United Kingdom and Australia share a very long history. The Land Down Under was made a penal colony by the British Empire in 1788. For the next few centuries, Australia worked hard until it was able to set up a federal government and earned its freedom.
But that doesn’t mean it completely severed ties with the mother country. Australia is still a realm Great Britain and recognizes Queen Elizabeth as the as the ruling queen. And for many years until 1966 , the country uses the pound as its currency before switching to dollars
In our continuing effort to compare Australia with the other top migration destinations in the world, it is only fitting that we put the two countries side by side to give you a better decision for your visa applications.
The service sector is the main driving force of UK's economy, which makes up for almost 80 percent of its total GDP. Banking, business, and insurance are the most outstanding service sectors.
Despite these, the country is one of the largest manufacturing-driven economies in the world. It cradles the many vital players in the aerospace sectors, such as Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems, as well as pharmaceutical giants like Astra Zenica and GlaxoSmithKline. Construction and automotive industries were also thriving in the country, but took a hard blow from a recession.
Much like UK, The structure of the Australian economy rests on service and technology. This comprises for more than 70% of the GDP in 2008 and the industry accounts for about 20%. In the 2007 Globalisation Index which was conducted for Foreign Policy by consulting firm A.T. Kearney, the country was ranked as the third most technology-savvy country in the world.
On the other hand, agriculture and mining (which was on a boom recently) account for 4.7% of the GDP. Though they supplied to roughly 65% of the exports.
Housing affordability in the United Kingdom is driven by market factors such as the state of the local economy, supply of housing, and transport links. And it differs broadly on a regional basis.
Financial arrangements when it comes to housing here is divided in to three classifications: Owner-occupied; Private Rented Sector (PRS); and Social Rented Sector (SRS). House prices, income, interest rates, and purchase costs largely determines the affordability for the owner-occupied properties. PRS is based on house prices. While SRS rents are regulated by Local Authorities and Housing Associations or depending on what the lower income groups can afford.
An apartment in city center costs AU$ 7,988.71 per square meter while one outside the city costs AU$6,144.26.
The departments of state governments provides Public housing in Australia. It is divided into two categories: The inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses located in the suburban fringes of cities and towns. The inner-city public housing is generally found in Melbourne and Sydney. They are usually 3-5 story walk-up flats and 11-22 story high-rise towers. Low-density suburban estates is located in almost every city and town in Australia.
An apartment in city center costs AU$ 8,436.67 per square meter while one outside the city costs AU$5,861.34.
Healthcare in the United Kingdom is decentralized, with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each operating their own healthcare systems, each funded by their governments with smaller private sector and voluntary provision.
Each of the National Health Service (NHS) system utilizes General Practitioners to give primary healthcare and to provide referrals to further medical services. Hospitals then supply more specialist services, such as care for patients with psychiatric illnesses and direct access to Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments.
A 2014 report ranking healthcare systems in developed countries listed UK as the best healthcare system in the world. Though in 2005 to 2009, cancer survival rates reportedly lagged ten years behind the rest of Europe, though survival rate is increasing constantly.
Contrary to the United Kingdom, Australia’s healthcare system operates on a centralized level, and is administered by both private and government institutions. The state and territory governments manage aspects of health care within their jurisdictions, such as the operation of hospitals.
It is two-pronged. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare. The latter is funded partly by a 2% Medicare levy (with exceptions for low-income earners), with the rest being supplied by government. An additional levy of 1% is imposed on high-income earners without private health insurance. Death rate from medical care in the country is reportedly one of the lowest in the English-speaking world. It is lower than that of the USA and UK.
To find out more about how Australia’s healthcare system works, check our blog here.
United Kingdom has a well-placed and connected transport system. Modes of commuting include metros (trains moving above ground), tubes (underground subway), buses, and taxi. The country prides itself as having the oldest rail network in the world. It comprises of two independent parts, that of Northern Ireland and that of Great Britain. Taxis service, on the other hand, is of commendable quality, since they are strictly regulated, particularly in London, where mechanical integrity and driver knowledge are of high priority.
A one way bus ticket here costs around AU$4.52, while a monthly pass is at AU$117.90. Starting taxi tariff is AU$5.90 with AU$2.78 for every kilometer. But you could also get your own car. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$33,406.09, while a litter of gasoline is at AU$2.14.
Much like in the United Kingdom, Australia has an efficient transport system, too. However, the citizens rely more on road transport, as it is a significant component of the Australian transport network. The substantial dependence on road transport is largely in part to the country’s extensive area and the low population density. As a result, Australia has the second highest level of car ownership in the world, with Melbourne as the most car-dependent city.
As for commuting and public transport, commuter rail, trams, light rail, and rapid transit systems can also be found around the country, and services the citizens adequately.
A one way bus ticket ride costs AU$3.96, with the monthly pass at AU$130. Starting taxi tariff is AU$4.00 with AU$2.17 for every kilometer. Getting your own car will set you back AU$25,000 for a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car). A litter of gasoline is at AU$1.31.
United Kingdom is big, so its climate varies on each area. But it is generally described as temperate oceanic climate. Northern Ireland, Wales and western parts of England and Scotland are the windiest, wettest, and mildest regions due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern regions are less windy, drier, and cooler. However, they also encounter the greatest daily and seasonal temperature difference.
The northern regions, on the other hand, are mostly wetter, cooler, and have marginally bigger temperature ranges than southern areas.
The Land Down Under experiences an assortment of climates also due to its size. It can range from severely hot in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the continent to below zero in the Snowy Mountains in the south. And due to its size, there just can’t be one seasonal calendar for the whole continent.
The seasons will vary depending upon where in the continent you are each month, whether the weather is defined by the Temperate zone seasons or the tropical seasons. To find out more what is the climate and weather patterns in each of the states in the country, check our blog here.
The dining scene in UK is still in the process of explosion. With the past ten years, it is slowly shifting from traditional British cuisines to involve more diversity in flavors and recipes from around the world.
But more interesting is the British’s way of eating. They will usually have around six separate meals each day. This will start off with the breakfast, then the elevenses (a mid-morning snack usually tea and biscuits), and then the lunch. And then tea time follows in the afternoon, to be seconded by dinner, and capped off by desert. And then another tea.
If dining out is your thing, a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant will cost around AU$98.05. Going for a modestly-priced café clocks around AU$23.53. A McDonald’s Combo Meal is at AU$9.81.
Eating here is just as exciting, but in the wallet. According to studies, income had risen faster than food prices. Over the past 20 years, food spending has increased by 13%, while income climbed by 36%. This results to people spending a decreasing proportion of their salary to food. No to mention, food prices here are rising at a slower rate than in most parts of the world.
Also, Australia cradles an exciting food scene. It draws inspiration to British, American, aboriginal, and even Asian influence. It is home to some of the most exotic and palate-challenging food like Kangaroo meat, Burger Rings, and the infamous Vegemite (you can check here for the complete list of Australia’s weirdest food).
Advantages of British Citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For decades, the United States has been the land of milk and honey. The place of endless options and infinite possibilities. It is the Promised Land for anybody from a third world country trying to get out and have a better quality of life. It is the center of every dreams and goals and aspirations. It has been that way until the previous one hundred years or so.
Then the world discovered a thriving island continent smacked between South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Like the United States, this country was also a former British colony, and unlike the United States, it merges and maintains its native identity and the influence of its former masters. Currently, Australia is one of the wealthiest counties around and provides an excellent alternative to those who are looking for a different life abroad.
And speaking of life abroad, the current events in the United States, i.e. the recent Presidential Elections which brought forth business magnate Donald Trump as the victor, caused a few to reconsider moving to a different country, Australia being one of them. These folks somehow sees the results as unfavorable to them and their future and think the life abroad is far better.
So, is moving out to Australia worth it? We have compiled the numbers for you so you may have a more sound and informed decision.
If you have a professional position, you are more likely to be paid higher here than in Australia, and with a large margin. However, do not expect the same edge if you are working in a minimum wage job. But in the general, you are more likely to make more money in the US, albeit on a small margin, with a median income US$30,616 compared to Australia’s US$29.875.
Also, as far as top notched company and dynamic job opportunities especially in the IT industry are concerned, the United Sates has Google, Facebook, and the rest of the Silicon Valley to provide excellent working environments.
If you are an independent, career-driven, corporate-ladder scaling lady, Australia is your country. The gender gap in the salary scale here (yes, it’s still a thing everywhere) is smaller, with the Australian women earning 83% of the blokes’ salary
Not to mention, you are less likely to live in poverty in Australia. The UN Human Poverty Index indicates that 12.2% of Australians live on less than half of the median income, as compared to the 17% in the United States.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Obamacare, is the driving force behind the US’ efficient health care. Enacted by (soon to be former) President Barack Obama (hence the moniker) in March 2010, it aims to improve health insurance quality and affordability, decrease the uninsured rate by broadening insurance coverage and lower the costs of healthcare.
It also introduced further mechanisms including mandates, subsidies and insurance exchanges. The law requires that insurers accept all applicants, cover a specific list of conditions and charge the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.
However, with Trump taking over the Oval Office, the future of Obamacare seems to be dismal, as the Republican champion plans to repeal the act.
The Australian health care is divided into two systems: the Private and the Public systems.
The Private system gives access to a private treatment in either a public or private hospital or specialist services. But there’s a catch. To permit them to private facilities, they need first to purchase a private health insurance, which levies a 1% tax on them. This takes off the burden and frees more room for the lower and middle class citizens to take advantage of the public system.
The Public system, on the other hand, is being taken care by Medicare. Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled for this coverage funded both by government and tax levy. This allows them to have access to general practitioners and hospital services, for very low, if not free, costs. (For more information regarding Australia’s heath care system, check our blog here). Of the healthcare’s total expenditure, 70% of these is from the government.
Overall, Australia’s health care system is freely accessible to people no matter the income or type of insurance. And since most of the health care is disbursed for by the governing bodies (with people having health insurance on top of that) it helps to lower the overall taxation per calendar year.
The USA is one of the global leaders in medical research, modern treatment methods, and facilities. And they are continually creating discussions in pursuit of bettering this, as well as finding cures to the world’s deadliest diseases. No to mention, the culture of fitness, working out, and active lifestyle is constantly spreading across the country in various forms and methods. Gyms and fitness are also a common sight in both cities and suburban areas alike.
However, the United States still has an uphill battle when it comes to the overall heath and quality of life of its citizens. The country ranks first in the global scale when it comes to obesity, with more than one third of the population considered to be obese. This condition is known to cause fatal illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Life expectancy is at 76 years old for male and 81 years old for female. Infant mortality here is 6.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births, while you have 13% probability of not reaching the age of 60. Also, there will 2.3 physicians and 3.3 hospital beds available for 1,000 people.
There are 1.2 million people living with HIV or AIDS (60 times more than of Australia). The number of teenage pregnancy is at 494,000 (ranking first in the world). And deaths due to vehicular accident is at 15.5 per 100,000 people.
Australia also got its hands on ground breaking health research projects that not only will benefit the country but also the world. These include research for healthier and safer giving births in rural areas, a humanitarian doctoral research program, and food innovations for reduction of malnutrition.
When it comes to the overall health, the Aussies are doing better. Only one in five Australians are obese. Life expectancy in men is 80 years old while for women is 84. Infant mortality is at 4.61 deaths per 1,000 live births, and you have 9% chance of not reaching the age of 60. The county has 2.5 physicians and 7.4 beds per 1,000 people.
HIV and AIDS cases is at 20,000. Teenage pregnancy is less than 12,000 births. And deaths due to vehicular accident is at 10 per 100,000 people.
Public housing here is managed by federal, state and local agencies to give subsidized assistance for low-income households. To allow people to reside in more convenient locations instead of moving away from the cities to find lower rents, public housing is priced way below the market rate. From the of one or more concentrated blocks of low-rise and/or high-rise apartment buildings, housing here has now moved to a variety of settings and formats. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development operate and fund these complexes through the state and local housing authorities.
Much like in the US, public housing in Australia is provided by departments of state governments, though they operate on the groundwork of the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, in which both federal and state governments provide the funding for public housing. And like in the US, it is very affordable, which encourages families to buy landed houses instead of renting.
Mass transit here is quite diverse. It include buses, trolleybuses (like in San Francisco), trams (all across the country), and ferries (in coastal areas). Trains include rapid transit (i.e. metros, subways, undergrounds, etc.), light rail, and commuter rail.
A one way ticket costs around $2.25 while a monthly pass is at around $73. A kilometer taxi ride is at $1.62, while a litter of gasoline is at $0.59. All of these are well below the Australian pricings.
Australia relies heavily on trains. The country has electric commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Taxis are also available. But fares are much higher.
A one way ticket costs around $2.97, while a monthly pass is at around $98.89. A kilometer taxi ride is at $1.52, while a litter of gasoline is at $.95. All of these are above the American pricings. Getting your car here is a win though, as car prices are lower by 13% to 14% compared to United Sates.
Despite the constant push by health expert for home cooked meals, Americans are still finding dining outside the easiest way to nourish themselves. Which is still a win, though. Since dining out here is still more economical than in Australia.
At $50.00, you can already have a three-course fancy meal for two in a mid-range restaurant. You can dial it down by dining at an inexpensive restaurant for only $12.00. While for $7.00 can buy you a meal at McDonalds.
If your thing is cooking at home, a grocery with all the basic necessities like milk, bread, eggs, potatoes, chicken breasts, beef, onion, lettuce, bananas, wine, beer, and a pack of cigarettes, among others, will set you back $140.00.
Despite the very low unemployment rate and impressive quality of life, Australia has a very high cost of living. And that includes dining out where it has become part of their culture (the country has restaurants lining its streets, especially in Melbourne area).
A three-course fancy meal for two in a mid-range restaurant can set you back by $60.00, while dining at an inexpensive restaurant costs $14.00. A McDonalds isn’t any cheaper, either, as it costs $8.00. The same list of grocery item above clocks in at $123.08.
Taxes here are levied at federal, state, and local government level. The income tax system is progressive. Meaning the more money a person makes, the tax rate go higher. Federal income tax comes in when the person earns a certain amount. As for the corporate tax, it currently sits at 35% (higher than in Australia) and Value Added Tax is from 0% to 11.75% for the state and local taxation.
The country’s federal structure complicates the tax system here. Taxes are levied by the federal government, state government and local government. Income tax is levied only by the federal government. Personal tax allowance is AU$18,200 after which tax rates range from 19% to 45%. Capital gains are treated as part of income for taxation purposes.
As for the corporate tax, it currently sits at 28.5%–30% and Value Added Tax is at 10%, but 0% on essential items.