citizens will also need to pay 2% towards their healthcare Medicare Levy. It’s important to follow taxation rules to the letter, and your exact requirements can be found by speaking to a tax professional or visiting the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

7. Working Rules in Australia

As we have just mentioned, the taxation laws in Australia differ greatly from those of Kuwait and are the number one priority to understand upon moving and undertaking employment in the country.

Individuals will need a tax file number (TFN) to ensure that they don’t end up paying more tax than is necessary on their income. You can see how to apply for this number on the Australian Taxation Office’s website.

As with our previous section on taxes in general, it’s important to ensure you are clued up on your taxation requirements to make sure you pay what you owe to avoid any penalties. Paying taxes in Australia helps to fund healthcare, education, defence and disaster relief in the country.

You will also need permission to work in Australia if you are a foreign resident. You may also need an Australian business number (ABN), but only if you are running your own business, along with a few other requirements which can be found here.

You may already have an employment sponsor to help you gain your working visa, or you may be applying for this individually. Working visa options are outlined here with all their necessary guidelines and requirements.

The minimum wage is currently set at A$20.33 per hour, and the standard working week is deemed 38 hours. Most Australian employers will be required to pay towards superannuation funds – retirement accounts – which are set at 10% as a minimum, based on an employee’s earnings.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Australia

Australia’s healthcare is covered by Medicare, which is their public health system. There are private health options as well, which can be used if you need expedited help, or more specialized treatments that aren’t offered by the public service.

If you become an Australian citizen, you can benefit from Medicare treatment which will permit you access to medical services, hospital care and treatments. This will be subsidised, or free, depending on your status.

For those travelling, or classed as ‘temporary residents’, you can also enrol in Medicare when in Australia which will help to pay for some or all of the necessary healthcare costs. However, this will vary depending on the type of visa you hold. This won’t cover ambulance services, dental services, eye tests or cosmetic surgery.

You can of course have private health insurance which will have different restrictions – take a look at the Services Australia website for the most recent information.

If you must bring your own medication into Australia, you’ll need to check that it is legal in Australia before travelling, which can be done at the Department of Agriculture’s website.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Australia

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Australia with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

There are strict rules in place for the movement of pets between Kuwait and Australia. Once you have checked that your pet is eligible to be transported between countries, and isn’t listed on any prohibited lists, you can begin your process – at the time of writing, the only permitted pets are dogs and cats.

Firstly, you will need to ensure you have a valid import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), which must be collected well in advance of your travels to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your pet.

Pets must be microchipped, and both dogs and cats need to show proof of vaccination against rabies, at least 21 days before entry to Australia. Alongside this, blood tests are needed to confirm this status, which is known as the RNATT – rabies neutralizing antibody titration test.

Parasite treatments may also be required for dogs and cats, and a health certificate to show the status of your pet and their validity for safe travels from a qualified veterinarian. Dogs will also need tapeworm treatment before entry.

Your pet will then need to undergo a quarantine period in Sydney or Melbourne for at least 10 days upon arrival. You must arrange your pet’s travel through a trusted airline or pet relocation service to ensure everything is taken care of, enabling a smooth transition for both you and your pet.

10. Similar Cities

Kuwait City and Sydney can be compared to one another as they are both bustling urban centres – but there are some big differences between the two that need to be considered if you are planning on moving from Kuwait to Australia.

Kuwait City is a flat area based on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Sydney, on the other hand, has a diverse landscape of mountains, as well as coastal areas. Sydney is larger than Kuwait City, with around twice the amount of citizens living there, and is a largely multicultural landscape – contrasted with Kuwait City’s mostly native citizens.

The climates of both areas are also worth considering. Due to Kuwait’s position as a country, citizens experience hot desert temperatures (reaching over 104°F in the summer months), while Sydney in particular is a more temperate area with warm summers and cool winters.

Kuwait has a large economic following due to its oil exports, while Sydney has more of a focus on manufacturing, technology and finance industries.

Looking at the cost of living differences in both areas, local purchasing power in Kuwait City is 10.5% higher than in Sydney, with rent being 56.1% lower, as well as restaurant prices being 33.2% lower than seen in Sydney.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Australia from Kuwait

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from Kuwait to Australia, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving to Australia from Kuwait	Disadvantages of Moving to Australia from Kuwait
Healthcare: Australia has an excellent healthcare system, as well as plenty of outdoor areas for recreational activities	Tax: Australian citizens need to pay personal income tax, a big difference when compared with Kuwait where there is zero personal income tax
Safety: Australia is known for its high level of security and safety, with a stable political landscape	Cost of Living: Prices are higher in Australia than in Kuwait, meaning more money will be spent on rent, groceries and other cost of living provisions
Quality of Life: Australia has beautiful scenery, natural environments and coastlines to enjoy	Cultural Adjustment: Australia has a different culture to Kuwait, which may require some adjusting to in the first few months of your move

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The Australian High Commission – Kuwait for all the information you need.