Few people have recently thought of condescendingly calling Australia the Fifth Continent, because it ranks 3rd in terms of living standards among all countries in the world, ahead of even Canada. Multiculturalism, democracy in the full sense of the word, stability - these are the features of this state that can be described in just a few expressions.
It is noteworthy that the indigenous population in Australia is only 6-8%. No, all citizens of the country consider themselves true Australians, only perhaps in the first or second generation. On the other hand, the number of representatives of various nationalities, beliefs and convictions determines a tolerant attitude towards others. Here no one will look askance at others because they are foreigners or have a different skin color. You should still look for a country that is more friendly to visitors.
Cost of living in Australia
Food costs
Now about food prices. The average Australian family of 4 spends $250 a week in supermarkets. Milk costs $9.69 per liter. Loaf of bread $2.93. 1 kilogram of rice $2.88. And for a dozen eggs you will have to pay $4.62. Beef tenderloin for 1 kilogram is $16.37 (by the way, the meat in Australia is of excellent quality). For 1 kilogram of apples $3.88. For 1 kilogram of bananas 3 dollars. 1 kilogram of oranges 3 dollars. Potatoes for 1 kilogram – $3.11. And for a pack of cigarettes you will have to pay 22 Australian dollars.
| Product or service | Prices in Melbourne, AUD | Prices in Sydney, AUD |
| Cost of lunch in an inexpensive cafe, per 1 person | 14-18 (440-570 rubles) | 15-20 (470-630 rubles) |
| Cost of a 3-course lunch in a mid-range restaurant, for 2 people | 65-75 (2050-2350 rubles) | 70-80 (2200-2500 rubles) |
| Milk, 1 l | 1.4-1.7 (44-54 rubles) | 1.8-2.2 (57-70 rubles) |
| A loaf of bread | 2.5-3 (80-95 rubles) | 3.2-3.6 (100-115 rubles) |
| Eggs, 12 pcs. | 3.5-4.5 (110-140 rubles) | 4-5 (125-155 rubles) |
| Cheese, 1 kg | 10-12 (315-380 rubles) | 9-11 (280-350 rubles) |
| Chicken breasts, 1 kg | 10-13 (315-410 rubles) | 10-13 (315-410 rubles) |
| Apples, 1 kg | 3.5-4 (110-125 rubles) | 3.5-4.5 (110-140 rubles) |
| Oranges, 1 kg | 3-4 (95-125 rubles) | 2.5-3.5 (80-110 rubles) |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | 2.2-2.8 (70-90 rubles) | 2.2-2.8 (70-90 rubles) |
| Mineral water, 1.5 l | 2-2.5 (63-79 rubles) | 2.5-3 (80-95 rubles) |
| Average quality wine, 1 bottle | 13-17 (410-535 rubles) | 15-18 (470-570 rubles) |
| Beer (local), 0.5 l | 3-4 (95-125 rubles) | 4-5 (125-155 rubles) |
Transport costs
On average, a one-way trip in Australia costs $4. For $160 you can buy a monthly pass. Taxi, you haven't taken it yet, but you already owe $3.60. For 1 kilometer in the city you will be charged $3.41, and for an hour of waiting you will have to pay 58 Australian dollars. The average cost of gasoline in 2021 is $1.40 per liter.
Buying a new car similar to the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 will cost you 26 thousand Australian dollars. Car maintenance will cost you about $250 per month.
Expenses for paying bills
On average, a family spends $184 a month on electricity, gas and consular services. On average, you will be charged 73 cents per minute on a mobile phone. You will pay $69 for Internet per month.
Housing costs
And now the expense item that contributes the largest percentage to the cost of living in Australia. To rent a one-room apartment in the center of Sydney you will have to pay 2 thousand 300 dollars a month. But a one-room apartment outside the center of Sydney will cost you $1,700 a month. A three-room apartment in the center of Sydney will cost $4,600, and a three-room apartment in a non-central location will cost $2,800.
If you decide to buy your own home, then be prepared to pay 13 thousand 700 dollars per square meter in the center of Sydney. However, the same area not in the center of Sydney will cost 8 thousand 200 Australian dollars.
| Product or service | Prices in Melbourne, AUD | Prices in Sydney, AUD | Prices in Canberra, AUD |
| Rent a 1-room apartment per month, residential area | 1100-1300 | 1400-1800 | 1000-1300 |
| Rent a 1-room apartment per month, city center | 1500-1800 | 2000-2200 | 1200-1500 |
| Rent a 3-room apartment per month, residential area | 1600-2200 | 2200-2800 | 1200-1800 |
| Rent a 3-room apartment per month, city center | 2500-3000 | 3000-5000 | 2000-2500 |
| Apartment price, 1 sq. m, residential area | 7000-8000 | 5000-6000 | 3500-5000 |
| Apartment price, 1 sq. m, city center | 7000-9000 | 9000-10000 | 4000-6000 |
Standard of living of ordinary people
The economy, which is currently at the peak of its development, allows Australian residents to combine their work or business with leisure. The country ranks 3rd in terms of freedom of the economic system and life expectancy (on average, the age of men can reach 75 years, and women - more than 80 years). The average salary of Australians is more than 50,000 AUD (Australian dollars) per year. From 2021, the minimum wage for 1 hour of working time is 18.2 AUD. Thanks to social security and quality education, the standard of living of Australians remains high. A developed insurance system and low loan rates allow ordinary Australian citizens to be confident in the future.
Prices for basic goods and services
The cost of food in the country, compared to the salaries of residents, is quite low. An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables allows you to make high-quality nutrition and give the body the necessary vitamins and minerals. The cost of 1 kg of products is as follows:
- meat - 6 AUD or more;
- potatoes - 1.5 AUD;
- fresh fish - from 5 AUD;
- bread - from 1.5 AUD;
- hard cheese - from 5
The price of 1 dozen eggs in Australian stores is on average about 2 AUD, 1 kg of rice - 1 AUD. However, the cost of drinks containing alcohol may seem quite high for most citizens and guests of the country. For example, a bottle of decent wine will cost 20 AUD or more. And whiskey costs 35 AUD. Household chemicals can also be purchased not too expensively:
- toothpaste – for 2 AUD;
- shampoo - from 3 AUD;
- washing powder (2.5 kg per package) - from 4 AUD.
To travel by metro or city bus, you need to buy a ticket for 3.5 AUD. Taking a taxi will cost $3.3, and then $2 for each kilometer.
Housing cost
In Australia, prices for renting and purchasing housing are high. However, the ratio of these costs to the salary of an ordinary person shows that with an annual income of 35 to 55 thousand Australian dollars and low mortgage interest rates, a buyer can purchase an apartment in Sydney for 180 thousand euros or more, or a popular type of private real estate here - a residential building costing from 320 up to 500 thousand euros. It’s even easier (if you have a stable income) to become a homeowner in Adelaide or Melbourne.
The independence of the Australian economy from the influence of the European one and its continuous development are of great interest to residents. Therefore, investing in the purchase of real estate in their own country seems to be a better option for them than investing in the securities of any company from Europe.
Transport and fuel prices
The average cost of a taxi ride is approximately 14.7 AUD (or 965 rubles). Minimum - 390 rubles. Travel by public transport is 3.5 AUD (or 200 rubles). The price of 1 liter of gasoline is two times lower than the world average, no more than 1.43 AUD. The minimum cost is 1.21 AUD. In addition, there is a discount system for disabled people and students.
Professions and earnings
Besides the most sought after lawyers, engineers and doctors, farm work is considered very important. The average salary is about $54,315. Fertile, well-kept land allows for a large harvest. The profession of garbage collector is honorable, which goes against the prevailing image, but everyone believes that they clean up the streets and take care of the cleanliness of the city. Good cooks are appreciated. The average salary in Australia for a person working in the public sector is AUD 66,758. The highest wages in the oil and gas industry are 156,000 AUD per year. In the field of information technology - 100,500 AUD, in mechanical engineering - 137,800 AUD, in show business - 81,600 AUD. Salaries in Australia for those working in private business vary depending on the state. Dentists, welders, football players and truck drivers have high salaries.
Taxes
Since the state provides protection to citizens and guarantees them the stability of the political and economic systems, they pay taxes that are a percentage of their income. Their value depends on the size of the annual salary (expressed in US dollars):
| Income | Taxes | Real payouts |
| $30 000 | 8% | $27,600 |
| $70,000 and $80,000 | 22% and 24% | $54,300 and $60,800 |
| $100 000 | 27% | $73,300 |
| $200 000 | 34% | $132,300 |
In addition, Australian employees are subject to a 2% Medicare Levi tax on wages. It is intended to finance the country's medical service.
For those Australians whose annual income is less than $18,200, there is no tax. The rest must provide a financial report, which should be submitted to the tax office by October 31, as some part of it may be returned. This is called Fax Refund. The taxation of residential properties is 0.36%.
Medicine
People tend to get sick - chronic diseases, hereditary predisposition, and even a simple cold can significantly undermine the body. Due to the thinning of the ozone layer over the continent, many citizens develop cancer. In Australia, you can use the services of public and private clinics. The cost of private insurance is quite high, but this cannot be called a minus, because the service is appropriate and there will be a number of privileges:
- the necessary operation is performed first;
- comfortable rooms, with comfortable furniture and necessary equipment;
- given the opportunity to choose a specialist doctor.
In the absence of private insurance, the state one is MEDICARE.
Education
There are private schools and boarding schools in Australia. But the vast majority of students attend public institutions, which make up 71% of the total. All school institutions are required to undergo state certification, and their curricula must comply with generally accepted standards. Only minor deviations are allowed.
Getting an education at an Australian university is much cheaper than in Europe or North America. Its cost will be on average 30% lower, and accommodation fees will be 20% lower. Students whose age has reached 18 years can officially get a job, the main thing is that the amount of working time does not exceed 20 hours per week. The salary received will fully cover the cost of housing and food.
Despite the fact that education is paid, in Australia it is quite easy to issue a loan for studying at a university. Its repayment will occur gradually. There are no entrance exams. It is enough to complete special courses and pass a language test. A diploma, for example, as a programmer, can be obtained very quickly; you just need to correctly allocate time to study the necessary subjects. Studying at a university can take only two years. But, nevertheless, the quality of education is very high. Diplomas from Australian universities are considered valid (quoted) in all countries of the world.
Australians' social benefits and pensions
Pensions in Australia begin to be paid at age 65 for men and at age 64 for women. Moreover, it is divided into two parts: public and private. The first is paid not only to citizens of the country, but also to residents. You do not need to work to receive your state pension. A single pensioner receives about $500 and some benefits. Married couples receive $900. Pensions may change annually - this is a normal process that is associated with rising prices.
Not all senior citizens can receive a pension. When the value of real estate exceeds $160,000, payments become smaller, and if the property has living space worth more than $280,000, then the pension is not paid at all.
Social benefits are available in the country and mainly affect children. At the birth of a child, parents receive government assistance. Benefits are also paid to women with children after divorce. Single parents, in addition to payments, can receive living space with a minimum rental payment. This is one of the main advantages of caring for single-parent families. The pension accrued for children is calculated individually and can reach $47 thousand per year.
Crime situation
Australia has a reputation as a safe country. There is practically no crime here. These are official data from local authorities. But in reality, the crime situation is gradually worsening, and the police periodically have to deal with drug trafficking and even human trafficking. Brutal murders occur periodically, including of children. Their numbers are growing every year. On average, the increase in crime is 5-6% per year, if we take men. Female crime is increasing at a slower rate - 3-4% per year. The population is especially horrified by crimes against children, which are gradually ceasing to be a rarity in Australia. However, the basis of the offenses remains everyday (such as minor thefts or hooligan behavior).
To reduce your chances of meeting criminals, just follow a few simple recommendations:
- Don't walk alone at night.
- Avoid dark places, and if you do have to travel in the dark, it is advisable to stay close to light sources.
- You should not leave valuables in plain sight, even in the car. It is necessary to remove them away before leaving the car.
- In a crowd, you need to keep your bag as close to your body as possible.
These are basic tips that can be applied to almost any country, but they will help you avoid a dangerous situation. Australians are friendly people, they have a positive attitude towards emigrants, but you should not abuse their trust and behave too provocatively.
City of Sydney, Australia
Doing Business in Modern Australia
Unlike many countries, in Australia a small business is considered to be a structure with a turnover of 5 to 10 million dollars and the number of full-time employees up to 50. However, the development of new technologies makes it possible to reduce workers, so there are businesses with 2 or 3 employees, but with a very high financial turnover. Australian business forms vary. There may be full or partial ownership. Before opening a business, you need to thoroughly study the country's legislation and the experience of local enterprises.
How much do they earn
The cost of living at the beginning of 2021 in Australia is set at $1010. The wages here are very high. Representatives of any profession earn at least $3,000 per month. Thus, the average salary in Australia is about $12 per hour.
Salaries in Australia for these specialists range from 7–10 thousand dollars per month.
On average, Australians earn by profession as follows:
- waiter – $3,300;
- seller – $3100;
- driver – $3,000;
- programmer – $8,000;
- engineer – $6,000;
- electrician – $5,300;
- cook - $3,300;
- accountant – $5800;
- secretary – $4,500
These are the average monthly earnings of Australians by profession.
Taxes in Australia
One of the features of the Australian tax system is that income tax rates differ between local residents and temporary overseas workers (see below). In general, the tax burden in Australia is comparatively lower than in most EU countries and other developed countries of the world.
Corporate income tax – 30% basic rate and 27.5% if annual turnover is less than $25 million.
VAT (GST) – 10% on most goods and services.
Education system
The Commonwealth of Australia has historically practiced the British education system. Therefore, the level of knowledge gained here is appropriate.
Traditionally, training is divided into 6 stages:
- Primary – given from 6 to 12 years.
- Junior intermediate level – runs from 12 to 16 years old.
- Senior secondary level - lasts only a year, from 16 to 17 years old, after which a certificate of secondary education is issued.
- Secondary vocational education is equivalent to initial higher education. Students from 16 to 18 years of age are trained and receive a standard certificate.
- Higher education lasts up to 22 years; people are allowed to study from the age of 18. The result is a bachelor's degree.
- Postgraduate – for those wishing to continue their studies after 21 years of age. A master's degree is awarded and a corresponding diploma is issued.
If you look through the eyes of Russians, then there is no fundamental difference in the stages of receiving education. But the level of training is very thorough, so many foreigners willingly come here to study.
Russians have several opportunities to do this:
- preparatory courses for future applicants - organized specifically for foreigners, where they study English in conjunction with specialized disciplines, preparing for admission to a local university;
- private colleges of special education - institutions that provide vocational training in a specific field, including both theory and practice; based on the results of such training, you can immediately enter the 2nd year of a university or enroll in a master's program, bypassing the bachelor's level;
- transfer from home university - allows the student to study abroad for only a year; the competent authorities decide whether to enroll the candidate in the chosen university or not, based on his Russian specialization and academic performance.
Medicine in Australia
The Australian health care system consists of a wide range of services, including general practice and preventive health care, acute and hospital care, rehabilitation and palliative care. Basic medical services are provided to the population free of charge, that is, covered by insurance (Medicare).
It is not burdensome, and the specific price is calculated based on the salary level. The higher the salary, the more you have to pay. Since compulsory insurance does not cover everything, some people buy additional insurance, which will cost $70-80 per month.
Opportunities of the medical policy
Compulsory Australian health insurance allows you to:
- Make an appointment and visit a general practitioner (in Russia, recently these are general practitioners).
- Use ambulance services.
- Get treatment in government hospitals.
- Get treatment in private clinics, paying the difference according to the price list.
You can’t call doctors to your home, just like you can’t call an ambulance for the slightest trifle. An emergency team is dispatched to a home only when there is a real question of life and death.
Medicare is not available to everyone, but only to citizens and residents of the Union, citizens of New Zealand and immigrants from those states that have separate agreements with local authorities on the treatment of their patients. The remaining potential patients arrange their own insurance through existing companies.
Social Security
The Department of Social Welfare helps everyone who needs help to support themselves and their family.
The Department of Social Security can help if you:
- out of work or sick
- have dependent children
- for some reason you cannot work
- retired
Social assistance includes paid benefits, assistance in finding a job, assistance with paying rent, and the provision of government apartments.
Pensions
There are two types of pensions on the mainland:
- government contributions;
- private contributions.
Australia's statutory superannuation is a government-funded standard contribution. This pension is available to any Australian citizen or permanent resident who has reached the age of 65. The government pension in 2021 is AUD 1,500 per month.
To receive such a pension, a person’s work experience is not important (he may never work at all in his life, but the pension will be paid), as well as his previous salary.
This pension comes with a large number of benefits, for example the following:
- Free medicine;
- Government-funded medicines;
- Discount for purchasing transport tickets.
The size of government contributions to pensioners depends on income and the availability of real estate.
Number
The number of Australian residents in February 2021 is 25,787,887 people, according to data provided on the official website of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Thanks to such indicators, the state, which occupies the mainland of the same name, the island of Tasmania and several other islands of the Indian and Pacific oceans, ranks 50th in the list of countries by the total number of citizens. The closest competitors of the Commonwealth of Australia are Nepal (28 million), Yemen (29 million) and Ghana (30 million).
By city
The majority of Commonwealth citizens live in large urban areas. The most populated cities in this country include:
| City | Number of inhabitants, million people |
| Sydney | 4,627 |
| Melbourne | 4,137 |
| Brisbane | 2,074 |
| Perth | 1,738 |
| Auckland | 1,303 |
| Alelaide | 1,212 |
| Gold Coast | 0,600 |
| Newcastle | 0,552 |
| Canberra | 0,365 |
| Edgemaster | 0,360 |
The ranking of cities by population is presented on the website of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Almost all major cities of Australia - Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide - are located near the ocean shores of the continent. However, the capital of the state, Canberra, is located far from the sea. Due to the fact that most of the country's citizens live in large urban settlements, the Commonwealth of Australia ranks among the first in the world in terms of urbanization. The share of city dwellers hovers around 86% - a unique figure, even by the standards of densely populated Europe.
Advantages and disadvantages of living in Australia
Advantages
Advantages of living in Australia:
- No unemployment.
- Sustainable economy.
- Good pension.
- Free medicine.
- Clean streets.
- High quality roads.
- There is almost no corruption and theft.
- Warm climate.
Flaws
Along with the advantages, there are significant disadvantages:
- A large number of taxes.
- Lots of insects and snakes.
- The highest level of cancer is skin cancer due to constant ultraviolet rays.
Cost of real estate, goods and services
Education in this state is free for everyone. The average cost is eighteen thousand Australian dollars per year. Depending on the institution, the price may vary.
See also: What is hidden from human eyes - environmental problems of Australia
Rent for a one-room apartment in Sydney is $2,000, in Canberra $1,370. Sydney is the most expensive city. The prices here are quite high.
To purchase a car you will need from 20 thousand dollars. A large private house will cost $150 in the USA.
Residents have at their disposal:
- One car.
- Living space.
- House.
- Own bank account.
- Sometimes an anchor or a boat.
Utilities - gas, electricity, garbage removal and water supply for a one-bedroom apartment or studio of 35 - 40 square meters will cost about $120 in the USA.
REFERENCE! Many properties are purchased with a mortgage. The price of real estate in large cities is quite high. The loan is issued at 4–5 percent per annum.
The government is doing everything to improve the standard of living in Australia. There is no big gap between the rich and the poor. Even the working class earns decent wages. The government has created many emigration programs to attract highly specialized specialists from other countries.
The average bill in a mid-level cafe is $16; in restaurants you can dine for $32–35. A snack at a fast food cafe will cost ten dollars. Residents spend about $23 on vehicle inspections. Kindergarten fees cost $1,100 in the US. Internet cost is $55. An Australian spends $106 on public transport for a month.
Russian communities in Australia
Russians live throughout Australia, however, like most Australians, they mainly live in large cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. There are relatively few Russian speakers in the state: about 80–100 thousand, half of whom settled in Melbourne and Sydney. The most “Russian” area in Sydney is Bondi (in English - Bondi).
There are 2 restaurants serving Russian cuisine, a Jewish club, and 2% of the residents are from the countries of the former USSR. There are 9 Orthodox churches in the city, some parishioners live nearby. In the ranking by the number of people, the Russian-speaking community is located somewhere after 30th place.
A large number of Russians are intellectuals who have received higher education. By profession they are teachers, engineers, doctors, managers. The Russian community also includes entrepreneurs who arrived in the country as investors who want to invest in the Australian economy.
It should be noted that the government of the state officially recognized the Russian community. The main cable TV channels broadcast Russian broadcasts. The SBS channel broadcasts the Vesti program 6 times a week. Every week there is a local program on the radio, broadcast in Russian, 5 times a week. 3-4 newspapers are published, and Argumenty i Fakty can be easily found in newsstands.
Community members arrange to meet in different places: numerous parks and cafes.
Attitude towards Russian migrants
Most of the population in Australia consists of visitors. Because of this, people here are tolerant of immigrants. This is also due to the friendliness of Australians. The life of Russians is not limited by anything. However, there is an opinion that it is more difficult for citizens from Russia to find work in Sydney areas.
Reviews from Russians about life on the continent
Life in Australia through the eyes of Russians paints colorful prospects. Immigrants invariably pay attention to the kindness and responsiveness of Australians. They also provide a comfortable atmosphere in terms of climate and accommodation. As for employment, people who are faced with this problem note the presence of certain difficulties.
Their reviews indicate that the employer does not care who the person was at home. The availability of educational documents is of greatest importance.
Australians also have a pretty good opinion of Russians. This is due to the fact that the bulk of the Russian population there is represented by the intelligentsia. However, local residents still pay attention to some Russian carelessness.
Regional differences
Average salaries also vary significantly across states and territories. Traditionally, Australians living in the capital region earn the highest incomes.
| Region | Average weekly salary, Australian. Doll. |
| Capital Territory | 1 809,70 |
| Western Australia | 1 780,80 |
| N.S.W. | 1 664,10 |
| South Australia | 1 475,10 |
| Victoria | 1 608,30 |
| Queensland | 1 577,20 |
| Northern Territory | 1 690,30 |
| Tasmania | 1 420,50 |
| Countrywide | 1 634,80 |
However, this does not mean that somewhere outside the capital, an engineer's salary in Australia cannot be higher. Technological progress and a developing economy constantly require more and more skilled workers. There is a shortage of local personnel, so authorities (including regional ones) are developing programs to encourage the return of their own citizens working abroad and the hiring of foreigners.
The main condition for a simplified receipt of a work visa is belonging to one of the shortage professions from the list published on the website.
Representatives of other professions will have to apply for a visa in the general manner and remember that a tourist visa is not suitable for work.
To learn about what a work visa is, how to apply for it, and what documents are needed for this, read the article “Everything that is useful to know about a work visa.”
It is simply not possible to work in Australia illegally, since this does not give a person the right to obtain a unique tax number - TFN. Without it, a foreigner will not be able to open a bank account, will not be issued a driver’s license, and, even with a strong desire, will not be able to register it with the state. And after the entry permit expires, after the first check of documents, the illegal immigrant is deported from the country.
