Australia
Living, work, immigration, education & business — official links and practical guides
Key Facts
Basics
Currency
AUD
Region
Oceania
Local time
UTC+11
Australia/Sydney
Economy
Population
27.20M
GDP (current US$)
$1.76T
GDP per capita
$64,604
Source: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0) · 2024 · Last checked: 2026-07-06
Tax snapshot
Corporate tax
30%
GST
10%
Top individual income tax
47%
Capital gains, effective top rate
23.5%
- Top personal rate 47% = 45% + the 2% Medicare levy; the 1–1.5% Medicare levy surcharge (high earners without private hospital cover) is not included. 45% + 2% Medicare levy + post-Stage 3 reform thresholds. There is no separate capital-gains rate: assets held over 12 months get a 50% discount (i.e. 50% inclusion), giving a top effective rate of (45% + 2%) × 50% = 23.5%.
- Basic food, education, healthcare are GST-free.
Source: National tax authority · Cross-check: OECD · PwC · KPMG · Last checked: 2026-07-16
Headline statutory rates. The income-tax figure includes national surtaxes; any regional or municipal layer is shown beside it. Social contributions and reliefs are excluded. Verify the current rate with the authority before relying on it.
At a glance
A points-tested skilled-migration system with strong study-to-migration pathways and clear occupation lists.
Best for
Skilled workers in demand occupations, international students, and employer-sponsored professionals.
Who this may not suit
People whose occupation is off the skilled lists, or who underestimate distance — flights home are long and expensive, and major cities are far apart.
Main routes in
Skilled Independent 189 / 190 Points-tested PR — 189 independent, 190 state-nominated. Employer-sponsored (482 → 186) Temporary Skill Shortage visa that can lead to employer-sponsored PR. Student (500) → graduate Study, then a Temporary Graduate visa for post-study work.
Key trade-offs
- Points thresholds and occupation lists shift with policy.
- Health-cover eligibility (OSHC / Medicare) depends on your visa.
- Distance and the cost of living in Sydney/Melbourne are high.
First steps
- 1 Check the relevant occupation list and get a skills assessment.
- 2 Sit an English test and submit an Expression of Interest (SkillSelect).
- 3 For study, obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and OSHC.
- 4 Complete health and character checks before grant.
What changes often
- · Skilled occupation lists and invitation rounds
- · Income thresholds for employer-sponsored visas
- · Student-visa financial evidence and post-study work rights
Occupation lists and point tests change — confirm on the Department of Home Affairs. Department of Home Affairs ↗
Major cities
All cities (10) →Living
Housing
Renting and buying property in Australia — typical rents, deposits, contracts, and official tenancy rules.
Healthcare
How the Australia healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
Insurance
Insurance in Australia — health, travel, and digital-nomad cover, what is mandatory, and how to choose a plan.
Work
Jobs
Where to find jobs in Australia — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
Employers
Major employers hiring in Australia, with links to their official careers pages.
Government Jobs
Public-sector and civil-service hiring in Australia — the official government job portal.
Salaries
Typical salaries by role in Australia — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
Immigration & Mobility
Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Startup Visa
Entrepreneur and startup visa programs, investment thresholds, and application criteria.
Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Citizenship
Naturalization rules: required residence years, language and civics requirements, and each country's dual-citizenship policy.
Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote-work visa programs, income requirements, duration, taxes, and application steps.
Education
Universities
Top universities in Australia, admissions, tuition, and international-student support.
Online Courses
Online learning relevant to Australia — accredited platforms, local MOOCs, and language courses.
Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Australia — government, university, and international programs.
Study Abroad
How to study in Australia as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Business
Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
Tax System
Corporate tax, VAT/GST, personal income tax, capital gains, and filing obligations.
Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
Trademark & IP
Trademark registration, patents, copyright, official IP offices, and filing costs.
Compliance
Corporate, tax, employment, data-protection, AML/KYC, trade and AI compliance — official regulators and registries.
Corporate Compliance
Annual filings, registered-agent and beneficial-ownership obligations, and the official company registry.
Tax Compliance
Filing calendars, registration thresholds and the official tax authority.
Employment Compliance
Mandatory contracts, payroll and social-insurance registration, and the official labor authority.
Privacy & Data Protection
The country's own data-protection regime, registration duties, and its official supervisory authority.
AML & KYC
Anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence obligations, regulated activities, and the official financial regulator.
Import & Export Compliance
Customs registration, controlled/restricted goods, sanctions screening, and the official customs authority.
AI Regulations
The country's own AI governance approach, risk tiers, transparency duties, and its official authority.