Australia ranks very highly for expats with children, coming 4th overall in the Raising Children Abroad league tables, and second for 'Children's' health and wellbeing'. The great outdoors provide children with more chances to play outside, with over half (55%) of expat parents saying that their children spend more time outdoors, and just under half (40%) reporting that their children are playing more sport.
This is undoubtedly boosted by the great weather, which is also a strong motivator in choosing Australia with almost three quarters (69%) of expats moving to the country expecting an improvement, and over 83% of those surveyed associating the country with pleasant climate and scenery. Two in five (42%) expats in Australia report a better work-life balance than they enjoyed in their previous country, with just over a tenth (15%) saying that this balance has worsened. Equally, two thirds (66%) of expats have found that they have a more interesting life.
Australia provides great social opportunities and easy integration. Just under three quarters (72%) found it easy to integrate, the same number found it easy to find a great social life. The friendliness of locals is integral to this feeling of general acceptance; almost two thirds (58%) associate the country with friendly locals. This helps to explain why expats in Australia tend to make friends with locals than other expats; just under half (45%) have more local friends, while only a quarter (27%) mainly spend time with other expats. This local friendliness extends to the workplace, with three quarters (73%) saying that they feel welcome at work.
From an economic perspective, Australia ranks mid-table in Expat Economics, placing 15th out of 30 countries. Half (53%) of those surveyed associate the country with higher salaries, compared to 45% worldwide, while almost three quarters (70%) of expats in Australia found improvements in their overall financial status of their household income. It is therefore hardly surprising that over two thirds (69%) are satisfied with the present state of the economy, and 48% associate the country with strong local economic growth compared to just 29% worldwide.
Given the range of soft and economic benefits, three quarters (72%) of expats want to stay in the country, while over half (57%) would choose Australia as their retirement destination. Those who do move often opt for Singapore where one in six (15%) expats are Australian nationals.
"Get amongst it and meet people. Aussies are very fun, sporty and outgoing" – Expat in Australia
