- Serhat Ahmed
Without experience of having lived abroad, I thought it would be hard to get to know other expats. But not with InterNations.
South African Expats Living in Australia: Your Questions, Answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Australia, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Australia. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in Australia?
As an expat in Australia, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Australia currently are:
- British
- Indians
- Americans
- Germans
Which cities are most popular among expats in Australia?
Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Australia:
- Sydney
- Canberra
- Melbourne
How much rent do expats pay in Australia?
Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 1.338 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.608 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Australia.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Australia.
Average rent in Sydney
- Single expats: 1.773 USD
- Expat families: 3.413 USD
Average rent in Canberra
- Single expats: 1.630 USD
- Expat families: 2.640 USD
Average rent in Melbourne
- Single expats: 1.272 USD
- Expat families: 2.405 USD
How safe is Australia?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Australia as safe. People rate the risk of falling victiom to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as rather low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is Australia for women?
Female expats rated the safety situation in Australia as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Australia (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other South Africans at our events in Australia
Attend our monthly events and activities for South Africans expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other South Africans at our events?
Why South African expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our South African members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other South Africans in Australia
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other South Africans to share your hobbies with
Tips and Advice on Australia from Your Fellow South African Expats
Obviously, expat life in Australia goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow South Africans is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Australian mentality and way of life. South Africans in Australia are a part of our community, calling cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow South Africans in Canberra, for example.
Wondering where to shop for South African delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Australian InterNations Community!
- Our network is the best place to meet expats from South Africa.
- On the Australia Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get bobotie in Canberra, etc.
- The InterNations Places database for Australia has information on the nearest South African embassy and many other institutions.
From Queensland to New South Wales, you can meet supportive and friendly South African expats in Australia on InterNations.
Meet and Mingle with Fellow South Africans in Australia
Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in Australia. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Australian vegemite, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Canberra’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover Australia? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see Uluru National Park and other beautiful landmarks.
Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from South Africa and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Siya namkela nonke, welkom, isibingelelo from our South Africans living in Australia!
- Serhat Ahmed
Without experience of having lived abroad, I thought it would be hard to get to know other expats. But not with InterNations.
- Lotta Koskinen
When I first attended the Sydney Bar night I was really nervous. But everyone welcomed me and I quickly felt as part of the community.
