Moving to Australia from The United States

Choosing to up sticks and move locally can be a stressful ordeal – but moving to a completely different country introduces new levels of unease.

If you are considering making the move from The United States 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: 25.69 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto) spoken by the majority of the population
GDP Per Capita: $60,443 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Australia is famed for its creepy crawlies – there are around 1,500 different types of spider roaming the country
Currency: AUD Dollar (AUD $). As of late 2023, £1 = $1.91 AUD, €1 = $1.66 AUD, $1 CAD = $1.11 AUD, $1 = $1.52 AUD

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Australia from The United States

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

Port	Sydney (20ft/40ft)	Darwin (20ft/40ft)	Melbourne (20ft/40ft)	Adelaide (20ft/40ft)	Brisbane (20ft/40ft)
Charleston	From $3,200 / $5,800	From $4,000 / $7,500	From $3,400 / $6,300	From $3,500 / $6,500	From $3,200 / $5,900
Houston	From $3,300 / $5,900	From $4,100 / $7,600	From $3,500 / $6,400	From $3,600 / $6,600	From $3,300 / $6,000
Long Beach	From $3,100 / $5,700	From $3,900 / $7,400	From $3,300 / $6,200	From $3,400 / $6,400	From $3,100 / $5,800
Los Angeles	From $3,100 / $5,700	From $3,900 / $7,400	From $3,300 / $6,200	From $3,400 / $6,400	From $3,100 / $5,800
Miami	From $3,400 / $6,000	From $4,200 / $7,700	From $3,600 / $6,500	From $3,700 / $6,700	From $3,400 / $6,100
New York	From $3,500 / $6,200	From $4,300 / $7,800	From $3,700 / $6,700	From $3,800 / $6,800	From $3,500 / $6,200
Oakland	From $3,000 / $5,600	From $3,800 / $7,300	From $3,200 / $6,100	From $3,300 / $6,300	From $3,000 / $5,700
Savannah	From $3,200 / $5,800	From $4,000 / $7,500	From $3,400 / $6,300	From $3,500 / $6,500	From $3,200 / $5,900
Seattle	From $3,100 / $5,700	From $3,900 / $7,400	From $3,300 / $6,200	From $3,400 / $6,400	From $3,100 / $5,800
Virginia	From $3,400 / $6,000	From $4,200 / $7,700	From $3,600 / $6,500	From $3,700 / $6,700	From $3,400 / $6,100

All figures are in USD;
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 The United States?

There can be big discrepancies in move time duration when it comes to moving from America due to the vastness of the country.

Let’s take a look at some states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of move time to Australia.

New York to Sydney – 29 hours, 40 minutes – $1980 AUD
Los Angeles to Sydney – 19 hours, 15 minutes – $1,220 AUD
Minneapolis to Sydney – 29 hours, 54 minutes – $3,000 AUD
Dallas to Sydney – 23 hours, 41 minutes – $1,440 AUD
New York to Melbourne – 21 hours, 20 minutes – $1,860 AUD
Los Angeles to Melbourne – 22 hours, 20 minutes – $860 AUD
Minneapolis to Melbourne – 32 hours – $1,630 AUD
Dallas to Melbourne – 21 hours, 20 minutes – $1,870 AUD

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 The United States

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, there are a number of entry requirements 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 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.

There will be quarantine of goods as Australia has strict rules to prevent the introduction of 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 and 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.

4. Visa Requirements to Australia from The United States

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

eVisitor visa, allowing you to visit Australia as often as you want within a 12-month period, and stay up to 3 months per visit – no application charge
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), allowing you to visit Australia as often as you want within a 12-month period, and stay up to 3 months per visit – service charge applied
Working holiday visa

The eVisitor visa allows you to visit friends and family, take part on a cruise or have a holiday, 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 from 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 a number of 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 obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in New York is 23.1% higher than that of Melbourne, with rent being around 56.2% higher.

Monthly Rental Prices in Australia:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: A$2,300+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$1,800+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: A$3,800+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: A$2,750+

Australia Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: A$12,000+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: A$9,220+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Australia

As is the case with most countries, there is a tax treaty in place between Australia and The United States which stops you from being taxed twice on the same income – but the exact nuances of this will change depending on where your residential status lies, as the primary country will have ‘first right’ of taxation.

For business profits, it’s likely that the taxes will be split between the two countries, depending on the type of work and your residential status. Similarly, capital gains and dividends, interest and royalties will most likely be determined by your residence – be that Australia or The United States.

The Australian Government’s Australian Taxation Office holds the most up-to-date information on taxation rules when living and working in Australia.

7. Working Rules in Australia

If you are going to be earning income in Australia, you will need a tax file number (TFN) to ensure you don’t end up paying more tax than necessary on your income. You can see how to apply for this number on the Australian Taxation Office’s website.

As with our previous section, 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.

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, although 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 it’s necessary for you to 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 The United States and Australia. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have a valid import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, 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.

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.

10. Similar Cities

While the visual landscapes of Australia and The United States may differ, there are central locations that have similarities in terms of their characteristics.

For instance, Sydney in Australia can be compared to New York in The United States as they are both seen as major economic hubs for their respective countries. They have iconic landmarks – The Sydney Opera House and The Statue of Liberty – and have diverse inhabitants.

Looking at a different similarity, Melbourne can be likened to San Fransisco for their focus on the arts and culture in general. Coffee culture is rife in both locations, and the neighborhoods are known as being eclectic and bustling.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Australia from The United States

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 The United States to Australia, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from The United States to Australia	Disadvantages of Moving from The United States to Australia
Australia offers a generally favourable climate, with diverse landscapes ranging from coastal areas to the Outback.	The cost of living, particularly in major cities, can be relatively high, impacting housing affordability and daily expenses.
Australia is known for its high-quality healthcare system and education institutions, attracting students and professionals from around the world.	Strict immigration policies and a complex visa process may pose challenges for newcomers, requiring careful planning and adherence to regulations.
Australia's outdoor lifestyle and recreational opportunities, including beaches, parks, and wildlife, contribute to a generally healthy and active lifestyle.	The distance from other countries and potential isolation from family and friends in the United States may be a consideration for expatriates. Additionally, the country faces environmental challenges, such as wildfires and droughts.

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.