Returning To Australia During Covid As An Expat part 2. You can see part 1 here.
10 Reasons Why Australia is Worth Visiting
Everybody enjoys an Australian vacation, either for the fabulous beaches or the amazing activities. All the fun stuff aside, there are many reasons to visit Australia that you might not have even thought of yet. Without further ado, below are the ten reasons why Australia is worth visiting.
The Animals
Australia is home to loads of unique wildlife, both native and introduced by European settlers. There are kangaroos jumping around, wild koalas in the trees, crocodiles swimming around in the rivers, and much more. The really amazing thing is how accustomed to people they are.
For example, if you go to an open zoo or sanctuary that has kangaroos or wallabies, they will not be scared of you at all. You can see them up close and feed them by hand. They are very used to humans, so it’s a truly amazing experience!
The Landscaping in Australia
Everything you’ve ever seen in movies about Australia is true. There are huge, tall gum trees with their roots growing along the ground, creating some of the most unique landscapes you’ll ever see – even more so if they have been burnt!
The rocky ground with the little eucalyptuses growing here and there makes for very scenic hiking spots as well. All the lush green grass made me feel like I was in Ireland or something since it is so different from what we have in California.
The Weather
Australia has a great climate. The summers are hot and dry, whereas the winters are not too cold. You can swim in the ocean throughout most of the year, so it’s great for snorkeling or surfing. There is no monsoon season like in parts of Asia, which means that you can visit Australia throughout most of the year and not have to worry about it being unbearably hot.
The Food
Since Australia is just next to Southeast Asia, their food has a lot of influence from there. They have great Pad Thai, Pho, Satay, and the list goes on! And not only is that but they have an entirely different cuisine in which you can enjoy kangaroo, crocodile, emu, fish, and even some insects.
All of this food is grown in the country because Australia has the perfect climate for growing fruits and vegetables. There are also tons of great cheeses there that you don’t find anywhere else!
The Nightlife
Australia’s nightlife is very active and lively. You can go out and have a good time anywhere, as long as you know where to look. In each city, there are tons of unique bars and clubs, some better than others. One place I went to have a DJ who was using some really funky instruments I’d never seen before. Another one had a moshing pit in the middle of the dance floor, so it’s really fun to get crazy at night!
The Variety of People
There are people from all over the world in Australia. Since it is an English-speaking country (with some regional accents), you can meet people there who are fluent in other languages. You can even learn some new phrases or words while you’re there! It’s a great place to meet people from around the world.
The Cost of Living
Australia is very affordable. You can save money while you’re there, because everything is so cheap. They have some of the cheapest flights in the world, so you save time and money by getting there faster. You can get really nice hotels for a good price, and the food is actually pretty cheap as well. Plus, Australia has some of the best homebrews you’ll ever try!
The Activities
Australia offers a lot of fun activities, especially out in nature. You can go hiking or swimming, see amazing waterfalls and natural rock formations, do a skydive, camp out in the wild, and so much more! Since Australia is a huge country with such a wide variety of landscapes (and climates), there is always something fun to do.
The Down under Night Market
Every city in Australia has a night market, which is similar to a farmer’s market, except that they have food stalls out for people to buy. It’s great because you can get really good deals there without having to go through the trouble of bargaining with them! You can meet new people, try some delicious food, and enjoy the culture for a low price.
The People
Lastly, I’d just like to say that Australians are great people. They’re all happy and fun-loving, generous, and kind to their friends and family. It’s really easy to make friends in Australia because many of them come from other countries as well.
I went by myself to relieve some stress, but I met a ton of new people and had a great time. So if you’re looking for a new experience, go visit Australia! There’s so much culture, adventure, food, fun, and more to see there. I hope this article helps convince you to go.
7 Things You Should Avoid When Returning To Australia
Covid is a time when everyone from all over the world who has been educated in other universities comes back to work for a short period of time. It’s an exciting time but it can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing. There are a few things that you should avoid when returning, and here are seven of them.
Filing Tax Returns in the Wrong Country
If you’ve been living outside of Australia for the duration of Covid, you’ll have certain legal obligations to your country of residency. The Australian government will not expect you to file a tax return if you are living in another country, but make sure that’s the case! If it isn’t, then be sure to file one as soon as you get back because it could be a nasty surprise if the ATO starts chasing you after Covid is over.
Forgetting To Update Your Address with Organizations
Lots of Australians forget to update their address after they return home, which means any bills that are sent to them end up being returned or lost in the mail because they’re not at the right address. This is not good, so whether you’re returning home just for Covid or moving back permanently, be sure to update all your details with banks, government institutions, and telecommunications companies.
Not Signing Up For Health Cover
Some people might think that they don’t need to sign up for private health because Australia offers free public healthcare. Unfortunately, the private health cover is still necessary for Covid because not only will it help you to avoid being left without any insurance if anything bad happens to you, but you’ll also be covered for things like visits to the dentist and prescriptions.
Not Organizing Travel Insurance
You should have good travel insurance that covers your Covid trip, just in case anything goes wrong. It’s best to compare prices and policies beforehand so that you know what you’re getting into before you go ahead and book things with your insurance company.
Buying or Selling a Car during Covid
It might sound appealing to buy or sell your car while you are there but this is a very risky thing to do during Covid. There are lots of things that could go wrong, especially if you sell your car without getting it checked over by someone else first. Buying a car is pretty dangerous too, so just be careful about this one.
Making Large Purchases
If you have the money available to buy a car or a computer, for example, don’t do it! The money that you spent on the items could be used for flights and other travel experiences instead. There’s nothing wrong with buying or selling electronics while you’re away from home but just make sure that you’re ready to pay for them fully before doing so.
Giving Out Confidential Information
It’s probably a good idea if you cut back on how often you share information about your job and where you live online. This way, it makes it harder for identity thieves to get their hands on personal details about you so they can exploit them when Covid is over.
Frequently Asked Questions about Returning to Australia
Do I need a car when I return?
If yes, then you should. Public transport may not be the best option when moving to a new city and having your own car can help you get around much easier. Yet, if you plan on staying in the same place for longer than 2 years it would be better to look into public transport options as well.
Can I open a bank account?
Yes, you can. However, it is much easier for returning residents to do so if they have their Australian bank details available. On the other hand, this may not be an option depending on how long you were gone or why you left in the first place. Asking your friends and family members if they are willing to help you out in this is a good idea.
Where can I find friends?
Most of my friends are still in Australia. – is something we heard many times and it is very true. There won’t be too much trouble finding like-minded people who enjoy similar things as you, especially if they live in big cities like Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane.
How can I find work?
There are many resources online that can help you find jobs in Australia. Some of them will even do the hard part for you by matching your skills with positions that open up to people just like you. And if all else fails, seek out the help of an employment agency in Australia.
Can I still use my phone when I come back?
Yes, you can! However, if you want to make the most of your trip and enjoy yourself you should definitely contact your service provider before coming back. The main thing about making international calls is that it costs a lot more than talking to someone from within Australia. And that is if the company you use even covers international calls from Australia at all.
Can I use my credit card?
Yes, you can! But make sure to read the contract available with it first and figure out whether or not this is going to be a problem for you. Some of the terms and conditions may make your card unusable when you are in Australia.
What will be the cost of living?
This, like many other things, depends on your level of comfort and circumstances. If you do not need to spend much time shopping around for prices before buying something then this question does not apply to you. Yet if every dollar is precious then doing your research can save you a lot of money.
Conclusion
After you might have spent couple of years or month in your chosen destination, returning back to Australia could be quite challenging. However, if you follow the right part, and the instructions or ultimate guide listed in this article, the process will be easy and straightforward.
