You’re Moving to Sydney! Are You Excited? Overwhelmed?
Or maybe a bit of both with a dash of AM-I-REALLY-GOING-TO-DO-THIS sprinkled on top?
Australia Moving Checklist
What You Need to Know, 12 Months Before You Pack Up and Go.
There is only one way to stop feeling overwhelmed and silence any thoughts of self-doubt: it’s time to get organized!
My moving checklist is 39 pages, packed full of resources, AND IT’S FREE.
Plus You’ll Get Access to My PRIVATE Facebook Group with Over 2,600 members.
I’ll also send you a series of emails to help you jumpstart your move as well as regular updates.
👋 Hi, I’m Lauren, and I’ve Helped Thousands of People DIY Their Move to Sydney, Australia.
I began blogging about my move to Sydney in 2009.
After only a few months of blogging, my inbox was overflowing with questions about how we moved to Australia. The more I wrote, the more questions I got, until I was unable to keep up.
That’s when I created Sydney Moving Guide.
My goal is to create a resource where you’ll find answers to all your questions.
So Let’s Get Started!
If You Haven’t Downloaded My Moving Checklist Yet, DO THAT FIRST.
It’s completely free, no strings attached. And you’ll get access to my private Facebook group. (*details on page 2 of the checklist.)
My Facebook group is diverse, with members from all over the world. It includes those who are just starting their move to Sydney, as well as expats who have been living in Sydney for several years. The group is a great place to ask for recommendations and get answers to all your moving-related questions from where to live, schools in Sydney, the cost of daycare, and moving with a dog or three dogs and a cat.
All You Need for Moving to Sydney in One Place
Not Sure You Should Move?
Moving to Sydney is a big decision and a lengthy process, so it’s understandable to question if it’s worth it.
Yes, this is going to take time and a lot of patience. As for the cost of moving, you won’t have to pay for everything at once. You can start budgeting for your move today.
Is it worth it? Most expats living in Sydney never want to leave, and if they do, it’s with a heavy heart.
Sorting Out Your Finances
When we moved to Sydney, we made several costly financial mistakes, from choosing a bank to transferring money.
Avoid making these same mistakes. Take the time to estimate how much savings you will need when you arrive and the best way to transfer those funds BEFORE you move.
Luckily, this can all be done online, months before you leave home. It just might be the easiest part of your move.
Packing & Shipping Your Household
Shipping your belongings to Sydney will likely cost more than you expect. Not just to have everything shipping, but also the fees when your shipping container arrives in Sydney.
To avoid any surprises, it’s crucial to obtain an in-house moving quote from an international shipping company.
It’s not recommended to estimate the size of your shipment yourself. It’s best to have a professional walk through your house with you to assess what can fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft shipping container, and to take note of everything you want to ship to Sydney.
Moving to Sydney with Kids
Mom and Dad, I know you’re worried and have a lot of questions, particularly about schools and daycare in Sydney.
The good news is that the answers to your questions can be found either here or in my Facebook group. The majority of the group is made up of expat parents who have successfully enrolled their children in school and can provide assistance with the process.
The bad news is that you’ll have to wait until you’re in Sydney to enroll your children in a public school. However, you’ll have all your research done and know exactly what to expect.
Renting Your First Place in Sydney
The rental market in Sydney can be very competitive.
To give yourself an advantage, you’ll need to figure out where in Sydney you want to live and what you can afford. However, this can be more complicated than it sounds.
There are over 600 suburbs in Sydney.
In addition to price and location, other factors must be taken into account, such as commute times and local schools.
Finding a Job in Sydney
After reading my posts about the cost of living in Sydney, many people hit the panic button.
One of the biggest mistakes I see them make is applying for every job in Sydney advertised in their field. They become even more panicked when they don’t receive a single reply back. Complete radio silence.
Why didn’t they hear anything back? For one, they’re applying from overseas. Another reason is they didn’t use an Australian-formatted resume.
Moving with Pets
Moving to Sydney with your dog or cat can be expensive – as expensive as first-class travel. However, due to Australia’s strict quarantine policy, you won’t be able to enjoy first-class with your pets.
Upon arriving in Australia, pets undergo a minimum 10-day quarantine in a dedicated facility. That’s the minimum if all the paperwork is correct and they’re vaccines are up-to-date.
The whole process takes over 6 months BEFORE they arrive in Australia.
Quick Guides to Australian Visas
Before leaving home, there is one thing you absolutely must have:
A valid visa for Australia.
Whether you’re moving to Sydney or going on vacation, you need a visa to enter the country.
There are many different types of visas for Australia, making it difficult to cover them all.
Instead, I focus mainly on Australian work visas for skilled migrants.