What is the currency exange for american money in austrailia...and is it expensive to live there?

Question

we are thinking about moving to austrailia and we have two small children. we are wondering if it can be a smooth process...we are wondering what it would be like (if australia had strict laws on immigration) or even if australians like americans and how hard it would be for our kids to adjust. are there a lot of jobs...that is a main concern. any information would be very helpful and i thank you ahead of time for answering..

Answer 1

The AUD is expected to be on parity with the USD by September.

And Australia is generally more expensive than the US.

Cost of petrol being the most obvious to a casual visitor.

Each state in Australia is slightly different. The most recent figures put Queensland and WA as being the least affordable for housing, but they also have the highest wages, and have booming economies, whereas the other states like NSW and Victoria etc are in a recession.

Answer 2

1 US dollar is currently worth just under $1.05 Australian, so its close enough to one-to-one exchange at the moment.

Yes, Australia has strict laws on immigration. Unless you have the right skills, you are unlikely to get a working visa. Check the Department of Immigration web site below to see what it takes to qualify for a visa. If you have the right skills, there are currently plenty of jobs available in Australia. However, you may find that you need to move to areas outside the major cities, and possibly to very remote areas, to find work.

Answer 3

We are about $ for $ at the moment. You must be a skilled worker to apply to migrate here.Cost of living is slightly higher and housing prices rental / buying are very similar depending on where you choose to live.Our Medical system is different to yours as we have Universal Healthcare that comes out of our taxes and that can make a difference compared to the rates you are required to pay over there.Most Aussies have no problems with Americans as we have a very diverse culture.Schools are different to yours in respect that all children are required to wear the same uniform but the curriculum is very similar.

Answer 4

it isn't easy qualifying to immigrate,you must be a skilled worker in an occupation Australia needs.

Your kids would adjust ,they are very adaptable

depends what type of work you are qualified or as to i there is plenty of work and where you would need to live

this site will show you the immigration process and you can take an example points test to see i you will qualify

http://www.immi.gov.au/index.htm

http://www.visabureau.com/australia/immi...

http://www.visabureau.com/australia/visa...

Answer 5

There are generally plenty of jobs, the economy is booming and the unemployment rate is very low, but of course it depends what field you are in. To obtain permanent residency you need a skill in an area where Australia has a shortage, so then you will find plenty of work.

Housing is quite expensive, also cars and petrol, but most other costs are lower.

Cultural differences in Oz summed up:

Free or inexpensive healthcare

No guns,much much safer

Drive on the left

Use the metric system only for measurements.

No tipping due to high minimum wage of about $15 for adults

More multicultural, particularly in large cities

Much less religious, religion is generally kept out of politics

Compulsory voting in all government elections

More liberal/tolerant (dare I say it less 'redneck') to go with the less religion.

Australians like everybody including Americans. However they find the amount of ultra right wing beliefs in the US a bit frightening. Your kids will love it, no problems fitting in.

Answer 6

The AUD is very close to parity with the falling USD and a few more weeks should see the two currencies at 1 for 1 for a while - at least until the US economy picks up again.

Some places in Australia are very expensive for housing. Sydney is the most expensive but housing prices are rising in most of the larger cities. I think overall our cost of day to day living is a bit higher than in the US with some things cheaper and others dearer, but our salaries are good enough to compensate in many occupations. Cars and petrol (gasoline) are more expensive here if you compare like to like, but we generally drive smaller, more economical cars so it evens out to some extent. Australia has universal free healthcare. Many people choose to have private health insurance as well, but it isn't essential and is in any case, cheaper than in the US. Our pharmaceuticals are heavily subsidised and we have safety nets in place to protect even people with serious or chronic illnesses so that there is an affordable ceiling on out of pocket healthcare expenses of all kinds.

We have far lower crime rates and our gun crime is vastly less than in the US. Our per capita rate of death by gunshot (murder, accident, suicide) is less than 5% of  the US death rate by murder alone and I've never even seen a handgun here much less been in any danger from one.

Immigration to Australia is currently virtually impossible unless you have skills and experience in a listed occupation in which Australia has a shortage of workers. If you qualify on that score, our economy is booming and there are plenty of jobs. Our government is currently talking about greatly increasing immigration as they see a real threat to our economy if jobs across the board remain unfilled, but politicians being what they are, it may be a while before they actually do anything about it.

Under current rules, you must get a sponsored or independent Skilled Worker visa, pass a points test and meet our health and character requirements.

First step - see if your occupation is on the SOL (Skilled Occupations List)

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121...

If it's on there, check out your points test score and compare it to the required pass mark. If all is still well, go for it. Everything you need to check and know is on the official Immigration and Citizenship website -

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm

It won't be at all hard for you and your family to adjust. Our educational system is excellent, our climate (wherever you choose) is marvellous, our people are friendly and welcoming to newcomers, our kids have plenty of things to do and are pretty much the same as American kids. We have MacDonalds, KFC and several other US fast food chains and Starbucks, cable TV and video games just like in the US and we also have Australian things too so it's not just a clone of the US.

Australians generally like Americans - what they don't like are people from ANYWHERE overseas who think they know everything and criticise everything about Australia because they want it to be exactly like wherever they come from. If you come with an open mind and a friendly smile you'll be made welcome and will feel at home immediately - it's not all that different really.

Answer 7

G'day :)

Currency rate log on to www.xe.com  this is a very easy site to use.

I would check out realestate around Adelaide if you were looking at bringing kids up in a city - or make another post and ask about the areas you are looking at relocating to.

Let us know what type of area you would like in another post so i can help.

Jobs i will put a few links up below for you.  Australians are mostly open to any nationality. I like Americans so Hi!!!

But in honestly, Sydney is very expensive to bring up a family, 4 million people.

I don't know the immigration side of thimgs, but i think,,, if you are a skilled person then it will definatley be easier for you.

Good luck and hopefully you'll be lucky enough to live in Aussie, i know we are.

Answer 8

Alot of jobs in WA but expensive.

Sydney is not a great or cheap place to live In.

Melbourne is very multicultural it has jobs, cost living is less then sydney.

Queensland has cyclones up north, but its a very nice place to live in if you dont go north. Alot of retirees like queensland because its quiet and also you will enjoy the themeparks there. they are FANTASTIC. (my vote is queensland =)

South Australia doesnt have anything interesting in it and the beaches are c**p and nothing kidfriendly.

Darwin has jobs but has cyclones too and it can get really hot and humid.

Renting and housing market are expensive. You need a job to be able to even get a foot in the door with renting.

Housing is expensive on average if you want a nice 3bedroom home, it will be about 600,000.

It will take you 3 years to become a citizen.

Your best bet on immigrating here would be to come here with a work visa as a builder or a doctor or with trade qualifications because they are in need here.

Australians think americans can be alittle too "rightwing we love the government c**p". So try not to say you george W bush to anyone who is of middle eastern decent or russian.

Most people are with michael moore on america here.