I know I’m only about a decade late on this post but at least I’m doing it :O After such a painful drag out, not going to waste anyone’s time, and just going to jump right into this. Based on all the questions I’ve received about immigrating to Australia, I’ve put down a selection of the most frequently asked ones, with perspective on how it worked out for us. If you have more questions, drop them in the comments, I’ll keep updating this post, forever (?).

FIRST THINGS FIRST, some basic details.

Family Size: Me and hasbund, Nabeel. No kids.
Moved from: Dubai, UAE
Moving date: Jan 2018

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING TO AUSTRALIA

I’ve broken the post down into sections for ease of reading, because the questions were many and I’m going to be rambling.

VISA SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Which visa are you on?

Skilled, independent, subclass 189. Details here.

Who was the primary?

Nabeel was the primary applicant, I was his partner. So the main skills assessments for our specific visa type was done for Nabeel.

Did you go through a consultant or apply yourself?

We did all the paperwork ourselves. It’s not difficult AT ALL, just time-intensive because of the data & document collection. Just follow all the steps mentioned on the immigration website (our visa link is in the question above, but it will vary based on your kind of visa). As you complete each step, the immigration team in Australia informs you of the next step to do, so you’ll know what is required at each point.

Why we didn’t choose a consultant was because we felt that while he/she would help keep us on track with followups etc, all the legwork we’d still have to do on our own, like getting the police certificates, document attestation, etc so we did it on our own. However, it doesn’t hurt to get a consultant, so if you have the money, go for it.

A tip for immigration consultants that someone mentioned on Instagram (thank you Tahira!): Please make sure you verify your consultant/agent’s MARA number (each agent has one) on the website for the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority. If they show up in the search then they are legitimate, please be careful of scams.

Can you guide me on how to apply?

It’s legally not allowed for me to instruct you on the exact steps of immigration. Certified consultants can only guide you. Please either contact one (we didn’t use one so I can’t suggest any) or just simply follow the instructions on the website; it’s straightforward, you just need to put time into it. Block some time out on an evening, get some coffee and sit down to carefully read through the steps; trust me, it’s easy. Once you’ve read everthing, read it again and then again, to make sure you have the correct understanding of what’s needed .

Just keep in mind, at our time, we made sure all our required documents were ready before applying, because we didn’t want a situation where the Aussie government asked us for something within a set number of days, and we’d be stuck in Dubai waiting for the police in Pakistan to prep our character certificates (sample situation). We had everything in hand before officially beginning the process (all required documents are mentioned for your particular visa).

I can’t seem to get started on applying. Any suggestions?

Same here, we procrastinated for a long time as well. What worked for us was that we registered ourselves for an IELTS (english language test) as the first step. The IELTS registration is quick so you get started with one step easily. Once you take your test, that automatically puts pressure on you to get moving on to the next step (because it’s not a super cheap test to take and eventually has an expiration, and losing money is the best kind of pressure lulz).

Did both you and Nabeel take IELTS?

Nabeel’s visa type required him to have a ‘competent’ score on IELTS. I, as the partner, required ‘functional’ English. Both of us took the test. But please check the requirements for your specific visa type AND the most updated guidelines, since these can always change at any time.

How long did your visa approval take?

From start to finish, in 2015, it took us about 7-8 months. The process appeared to be very fast at that time because we responded to each step at our end very slowly. Recently I’ve heard it has slowed down a little. Again, this can depend on many things (your profile, general immigration scene, etc.), so if you want to apply, just go for it, without thinking about the time too much. If it has to come through it will, just get started (especially because you lose points as you age).

SHIPPING OF PERSONAL ITEMS

How did you ship all your stuff to Australia?

We used a door-to-door cargo service. The shippers came to our place for an initial survey to evaluate how much space we would need in the container. They quote by volume so they told us the cost of shipment for everything and gave general guidelines on what could not be taken or could be a risk. They were very helpful with all steps and our stuff was packed, shipped and delivered in perfect condition. We had been living in a two bedroom apartment before moving and it took them one day to pack everything. We also booked 1/3rd of a container (instead of the whole thing) because that much was enough for our stuff. Make sure to pack your suitcases first (that you’ll take with you to Australia) so you don’t end up shipping your everyday clothes in your cargo container.

Also note: Booking a partial container means that you shipment may be a little slow in reaching because they first wait for the entire container to fill up before sending it on its way. Our stuff was shipped end of January and reached us mid-March. We were given tentative timelines beforehand so we knew how long we’d have to stay in temporary accommodation.

The door-to-door cargo service we used for this was the following:

Leader Relocations LLC
Tollfree (UAE): 800-MOVERS (668377)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.leaderrelocations.com

What kind of stuff can I ship in cargo?

The cargo service will give clear instructions with a checklist on what can/cannot be taken so it’s best to check with them. Australia is very specific about what kind of things can be brought in and the cargo service will be able to provide you the most updated guidelines on this. Generally, at the time of our moving, we couldn’t take any items that had too much dust/sand on them (or we had to clean them before packing), no food items, etc. It’s best to err on the side of caution because if your stuff is checked at entry into Australia, they charge you for the treatment or disposal of incorrect items, so basically you may have to pay to throw your stuff out.

Why did you ship your personal items instead of buying new once you got to Australia?

A few reasons. First, we imagined that moving to a new country would be a lot of work and we didn’t want the hassle of going out to buy new things in the middle of house hunting, job hunting etc. Two, we also felt that spending in a stronger currency when we didn’t have the promise of a job yet would be unnecessary financial pressure. Third, we felt selling off each and every one of our personal items in Dubai was too much of a pain and we just didn’t want to get into it in the middle of this hectic moving time. Fourth, which wasn’t a reason, but we realized it worked out well, that as soon as our shipment arrived in Sydney, our house was up and running in two days. Each and every thing we needed, towels, spoons, sheets, even small things down to Q-tips were available and it was seamless (also, I’m not someone who gets homesick but I can imagine that if you do, this would tremendously help in having things you’re comfortable with right there with you).

BEFORE FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

What are some of the things you did before flying to Australia?

1. A few days before leaving, we applied for a bank account online with NAB so our cards could be ready when we reached.

2. We booked an Airbnb for 2 weeks in West Sydney and a second Airbnb for another 2 weeks in North Sydney, to allow us to get a feeling of each side and figure out where we wanted to get our future home.

FLYING INTO AUSTRALIA

Why did you choose Sydney?

More job opportunities. Otherwise we were open to any city, really.

Which airline did you take?

We flew Thai Airways from Karachi, Pakistan to Sydney (because we went to Pakistan for a bit after packing up from Dubai) with a layover in Bangkok. You can also fly direct from Emirates. If you’re going to Melbourne, Brunei Air is a fantastic airline that’s much cheaper than others.

What did you pack in your suitcase?

This will of course be specific to your own needs. But I packed my suitcase like I would for a vacation. Plus good walking shoes, because you can anticipate walking around a bit. Anything you forget, is not such a big deal, just get it at Kmart or Target.

Just to give an idea, I had about 10 outfits on me (to last me about 2 months), shoes, one handbag, toiletries, cosmetics and gadgets (laptop, phone). We arrived in the summer so didn’t need any extra outerwear but if you’re coming in the winter and don’t have jackets, just go to Target or Cotton On and pick one up (both super affordable) or go to any Westfield mall and shop around.

LANDING IN AUSTRALIA

What were some of the first things you did when you reached Australia?

1. The first day, we went to the bank to pick up our cards (see section above on ‘before flying to australia’).

2. Also on the first day, we went to Medicare to apply for our medical insurance, which would then be later posted to us. Check before going what documents they need from you to apply.

3. A week after reaching, we rented a car for a month to allow us to househunt easily without having to get an Uber or wait for public transport.

4. You can start gearing up for taking your driving test to secure a license. We had our Dubai driving licenses on which we could drive in Australia for three months. We later on in the year took our test through Sajid who was very good (contact: 0452526263).

Where did you stay when you landed in Australia for the first time?

Airbnb. We booked one place for 2 weeks in West Sydney (in Sydney Olympic Park) and a second Airbnb for another 2 weeks in North Sydney (in Killara), to allow us to get a feeling of each side and figure out where we wanted to get our future home.

Why did you choose Airbnb instead of a hotel?

I think hotels and Airbnb’s can often cost the same but with an Airbnb, you can get the comfort of a home so you get more for your money. You can cook, do laundry, enjoy more space, etc. Especially if you have kids, and are going to be without your home for a while, an Airbnb will give them space to play, spread out and save you from not wanting to murder them, lulz.

Also, staying at an Airbnb allowed us to be right in the middle of a residential suburb and understand what ‘living’ in Australia is like. It acclimates you faster and you feel ‘settled’ quicker. You can of course get hotel apartments, but a regular home turned out to be cheaper for us.

Any tips for booking an Airbnb?

Book a few days in advance. Many people put up their places on Airbnb, which may be showing as available, but they’re not actually ready yet (the owner is still living there and only vacates for you) so keep a gap of a few days. If you try for an overnight booking, you might find false vacancies.

Also, since you would be doing a prolonged stay (not just 2-3 nights), you can message and request your host for a reduced rate. Both our hosts gave us discounts for our 2 week stays.

If you’re coming in the peak summer or winter, check that the Airbnb has airconditioning/heating. Some places have fans only and can get uncomfortable. Also check for free parking if you’re renting a car OR proximity to a train/bus station.

HOUSEHUNTING

How long did it take you to find your apartment?

About 1.5 months. However, you can find one within a few days to a week. Our shipment was due in March (we landed in February) so we took our time in finding a place.

Where did you look for apartments?

Everyone uses Real Estate and Domain. Each place has a specific inspection time mentioned within the listing (if it doesn’t, message the agent asking to set it up). You absolutely must show up within the time slot mentioned, they don’t wait for you.

What’s the rental budget I should be looking at?

Everyone has a different need and whoever I’ve spoken to about rents has different interpretations of expensive and cheap. For our 2 person household, our 2 bedroom apartment is in the range of $550-650 per week.

Which suburbs are good for me to look at?

Pick out a train line with suburbs listed, and start searching on the websites I’ve mentioned above, against those suburbs. Most people rent in West Sydney or North Sydney. I personally liked suburbs in West Sydney more (they have more Muslim population and are newer so less ‘wild’ if you’re scared of random bug type creatures).

Which suburb do you live in?

I am based in West Sydney but for privacy reasons, I don’t share the exact suburb. Thanks for understanding, franss.

Any tips for house-hunting?

1. We stayed in Airbnbs in both West and North Sydney, and explored rentals on both sides. This helped us give an idea of which side we wanted to live in. We preferred the West but we have friends who prefer the North, so this will again be a very personal choice. EXPLORE, so you can decide which area you like best.

2. We rented a car for the one month we were househunting. This was cheaper than Ubering and faster than public transport. When you’re looking for places, each place has a specific inspection time listed and you have to view it within that timeslot or you have to wait until the next week when it happens. Most inspection times for different apartments/houses are overlapping or quite close to each other, so with a car we used to see double the places versus if we had been going by train/bus. Also, it may be the summer when you land so it could be hot, or you may be with kids (strollers, etc) or may be pregnant, it’s best to make life easy and book a car for a short time (or buy one if you’re ready). We rented through No Birds.

3. People with kids check which school they want their kids to go to and search within those suburbs. This is because if you’re choosing public schooling, you have to send your kid to the school of your own suburb/region, it’s not a choice.

4. Check proximity to the train station (if you’re not buying a car or have one car and more family members). This will reduce your commute time so much, which can be long in Sydney.

5. Keep in mind that if you get a unit with no elevator, your future heavy deliveries may charge more for door-door delivery because it will have to be carried up.

6. Once you’ve shortlisted a few suburbs that you like, it might be a good idea to take a drive there at night to see how quiet/dark etc they are. Some suburbs can feel too isolated at night, so you’ll be clear on what you’re getting into.

7. If you’re home stuff is coming by cargo, make sure you have your place ready by the time it arrives at the port, otherwise you may have to pay charges to hold your goods per day (talk to your shipping company also, ours said they’d give us 7 days of free storage if needed).

8. Adding a point mentioned in the comments below (thank you Sidrah!): For apartment rental, you do need to show enough finances to be able to pay through each month, especially if you don’t have a job. We showed our bank details based on which our rent approval came through.

What should I rent? Apartment, house?

I chose an apartment for a few reasons. One, a house has extra costs attached to it like backyard maintenance, etc. that I didn’t want to pay for while we were unemployed. Apartment maintenance costs are managed by the landlord (we’ve been living in this apartment since 1.5 years and haven’t paid for a single repair). Two, ground floors usually get creepy crawlies and I wasn’t ready for that. Our apartment is on a higher level and we don’t have any ‘visitors’ (no spiders, bugs, etc). A house does allow more space for a family but for us, an apartment is more than enough right now.

INITIAL LIVING

How did you manage without your stuff?

If you’re in an Airbnb, it’s not hard at all. Pretty much everything required for basic life is available. Anything else, you can pick up from a store.

Any affordable/inexpensive stores to get things from right after I move?

Kmart and Target. Inexpensive home stuff like cooking utensils, plates, etc.

How did you get around without a car initially?

1. Public transport here is amazing. We were very comfortable with it and actively chose to not buy a car for a long time. You can check out this blog post I did on why we didn’t buy one initially.

2. The first month we moved, we rented a car, as I talked above in the ‘househunting’ section. If you have a heavy period of car usage coming up, you can always rent one for a short period. We rent through No Birds.

3. For everyday usage, if we wanted to go do a LOT of groceries, or pick up something large/heavy, we would book a goget. You get a yearly membership and this allows you to book a car for an hour or two or even per day. The hourly rental is about $10 so very cheap and you can go get your stuff done. The cars are usually parked in each suburb in public parking spots, so you can track where one is on their app and get in and drive (our suburb always has a car parked right under our building). Go Get is good for short term rentals; for long term, I’d suggest renting like in point 2.

AFTER FINDING YOUR APARTMENT/HOUSE

Any tips for once you’ve found your apartment/house?

Once you know where you’re going to be, order your large appliances in line with the first day of your lease so you don’t have to go too many days without a refrigerator or washing machine. Check with stores like Bing Lee, how many days of delivery do they require.

Your stuff reached your apartment a few days after your had moved in. How did you manage without things?

Our refrigerator arrived 3 days after we moved, so for those days, we simply had food that didn’t need to be stored in a cool place. Salads from the store, etc. We bought 2 plates, 2 spoons, some cookware to be able to do basic cooking and eating. We borrowed an inflatable mattress from a friend to sleep on. For WiFi and general hanging out, we’d go to the library during the day. You can check your nrighborhood laundromat to do your laundry if your machine’s not in. Stuff like that.

It honestly felt liek an adveture of sorts, lulz. I did a random post on this if you want to see.

EMPLOYMENT

Did you move with a job or unemployed?

We found employment after moving to Australia.

How did you find a job?

My job is online so mine is not relevant to this. Nabeel applied through Seek.

Any tips for finding a job?

Apply to job portals like Seek, make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated, make sure your resume is updated and ready to send. You can also send messages to recruiters via LinkedIn, contact your friends to refer you within their companies or let you know when an opportunity comes up where they work. How it worked for Nabeel was that he put his profile on Seek, and recruiters that contacted him through it, he kept in touch with them even if that particular job opportunity didn’t work out. Also, practice patience. Sometimes you find something instantly, sometimes it takes time. Don’t be shy of taking a job slightly below what you expect, if you feel like you’re running out of savings. Also look into this: if you don’t find any work for one year, the government helps you out a little with your expenses.

How long did it take to find a job?

Nabeel started working 6 months after moving to Australia. Out of these 6 months, he actively looked for work for two months. The first four months he took a sabbatical, you can read more about this here. For some, it can take two weeks only, for some upto a year. It completely depends on what the job market is looking like at that point, how choosy you are being, etc. Definitely take your time to find something you love/like, but if it’s becoming a source of extreme stress for you, there is no issue with taking a lower-paying job or something completely different to your experience, like even driving an Uber. Just plug the gap with another job while you keep looking. This is the cost of immigration, and you just need to keep your eye on the prize: even when you’re not being able to find work, you’re still gaining in a way, because your getting closer to your citizenship.

Is it a bad move to take a contract job?

The job scene in Australia is not as rigid as most of us are used to. There are many forms of contracts and a lot of people are on fixed term contracts, versus being permanently employed. In fact, contracts often pay higher (and you can claim benefits on your tax returns if you’re on contract for long) so no, it’s not a bad move.

CHILDREN

Unfortunately I have zero perspective on anything related to children (but do check the one point I mentioned about schooling in the ‘househunting’ part). If you are an influencer or blogger who talks about this, feel free to leave your insta handle in the comments.

OTHER GENERAL QUESTIONS

How much did you save for your no-employment period?

We knew we’d be comfortable for 12-18 months without a job before coming. However, we brought our spending down to a bare minimum (the cinema does count as bare minimum, okay) for the time that we didn’t have work. Our expenses, for a 2 person household, at that time, including rent (biggest chunk as it always is), food, utilities everything were about AUD 4500 – 5500 per month. This is again very specific to each family, and can absolutely be lower or higher.

We didn’t eat out a lot, didn’t shop for extra clothes, stuck to trains/buses (no taxis, etc). Just didn’t do any frivolous expenses.

If you have very limited savings, you can pick up any kind of work at a lower payscale to cover your basics (I mentioned that in the employment part) or let one person travel first, find work and then the rest of the family can travel. Also, you can choose to go further from the city to get cheaper rent, at the expense of a longer commute.

Do you like it here?

I LOVE it. I think it’s my soulmate place and I love everything about living here. The weather is fantastic, there is so much to do outdoors, the air is fresh, the people are nice, it’s not very ‘perfect’ and ‘manicured’. It’s a great place to live.

Do you have to do all housework yourself?

Look, I understand desi people are used to cheap labor and the prospect of doing home chores yourself can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done them before. My personal perspective is that you can choose to hire househelp who can come and clean your place for you, if you really want that. It is definitely more expensive than other places but I feel if you really want it and you budget it, it’s completely possible. I think as desis we view the cost of hired househelp in such countries extra negatively – it’s not cheap labor, but it’s the correct payment of labor. If I had wanted to hire help, I would’ve absolutely made space for it in my budget. I do my housework (and other physical activities) myself for other reasons. I know people who hire someone once a week to come in and clean, some do twice a month or once a month – the frequency is entirely upto you. If I had hired someone, I would call once a week.

If you don’t want to outsource at all, I’d suggest investing in good appliances to make the process easy. Like a dishwasher, cordless stick vacuum, window vacuum, etc.

Is it expensive to live here?

It is for some people. We scale back our life according to our income always so we feel very comfortable here. There is always a cost for the quality of life, which most people don’t factor into things, and the quality of life is incredible here. We definitely don’t get to save as much as we used to in Dubai, however I would still choose this lifestyle over that (even though I loved Dubai too). If you’re here for the citizenship, you have to realise your priority and focus on that.

Are there halal food options?

I can speak for Sydney, there are tons of halal options. You get lots of halal meat to cook with at many stores, especially halal chicken is super easily available. Lots of restaurants serve halal food too.

We shop for desi groceries at Ali Supermarket in Lakemba, there are many others, but I like this one the best. We get wholemeal flatbread at Coles, which is just like roti or frozen parathas from Ali Supermarket.

Check my ‘eating out’ highlights on Instagram.

I suggest if you’re ever in doubt, just ask if the meat is halal. Some places will surprise you. I also suggest asking discreetly, there are some people – very, very few but still there are some – who are anti-halal.

Please note, some ingredients in food items sold at stores are considered non-halal by some groups. You will have to do your research on these yourself, since opinions on these are varying. Also, at some restaurants, they cook halal meat in the same pans as non-halal, so if you have an issue with cross-contamination, please check with the restaurant. This might seem like a lot, but soon you’ll get the hang of it, and know these things by heart, so don’t worry about them too much.

Aren’t the taxes too high?

Yes, they can feel high, especially coming from a tax-free country like the UAE. However, there are tremendous benefits that your taxes pay for like no schooling fees, no medical fees, outdoor entertainment is almost always free, they take extreme care of their elderly citizens, what else do you need. You get what you pay for in my opinion.

Are there scary creatures all over Australia?

There are some deadly creatures for sure but they’re not really hanging out, sunbathing in your backyard  – especially if you’re living in busy suburbs. The further you go from the city, the probability of encountering something increases. Also, if you go trekking through bushy reserves etc, you may come across something. This is also one of the reasons why I preferred West Sydney, it’s less green – still VERY green, but less green than North Sydney. I haven’t to date seen anything crazy but I always see something or the other when I go see friends in the East or North.

Are there scary creatures in your house? 

Like I said, nothing comes in our apartment because of being higher up. On ground, when I’m out walking in busy areas, there’s nothing as well since we’re in the West. I know some desis are deathly scared of lizards, so I’ll mention this here: there are very tiny black lizards sometimes out running on the ground in summers, but they never enter your house (I’ve seen them 2-3 times only in my area though, but I’ve seen tons of them in the East).

How did you manage the move? Aren’t you homesick?

I honestly don’t get homesick. I lived by myself in Pakistan for six years, and I was living in Dubai for seven. I feel like if you understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, it makes it easier to accept it and slowly settle in. A lot of people remain suspended between the old home and new.

As for the general feeling of homesickness, even if you feel it, it’s alright, it happens to a lot of people. Try to recreate familiar moments in your home by celebrating your important days (Eid, Diwali, whatever you enjoy), cook your own culture’s food, it takes a second to call home (WhatsApp zindabaad), wear your desi clothes sometimes, etc. Create your old home within your new home, and see the new place as a blessing not as a curse; you will gradually settle in.

How did you make friends in a new city?

Wrong person to be asking these questions, lulz. I’m not a very social person so my suggestions may not be the best, so if anyone has ideas, feel free to drop them in the comments. I have some very, very good friends in life generally so I stay connected with them on an everyday basis and I don’t really feel the need to step out and make new friends (introverts are generally very happy on their own and I’m a hardcore introvert). The thought of making new friends actually taxes me, he he. I do have some poeple I hang out with here but there are few.

HOWEVER, if you enjoy company and it’s what helps you thrive, you naturally have to take steps to make new friends. Try finding expat groups on Facebook, look up things you enjoy like cooking classes, book clubs, volunteer activities, so there are higher chances of finding someone with similar interests. If you’re shy, you’ll have to push yourself a little to meet new people. Just remember, you will slowly, find your kind of people and build a comfortable social circle. Just give it time.

Any other comments?

This is for people who move to Australia and find it depressing. Something that might help.

We made our landing trip to Sydney in 2015 (the trip to get your passport stamped when you get your PR). Many people choose to make their move to Sydney be their landing trip (it saves you one flight per person). We weren’t sure about moving to Australia right away in 2015 so we went, got our passports stamped and came back to Dubai. Lots of poeple advised us to get our bank and medical documents done on our landing trip but we didn’t do any of that and just explored the cty as tourists. We got to see all the fun stuff, had fun, enjoyed, had a great introduction to Australia. When we came back in 2018, we did all the paperwork, househunting and settled in. We never once thought the place is depressing cos a) we’re boring (orimary reason for everything always) and b) we always felt that there’s so much to do here because our introduction had been so great.

How that differs from someone who lands and gets straight to business is that they end up in a suburb and never get to see the city for what it has to offer. We always knew what the city was about because we had touristed first. My suggestion to you is that if you’re finding your new city dull and boring, take 4-5 days off from everything and explore the city you’ve moved to. Spend time like you would on a vacation, it’ll add great depth to your experience of the place.

 

Thats about it? I think I got them all? Tell me what else you want answered, I’ll add it in. Let me know if this helps you in anyway. Welcome to Australia 🙂