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Moving Abroad from Australia
From Down Under to everywhere — where Australians are heading in 2026
Last updated March 2026
1.8M
Aussies Abroad
United Kingdom
Top Destination
200K+/year
Working Holidays
AUD $950K
Median Home Price
Despite Australia's enviable lifestyle, a growing number of Australians — especially young professionals — are moving abroad for career opportunities, cultural experiences, and to escape sky-high housing costs in Sydney and Melbourne. The UK, US, and Southeast Asia remain top choices, with Working Holiday Visas enabling gap-year exploration that often turns permanent.
Top 8 Destinations for Australia Expats
Where Australia citizens are actually moving — with honest reasons why.
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Historic ties, Ancestry Visa for those with UK-born grandparents, and London's career opportunities. 500K+ Australians in the UK.
🇺🇸United States
E-3 visa exclusively for Australians — easier than H-1B. Tech, finance, and media careers in NYC, SF, and LA.
🇸🇬Singapore
Gateway to Asia, high salaries, low taxes, and familiar English-speaking environment. Finance and tech sectors.
🇮🇩Indonesia
Bali is practically an Australian colony — direct flights, familiar culture, and $1,500/month living. Surf, yoga, and remote work.
🇯🇵Japan
Working Holiday Visa for under-30s, teaching English opportunities, and cultural immersion. Tokyo and Osaka are popular.
🇨🇦Canada
Working Holiday Visa, ski culture connection (Whistler), and similar lifestyle values.
🇹🇭Thailand
Budget travel base, growing expat community, and 3-hour flights from Australian east coast.
🇵🇹Portugal
D7 and D8 visas, surf culture (Australians love Ericeira), and European base for travel.
Why People Leave Australia
- 1Housing unaffordability: Sydney median home price AUD $1.6M, Melbourne AUD $950K — priced out of home ownership
- 2Geographic isolation: 22+ hours to Europe, 14 hours to the US West Coast — travel is expensive and exhausting
- 3Career ambitions: many industries (media, finance, tech) have larger markets and higher ceilings overseas
- 4Climate change concerns: bushfire seasons growing longer, water scarcity in many regions
- 5Cost of living: Australia's high wages are offset by equally high prices — groceries and dining significantly more than Asia or Europe
- 6Cultural curiosity: Australian gap-year culture naturally leads to extended overseas stays
Important Considerations Before Leaving
- Australia allows dual citizenship since 2002 — no need to renounce when gaining a second passport
- Superannuation: your retirement savings stay in Australia and grow tax-advantaged — consider whether to consolidate or leave
- Medicare: coverage ends after extended absence — get international health insurance before leaving
- Australian tax residency: the ATO uses a residency test based on ties — establish non-residency properly to avoid double taxation
- Voting: Australian citizens must vote even while abroad — enroll as an overseas elector or face fines
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Australia citizens live abroad?
An estimated 1.8M Australia citizens currently live abroad. The top destination is United Kingdom.
What are the best countries to move to from Australia?
The most popular destinations for Australia expats are United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Indonesia. Each offers different advantages from career growth to lifestyle and cost savings.
What should I consider before leaving Australia?
Australia allows dual citizenship since 2002 — no need to renounce when gaining a second passport Superannuation: your retirement savings stay in Australia and grow tax-advantaged — consider whether to consolidate or leave
Not sure where to move from Australia?
Take our free AI quiz — answer 7 questions and get personalized country matches based on your budget, lifestyle, and priorities.
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