Thinking of relocating? Here’s our moving to Sydney Guide

Quick Sydney Facts

• Population – Roughly 5 Million
• Official Language – English
• Established – 1788
• Currency – Australian Dollar
• Average Summer Temperature – Ranges from 18.6 – 25.8°C
• Average Winter Temperature –  Ranges from 8.8 – 17°C

Sydney At A Glance

Sydney, has a lot to offer. If you’re thinking about moving to Sydney, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about the job market, cost of living, social life and more. That’s why we’ve put together this handy moving to Sydney guide to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.

People move there for a variety of reasons, including its temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters; its proximity to some incredibly beautiful countryside and national treasures such as the Great Barrier Reef, its outdoorsy lifestyle, prominent cultural and academic position within Australia, and, of course, the job market.

Why move to Sydney?

Sydney has a huge ex-pat population where you’ll almost certainly encounter individuals from all over the world.

Overall, life as an ex-pat in Sydney is extremely simple and rewarding. It’s a pleasant way of life that anyone can adapt to, particularly if English is your first language.

As a result of these factors, Australia is frequently listed as one of the best nations for ex-pats to reside in. Don’t let sceptics’ criticisms of the cost of living here prevent you from pursuing your goals — the job market and quality of life can make it more than worthwhile.

Because of the relaxed, laid-back vibe that many Australians exude, it’s easy to make friends here.

Aussies are well known to be cheerful, inviting, and kind; just be yourself and always be gracious, and they’ll be happy to assist you whenever you need it. 

Even though Sydney is Australia’s largest metropolis, the ethos of “working to live” rather than “living to work” is still very much alive. For example, the work culture in this country is significantly more relaxed than in countries such as the United States or Japan. In comparison to other countries, mental health and the significance of combining socializing with work-life are generally more highly valued.

What is Sydney best known for?

The city has a number of famous attractions. These include some of the following:

• The Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Bondi Beach
• Taronga Zoo
• The Rocks
• Museums and Artwork
• Manly Ferries
• Bronte Baths
• Sydney Fish Market

The city is also known for gorgeous blue harbour waters, its culturally diverse community as well as a thriving coffee lifestyle. For more information on attractions, click here.

Moving From Another Country

If you’re considering relocating to Sydney from another country, you’re not alone: immigrants make up a significant portion of the city’s annual population growth. The majority of immigrants to Sydney, and Australia in general, are British, Chinese, or Indian.

On the one hand, these numbers demonstrate clear benefits for newly arrived expatriates: not only would an established network of visa-holding overseas residents be able to assist you, but there is an entire infrastructure dedicated to assisting migrants and ex-pats in Sydney.

If you are planning to apply for a visa to Australia, make sure you have all the necessary visa requirements. You will find these on the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

The Australian government uses the SkillSelect system to manage its skilled migration program and address regional shortages.

Visas and work permits 

In the past, General Skilled Migration used to be for persons travelling to Sydney in order to find work. They had to complete a points-based test and an approved skills evaluation to qualify for the Skilled (Migrant) Independent Visa.

Only those having the skills and qualifications required for a position on the Skilled Occupations List were previously eligible. If you fell short of the required number of points for a permanent Australian visa, you would need to seek sponsorship from a relative in Sydney or the New South Wales State Government. Unfortunately, this is no longer an option for ex-pats.

In July 2012, the Australian government launched a new Skilled Migration Program where applicants must currently put their personal information into the official SkillSelect database if they wish to relocate to Sydney as a skilled worker, businessperson, or investment. SkillSelect is a program that helps the Australian government manage its skilled migration program by addressing regional skill shortages.

By filing an EOI, (Expression Of Interest), through SkillSelect, anyone interested in migrating to Sydney can be evaluated for a skilled migration visa. These candidates are then placed in a pool, with some of them being recommended by an Australian employer or state government. Applicants are typically chosen only if they have a high number of points.

What’s it like to work in Sydney 

Sydney is Australia’s commercial capital, and as a result, it attracts many foreigners. Sydney is the city of choice for international firms establishing a base in Australia, as it is home to some of the country’s top businesses. As a result, many ex-pats prefer Sydney to other Australian cities.

Those in the financial or insurance services industries will have plenty of options to join one of the area’s wealthy firms.

Expats looking for work in the healthcare, retail, or industrial sectors, on the other hand, will find large-scale enterprises with increasing employment levels.

The work environment in Sydney reflects the amicable and laid-back attitude that can be seen throughout Australia.

The mood is relaxed, with plenty of laughter and language. Drinks after work are common, and it’s a terrific way to get to know your co-workers better.

Cost of living in Sydney

The expense of living in Australia is known for being high, particularly in Sydney.

The city’s prices have risen dramatically in recent years and are likely to continue rising as more people discover the opportunities it has to offer. For instance, the average cost of a pint can be up to $8, a ticket to the movie theatre is around $20 and gym memberships can be around $100 on average.

While these numbers may seem high, remember that the job market in Sydney is fruitful and the salaries are often scaled to be proportionate to the cost of living. Even if you get an average job, you’re unlikely to struggle and will still be able to afford life’s small pleasures and outings when you want to.

Where to Live in Sydney

For city slickers, the Rocks, Newtown and Potts Point are popular choices. For family-friendly options, look at Manly, Blacktown or Parramatta.

For more information, view our article on the best suburbs to live in Sydney.

Moving to Sydney how to make friends

When arriving in a new city for the first time, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed and even lonely. Fortunately, cities like Sydney have a vibrant social scene where you can make friends through many online groups for international people, including Internations and Facebook.

There are plenty of other ways to meet people, such as Eventbrite or using Apps such as MeetUp,

And, if you’re working in a busy office, your social life will naturally improve thanks to the working culture.

Additional FAQ When Moving to Sydney

Where can I get boxes when I move to Sydney?

One of the largest unexpected costs when moving is that of the packaging and storage of your belongings when you make your transition. If you’re moving to Sydney and need boxes, we’ve got you covered with our own – for free!

Why are more Australian people moving to Sydney?

Australia is a large country with many cities, but Sydney is among the most popular thanks to the thriving job market and cosmopolitan population. It also has many attractions for both visitors and residents including culture, nightlife, beaches, shopping and more.

How much money do you need to move to Sydney?

This entirely depends on how you plan to live, but if you’re renting in Sydney, you’re looking at an average of $3,671 a month to live comfortably. However, when it comes to groceries, residents of Sydney are likely to pay up to %20 more for general grocery shopping.