Wherever you may be in the world, at some point, you’ll begin thinking about moving to another country to experience a different culture and tradition. Is Australia a country on your list? It should be. As a country the size of Europe, Australia has so much more to offer than any other place in the world. With natural wonders that will make your eyes pop out and a culture of beer, barbecue, and summery weather all year round, this country is one of the most exciting places to visit and even migrate to.
If you are planning to migrate to Australia, do know that it’s not an easy process. Australia is open to immigrants, but you’ll have to go through a needle to get there. Once you do, however, you can be sure of an amazing opportunity that will never make you want to live in another country.
So, what should you prepare for if you’re moving to Australia in a few short months? What can you expect? Is it going to be a breeze to settle in there?
Upgrade and Improve Your Skills
There are particular skills you need to improve your hireability in Australia. Most companies will want to see how fluent you are in speaking and writing English. You might want to get a tutor for an IELTS exam so that you can take and pass the test. A high IELTS score will give you an advantage over other candidates for the same job.
Before you leave for Australia, make sure you’ve studied your options. It matters, too, which city you will choose to live in. There is more competition in the bigger cities, so you might have more opportunities if you choose to live in the provinces. If you are working in health care, you have more chances of competing in the bigger cities since there is an increased demand for healthcare workers in recent years. Simply put, you have to define your skills and know what you can contribute to the Australian community as a whole before deciding which city to live in.
Learn About Australian Culture
The culture in Australia is largely British because of being part of the British monarchy. Though it is not under British rule since it is governed by its own prime minister and governor-general, Queen Elizabeth II is still the monarch of Australia. Despite that, there are also indigenous peoples in Australia—the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and other Australian people. They also contribute to the culture and tradition in the country.
Australians value work-life balance and the well-being of their employees. In fact, some said that Australian employers are one of the chilliest employers. Some companies there even have a shortened working week of only four days. Adapting to this new environment will not be hard for immigrants. If you love good food, a cold bottle of beer, and backyard barbecue parties, this country is for you.
Organize Your Health Insurance
The most important thing is to make sure you are covered by health insurance once you arrive at your destination. You never know what will happen when you get there. You might get sick because of the change in weather or there could be even untoward accidents and incidents when you are moving to a new apartment or commuting to work for the first time.
Even before you set foot in Australia, find out what health insurance program you can join. If you already have a job offer, ask the employer about the health benefits you can avail of. This should be your priority.
Settle Things in Your Home Country
If you plan to stay in Australia for good, make sure to tie loose ends in your home country. There’s no use to go back and forth because you keep forgetting to sign important documents, close bank accounts, or deal with family and personal matters. Since you’ll not be an Australian citizen immediately, you’ll want to renew your passport, too, so you can move back to your home country if things did not work out in Australia.
Moving to another country is a big deal. You have to think about it a hundred million times, if possible, before diving into the great unknown. Soon, it will be your home. You will know it the same way you know your hometown. It won’t be as strange to you as to when you first arrived. But in the meantime, you have to learn to prepare and adjust for a new life you are forging.
