moving | climate | culture | food | art | sports | costs | banking | transport | suburbs | relocating | rental | medical care | covid | schools | packing | faq

Before moving to Sydney

If you’re looking to move to Australia permanently, you’ll need a job offer, a working holiday visa, or a student visa. If you are arriving in Sydney due to a corporate relocation, your employer or contractor will likely assist you, or perhaps already has, in expediting the paperwork process. 

To apply for a skilled migrant visa, you must first determine what kind of work permit you need. There are two main types of skilled worker visas available: temporary and permanent. Temporary visas allow you to stay in Australia for some time while your application is processed. Permanent visas will give you access to Australian permanent residence, which means you can remain here permanently.

Australia has an excellent healthcare system. If you are a British citizen, you can access it whilst living in Australia. However, if you become a permanent resident, you will need to pay income tax to access the health care system. You must meet certain criteria to qualify for either visa. For example, you must have at least three years of experience in your occupation and you must not have any criminal convictions. You may also be required to pay fees for each year you remain in Australia.  

Sydney’s climate and weather

Sydney is located on the eastern coast of New South Wales, which is part of the country’s east coast region. The climate is temperate and humid, with summers that are hot and mild winters. Rainfall occurs mainly from November to March.

The average temperature during the summer months (December through February) is between 21°C and 30°C. During the winter months (June through August), the average temperature is 16°C.

The cultural nuances of Sydney

As the gateway to Australia, Sydney has emerged as one of the world’s top tourist destinations and welcomes millions of tourists every year. Culturally speaking, Sydney is known for being one of the most multicultural cities in the world. In 2021, it was voted one of “the Healthiest places on Earth,” and is a regular fixture in the Top 20 “Happiest cities on Earth.” This is, in no small part, because the city encourages its residents to explore and celebrate their cultural heritage. The city is home to more than 200 different languages spoken in homes across the city. This creates an incredible social mosaic that fuses into a unique blend of sights, sounds and flavours.

Sydney is also known for having a very relaxed lifestyle. People tend to dress casually and go out late into the night. They enjoy going to live music venues, watching sports events and eating delicious food. Overall, Sydney is a diverse city with a strong sense of community. Many of the suburbs have an identity, with unique shopping districts, restaurants, and other attractions.

Sydney is also a city of parks and a playground for nature lovers. Beaches aside, it offers visitors plenty of green space to relax and unwind. The city’s famous harbourside walks are perfect for people who want to see the sights without getting too hot or sweaty. There are plenty of dog parks where owners can take their pets for long walks along the waterfront. 

Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash

Sydney’s art scene

Sydney has a thriving arts scene. There are hundreds of galleries, theatres and cinemas scattered around the city. In addition to these, the city is home to several festivals each year. These include the Sydney Festival, which runs for six weeks every summer; the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Sydney Harbour; the annual Fringe Festival, and Vivid – a stunning festival around blending light, music and ideas.

Sydney’s sporting scene

Sydneysiders are known for their love of sports. No matter where they live, they always support their local teams. Some of the most popular sports in Sydney include rugby league, soccer, cricket, tennis, golf, swimming, surfing and rowing. The top professional sports include A-League football (soccer), NRL (rugby league) and AFL (Australian Football League).

When it comes to major sporting events, Sydney hosts them all. The 2000 Olympics were held in Sydney and the 2006 Commonwealth Games were also hosted by the city. Sydney also hosts major surfing events like the ASP World Tour Championship and the Rip Curl Pro Search.

Getting around Sydney

There are several ways to get around Sydney. Public transport is cheap and easy to use. It takes approximately 40 minutes to travel from one end of the CBD to the other. Taxis and ride-sharing alternatives like Uber are another option, but they can be expensive. 

If you prefer walking, cycling or driving, there’s no shortage of options. The city centre is compact enough that you can walk everywhere. You can hire bikes from bike rental shops throughout the city. Or, you can drive yourself if you have a car. Parking meters are plentiful, and most streets charge between AU$2 and AU$10 per hour.

As a harbour city, Sydney is reliant on its iconic ferry service. Manly, for example, is only accessible via the Northern Beaches Ferry and the North Shore Ferries. The service operates from 6 am to midnight daily. The ferry terminal at Manly is located on the northern side of the harbour, opposite the Manly Hotel.

The ferries are operated by NSW Ferries. They have been operating since 1885 when they were first introduced as horse-drawn vehicles. In 1888, steam-powered ferries began operation. Today, there are three types of vessels used: catamarans, car ferries and high-speed craft.

The ferries operate in two directions between Circular Quay (the southern end of the Harbour Bridge) and Manly Wharf. There are four routes:

There are also several smaller services which run to many locations around the harbour including Mosman Bay, Palm Beach, North Sydney, and many more. 

Choosing where to live in Sydney

Sydney is a city of diverse communities and suburbs, there are plenty of choices when it comes to housing. Choose an area based on its proximity to public transportation, schools, shopping centres and restaurants.

When choosing a neighbourhood, consider factors like crime rates, traffic congestion and school ratings. If you are looking for a balance of natural beauty with services and amenities, we recommend Manly Beach, which has everything you need within a 15-minute drive. Manly Beach is popular with younger executives and offers residents a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants. Manly Beach also has excellent beaches and surf spots. There are numerous surfing competitions held here each year.

Renting property near Manly Beach can be difficult because it attracts people who work in the city and the ferry service benefits from reduced vehicular traffic. But if you do find a suitable home, you’ll have access to all the facilities of Manly Beach without having to commute through heavy traffic. You can expect to pay monthly rent in the range of AU $3000 – AU $10,000 depending on the size of your property, amenities, views and proximity to the beach. 

For those looking for a more refined and quieter community, we recommend looking into Mosman. Mosman is known for being home to some of Sydney’s wealthiest people. Residents have access to world-class facilities, including beaches, tennis courts, swimming pools and gyms. In Mosman, you can expect to pay monthly rent in the range of $AU 4000 – $AU 12000.

What to look for when choosing a place to rent in Sydney

You should always check out the local market before making any decisions about renting long-term in Sydney. This will help you determine whether prices are rising or falling, and what kind of properties are available.

Another thing to keep in mind is how much space you need. Do you have personal items like furniture, bicycles, or even a car?  Do you have kids or are you planning to have children soon? These things will affect your decision about renting, what you need, and where to hang your hat.

The best way to find out what homes are available is by contacting a specialist like Property Providers. We can show you a portfolio of listings and curate properties based on your needs and interests. 

If you’re interested in finding a new home in Sydney, contact us today! We’d love to help you make the right choice.

Seeking medical care in Sydney

The Australian public health care system is known for its overall excellence. That said, many Australians still carry private health care insurance. Using it in combination with the government health system can be a great idea, especially if you’re new and relocating to Sydney.

Sydney boasts world-class hospitals and medical care, including St Vincent’s Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital and Westmead Hospital. All three offer 24/7 emergency care.

Just west of Mosman, and with over 700 beds, Royal North Shore Hospital is a major emergency care centre and teaching facility for Northern Sydney. From major trauma and maternity to cancer and burns, they assist a large patient base.

About a 10-minutes north of Manly Beach, you will find the newly built Northern Beaches Hospital which offers a state-of-the-art facility with 488 beds and 24/7 emergency care.   

St Vincent’s Hospital is located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and provides advanced treatment for cancer patients. This hospital is well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Prince Charles Hospital is located in Camperdown and provides primary health care to Sydneysiders. Patients can receive treatment for minor illnesses such as cuts and bruises, broken bones and infections at this facility.

Westmead Hospital is located in the suburb of Westmead and provides advanced treatment for children and adults. It is one of the largest hospitals in NSW and is affiliated with the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Packing up ahead of your move to Sydney

When relocating to Australia, there are quite a few things that need to be considered. For example, if you plan on bringing your car with you, you will need to get a permit. If you are going to ship your furniture, you should consider using freight companies instead of packing them yourself. When shipping your belongings, you may also need to pay customs duties. 

You might not realize that packing up and shipping your belongings costs more than you’d expect. Shipping containers are expensive, so it’s important to get a reliable shipping quote before you start packing.

Here are some tips to help you save money when moving to Australia:

1) Decide Furnished or Unfurnished

The world has changed.  Corporate Executive Corporate Mobility has now embraced a range of different strategies when it comes to relocating.  Many families still choose to move their entire lives (i.e. all their furniture) however others have found that it can be a better commercial decision to relocate only with a select amount of personal items and choose to rent a furnished/equipped property. 

The weekly rent for a furnished property does tend to be higher but when considering the cost and effort involved with shipping furniture, it makes sense to simply rent a furnished property.  There are furnished experts in almost every major city around the world now which allows executives to rent their property furnished and then move into an equipped property in their new destination.

If you are planning on migrating to Sydney you may reach out to us as we can assist you with your requirements and add important peace of mind. At the end of the day, remember it’s best to do your research in advance before making financial commitments. 

2) Use Freight Companies Instead of Packaging Yourself

Shipping containers are an affordable way to transport your belongings to your new home. However, you still need to make sure that everything arrives safely. To avoid paying too much for shipping, use a reputable company like Australian Moving & Storage. They provide professional services at reasonable prices.

3) Get a Reliable Quote Before Shipping Your Belongings

Getting a shipping quote is easy. Just go online and enter your address into the calculator. Once you have entered all of your information, click “Get Quotes” and you’ll see a list of different quotes based on the size of your shipment. Choose the best price and then contact the company to arrange payment.

4) Consider Using Air Cargo

Air cargo is another option for transporting your belongings. This method is often cheaper than shipping by sea or truck. However, you will need to take extra precautions because air cargo can be dangerous. Make sure that you hire a reputable company to handle your shipment. Also, make sure that you keep track of where your items are during the entire process.

5) Don’t Ship Too Much Stuff

You don’t want to overload your container with too many large items. It could damage your belongings and cause them to break. Try to only ship the essentials such as clothing, books, and electronics.

6) Be Prepared

You never know what could happen when you’re moving overseas. Things can become damaged, lost, stolen, or broken. Therefore, it’s important to prepare for any potential problems. Keep copies of your passport, visa, health insurance card, and other necessary documents.

Also important is that there is a quarantine period for shipping goods to Australia. Before you send anything into the country, make sure to check the requirements. 

There could be unexpected delays and fines for items that come in with grasses, dirt, biological matter, and/or non-native insects. Some items may be destroyed at the discretion of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, and invoiced to you at your cost.