expat network
Lifestyle in Australia

Culture and Lifestyle In Australia

Australia’s aboriginal population first arrived around 50,000 years ago and continue to have a strong influence on Australian culture. The British began their colonisation in 1788 and this has led to the development of Australia’s highly westernised contemporary culture. The original British occupation of Australia as a penal colony was followed by many subsequent...

new visa

New Visa To Bring Your Parents To Australia

A new Parent Visa option is opening for eligible Australian citizens or permanent residents to bring their parents to Australia temporarily for up to ten years. The new visa will however be capped to only 15,000 people per year. Read on to discover more and find out if you could be eligible to sponsor your...

Permanent Residence

New Pathways To Permanent Residence In Regional Australia

Businesses have long been advocating for more flexible migration laws to accommodate for labour shortages in regional areas – and it looks like the Government is listening. As part of its focus on alleviating population pressures in Sydney and Melbourne, various regional migration agreements are being fast-tracked across the country. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 19...

5 Australian Visa Changes Expected In 2019

Immigration was the subject of contentious political debate in 2018 and discussions shifted from the size of Australia’s permanent migration intake to how to distribute issues of apparent overcrowding in Sydney and Melbourne. Interstaff expect many of the discussions that began in 2018 will continue this year and could result in further visa changes in...

skilled visa

On A Skilled Visa? The Government May Request Access To Your Tax Affairs

Those applying for or holding a skilled Australian visa may have to provide information about their tax affairs to the Government. Interstaff set out the rule changes and the implications. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 20 December, 2018 If you are on a skilled visa or applying for one you may be interested to...

migration australia

Plans To Cut Australia’s Permanent Migration Intake: PM, Scott Morrison

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is calling on State Premiers to prepare individual population policies for their state with an aim to reduce Australia’s permanent migration intake of 190,000 migrants per year. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 3 December, 2018 Australia’s permanent migration intake is historically reviewed by the Department of Home Affairs as a national...

relocate

Which Are The 10 Healthiest Countries To Relocate To?

Deciding to move your life to a different country is a huge step and not one to be taken lightly. From learning a foreign language to country politics and environmental quality, there are a number of factors to take into account when you first start looking at a potential country to call home. Written exclusively...

cost of living

An Expat’s Guide To Cost Of Living In Australia

In her article Swati Iyer looks at the cost of living in Australia covering costs related to renting and buying a home, utilities, food and drink, getting around in a car or on public transport, as well as childcare and education costs.  We have created a series of articles to help those planning to move...

food & drink

The Cost of Food & Drink, Recreation And Entertainment In Australia

In her article Swati Iyer looks at the cost of living in Australia.  Here we cover the costs of food & drink, recreation and entertainment. Taken from an article written by Swati Iyer for Instarem Food & Drink As with many other items, the prices of food and drink items vary across Australia. On average,...

public transport

What Is The Cost Of Getting Around In Australia?

In her article Swati Iyer looks at the cost of living in Australia.  Here we cover the costs related to using public transport and running a car in Australia. Taken from an article written by Swati Iyer for Instarem How Much Does Public Transport Cost In Australia? Many cities in Australia have reliable and efficient...

childcare

The Cost Of Education And Childcare In Australia

In her article Swati Iyer looks at the cost of living in Australia.  Here we cover the costs related to education and childcare in Australia. Taken from an article written by Swati Iyer for Instarem Childcare & Education Formal childcare costs in Australia vary from state to state and provider to provider. A long...

holiday visa

Australia Relaxes Working Holiday Visa Program Restrictions

Interstaff provide an update on the relaxation of the Working Holiday Visa, which enables young people to work while they travel in Australia and to extend their stay if they are eligible. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 7th November, 2018 The Government has announced it will relax Working Holiday Visa program restrictions relating to age...