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11. Moving to Sydney

Sydney at a Glance

Moving to Sydney

Sydney has far more to offer than its famous opera house.

If you are thinking about moving to Sydney, you are not alone: With tens of thousands of people moving to Sydney every year, immigrants now account for 75% of its annual population growth. Over 30% of the inhabitants were born overseas. Most foreign nationals moving to Sydney are British, Chinese or from New Zealand.

On one hand, these statistics show obvious advantages for new expats moving to Sydney: Not only will an existing network of expats be able to support you, but there´s a whole infrastructure to deal with migrants and expats moving to Sydney. On the other hand, this huge influx of often highly skilled and wealthy migrants did not only help make Sydney the 5th richest city in the world, but it also sent up property and rental prices to a level higher than that of any other Australian city.

Moving to Sydney: Why Move to Sydney?

The capital of New South Wales has a lot to offer. People from all over the world are currently moving to Sydney for various reasons: its temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters; its proximity to some amazingly beautiful countryside and national treasures like the Great Barrier Reef; its outdoorsy lifestyle; its prominent cultural and academic position within Australia; and, of course, the job market.

Not only individuals take advantage of moving to Sydney, but many national and international companies appreciate it too. Sydney is home to the headquarters of ca. 90 banks and more than half of Australia´s major companies. The regional HQ of 500 multinational corporations decided to move to Sydney. With five universities, regional campuses of four more universities, and one conservatorium, the city also attracts growing numbers of international students, who move to Sydney on a temporary basis.

Culturally speaking, Sydney also profits from its immigrant and expat population: The presence of so many cultural and ethnic groups makes for an interesting and varied cultural life. This helps to enhance and support the prominent Australian art scene.

Moving to Sydney: Visa Requirements

It is important that you are aware of your visa options and the application process before moving to Sydney. The best way to make sure you apply for the correct visa and meet all requirements is to familiarize yourself with the Australian Government website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

There are a few requirements which everyone applying for an Australian visa must meet.

• Non-native speakers of English will be assessed according to the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or OET (Occupational English Test).
• Skills and qualifications must be officially recognized by the relevant Assessing Authority.
• Depending on country of origin, intended occupation and visa category, a health check might be required. Temporary visa applicants also need proof of sufficient health-care arrangements.
• Everybody wishing to enter Australia will be assessed against the character requirements and asked to sign the Australian Value Statement. You may need to provide a penal clearance.

Moving to Sydney: Employee Sponsored Migration

There are several visa categories relevant for expats moving to Sydney in order to work there on a temporary or a permanent basis. Classic expat assignments fall under the category Employer Sponsored Migration. This includes the Business (Long Stay) Visa, a standard business sponsorship which gives a nominee the right to work in Sydney for a maximum period of 4 years. In order to qualify, the employee must provide evidence that they have the skills and experience required to fill the nominated position.

People who move to Sydney on a permanent basis can apply for a visa in the category Employer Sponsored Migration under the Employer Nomination Scheme. It works along the same principles as the Business Visa.