Moving to Australia: what you need to know
Moving to Australia starts with the right visa, then choosing a city, then sorting housing, a bank account, a tax file number and healthcare. Most new arrivals rent first in a capital city and take a few months to settle.
How we put this guide together
This guide is editorial, not sponsored. National claims cite sources in the references below; house figures in the city tables link to their individual articles and name their geography, period and measure. House figures are editorially reviewed, not automatically replaced by the weekly population and rent check. Other city figures remain indicative. If something looks out of date, tell us.
1. Get the right visa
Check the official Home Affairs visa finder. Common routes are skilled visas, employer-sponsored visas, partner visas, student visas and working holiday visas for younger people from eligible countries.[1][2]
2. Choose where to live
Jobs, housing costs and weather vary a lot between cities. Compare them side by side before deciding; many people pick based on where their industry is strongest.
3. Find somewhere to rent
Rentals are competitive in most cities. Expect to inspect in person, provide references and ID, and pay a bond (usually four weeks' rent) plus rent in advance.[3]
4. Tax, banking and phone
Apply for a tax file number from the ATO once you arrive, open a bank account (many banks let you start before you land), and get a local SIM.[4]
5. Healthcare
Permanent residents can enrol in Medicare. Most temporary visa holders need private health insurance as a visa condition.[5][6]
6. Settling in
The government's settlement pages cover English classes, schools, driving licences and community services.[7]
References
Which Australian city is right for you?
Capital-city house figures use Domain's September 2026 city-wide stratified medians, excluding apartments. They do not compare equivalent homes at the same distance from each city centre. Regional figures below use other sources and periods.
| City | Population | House figure and source | Weekly rent | Summer / winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5.5 million | $1.66M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Sydney capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $750 | 26° / 17°C |
| Melbourne | 5.2 million | $1.01M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Melbourne capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $560 | 26° / 14°C |
| Brisbane | 2.7 million | $1.15M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Brisbane capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $650 | 30° / 22°C |
| Perth | 2.3 million | $1.12M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Perth capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $680 | 31° / 19°C |
| Adelaide | 1.4 million | $1.1M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Adelaide capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $570 | 29° / 15°C |
| Canberra | 470,000 | $1.03M ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Canberra · September quarter 2026 | $680 | 28° / 12°C |
| Hobart | 255,000 | $790k ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Hobart capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $550 | 22° / 12°C |
| Darwin | 150,000 | $752k ↗ Domain stratified median house sale price (houses only) · Darwin capital-city market (Domain) · September quarter 2026 | $650 | 32° / 31°C |
| Gold Coast | 730,000 | $1.25M ↗ Median house sale price · Gold Coast City Council · June quarter 2025 | $750 | 28° / 21°C |
| Newcastle | 500,000 | $989k ↗ Cotality median house value (not Newcastle-only sale median) · Newcastle and Lake Macquarie combined · August 2025 | $600 | 26° / 18°C |
| Sunshine Coast | 360,000 | $1.08M ↗ Median house sale price · Sunshine Coast · June 2025 | $720 | 28° / 21°C |
| Wollongong | 310,000 | $1.18M ↗ Median house sale price; verify provider methodology · Wollongong local government area · 12 months to July 2026 | $620 | 25° / 17°C |
| Geelong | 290,000 | $782k ↗ Median house sale price · Geelong · September 2025 | $500 | 25° / 14°C |
| Townsville | 200,000 | $626k ↗ Median house sale price · Townsville · October 2025 | $520 | 31° / 25°C |
| Cairns | 160,000 | $775k ↗ Median house sale price · Cairns · December 2025 | $580 | 31° / 26°C |
| Bendigo | 125,000 | $600k ↗ Median house sale price · Greater Bendigo local government area · June quarter 2025 | $440 | 29° / 13°C |
| Ballarat | 120,000 | $545k ↗ Median house sale price · Ballarat local government area · September quarter 2025 | $430 | 25° / 11°C |
| Launceston | 110,000 | $628k ↗ Median house sale price · Launceston · 2025 annual | $470 | 24° / 12°C |
| Alice Springs | 26,000 | $469k ↗ Quarterly median house sale price; small market, volatile · Alice Springs · December quarter 2025 | $550 | 36° / 20°C |
House figures link to their exact articles and differ by period, boundary and method; they are not a like-for-like ranking. Rent, population and weather figures are indicative and have not been individually source-audited. Compare any two in Compare cities.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Australia?
Budget for at least a rental bond and a month or two of rent, living costs until your first pay, and flights. In Sydney or Brisbane that can easily be $10,000 or more for a couple.
Which Australian city is easiest to move to?
Adelaide, Perth and the regional cities usually have easier rental markets and lower costs than Sydney or Melbourne, and some regional areas have their own visa pathways.
Do I need a job before moving to Australia?
Not always. Employer-sponsored visas need a job offer, but many skilled visas do not.