Frequently Asked Questions

The timeline for Australian immigration varies significantly depending on the visa type and individual circumstances:

• Business and Investment Visas: 6-18 months
• Skilled Migration Visas: 6-12 months
• Family Visas: 12-24 months
• Employer-Sponsored Visas: 3-9 months

These timeframes are approximate and can be affected by various factors, including application completeness, processing backlogs, and additional information requests. Our team works to optimize your application to minimize processing times.

No, Australia allows dual citizenship, so you can maintain your U.S. citizenship while becoming an Australian citizen. The United States also recognizes dual citizenship.

To become an Australian citizen, you generally need to:

• Be a permanent resident for at least 4 years
• Have been physically present in Australia for at least 3 years
• Pass a citizenship test
• Meet character requirements

While maintaining dual citizenship, you should be aware of ongoing obligations to both countries, including tax filing requirements for U.S. citizens living abroad.

Yes, Americans can buy property in Australia, but there are regulations that apply to foreign investors:

• Foreign investors generally need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before purchasing property
• Foreign investors can purchase new properties or vacant land for development
• Restrictions apply to purchasing existing residential properties
• Additional fees and taxes may apply, including foreign investor application fees and state-based foreign purchaser duties
• Commercial properties typically have fewer restrictions

Our property acquisition team can guide you through the FIRB approval process and help you navigate the Australian property market.

The best investment areas in Australia depend on your investment goals, budget, and risk tolerance. Some popular investment regions include:

• Sydney: Australia's largest city with strong long-term growth, particularly in the eastern suburbs and northern beaches
• Melbourne: Known for culture and education, with strong growth in inner-city areas and eastern suburbs
• Brisbane: More affordable than Sydney and Melbourne, with strong growth potential in the inner-city and southern suburbs
• Gold Coast: Popular tourist destination with a strong rental market and lifestyle appeal
• Perth: Cyclical market tied to resources, currently offering good value with recovery potential

Our property specialists can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific investment criteria and goals.

As a U.S. citizen living in Australia, you'll have tax obligations to both countries:

• The U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live
• Australia taxes residents on worldwide income and non-residents on Australian-source income
• The U.S.-Australia tax treaty helps prevent double taxation
• U.S. citizens can use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) to reduce U.S. tax liability
• Additional reporting requirements include FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) and FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

Tax planning is essential for Americans moving to Australia. Our tax specialists can help you develop a strategy that minimizes your overall tax burden while ensuring compliance with both countries' requirements.

Transferring assets to Australia requires careful planning to minimize costs and tax implications:

• Cash and Investments: International wire transfers, specialized forex services, or multi-currency accounts can be used to transfer funds. Timing transfers to take advantage of favorable exchange rates is important.
• Retirement Accounts: U.S. retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs generally cannot be directly transferred to Australian superannuation funds. Strategic withdrawal and contribution plans may be necessary.
• Real Estate: Selling U.S. property and purchasing in Australia may trigger capital gains tax in both countries. Timing and structuring these transactions is crucial.
• Personal Property: Shipping household goods to Australia requires customs clearance and may incur import duties and taxes.

Our financial planning team can help you develop a comprehensive asset transfer strategy that considers tax implications, exchange rates, and timing to optimize your wealth transfer.

Australia has a high-quality healthcare system that combines public and private elements:

• Medicare: Australia's public healthcare system provides free or subsidized treatment by healthcare professionals. Permanent residents and citizens are eligible for Medicare.
• Private Health Insurance: Many Australians also have private health insurance, which provides greater choice of providers, shorter wait times for elective procedures, and coverage for services not included in Medicare.
• Temporary Residents: Most temporary visa holders are not eligible for Medicare and must have adequate private health insurance as a visa condition.
• Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements: The U.S. does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia, unlike some other countries.

Our relocation specialists can help you understand your healthcare options in Australia and assist with arranging appropriate coverage.

Australia has a world-class education system with both public and private options:

• School Structure: Education typically follows the pattern of primary school (ages 5-12), secondary school (ages 12-18), and tertiary education (university or vocational training).
• Public Schools: Government-funded schools are available to permanent residents and citizens at minimal cost. Temporary residents may need to pay fees.
• Private Schools: Independent and religious schools charge tuition fees and often offer additional facilities and programs.
• International Schools: Several cities have international schools that follow American or International Baccalaureate curricula.
• Universities: Australia has 43 universities, many of which rank among the world's top institutions.

Our education specialists can help you navigate school options and secure placements for your children in appropriate schools.

The cost of living in Australia is generally higher than in many parts of the United States, though this varies by location:

• Housing: Major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne have some of the highest housing costs globally, though regional areas are more affordable.
• Healthcare: Out-of-pocket healthcare costs are typically lower in Australia due to the Medicare system.
• Education: Public education is affordable, while private education costs are comparable to the U.S.
• Food and Groceries: Generally more expensive than in the U.S., particularly for imported goods.
• Transportation: Public transportation is well-developed in major cities. Car ownership costs, including insurance and fuel, are higher than in the U.S.

The favorable exchange rate for Americans can partially offset these higher costs. Our financial planning team can help you develop a realistic budget for your Australian lifestyle.