Norway is one of the very few countries in Europe that is not a member of the European Union. Experts say that the country is not in favor of the internal redistribution that the EU mandates, and wants to manage its resources independently. Nevertheless, Norway became one of the most efficient countries and even once voted as the most socially progressive nation in the world, sans EU membership. Also, it was able to maintain very close ties with the union and was even rumored to be another model for the United Kingdom post-Brexit.
We compare which country is better to migrate to, Norway or Australia.
Norway’s economy is a flourishing mixed economy whose sturdy growth began during the Industrial Age. Thus, its main economic drivers are mainly industry-based, such as shipbuilding, metals, petroleum and natural gas, mining, wood pulp and paper products, and chemicals. Other thriving commerce are agriculture, food processing, timber, and textiles. Unemployment here is at check, with 4.3%.
In the workplace, Norwegian employees are given more freedom when it comes to the pace of their work, manner of organization, and methods of execution. They are more satisfied with the working conditions, go through less exhaustion, and receive less physically demanding work than other workers throughout the EU, according to studies. At 1,629 hours annually (or 31 hours every week), working time her is lower than the OECD average of 1,770 hours a year.
Like, Austria, Australia is also one of the largest mixed market economies in the world. Its economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics. It is the 12th largest in the world in terms of GDP. Unemployment here is higher by a small margin at 5.8%, but still very low in overall scale.
Australian workers are also given free hand at work, especially in socializing. Doing it after-office is encouraged. Also, mutual respect is being emphasized, as it adheres to the spirit of mateship Aussies are known for. That means equal respect should be given from the employees to the company managers.
At 1,664 working hours annually, it is slightly lower than Spain, and way lower than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 1,770.
At US$9,715 per head per year, Norway’s expenditure on healthcare is the highest in the world. Healthcare here is universal, but there underlying payment requirements.
Free healthcare is provided to children aged sixteen or younger, and pregnant and/or nursing women regardless of the coverage they may have had in previous situations. All citizens are otherwise responsible for the annual deductible. Their health system does not cover specialized care for those above 16 years of age. If ever someone needs treatment such as specialized physiotherapy, he/she is required to pay an additional deductible. While the health appointments are covered by the deductible, extra materials and medical equipment are often covered by the patient.
When it comes to emergency room admission, all immediate healthcare costs are encompassed by the healthcare. In the case that hospitals in the country are unable to treat a patient, then treatment abroad is arranged free of charge.
Australia’s healthcare system engages on a centralized level, and is provided 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 for the public system. 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.
To find out more about how Australia’s healthcare system works, check our blog here.
Norwegian traditional cuisine is centered on raw, cured, or preserved materials readily available in the country, with respect to their long winters. Their ingredients focuses on game such as moose, reindeer, mountain hare, duck, rock ptarmigan, and fowl. They also base heavily on seafood like salmon, crab, and shellfish. Their modern cuisine, however, is ripe with global influences such as tacos, pizzas, pastas, and even burgers. They mostly eat four times a day, starting with a cold breakfast, then with cold lunch, and a hot dinner. This is then capped off with another cold dinner.
A three-course meal for two people on a restaurant costs around AU$127.62, while dining at a less expensive café costs AU$25.52. A McDonald’s combo meal is at AU$15.95.
Australian cuisine is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. To find out more about Australia’s exciting cuisine, check our blog here.
Dining out, a three-course meal for two people on a restaurant is at around AU$80.00, while dining at a less expensive café costs AU$1800. A McDonald’s combo meal is at AU$10.00.
To set the records straight, it is possible for expats, even those from non-European Union countries, to buy a property in Norway. But given that you just moved here, you better off renting especially if you just newly migrated to the country.
Finding for a place to rent here is pretty challenging, as the competition is very stiff. But the process is quite straightforward. You attend an open house event, inspect the property, write your name on the waiting list, and then wait to be contacted. Flats and apartments here are available in furnished (which are slightly more expensive) or unfurnished options. If you go for the unfurnished route, you may find a good range of high-quality furniture stores, such as in IKEA.
Costs of rental houses differ considerably depending on the region, city, neighborhood, quality of a property, size (number of bedrooms), age, and the facilities provided.
Expectedly, rents are cheaper in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Letting agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a fee of two weeks’ rent for a one-year lease and one week’s rent for a six-month lease. These are the legal maximum fees. Also, you’re expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, plus a bond which is held against damages.
For a quick, easy -to-follow-guide on how to rent in Australia, check it out here.
Rapid transit system exists solely in Oslo, in form of the Oslo Metro, also known as Oslo T-bane. It serves the entire city through its 101 stations, 17 of which are underground. It is compensated outside Oslo with the local buses operating in every town. Taxis, on the other hand, is best flagged down, but can also be called and reserved in advanced.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$5.10, while a monthly pass is at around AU$109.91. Starting taxi tariff is AU$12.74 with AU$2.23 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$42,866.27. Gasoline is at AU$2.27 for every litter.
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$4.00, 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$1.30.
Norway has four quite distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each one having equal length and their own characteristics. Spring starts in April and lasts until late May and can be very windy. As summer approaches, the days become longer and the nights shorter. Summer then lasts from June to mid-August. During these months the days are long, sunny and mild. In the far north, the sun doesn’t set below the horizon at all for several weeks. During autumn, the temperature begins to gradually drop during September and as autumn progresses, the afternoons and evenings become dark. During winter, temperatures can drop to below -30˚C in some parts of the country and it isn’t until early spring time that the days start to become lighter. The snow often lasts until Easter, when it's time for spring again.
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.
Advantages of Norwegian dual citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
One can say Norway and Australia worlds apart, not just in location, but in way of life, people, and environment. So you really have to be clear with your priorities, preferences, pleasures, and pet peeves before picking because the country shares very few things in common. The two nations both have mixed economies as their greatest strength, as well as well-designed health care systems. Also, people in both countries rely in a deep level of honesty, trust, and interpersonal relationships when communicating with one another. And that’s pretty much where it ends.
For those who want to enjoy a cooler climate and more distinct season, Norway is the place for you. Also, parents here receive the best benefits, since the government looks after children born to Norwegian citizens. And if you value weekends, you have to know that most Norwegians do not work on Sundays. However, you have to be able to speak Norwegian here to better communicate. Plus, everything is taxed, whether you are aware of it or not.
For the tropical climate lovers, Australia is your haven. Here, socializing on and after work is a norm, and Australians are warm and friendly people. There are no language barrier to tide since everybody speaks English. If you want to lead an active lifestyle, you can do it freely. As they are big on sports, whether playing or just watching it. Though you have to tide the erratic weather and quirky food they might serve on you.
Austria used to depend on Germany as its main trading partner (the two have so much history), thus making the earlier vulnerable to the economic changes of the latter. But since Austria joined the European Union in 1995, it started to draw a massive influx of foreign investors and rose to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
But now that United Kingdom left the trading bloc in a historic move known as Brexit, the whole of Europe is a against the challenges of uncertainty and challenges again and its up to Austria to tide it.
Today, we compare EU's fourth richest nation with the Land Down Under.
Austria is the fourth wealthiest country in the European Union, and the 14 largest economy in the world. Its main industries and largest employers are construction, vehicles and parts, machinery, metals, food, chemicals, paper and paperboard, lumber and wood processing, tourism, communications, and equipment. It enjoys a very low 4.4% unemployment rate.
At 1,629 hours annually (or 31 hours every week), it has one of the lowest working hours in the world. It also helps that, like in Australia, there is a standard eight-hour working period each day, five days a week. Working hour starts here much earlier, usually at 7am, with the blue and white-collard ones at 8am. Each employee is entitled for 25 paid holidays, plus sick leaves.
By comparison, Australia is the 12 largest economy by nominal GDP, and one of the largest mixed market economies in the world. The country's main industries include mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel, and tourism. Currently, unemployment rate is at 5.7%.
At 1,664 hours a year (32 hours a week), the average working time is higher than in Austria. This is not uniform, though, as working hours will depend on your occupation, type of industry, position, or employer. Standard working day for a blue-collar worker is from 7am or 8am to 3:30 or 4:30pm, while working hours in many offices and shops are from 8:30am or 9:30am until 4:30 or 5:30pm, with an hour’s break for lunch.
Health care in Austria is comprised of the public and private system. All individuals are receiving publicly funded care, though purchasing a supplementary private health insurance is also an option.
As a migrant in Austria, you are obligated to pay into a health insurance scheme, which then proceeds into a larger social security system. The system encompasses the contributor and their family as well for health, accident or pension insurance. The amount an individual has to settle is determined by the salary level.
As with many other state-funded healthcare systems, patients can only seek treatment from medical professionals recognized by the social insurance fund; doctors are approved by the insurance will display a sign stating ‘Alle Kassen’ or ‘Kassenarzt’.
Like Austria, Australia’s health care is also two-tiered, the private health system and the Medicare for the public system. It 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.
Medicare, the Australian government’s universal public health insurance scheme, provides residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Austrian cuisine is heavily formed by Hungarian, Germam, Italian, Bohemian, and Balkan influences. Popular meats used here include Austria are beef, pork, chicken, turkey and goose.
Famous dishes include the prominent Wiener Schnitzel (boneless thinned meat fried with a coating of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs), gulasch (a hotpot often eaten with rolls, bread, or dumplings), liptauer (spicy cheese spread, eaten on a slice of bread), palatschinken (pancakes filled with jam, sprinkled with sugar etc.), and beuschel (a ragout containing lungs and heart).
When dining out, tipping is usually included in the bill, typically 10% to 15% of the bill. Like Australians, topics about work or business in being avoided, unless brought up by the host.
Australian cuisine is a hybrid native aboriginal ingenuity and British colonial influences, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions contributed by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations that helped shaped their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Australia's cuisine is exciting at it is unique. For some of its most amazing dishes, check it here.
Dining culture is very much western. You are expected to make reservations first and confirm in formal restaurants. In informal dives, you might be expected to share a table. Be open to conversations when invited. Tipping is not required, but optional.
Types of houses vary in Austria, from old buildings to brand new flats. Prices differ depending on location, size, quality, and area of the city. Expectedly, the houses outside the city are cheaper. Though you may have to use public transport to reach the city centers or your workplace.
Finding for a place to rent is relatively easy here, with the ads posted on both newspapers and the internet. Standard rental contracts are signed for a period of three years. You are legally well protected once you have your apartment and your landlord will not be able to easily evict you out.
The government works hard to increase house-ownership in Australia. Only 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in 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 the country.
For a detailed yet simple to follow guide on how to find a place to rent in Australia, check it here.
Train services (also known as Metro) are concentrated in Vienna only. It runs all night on Friday and Saturday nights. From Sunday night to Thursday night it stops at midnight or sometimes 30 minutes past that. However, buses function in most cities with a few night buses to supplement it during evening. Tram and bus services in most places run from about 5am to 11pm or midnight. There are also taxis everywhere. You can get one by calling them in advance or flagging down. Drivers typically expect a 10% tip.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$3.30, while a monthly pass is at around AU$68.06. Starting taxi tariff is AU$5.93 with AU$2.13 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$33,015.77. Gasoline is at AU$1.70 for every litter.
Despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then bus. All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00, while going for a monthly pass will increase it by AU$130.00. Taxi tariff is AU$4.00, while a kilometer ride is AU$2.17. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00 plus AU$1.31 for every litter of gasoline.
A moderate climate and four fairly distinct seasons marks the weather in Austria. The seasons might be similar throughout Austria, but the Alps divide the country into three weather regions that have unique characteristics.
Northern and Eastern Austria, including the cities of Vienna, Salzburg and Linz, are lowland regions north of the Alps tends to be milder, and thus produces the ideal conditions for vineyards. The Alpine region of Western Austria presents longer, colder winters with more snow. Temperatures can differ significantly depending on the altitude. The third weather zone is south of the Alps, and includes the cities of Graz and Klagenfurt. It is influenced by warmer Mediterranean temperatures,
Due to its massive size, climate varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
Advantages of an Austrian citizenship include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
If anything, the high living standard is one thing the two nations shares in common. Robust economy, efficient health care, and well-designed transportation system are something you will get whichever country you go for. The difference, however, is purely cultural, and a matter preference.
Austria’s façade, from the architectures, to the way of life, to food, has all the makings of Central Europe. This is characterized my major influences of Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. Australia is highlighted by Brick Gothic, Rococo, and modern art. It is majorly a Catholic country, whose empowerment of Human Rights is one of its greatest achievements. For those who are used to of looking to experience a Central European way of life, Austria is the place to go.
However, language barrier is major challenge here. Not to mention, Austrians are quite a private people, and would not open themselves on a personal basis right away to other people. Building a close personal relationship with them might take time.
On the other hand, Australia, despite its close history with Great Britain, shares more similarity with the United States. Here, English is the mother tongue, the people are friendly and open for conversations, and enjoys a more outdoor way of life. Major influences are a combination or native global contributions, as the country is built by waves of migration coming as far as United Kingdom, Asia, and Americas.
As always, the climate and weather are the major challenges here. Australia has a more temperate temperature than Austria. Also, the weather conditions are quite unpredictable, and therefore will affect the way of life in day to day basis.
In a sudden and prolonged economic upswing known as the Miracle on the Han River, South Korea skyrocketed from one of the most struggling countries on the planet into a fully-blossomed financial center in the east within one generation. Currently, one can say the country is slowly taking over the world one aspect of our life at a time, from cellphones to computers to automobiles to even modern pop culture.
But is South Korea a worthy place to migrate, work, and settle? We find out.
South Korea is a major economic force in Asia, being the fourth largest economy in the region and the eleventh in the world. It is considered as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its main economic sectors and largest employers are shipbuilding, automobile, construction, armaments, mining, and tourism. It has also been hit by the late 2000 global financial crisis. Nevertheless, it avoided going into a recession like most countries.
Working here can be socially rewarding, as building personal relationship in the workplace and out is highly encouraged here. Koreans believe that building trust, rapport, and commitment is a crucial step in being productive and therefore drives the company’s growth. Still, lines are still being drawn among ranks and therefore should be not violated.
However, South Korea is known for its extraordinarily long working hours and long overtimes, having 2,124 hours annually (or 41 hours a week), the second longest among the OECD countries. Fortunately, new laws are being enacted to limit the working time to 40 hours a week only and adopt a five-day workweek.
Australia’s federal structure allows it to focus on disparate economic sectors to support the country. Its economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Other sectors (and biggest employers) include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, tourism, media, education, and logistics.
The country is also fortunate enough to suffer minimal to no economic damages during the recession. Experts pointed out to efficient policy making, effective fiscal expenditures, the mining boom, and Australia being a major source of resources for the Asia-Pacific region.
Like in South Korea, socializing on the work is OK, while doing it after-office is encouraged. Also, mutual respect is being emphasized, as it adheres to the spirit of mateship Aussies are known for. That means equal respect should be given from the employees to the company managers. At 1,664 working hours annually (or 32 hours a week), working time her is quite shorter.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) administers the compulsory healthcare in the country. Regardless of nationality or profession, each resident in the country is eligible. Even foreigners residing here and are registered with the National Health Insurance Corporation are eligible to receive the same medical benefits and services as Korean nationals.
Public assistance and social welfare services are provided through four insurance schemes: national pension, national health insurance, industrial accident compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance. The residents are mandated to contribute on all four schemes.
Australia’s healthcare system engages on a centralized level, and is provided 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 for the public system. 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.
To find out more about how Australia’s healthcare system works, check our blog here.
Much like Japan, Korea’s cuisine also developed with very little external influence, with contributions limited only the Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria. Their dish is mostly based on rice, meats, vegetables, with the addition of side dishes and the ubiquitous kimchi. Korean cuisine is rich and diverse, as characterized by the many restaurants thriving in the country.
Dining etiquette is complex and interesting. You can’t pour your own drink, it’s your neighbor’s responsibility, and vice versa. You cannot also lift the bowl to your mouth when eating rice (as they would in Japan). And you need to wait for the elders to start eating before you do. When dining at home, shoes are expected to be removed. When dining out, the person who does the inviting typically pays the bill, however, the guest is expected to make an effort to pay. Tipping is not mandatory, though you may give 5% or more of your bill.
As opposed to Korea, Australian cuisine is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. To find out more about Australia’s exciting cuisine, check our blog here.
There’s no strict rules on who’s going to pay the bill when dining out. However, since Australians gravitate more towards egalitarianism, the bill is usually divided equally among people. Tipping is also not heavily required here, but they are encouraged.
Geographically, South Korea is not a huge country, but its population is bursting, resulting in country that has ingeniously used its limited space. Because of this, Koreans came up with various apartment types that caters to all sorts of tenants and families.
First are the apartment buildings whose units offer huge space for a family of four or five to live, complete with a kitchen, dining area, living room, bed room, and toilet. Also, these types of living space is the most expensive. Officetels have a more limited room and fit mostly for couples. And then there are the villas, perfect for single employees.
Payment system for rent is classified into two options. First is the wolse in which you pay the monthly rest, and second is the jeonse in which you will deposit a huge sum of money (AU$35,000 is a modest figure) and then you can stay in the apartment for free on the duration of the contract. The landlord will then hand you the money back when you move out.
Like in Italy, rental prices vary depending on the region, city, neighborhood, quality of a property, size (number of bedrooms), age, and the facilities provided.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Letting agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a fee of two weeks’ rent for a one-year lease and one week’s rent for a six-month lease. These are the legal maximum fees. Also, you’re expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, plus a bond (see below) which is held against damages.
To find out more how to get an apartment here, check our blog.
South Korea has a web of subway system (called metro) servicing six cities, namely Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Incheon. The signs here are written in English and Korean, making it accessible and user-friendly for foreigners and locals alike. Other railroad transport systems include commuter trains, trams, and the maglev (magnetically levitated). South Korea is the third country in the world to operate a commercial maglev train.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$1.44, while a monthly pass is at around AU$63.57. Starting taxi tariff is AU$3.47 with AU$1.33 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$36,236.85. Gasoline is at AU$1.76 for every litter.
All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Despite this, driving is the most used mode of transport, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), bus, and lastly, train.
Fares are pricier here compared pricier compared to Korea. A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00, while going for a monthly pass will increase it by 130.00 AU$. Staring taxi tariff is at AU$4.00, while the first kilometer is at AU$2.17. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00 plus AU$1.30 for every litter of gasoline.
With a temperate climate, South Korea goes through four distinct seasons. Winters are mostly lengthy, intense and dry. Summers are quite short, hot, and balmy. Spring and autumn, on the other hand, are pleasant but also brief in duration. The country typically has sufficient rainfall. Amounts of precipitation, however, differs from year to year. Two-thirds of the annual precipitation occur between June and September.
Compared to neighboring countries, South Korea is less vulnerable to typhoons. Only one to three typhoons can be expected each year. Typhoons usually pass over during late summer and bring torrential rains especially in August.
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.
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
A robust economy is both South Korea and Australia’s greatest advantage. Both have economic sectors effectively supporting its respective countries economically and fiscally. Both survive a global economic catastrophe that put on much of the world to their knees. Also, both countries thrive on the tradition of strong relationships with other people, in and out of work. If you are looking for a place where social connections and civil rapport is a norm, both South Korea and Australia are both good countries to work and settle.
If you are from a western country and looking for a completely different atmosphere very unlike your homeland, Korea is the perfect destination. Unlike Hong Kong or Singapore where western influences has slowly taken over, Korea is as Asian as it gets. The country has entirely preserve its tradition, culture, and cuisine in the backdrop of modernization. Staying here for good will be a lifetime of learning and new experiences. Though you may have to survive the language barrier (leaning Korean is fun, though), and get used to quite compact environments, as space is not a luxury the country has so many of.
If still favor a western façade and the way of life, get to Australia. The country offers both American and European vibe, depending in which city you are. And while South Korea lacks space, the Lucky Country has a lot of it. Roads, parks, offices, and even accommodations can be expansive, and the culture of walking and outdoor lifestyle is a way of life. Though the erratic and mostly warm weather is a deal breaker if you are from a cold country, and sometimes the food needs an acquired taste to be enjoyed, mostly like in South Korea.
Italy is up there among the top migration destinations in the world, with immigrants representing 8.2% of the country’s population. This number gained increase having 90,000 more immigrants last year, meaning it’s still a prime spot for those who want to make a living or settle down in other countries because of its good economy and very fine culture. A commendable feat for a country still battling the effects of the recent global recession.
Today, we compare Italy and Australia side by side.
Italy is Europe’s fourth largest economy, the second largest manufacturer (behind Germany), and world’s largest wine producer. Its major industries and largest employers are tourism, automotive, steel, machinery, food processing, motor vehicles, clothing, textiles, and chemicals. Notable companies operating in the country include Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Prada, Versace, Gucci, United Colors of Benetton, Martini & Rossi, and Nutella.
However, Italy is one of the countries massively hit by the global economic recession of the late 2000 and is still recovering from the setbacks. Industries that are majorly affected are automotive, construction, finance, and engineering. Nonetheless, green technology, food and drink mechanical engineering, and tourism are very much thriving. Unemployment rate is currently at 11.4%, with the average Italian working at 33 hours each week.
Australia’s federal structure allows it to focus on disparate economic sectors to support the country. These include manufacturing, agriculture, services, finance, tourism, media, education and the recently booming mining industry.
The country is one of the very few countries fortunate enough to suffer minimal to no economic damages during the recession. Experts pointed out to efficient policy making, effective fiscal expenditures, the mining boom, and Australia being a major source of resources for the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, unemployment rate in the country is significantly lower at 5.8%. Though the country enforces a 40-hour work week, the average working hour in Australia is lower at 32 hours per week.
World Health Organization ranked Italy’s health care system as the 2nd best in the world behind France last 2000.
It is administered to all citizens and residents by a two-pronged public and private system. Sistema sanitario nazionale (SSN) is the public system, organized under the Ministry of Health and is provided on a regional basis.
The SSN entirely pays the general practitioners (GP) and should give visiting time at least five days a week with 1500 patients as limit. Patients are allowed to select and change their GP, as subjected to availability. Prescription drugs specified by GPs are mostly subsidized, obligating only a fixed payment from the patient depending on the medicine type and income. In most regions, it is free for the poor.
Surgeries and hospitalization administered by the public hospitals or by conventioned private ones are entirely free of charge for everyone, no matter the income. For planned surgeries, waiting times can be up to many months, especially in the larger cities.
Australia’s healthcare system engages on a centralized level, and is provided 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.
Like Italy, it is two-pronged. There is the private health system, and there is the Medicare for the public system. 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.
Renting price here is affected by various factors such as size (number of bedrooms), quality and age of the property, the facilities provided, and the region it is located. Renting a property through an agent requires an agent’s fee, usually 10% of a month or a year’s rent, depending on the negotiation. The landlord generally asks for a deposit equal to one to three months’ rent. The deposit should be refunded with interest within two months of the termination of the lease, less the amount due to the landlord for damages, redecoration, etc. Rent is usually settled one month in advance.
Also, tenants in an apartment are required to have insurance and pay service charges. These service charges include heating, rubbish removal, hot water, communal lighting and maintenance, use of lift (elevator), and caretaker’s services. Utilities like electricity, water, and gas are normally paid separately by tenants.
Like in Italy, rental prices vary depending on the region, city, neighborhood, quality of a property, size (number of bedrooms), age, and the facilities provided.
Logically, rents are more affordable in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities, the cheaper it is. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Letting agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a fee of two weeks’ rent for a one-year lease and one week’s rent for a six-month lease. These are the legal maximum fees. Also, you’re expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, plus a bond (see below) which is held against damages.
Before going in with the transactions, before to make a careful inspections of the property. This will give you a feel of the house and decide wither this is the home you are looking for.
Food is a serious matter in Italy. Every region, city, or town has its own specialty dish that they are proud of. Thus the many restaurants lining up each street. An Italian meal comprises of five parts: the antipasti (appetizer), primo (first course) secondo (second or main course): contorni (side dishes), and dolce (dessert). This is followed usually with espresso or any after dinner drinks. Bills will not handed unless requested, and will come with a piece of bread. Tipping is optional since prices include taxes and service charges already.
A three-course meal for two people on a restaurant costs around AU$76.12, while dining at a less expensive café costs AU$22.84. A McDonald’s combo meal is at AU$10.89.
Australian cuisine is a hybrid native aboriginal ingenuity and British colonial influences, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions contributed by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations that helped shaped their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Like in Italy, tipping here is also optional.
Dining out, a three-course meal for two people on a restaurant is at around AU$80.00, while dining at a less expensive café costs AU$18.00. A McDonald’s combo meal is at AU$10.00.
Italy maintains a well-developed and effective public transport system, especially its railway network. The Italian train system is so expansive, convenient, and competent, it actually makes the bus and air transport unnecessary to some extent. Their railway system includes the high speed trains, intercity trains, regional trains, and the rapid transit. Also, buses and taxis operate in the country. But despite all of these, Italy has one of highest number of vehicles per capita, with 690 per 1000 people in 2010.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$2.28, while a monthly pass is at around AU$53.31. Starting taxi tariff is AU$7.62 with AU$2.13 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$30,460.81. Gasoline is at AU$2.27 for every litter.
Despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then bus. All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00, while going for a monthly pass will increase it by AU$130.00. Taxi tariff is AU$4.00, while a kilometer ride is AU$2.17. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00 plus AU$1.31 for every litter of gasoline.
No single climate system precedes Italy. It varies everywhere, depending on the geographical location. Bologna, Milan Turin, and the rest of inland northern lands have a relatively cool, mid-latitude version of the Humid subtropical climate (or Cfa in terms of Köppen climate classification), the coastal areas of Liguria and the peninsula south of Florence, on the other hand, generally fit the Mediterranean climate profile (Köppen climate classification Csa).
Summer season is usually balanced here. Though thunderstorms in the afternoon/night hours and some grey and rainy days can often be experienced in the northern regions. Furthermore, while summer in south of Florence is typically dry and sunny, it tends to be more humid and cloudy in the north. Spring and Autumn weather can be very changeable, with sunny and warm weeks (sometimes with Summer-like temperatures) suddenly broken off by cold spells or followed by rainy and cloudy weeks.
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.
Advantages of Italian dual citizenship are:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
Italy and Australia are both land of adventures. They have food, traditions, and way of life not always seen in most western countries. Their people friendly, their lands both accommodating to migrants, and safety and health are highly valued on both countries, as characterized by their well-developed health care policies.
A very fine European lifestyle is Italy’s prime advantage. Here, the food is outstanding, culture is very refined, the transport system magnificent, and the climate generally cool and crisp. Though you have to deal with the language barrier, plus the country’s still economy still yet get back on its feet due to the vast effects of recession.
Australia, on the other hand, has English as the mother tongue, and has a very American lifestyle. The outdoor and sports culture is also superb, as well as the open and friendly reception of the citizens. If you are from a colder climate, be prepared, though. Australia sports a generally sub-tropical climate, with erratic weather conditions. Also, the food can be challenging and sometimes need an acquired taste.
Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set his sights for Japan to be the new go-to migration country by making overhauls in its immigration policies. These include expediting the delivery of residency cards for skilled migrants, raising the proportion of international students in the country, and bringing in more workers for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
With the Land of the Rising Sun rearing its shore for more immigrants, how does it compare to the Land Down Under?
Japan’s economy is third largest in the world and the second largest among developed countries. It has the third largest automobile manufacturer as well as the largest electronics goods industry. Among its largest industries are manufacturing, real estate, trade, transport, and finance. Other employment opportunities include technology (IT and programming), English teaching, and sales.
Japan is known for its lengthy working hours, with cases of employees logging in up to 60 working hours not really unheard of. This practice eventually lead to a rare phenomenon called karōshi, which is death due to excessive working. Due to international criticisms and pressure, working hours here is gradually decreasing.
Management style is based not on assertiveness, but rather on consensus building. This spares the individual subordinates from public embarrassments for their mistakes, which can have disastrous impact to them.
Australia’s economy is primarily driven by its service sector, comprising 68% of its GDP. Manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and the recent mining boom are the country’s leading industries. There are a diverse range of work opportunities everywhere, with the service, information technology, and hospital industry constantly improving and do most of the employment currently.
Australia enjoys a lower than average working hour at 32 hours a week. Much like in Japan, culture of consultancy also define the Aussies’ management style. Subordinates are required to share opinions and suggestions or even challenge their superiors’ ideas as long as executed professionally. This adheres to the Australians’ virtue of mateship, in which everybody is treated equally with respect.
Japan’s health care system assists the residents by paying a good part of expenditures such as screening examinations, infectious disease control, and prenatal care. Hinging on the family income and the age of the insured, patients are expected to settle 10%, 20% or 30% of medical fees with the government footing the remaining fee. By law, the residents are obligated to be enrolled on a universal health care insurance system to assist them in settling expenses for personal medical services.
Patients are given freedom in choosing their physicians or facilities and cannot be refused coverage. By law, hospitals must be managed by physicians and run as non-profit and. For-profit corporations are not allowed to own or operate hospitals. Likewise, clinics must be owned and operated by physicians.
Currently, Japan’s health care system is undergoing major revamps by the current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to adjust to today’s health care expense prices.
Australia’s health care system functions on a centralized level, and is carried out by both private and government institutions. The state and territory governments supervise aspects of health care within their jurisdictions, such as the operation of hospitals.
It is two-pronged: the private health system and 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. To find out more about how Australia’s healthcare system works, check our blog here.
Housing in the country is a mix of modern and traditional styles, and most are built to have limited lifespans i.e. can be torn down after a certain duration of time (20 years for wooden houses and 303 years for concrete) due to safety and quality regulations.
Houses come in various types, these include the single-detached housing, multiple unit buildings, boarding houses (perfect for unmarried people), dormitories, and barracks (for Self-Defense Forces members).
Renting here can be quite a challenge, as it requires a multitude of requirements, including an agent, a Japanese phone number, bank account, pay slips, domestic emergency contact, character reference, and a guarantor.
Owning a house is also not very common in Australia. Around 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged.
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.
Expectedly, rents are cheaper in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
There are very few countries whose public transportation are as modern, as developed, and as competent as Japan. It is very energy efficient, and utilizes less energy per person as opposed to other countries. The railway system is the country’s major means and most used form of transportation. It composed of a complicated network that services cities and towns. The most notable to this are the Shinkansen or bullet trains, one of the fastest trains in the world. Other railway transports are maglevs and street cars. Buses, taxis, and car rentals also operate in the country.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$2.56, while a monthly pass is at around AU$120.00. Starting taxi tariff is AU$9.14 with AU$4.34 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$31,427. Gasoline is at AU$1.72 for every litter.
Australia also has very efficient public transport system. But unlike Japan where trains are more popular, driving is the most used mode of transport here, and this number continues to rise. Trains only come second, then walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then buses. All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00, while going for a monthly pass will increase it by AU$130.00. A kilometer ride of taxi is AU$2.17 with AU$4.00 as starting tariff. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00AU$ plus AU$1.30 for every litter of gasoline.
Japanese cuisine is well-developed and has varied range of dishes, despite the limited contributions of external influences. The makes the restaurant business a lucrative industry. There’s definitely or two in every city or small towns, each one offering distinct courses. These include pubs, sushi bars, ramen houses, curry houses, and hot pot restaurants, among others. As stated, the Japanese work long hours, and rarely has time for cooking, thus the liberal proliferation of restaurants.
Dining practices here are quite unique as well. It’s not unusual to be seated on floors or pillows with a very table. Bills are also presented face down (as a matter of tradition) and presented to the cashier to be paid before leaving. Tips are not necessary and often discouraged. Staffs often chase customers who leave money on the table to give it back.
As opposed to Japan, Australian cuisine is a fusion of native aboriginal inventiveness and British colonial contribution, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions provided by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations and helped transform their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Like the Japanese, Aussies prefer the freshest produces as much as possible (check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
Australian restaurants follow the Western setup (high tables with high chairs), with the bills being handed to you by the staff or waiter. Tipping is not heavily required, but they are encouraged.
Japan is mostly temperate, with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring season, from March to May, is when tourist mostly flock to Japan. The weather is warm but not too sweltering hot and during this time rainfall is at its lowest. From June to August begins the summer season, where it start with the very rainy period of June. Then temperature and humidity starts to climb reaching around the 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 Celsius in August, followed by the Japanese typhoon season. The start of autumn can still be quite hot and humid (though frequented by typhoons). Still, most of this season brings a more endurable and enjoyable weather climate. The winter season is the driest time of the year. The only precipitation is the snowfall in the north and west coast of Japan where it is best for winter sport events.
Due to the massive land area, Australia goes through differing climates. This fact is characterized by the severely hot climate in the Kimberley region in the north-west of the continent to below zero in the Snowy Mountains in the south. Also due to its size, there just can’t be one seasonal calendar for the whole continent.
Depending upon where in the continent you are each month, the seasons will vary, 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.
Advantages of Japanese citizenship/naturalization include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
Japan and Australia are both lands of superb opportunities and challenges to immigrants. Both countries have successfully pinned own its unemployment rates for years (3.4 % for Japan and 5.7% for Australia). This means they can fully support their residents financially-wise by providing long term and well-compensated jobs. Both countries also takes care of their citizens’ health very well, as characterized by their well-designed health care systems.
If you are looking for consistent weather atmosphere, fast commuting system, and well initiated with Asian food, then Japan is your country. The Japanese are also very polite, and enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Though you have to go through the language barrier, as there are very few English-speakers in Japan, and learning Japanese presents quite a laborious task.
Short working hours, work-life balance, and an English-speaking society are Australia’s advantages. The Aussies are friendly and always open for a good chat, and the outdoor lifestyle is enjoyable especially for the physically active. Though you have to put up with the inconsistent weather pattern and the dishes that exist only quite here.
Much like Australia, Hong Kong also went under British rule for a better part of its time (from 1841 to 1997) through the Treaty of Nanking and was handed back to China through the Convention of Peking. Throughout this period, Hong Kong transformed from a small fishing village and salt farm to one of the most important trading and financial centers of the world.
Because of these, it also became a popular migration destination, with its vigorous economy, good quality of life, and ample employment opportunities.
It’s time we compare the Pearl of the Orient with the Lucky Country.
As one of the leading financial centers in the world, Hong Kong enjoys very low taxation and a stunted unemployment rate of 3.4%, this number only increases and decreases in very small increments. A major proportion of the country’s workforce is employed by urban establishments, as agriculture in Hong Kong is already in its sunset or passing stage.
The country’s biggest employers are concentrated in retail and hotel services (employing 30% of the workers), business and finance (15%), and community and social services (13%). Before 2010, free rein is being given to employers in determining workers’ salaries (in line with the free market policy), but a minimum wage law has been passed since then. As of May, 2015, Hong Kong’s hourly pay as mandated is at AU$5.60.
Free recruitment assistance for employers and placement service for job-seekers are being administered by the Labour Department to help the citizens getting employed. The average working hour per week here for full-time employees is a bit high at 49 hours.
Manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and the recent mining boom are the country’s leading industries. There are a diverse range of work opportunities everywhere, with the service, information technology, and hospital industry constantly improving and do most of the employment currently.
Unemployment here is slightly higher at 5.7%, and is gradually decreasing as a result of franchising and trade shifting from Europe and North America to Japan and other East Asian markets to revitalize the market and add to the investment portfolio.
Working hours here is slightly below average, at 32 hours a week. Minimum wage stands at AU$17.29 an hour.
Health care in Hong Kong is a two-pronged system composed of the private sector and a government-sponsored public sector. The private sector provides plentiful and diverse choices, albeit at expensive prices. The public sector, on the other hand, is funded by the government and administers low-cost health services to eligible citizens. This presents problems to patients though, in form of overcrowding and long waiting lines.
The private system has 11 registered private hospitals offering private treatments, deluxe rooms, and customer-friendly staff and workers. While the public system has 47 specialist out-patient clinics and 73 general out-patient clinics, grouped into seven clusters according to their locations.
Like in Hong Kong, Australia’s health care system is comprised of private and public tracks.
Medicare is the Australian government’s publicly funded health insurance scheme. It provides Australian residents free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital and free or subsidized treatment for optometrist, dental care, and psychology services as well as treatment by doctors.
Individuals can take out private health insurance to cover out-of-pocket costs. They can either option for a plan that covers just selected services, to a full coverage plan. In practice, a person with private insurance may still be left with out-of-pocket payments, as services in private hospitals often cost more than the insurance payment.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works
Hong Kong is one of the very few countries that effectively avoided the property bubble burst that have affected other countries like the United States, China, and Dubai. One reason could be the government’s constant and sufficient increase of house supply to the market, especially its low-income residents. Almost half of the residents here live in some form of public housing.
Housing types here include public rental housing (rented at discounted rates to low-income residents), home ownership scheme estates (subsidized-sale public housing estates for low-income residents), flats-for-sale, sandwich-class houses (marketed towards lower-middle and middle-income residents), interim housing, and tenants purchase scheme housing.
The government works hard to increase house-ownership in Australia. Only 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sports the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city public housing is generally found in 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 the country.
Despite being kept under British wings for a better half of its time, Asian impact on Hong Kong’s cuisine is very well-preserved, especially Cantonese, Japanese, and South East Asian influences. Dim sums, congees, noodles, and rice meals the most popular dishes. Their food can also be creative and might challenge the uninitiated with the liberal use of animal tripe, intestines, and offal as main ingredients in their dishes. They also invented the concept of milk teas.
Unlike in Western setups, there is no proper time of the day for Hong Kong citizens to eat. Due to long working hours, they mostly have dinner at 10pm and then eat again 1am. Some Cantonese restaurants here open only at the start of the evening, as this is the time most people eat. Also, due to long working hours, dining out and taking out food is quite the norm, as people don’t have much time for cooking.
Australian cuisine is a hybrid native aboriginal ingenuity and British colonial influences, with mix of Asian and Mediterranean traditions contributed by wave after wave of post-colonial migrations that helped shaped their cuisine. They usually take advantage of meat available in the continent, such as lamb, kangaroo, and emu, as well as pork, beef, and chickens. Like Hong Kong residents, Aussies prefer the freshest produces as much as possible.
Dining culture is very much western. You are expected to make reservations first and confirm in formal restaurants. In informal dives, you might be expected to share a table. Be open to conversations when invited.
Hong Kong boasts of the highest rate of public transport use in the world with 90% of daily travels happening in it. This in despite the increasing number of private vehicles in the past 15 years.
The country has a complex system of rail transport such as the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), which alone comprises of 10 lines, 84 railway stations and 68 Light Rail stops; tramways, funicular railway services, boundary-crossing trains, and the Automated People Mover, a driverless electric train service. Buses, light buses, and taxis also operate in the country.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$1.72, while a monthly pass is at around AU$77.44. Starting taxi tariff is AU$3.79 with AU$1.38 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$39,780. Gasoline is at AU$2.56 for every litter.
Despite the very good public transport system, driving is the most used mode of transport in the country, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), and then bus. All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00, while going for a monthly pass will increase it by AU$130.00. Taxi tariff is AU$4.00, while a kilometer ride is AU$2.17. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00 plus AU$1.31 for every litter of gasoline.
Hong Kong's climate is described as monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, going towards temperate for nearly half the year. Many people regard November and December as the best months of the year, where there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. January and February are cloudier, with casual cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds.
In urban areas, it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 C. The lowest temperature recorded at the Observatory is 0 Degree° C. However, sub-zero temperatures and frost mostly occur on high ground and in the New Territories.
Due to its massive size, climate varies vastly in Australia to a wide degree. This is reflected on the snow-capped mountains in the south and arid deserts in the interior. Unlike New Zealand, majority of the country leans more towards the temperate, tropical rainforest climate. Australians get plenty of sun and warmth most of the year but with huge drops in temperature during winter.
The weather widely differs with every city. To find out more about the climate in each of them, check it here.
There is no provision for Hong Kong’s citizenship status, since it has never been an independent country. However, migrants can be given permanent residency status called Right to Abode. And these are the rights awarded:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
Both Hong Kong and Australia are have very good economic system, well-managed transport systems, and well-designed health care. And despite the similarities in colonial history, lifestyle in both nations are still worlds apart.
Hong Kong have managed its unemployment, crime, and energy rates very well and have successfully kept at incredibly low levels. A proof of a well-administered nation, economy and socially-wise. But living here can be challenging. As with any Asian financial center, life can be fast-paced, work hours are longer, and work-life balance is difficult to maintain. Not to mention, language barrier is an expected challenge here, as they are predominantly Cantonese speakers.
Australia, on the other hand, has a more laid back lifestyle, have shorter working hours, and encourages work-life balance. Unemployment rate is a bit higher, but employment options are still diverse and plentiful. The biggest setback however, is the weather, as Australia generally has a sun-tropical climate with erratic weather patterns, and can be testing for those from the colder parts of the world.
With a robust 85 million tourists recorded last year, France is undoubtedly the most visited country on the planet. With the migration numbers increasing by 20% in the last seven years, we can say that its tourist attractions, high culture, and exquisite cuisines are their most effective advertisements for those thinking of settling down abroad.
But how is life in Europe’s most popular jewel compared to the Land Down Under? Let’s find out.
Doing business in France can be a bane and a boom, depending if you can survive the challenges or not.
With a 64 million-population with very good purchasing powers, France offers a large market and many opportunities. This market is completely open to competitions, so any new players are welcomed. Add to that the many qualified workforce capable of supporting your business. Also, the country has well-designed and efficient infrastructures that makes the transport of goods and products very dynamic.
On the other hand, there are obstacles. It takes a while and a lot of government procedures to go through to set up shop in France. These include dealing with permits (takes 5 to 6 months), having your business registered (it takes two months), and trading across borders (11 days before you import and nine to export), among others.
Also, tax rates can be burdensome, ranging from 14% in the lower threshold up to 45% for the highest earners. France used to levy a gargantuan 75% super tax to those who earn €1 million and above. But has been since lifted for being “unconstitutional”.
Like in France, setting up a business in Australia has its share also of perks and challenges.
Australia’s ties and access to Asia Pacific – one of the fastest growing regions in the world – makes it a viable place to start a market-based business. Add to that the stable political climate, the continuously thriving economy, exceptional infrastructures, and ever-growing and handpicked workforce from around the world (skilled immigration here is strictly regulated and made sure adheres to Australia’s standards).
And like in France, this can be arduous and lengthy. The process includes applying for an Australian Business Number (ABN); registering your business name; and processing the registrations, licenses, insurance, and taxes for your business, among others. Each process takes a while and involves a lot of effort.
(Check here for a complete information on how to set up a business in Australia.)
France’s well-structured economy relies mainly on the chemical and tourism industry (it is the most visited country in the world). Other sectors supporting it are energy, agriculture, and weapons industry.
France has a well laid-out employment and salary system. It guarantees a minimum hourly wage called the Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance or SMIC of €9.67 or AU$ 14.98 per hour. Annually, it would gross to €17,600 or AU$27,265. An employee cannot be paid lower than this amount. Companies are required to negotiate the annually regarding annual pays with employees each year.
The Temps de travail dictates the legal working hours of 35 hours. This is a fixed number and applies to all employees except those in sales services, executives, building care takers, domestic staffs, and other employees with special working conditions.
Australia’s federal structure allows it to focus on disparate economic sectors to support the country. These include manufacturing, agriculture, services, finance, tourism, media, education and the recently booming mining industry.
The country’s minimum wage stands at AU$17.29 per hour or AU$31,531 annually. As of February 2015, the largest employers are health care and social assistance, retail trade, construction, scientific and technical services, and the manufacturing industries.
Though the country enforces a 40-hour work week, the average working hour in Australia is lower at 32 hours per week. Like in France, this cannot be strictly applied to professions with special working conditions.
The French government and its agencies finance as high as 77% of the country’s health care expenditure. In 2011, approximately 12% of its GDP are spent on health care, a very high figure compared to how much each European countries spend on their health care.
Despite this, it is mandatory that all citizens pay insurance of which contribution is based on income. This system is generally financed through taxation. The health care service system is composed of a fully-consolidated network of public hospitals, private hospitals, doctors and other medical service providers with a robust 23,000 general practitioners in its disposal.
Australia’s health care 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.
Looking for a place to stay in the country can be quite a staggering task, especially in the cities where the demand for rental accommodations is tremendous, which leads to high prices as well. As opposed to other European countries (where renting is a norm), only 40% of France’s population rent their home, and most of them located in cities and urban areas. The house-owners are generally in the rural places.
And since the country is dominantly owner-occupied, finding a place to rent can be a challenge. This lead the government to push through housing reforms like rental caps to provide accommodations to its citizens.
Unlike France, owning a house is yet to be a norm in Australia. Approximately 33% of residents here lives in a fully owned properties, 31.4% rents their home, while 35%of homes are mortgaged. Factors contributing here include the soaring house prices, as well as consideration of proximity to work (Australia is a huge country).
Expectedly, rents are cheaper in rural than urban areas. It’s also lower the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. The average rents are highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
One of the busiest and densest in the world, France’s transport system is composed of 146 kilometers of road and 6.2 kilometers of rail lines per 100 square kilometers. Rail transport include the metros (rapid transit) which services six cities and the trams which runs on two dozen cities and towns. Despite the monopoly of railway transports, buses are also introduced to provide more conduits of getting around. Taxis also operate in the country.
A one way train ticket here costs AU$2.47, while a monthly pass is at around AU$95.51 Starting taxi tariff is AU$5.00 with AU$7.71 for the first one kilometer. A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) will set you back AU$29,316. Gasoline is at AU$1.99 for every litter.
All of Australian cities have reliable, affordable public bus networks and train lines, plus taxis operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits. Despite this, driving is the most used mode of transport, and this number continues to rise. It is followed by train, walking (the country has a very good culture of walking), bus, and lastly, train.
Fares are pricier here compared to France. A one-way ticket sets you back by AU$4.00 while going for a monthly pass will increase it by AU$130.00. A kilometer ride of taxi is AU$2.17. If you want your own car, A Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (or any equivalent new car) will cost you AU$25,000.00 plus 1.32 AU$ for every litter of gasoline.
Four expansive climatic zones influence the weather patterns in France. West of the line Bayonne-Lille is in the humid seaboard zone with cooler summers. Alsace-Lorraine along the Rhodanian corridor and the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central) are in the semi-continental zone with intense winters and tropical summers. While Paris and the central region are in the intermediate zone with cold winters and hot summers in the North. And south of France is in the Mediterranean zone with mellow winters and quite hot summers.
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.
Advantages of becoming a French Citizen include:
Advantages of Australian Citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
In terms of economy, both France and Australia are structurally sound, so the benefits of finding a job and there overruns the risks in the long run. Both nations are also hot beds for brave entrepreneurs and business owners looking to start or expand their trade. The tasks required for starting are laborious and time-consuming, but pays off due to both country’s expansive market and efficient workforce.
Also, both countries bathe in a Mediterranean climate, mostly warmer than most of United Kingdom. And they sport slow and laidback lifestyles, perfect when you want a good work-life balance and/or raising a family. Also, both counties enjoy very low crime rates.
The difference though lies in those little details, albeit having huge impacts to the day-to-day life.
If you appreciate European culture, appreciates French cuisine, and loves to see beautiful places within a few hours of travel, then France is the better pick. Also, the French are fashion-inclined people, what with their annual Fashion weeks and multilayer clothing. France society and culture has also the propensity to operate on strict protocols, as everything should be done “the French way.”
Australia, on the other hand is an assimilation of European, American, and aboriginal influences, in culture, food, and lifestyle. It is also packed with must see places, both natural and man-made, but traveling takes an effort since it’s a huge country. Aussies inclined more on function than fashion, except in business, in which they seriously follow rules. Social protocols in Australia are a bit more lax than in France, but there a range of etiquettes to abide, especially when it comes to mateship.
The cost of living down under can be either pricier or more reasonable depending on which part of the country or the type of economy you came from. The mining boom in Australia brought forth stronger dollar value and higher economic upswing, resulting in fears of higher rents, over-priced food, and skyrocketing bill prices, usually driving away potential expatiates and immigrants.
But how much does it really take to live in Australia? We broke the down the numbers (and the rumors) here.
(You may convert the costs to your currency here.)
Cooking your food is always the most economical way for self-nourishment. Groceries for one to two people ranges from AU$300 to AU$800 a month. This includes the basic necessities like chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, tomatoes, apples, bread, and a few bottles of wine, beer and soda.
Of course, dining out from time to time can expand this cost. If you are fancy, a three-course meal for two persons in a mid-range restaurant can mount up to AU$80, while dining at a less pricey café can take you at a lower AU$18. McDonalds, always the most inexpensive eat out alternative, can take you only AU$10 for each meal.
Rent prices will always vary depending on your area of residence and the type of housing. If you are a student living near the campus, rent costs AU$320 to AU$1000 a month, while boarding schools offer them at AU$10,000 to AU$20,000 a year.
Sharing an apartment amounts AU$280 to AU$1000 a month, while home staying (in which you reside in a home of a local family) costs AU$440 to AU$1,080. With gas, electricity, phone and internet service ranging from AU$140 to AU$300 a month.
Living in furnished accommodations is another story. In normal areas, monthly dues for a 45 square-meter fully furnished place can place around AU$1,750, while an 85 square-meter apartment can cost AU$3,300. In expensive areas, this price can double. A 45 square-meter apartment can reach up to AU$2,500 while the 85 square-meter ones can worth AU$4,000. Other utilities and services can range from AU$190 to AU$200.
Unless you’re going for the tailored variety, dressing decently and comfortably in Australia doesn’t take much.
A Geoffey Beene long sleeve button front shirt costs AU$60 to AU$90, or you can take it up a notch and go for the Tommy Hilfiger brand which will cost you AU$120 to AU$130. A pair of Levis 501 jeans (or any similar variety) has a price tag of AU$100 to AU$110. While a pair of men’s leather business shoes rates at AU$130 to AU$160.
For the ladies, a summer dress from a high street commercial retailer (H and M, Zara, etc.) is just at around AU$70. While a pair of Nike or Adidas sneaks hovers around AU$133 to AU$145.
Roaming around the country is quite convenient and affordable because of its efficient transport system. Going by train costs AU$130 for a monthly ticket pass (or AU$4 for a one-way ticket). If you want a more comfortable option (without dragging your things and ruining your suit), taxi cabs are a great way to move around. Flag down rate is at AU$4 with AU$2.50 for every kilometer.
If you think commuting is not for you, a brand new 2015 Toyota Camry (or any likewise car) will cost around AU$29,000. Or you can settle for a used one (used car dealership in Australia is reliable and undergoes good quality control), for a mere AU$18,000. Gasoline is at AU$1.35 per litter.
Work here can be challenging at best, so you have to look and actually be healthy in order to function efficiently. For those sickly days, a box of antibiotics costs around AU$15, while Tylenol, Coldrex and other cold medicines hovers at AU$10. A quick visit to a private physician rates at around AU$63. To keep pushing the healthy lifestyle effort, you can get a gym membership, too which will land you at $92 a month.
For your toiletries, a 50 ml deodorant roll-on costs AU$5.30, while a 400ml hair shampoo and a tube of toothpaste is at around AU$6 and AU$4.10, respectively. Four rolls of toilet paper costs AU$3.15. And since you (or your guy) need to constantly look good and well-prepped, a standard men’s haircut costs AU$25.
All work and no play is not a very good way of living. You need to go out and unwind from time to time.
A general admission ticket to Australian Football League, the most famous sport in the continent, costs only around $25, though this price can change right up to game day. If you are not into sports, going for theater is another option, which will take you AU$237 for two tickets. Seeing a movie lands you at around AU$37 for two.
For bar crawling, a pint of beer costs AU$7 and a cocktail drink is at AU$16. Going for a cappuccino afterwards costs AU$4.12. A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs AU$24.