You’re Moving to Sydney! Are You Excited? Overwhelmed?
Or maybe a bit of both with a dash of AM-I-REALLY-GOING-TO-DO-THIS sprinkled on top?
Sydney Moving Checklist
What to Know, 12 Months BEFORE You Go.
There is only one way to stop feeling overwhelmed and silence any thoughts of self-doubt: it’s time to get organized!
My moving checklist is 36 pages, packed full of resources, AND IT’S FREE.
Plus You’ll Get Access to My PRIVATE Facebook Group with Over 2,800 members.
I’ll send you a series of emails to go with the checklist to help jumpstart your move to Sydney, as well as regular updates.
👋 Hi, I’m Lauren, and I’ve helped thousands move to Sydney.
I started blogging in 2009 when we moved to Sydney.
After a few months of blogging, my inbox was full of questions about our move to Sydney. The more I wrote, the more questions I got, until I couldn't keep up.
That’s when I created Sydney Moving Guide.
My goal is to create a single resource where you’ll find answers to all your questions.
So Let’s Get Started!
If You Haven’t Checked Out My Moving Checklist, DO THAT FIRST.
It’s completely free, no strings attached. And you’ll get access to my private Facebook group with over 2,800 members. (*details on page 2 of the checklist.)
Members of my Facebook group are from all over the world. The group is made up of members who are starting their move to Sydney and expats that have lived in Sydney for years. It’s a fantastic resource for all your Sydney moving-related questions. You can ask anything from where to live, schools in Sydney, daycare costs, and moving with pets.
Everything You Need to Move to Sydney in One Place
Before Moving to Sydney
Moving to Sydney is a big decision and time consuming. It’s understandable to question if it’s even worth it.
Yes, this will take a lot of time and even more patience. As for the cost of moving, you won’t have to pay for everything at once. You can start budgeting now.
Is it worth it? Most expats living in Sydney never want to leave and if they do, it’s with a heavy heart.
Before Moving Recent Articles
Sydney Relocation Costs You Need to Know Before Moving
A complete list of moving costs from Australian visa application fees to international shipping costs.
Arrival Expenses to Budget for When You Move to Sydney
Yes, moving to Sydney is expensive, but you also need to budget for these expenses when you arrive plus the first few months afterwards.
Eight Reasons Why You Should Migrate to Australia
Why migrate to Australia? Considered one of the best countries in the world to live for it's diversity, amazing landscapes, and overall quality of life.
Sorting Out Your Finances
When we moved to Sydney, we made several costly financial mistakes, from our first bank account to transferring money to Australia.
Avoid making these same mistakes.
Estimate how much money you’ll need saved up when you arrive in Sydney and the best way to transfer your money to Australia. (Hint: Lock-in your rate before transferring.)
Expat Finances Recent Articles
Expat’s Guide to Transferring Money to Australia
What you need to know before you start transferring money to Australia plus recommended forex brokers and transfer services that we use.
Do You Owe Tax on Money You Transfer to Australia?
Many expats transfer large sums of money to Australia when they move. Is that money going to be taxed after it's transferred? What about customs?
Open Bank Account in Australia Before You Move
Yes, you can open a bank account in Australia from overseas. When opening a your account, you'll need your passport, visa and date of arrival.
Packing & Shipping
Shipping your belongings to Sydney might cost more than you expect. Not just to have everything shipped, but also the fees when your shipment arrives.
To avoid any surprises, it’s crucial to get an in-house moving quote from an international shipping company.
It’s not recommended to estimate the size of your shipment yourself. Have a professional walk through your house with you to assess what can fit in a 20 foot or 40 foot shipping container, and to note everything you want to take with you to Sydney.
Packing & Shipping Recent Articles
What to Know Before Getting Your Australia Shipping Quote
There are three things to know before shipping your household goods to Australia. Not knowing will cost you money and delay your shipment.
What to Pack When Moving to Sydney, Australia
It’s time to make some hard decisions about what to pack when you move to Sydney. Here are three things you need to consider before packing.
Shipping Your Car to Australia: List of Documents You Need
Shipping your car to Australia is a lengthy process, not only shipping time, but also collecting all the paperwork for the importation application.
Moving with Kids
Mom and Dad, I know you’re worried and have many questions about schools and daycare in Sydney.
The good news is the answers are either in a post I’ve written or in the Sydney Moving Guide Email Subscribers Private Facebook Group. Majority of the group’s members are parents who have enrolled their children in school and can help you with the process.
The bad news is that you’ll have to wait until you are in Sydney to enroll your children in a public school. But you’ll have your research done and know what to expect.
Moving with Kids Recent Articles
Playgroups in Sydney for Families with Young Children
Playgroups in Sydney are a great way for, not just expat parents, but expat children to make new friends.
Preschools in Sydney for Expat Parents: Your Ultimate Guide
Everything you need to know about preschools in Sydney: finding a preschool, fees, waitlists, age, hours and enrollment details.
Guide to Day Care in Sydney for Parents Moving From Overseas
Are you looking for day care in Sydney? Start your research here. We have cover day care, family day care and have a few tips plus resources.
Renting & Real Estate
The rental market in Sydney is very competitive.
To give yourself an advantage, you’ll need to figure out where in Sydney you want to live and what you can afford. However, this can be more complicated than it sounds.
There are over 600 suburbs in Sydney!
Besides price and location, other factors must be considered, such as commute times and local schools. Oh, and the 100 Points ID Test for your rental application. That's big one.
Renting & Real Estate Recent Articles
Paddington Suburb Guide for Expats Relocating to Sydney
Moving to Sydney and want a suburb with character? Paddington, just east of Sydney's CBD, combines historic terraces with city living.
Parramatta Suburb Guide for Expats Moving to Sydney
Comprehensive guide to Parramatta for professionals and parents moving to Sydney. Explore real estate, schools, transport, and local amenities.
Surry Hills Suburb Guide for Expats Relocating to Sydney
A complete guide for expats in Surry Hills covering rental prices, commute, schools, parks, dining, and pros and cons.
Finding a Job
Many people hit the panic button after reading my posts on the cost of living in Sydney.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is applying for every single job in Sydney advertised in their field.
They become even more panicked when they don’t receive a single reply. Complete radio silence.
Why didn’t they get a reply? For one, they’re applying from overseas. Another reason is they didn’t use an Australian-formatted resume.
Sydney Employment Recent Articles
Find a Job in Sydney Before Moving From the UK
Are you moving to Sydney from the UK? Have you started looking for a job yet? Learn how to secure a job in Sydney before leaving the UK.
How to Optimize Your Resume for Australian Job Sponsorship
Are you looking for job sponsorship for Australia? Here are 10 tips to optimise your resume for a job that offers visa sponsorship for Australia.
Expenses Covered When Relocating to Sydney for Work
Are you moving to Sydney on a 482 sponsored work visa? Wondering what your new job pays for? Shipping, flights, and what else?
Moving with Pets
Moving to Sydney with your dog or cat can be expensive–as expensive as first-class travel. But, because of Australia’s strict quarantine policy, you won’t be able to enjoy first-class with your pets.
Upon arriving in Australia, pets undergo a minimum 10-day quarantine in a dedicated facility. That’s the minimum if all the paperwork is correct and their vaccines are up-to-date.
The entire process takes over 6 months BEFORE they arrive in Australia.
Moving with Pets Recent Articles
Moving to Australia with Pets: An Overview to the Process
Pet owners moving to Sydney should start planning their relocation at least 7 to 12 months before they intend to relocate.
What's the Best Suburb in Sydney for Dog Owners?
Are you moving to Sydney with your dog? Worried about finding a dog-friendly rental? Here are a few areas near dog parks for you to consider.
How Difficult Is It to Find Pet-Friendly Rentals in Sydney?
Should you even mention you have a pet on your rental application? Is there a website that lists pet-friendly rentals in Sydney?
Australian Visas Guides
Before leaving home, there’s one thing you must have: A valid visa for Australia.
You need a visa to enter the country, no matter if you’re moving to Sydney or going on vacation.
There are many Australian visa subtypes, making it difficult to cover them all.
Instead, I focus on Australian work visas for skilled migrants.
Australian Visas Recent Articles
Want to Move to Australia Permanently? Your Six Permanent Residency Visa Options
The Australian Permanent Residency guide that tells you what others won't. Why minimum requirements are meaningless, which visa actually works, and the costs involved.
While others calculate points, exceptional talent gets direct invitations to Australian PR. No age limits, no points race. Are you invitation-worthy?
482 Visa to PR: ENS 186 Visa vs 189 Visa vs 190 Visa Explained
Stuck on a 482 visa? Get PR through employer sponsorship, independent 189, or state 190. Real success rates, age cutoffs, and points reality.
