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.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

What comes to your mind when you think of home? For me, and many other people alike, Australia is a common answer. Although you might have been studying in Coventry and have no choice than to become accustomed to life there, but deep down you still feel like your real home is back in Australia.

Living far away from family and familiar faces would have made you realize how important family really is, and the support they provide. Upon reflection of this, you’ve begun to hunt for flights back home in order to re-unite with your loved ones for Christmas, right? Wow! That really sounds amazing to hear.

However, it’s not only the thought of peace and comfort that comes with returning home during Covid but also the knowledge that you are reuniting with those who support and love you most. In fact, your journey back to Australia could be as straight forward as you’d like, but life never seems to be that simple.

The first thing you might want to do is search for the quickest and most affordable flights. Unfortunately, this will not happen over Christmas: it’s simply too late now! So, what is the best way to travel back to Australia during covid? Of course, there are cheap flights to catch up this month.

From doing a quick search online, you’ll see airlines that have a 78% approval rating from its customers. But before you proceed, have it in mind that we have compiled this article to meet your requirements. Here, we will explain everything needed to return to Australia during Covid as an expat. Check it out now!

7 Tips to Return to Australia during Covid-19 as an expat

There are many ways to live and work in a new country. You can try your luck going through immigration or finding a job directly, even if you don’t speak the local language. But both options have huge challenges and no guarantees of success.

Australia is a wealthy country with one of the largest economies in the world. That being said, it’s also a beautiful country to live in due to its climate, low crime rates, and lots of fun things to do. If you are looking to move there for work or studies, you don’t necessarily need an employer’s sponsorship; depending on your home qualifications, skills, and experience.

Furthermore, when you find the right opportunity, it may seem like everything is perfect straight away. Meanwhile, there are many things you need to keep in mind before leaving your current life. Here is a list of 10 tips to help you with your return journey to Australia during Covid as an expat.

1.       Prepare For the Worst

Even if it sounds pessimistic, the most important thing about leaving home for any reason is being mentally prepared for the worst. You will have a lot of amazing experiences, but it is also important to be ready for anything that can happen during your journey back to Australia as an expat.

Back home you may have a stable job and a big network of friends, but when moving to a new country with different cultural norms, it all can be gone in a flash. If you are not prepared for the worst, the whole situation may disrupt your mental health causing even more problems out of nowhere.

When things go south, try to be mild-tempered with yourself and others. Being angry doesn’t help anyone! Instead of focusing on what went wrong when trying to move back home, think about what you can do now to improve the situation.

2.       Organize Your Finances

The easiest way to start living in a new country is with an existing savings account, but incomings and outgoings are never fully predictable. Try to set up at least three months’ worth of emergency funds before moving back home as an expat.

Taking a gap year from work to explore is a great way to do something different and earn some money on the side. If you decide to look for an ordinary job before finding your dream position back home as an expat, you need to have enough savings at least until the first payday with no income.

Be realistic about how much money you can make during your adventure in Australia, especially if you are planning to live frugally. One way to get more money while preparing for a long-term stay is by building a side-hustle or freelancing.

Back home there may be many things that you take for granted such as free healthcare and education. In other countries it may be different, so try to see how much it would cost you if something happened to you or your family members.

3.       Get Used To the Time Difference Again

If you are planning on moving back to Australia with a family, you will need to get used to the different time zone once again. Even if it is just an hour’s difference and it may not seem like much, this can affect some people more than others.

Make sure to check your watch regularly in case you may need to change the time manually. Sometimes it can be challenging, but it is an experience that will make you stronger. If all else fails, think of moving back home as a chance for another adventure.

4.       Prepare For the Weather

Australia may not be as hot on average compared to where you’re coming from, but it can get quite chilly in some places. Even if you are moving back to Australia during Covid or other time of year with warm climate, be prepared!

You can use this time to relax and enjoy the pool, beach or any other outdoor activities that you miss. If it starts raining, just go inside and take some time out for yourself.

5.       Choose Your Visa Carefully

If you want to move back, make sure you find the best visa for you before making any decisions. There are many different visas for Australia depending on who you are and what you will be doing when moving back. It is important to know them all in order to choose the right one for your needs and circumstances.

After choosing a visa that suits your needs, don’t hold back from applying as soon as possible. Even though it is possible to apply for a visa in Covid, the process takes time and if you want to move back, it is better to get everything done beforehand.

6.       Don’t Rush Your Return Journey Home

Even though you may be excited to go back, rushing things will only make it more difficult for yourself. It is important to take everything slowly and plan ahead if needed. This way, you can make sure that you and your things will arrive at the airport on time and without too many problems.

7.       Get the Latest Changes in Covid

Moving back home can be scary and it’s easy to get stuck in your old patterns. However, if you want to stay on top of things, try staying in touch with what is happening in both Australia and Covid. This way, you will know if returning home is really the right thing for you to do.