When it comes to migration, Singapore is up there with Australia on the top of mind list to settle in. The two countries are alike in so many ways. Both are former colonies of the British Empire. Both openly accept immigrants as part of their ever growing work force. Both offer high quality of life. And both are so different and foreign to the rest of the world, among others.
But when it comes to permanently establishing a life, which country really is the better haven? We’ve dissected what each destination has to offer. Because we know, choosing between the two can be a headache, too.
AustraliaFamily friendly working hours. The Land Down Under makes sure their workers only toil for eight hours, and overtime is rare unless necessary. Working environment is remarkable. Compensation is good. The only let down here is the high income tax.
Professional work is very easy to find here. Getting a job in a short time is a casual occurrence. So unemployment is virtually a non-existing problem. Do note that employers may require local experience. They may offer lower base salaries, but the hefty bonuses usually make up for that.
Homes are very affordable, both in actual and annual prices. No wonder families will opt for landed houses than rent, unless accessibility to work plays in. Renting prices vary vastly. Though the apartments come in very high standards, the units are usually unfurnished, save for the stove and dishwasher. So budget is a huge consideration on both scenarios.
Housing here is the other way around. People tend to go for apartments and flats managed by HBD (Housing and Development Board), or settle for private condominium units. Getting a house is an option only the affluent can afford. But accessibility (not only to work, but to everything) is the biggest leverage here. Singapore covers only a small land area, so everything is just a few minutes’ drive away.
AustraliaTransport can be incredibly expensive in Australia with train and taxi fares hiking twice or even three times as much as in Singapore (despite the lower gasoline prices). The network of roads and trains are just as efficient and extensive, but getting your own car is a win as tag prices are two to four times lower here.
Commuting is a way of life here. Buses and trains are superb, and the tickets and passes are way cheaper compared to Australia. You can forget getting your own set of wheels, though. Like buying a house, it’s mostly reserved for high-income earners. Plus, you also have to shoulder the upscale gas prices.
If you enjoy cooking, dining at home is best in Australia. Fresh produce come in a wide variety and available everywhere. They might be expensive in some places, but you can get them by bargain in some. The fact that kitchen tools and gizmos are uber-cheap also makes dining at home the better option. Dining out is another story. Eating at restaurants and cafes can be pricey, reinforcing further the cook-at-home culture here.
Dining in Singapore is built on busy working life (which is not as lax as in Australia), so dining out is the way of life here. Inexpensive hawker centers and kopi tiam food courts are literally everywhere, from residential to business areas. More than half of the population run to these shops for snacks and nourishment, anytime of the day. The menus vary from store to store. They offer Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, and even Australian cuisine, you name it.
AustraliaAustralia goes through four seasons in a year. Some cities even go through four seasons in a week. It becomes more diverse as you go farther, so you would need to do a bit of adjusting here. (To find out more about Australia’s weather and climate, check our blog here).
The world's only island city-state is just 277.6 square miles (compared to Sydney’s whopping 4,689 square miles), therefore the country experiences uniform temperature, humidity, and rainfall, most of the time. It thrives on a tropical rain forest climate and has no distinctive seasons.
Immigrants in Australia are eligible for health care benefits and housing grants the moment they become permanent residents. Beyond two years of stay, permanent residents can have access to social security. Once they’ve been granted citizenship, they can finally obtain an Australian passport, have their education fees deferred, work for the government, and even vote.
Being an immigrant here can be quite challenging. You cannot immediately buy a new HBD house, have access to government subsidies, and be eligible to most of the benefits you pay for in form of taxes. But once you obtain citizenship, things will start to go well.
AustraliaAustralia has one of the highest income taxes in the world. Depending on your wage, it may deduct a huge chunk from your take home salary.
Singapore has very low income tax. But property and vehicle tax make up for that, which can be pricey,
Australian citizens and permanent residents are entitled for coverage by Medicare 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).
Singapore has a non-modified universal health care system funded by the government. Although medical services are not provided free of charge, subsidies and price controls come into play to get the burden off the citizens’ back.
AustraliaAustralia is a parliamentary democracy headed by the Queen of Britain. Freedom of speech is provided, criticisms against the government are allowed without fear of punishments, and elections are being held to appoint members of the House of Parliament from a two-party system (Check out here to find out what type of government Australia really has).
Like Australia, Singapore has its constitution and Members of the Parliament (the two were former British colonies after all, and therefore share the same government structure). But it is more stringent when it comes to freedom of speech, as it limits certain rights of the citizens.