UPDATE: This article was updated on May 15, 2017.
United Arab Emirates is one of the top destinations of expatriates and is now home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world. UAE is comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain, each one governed by an absolute monarch. Most migrants currently stay in Abu Dhabi, the capital, and in Dubai, the country’s most populous city.
If you are considering whether to migrate to UAE or Australia, we have compared the two countries to help you decide.
United Arab Emirates is the second largest economy in the Arab world, beyond Saudi Arabia. Although the country is heavily reliant in oil (with the exception of Dubai), it has highly diversified its economy, which currently included industries such as high-class tourism, automotive, aerospace, and international finance, among others. Inflation rate has increased to 3%, as of March 2017 while the unemployment rate has decreased to 3.69%, as of May 2017.
The salary level in UAE is similar to (or slightly greater) the amount offered by western countries. The huge difference is the absence of personal taxation in the country, making the net income much bigger. In addition, housing, car, and education provisions that were previously given are now being offered as cash packages. However, you would have to endure a 40 to 48-hour working time.
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. Australia’s inflation rate has risen to 2.1%. There has also been a slight increase in the unemployment rate which went from 5.7% to 5.9% this year.
The country currently has the highest minimum wage in the world. As for packages and fringe benefits, these may include company cars, mobile phones, laptops, and even utility bills.
Health care standards are regarded to be customarily high in the United Arab Emirates, with the country spending 3.6% of its gross domestic product on health care expenditures. However, health care currently is free only for UAE citizens.
In Abu Dhabi, comprehensive health insurance program was rolled out in 2006, which will have the costs to be shared between employers and employees. The capital city currently has 57 primary health care centers, 13 hospitals, 3 specialized dental centers, maternal and child health centers, one center for autism, and 5 specialized facilities like rehab, blood bank and herbal center.
Dubai, on the other hand, has the Dubai Healthcare City, a healthcare free zone that provides international-standard advanced private health care as well as quality medical education.
Australia’s health care is divided into two systems. 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.
Medicare is the government’s universal 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.
Check here how the Australian Public Health Care System Works.
Because of the harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates is centred on meat, grain, and dairy, and vegetables, as these ingredients are being used liberally. Traditional meats being used are chickens, goats, and other small fowls. Camels are eminently prized for their milk and transporting capabilities, so serving them as meat is being reserved for special occasions only. Currently, Emirati cuisine features influences from around the world.
Dining in UAE is seen as an opportunity to talk about business or work. It is best to follow the host, though. It is also important that you do not eat with your left hand, as their custom dictates. Tipping is ten percent over and above the service charge.
Australian cuisine has changed over time and 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. Check here for Australia’s most amazing/weirdest foods).
Unlike in UAE, it is not encouraged that you talk about business or work when dining, unless your host initiates the topic. Even during business lunches or dinners, it is rare that people will dive straight to business conversations. Always start with small talks during meals. Tipping here is usually 10 to 15 percent.
Renting a house, specifically in Dubai, can be daunting. Rental contracts here are for a fixed term of one year from the start date. The landlord is obligated by law to offer the same term the following year with a few requirements, so it is best to read the contract carefully. Legally, it impossible to rent an apartment for long term basis without a valid residence visa. However, if you’re able to present a letter from your company stating that the visa is under process, the banks can allow you to open an account.
Most landlords will only accept payment in one to four checks. These checks are payable at the start of the contract and in the event that you have agreed to pay in more than one, the others are post-dated. In Dubai, checks are legally enforced bonds (more than just a method of payment), so there can be serious consequences if you are not able to cover the funds.
Suburban fringes of cities and towns sport the inner-city medium to high-rise apartments and the low-density townhouses/fully detached houses, while Melbourne and Sydney cradles the inner-city where 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 are located in almost every city and town in the country.
Logically, rent is more affordable in rural than urban areas. The fee also decreases the further a property is from a large city or town, public transport or other facilities. The average rent fee is highest in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Agencies and estate agents will usually charge you a an initial 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. You are also expected to settle one month’s rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement, including a bond which is held against damages.
Private vehicles are widely utilised in the country due to the extensive and modern road network that connect the main coastal cities. The desert roads, however, are less developed. Driving licenses are accessible to anyone who are 18 years of age and above. Women with a valid driving license are permitted to drive, unlike in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Rail, the only commercially available railway network in the country, operates in Dubai. Buses can be found in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taxis also operate in the country, and managed by both government and private agencies.
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 Australian cities have reliable and affordable public bus networks and train lines. Taxi cabs also operate nationwide. These train lines include commuter rail networks, trams, light rails, and rapid transits.
If you want to learn more about the commuting etiquette in Australia, click here.
Because of its sandy landscape, the United Arab Emirates Climate sports extreme heat although it is cooler in the eastern mountains. Enjoying a sub-tropical climate, UAE weather is sunny all the year round. The months between June and September are the hottest. It is very hot during the day along with high humidity levels. In the coastal regions, it is quite discomfortingly humid.
The country’s minimum temperature is typically recorded during January, which is 12 degrees centigrade while the highest temperature record is during August with 39 degrees centigrade. Dubai usually enjoys a minimum rainfall of 23 millimeters in January and a maximum of 36 millimeters in December.
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 Australian citizenship include:
For a more detailed information about these benefits, check our blog here.
Aside from the well-supported economy and great labour terms, the United Arab Emirates and Australia are worlds apart. The previous sports a middle-Eastern culture, has a desert climate, and uses Arabic language (though English is fairly common), the latter is more westernized, has a more temperate climate, and uses English as the mother tongue.
UAE, specifically Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has no income tax, making earning opportunities here great. It also features higher real estate investment returns, as the country is a booming real estate heaven by now. Lastly, the two cities sport a modernized and even a futuristic façade. On the down side, the laws can be a bit of a shock, especially if you’re someone from the west, as the rules are governed by Islam, and democracy is quite limited. The cost of living and real estate can also be pricey.
Australia, on the other hand, is a more stable country, economically and culturally. It’s where modernity, old architecture, and natural sceneries converge. There is great democracy, and the people are laid back, warm, and friendly. On the flipside, the constantly changing weather can be a deal breaker. Travelling to other countries can be expensive and the travel time can be quite long since the country is geographically isolated from the world.