Getting There — Visa

Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) — employer-sponsored, requires 1 year of relevant experience and a salary of at least AU$79,499/yr (from July 2026). After 2 years, eligible for permanent residency via Subclass 186. For retirees, the Investor Retirement Visa (Subclass 405) requires significant assets.

Cost of Living

Comparable to the US overall. Sydney/Melbourne are expensive (rival LA/NYC), but salaries are typically higher. Expect AU$3,000-4,500/mo.

Key Fact

Australia has strict immigration quotas for non-EU workers and your employer must prove no Australian can fill the role. The upside: excellent healthcare, outdoor lifestyle, and high wages.