{"id":56390,"date":"2018-07-10T06:38:12","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T06:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/?p=56390"},"modified":"2026-06-23T08:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T08:42:58","slug":"moving-to-sydney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/moving-to-sydney\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving To Sydney: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 13<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Moving to Sydney is a big deal. But it looks as though you\u2019re going for it. I must admit, there are far worse decisions you could make about your future. But then, I\u2019m a little biased – because I love this city.<\/p>\n

I moved to Sydney when I was 14. I tend to live my life to the fullest, which means I make the most of my surroundings. Inevitably, I know Sydney better than the back of my hand.<\/p>\n

In this guide, I’ll share with you my insider tips, essential facts and checklists for moving to Sydney. You’ll find out where to rent an apartment, how to meet like-minded people, how to get around efficiently, where to eat and what to do on weekends.<\/p>\n

Let’s go.<\/p>\n

(Related: Best Travel Insurance For Australians<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n

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1. Sydney’s Economy & Industries.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let’s start with some boring facts. Sydney is the largest economy in Australia. Six hundred blue chip companies call Sydney home and they operate across six major industries:<\/p>\n

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1. Financial and Professional Services.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banks are big, with over major international banks and large Australian financial institutions having a substantial presence in Sydney.<\/p>\n

Other professional services such as insurance, legal, accounting, marketing, PR and HR are also big. The state of New South Wales (or NSW – the state Sydney is in) attributes 5% total Australian GDP to commercial activity in this arena.<\/p>\n

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2. Manufacturing.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical devices, metals, textiles, consumer goods, technology, and food products are among some of the manufacturing opportunities in Sydney.<\/p>\n

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3. Digital Economy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is a swiftly growing sector. Sydney hails as the regional headquarters for renowned tech giants such as Google, Atlassian (based there), Optus and IBM Global Switch.<\/p>\n

Fun fact: Google\u2019s Sydney office developed Google Maps.<\/p>\n

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4. Tourism & Hospitality.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sydney attracts more tourists and business events than any other city in Australia. This amounts to over 2 million people coming through Sydney every year, which makes this industry a healthy one for career opportunities.<\/p>\n

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5. Creative Industries.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the fastest growing industry in NSW. From award-winning advertising agencies to the digital animators of the film Happy Feet, to all the Australian television broadcasters being based there, Sydney is a promising place to bring your creative career.<\/p>\n

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6. Research and Education.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Every year, over $6 billion is spent across NSW on research.<\/p>\n

And Sydney\u2019s best universities lead the charge. Engineering, biotech, climate change, complementary\/alternative medicines and renewables are just a handful of the areas with career opportunities to offer.<\/p>\n

(Related: What Is The Minimum Wage In Australia?<\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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2. Career Opportunities In Sydney.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sydney is a business gateway to Asia, with 60% of all Asia-Pacific regional headquarters located in Sydney.<\/p>\n

The combination of local, national and global companies affords the ability to work with Asian, American and European markets simultaneously.<\/p>\n

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It also is home to a number of multinationals such as Deloitte, PwC and KPMG.<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

People who are moving to Sydney from hubs such as New York or London will notice that the city’s culture is certainly not as frantic and rushed. Sydneysiders prefer to approach work with an attitude of level-headed, sober competence.<\/p>\n

(Related: 11 Weirdest Jobs In Australia<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n

That said, landing a role in Sydney can be difficult<\/a>, and requires a sound strategy.
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Pro Tip: Sydney’s newest and flashiest business precinct is called Barangaroo. If your company is located there, you know you’re working in the “money” part of town.<\/p>\n

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3. Cost Of Living In Sydney.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Good news: Consensus concludes that salaries are higher in Sydney than London.<\/p>\n

Bad news: In the Economist\u2019s Worldwide COL 2018 report<\/a> Sydney is now among the top 10 most expensive cities in the world, leaving both London and New York far back in the dust.<\/p>\n

However, this data contradicts research conducted by price aggregation website Numbeo.com. In this year’s Cost of Living Index, Sydney has risen up to 32th most expensive city in the world, up from 41 last year.<\/p>\n

Are you curious to find out which cities top the list? Well, at least according to Numbeo.com, the top 5 most expensive cities in 2018 are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Hamilton, Bermuda<\/li>\n
  2. Zurich, Switzerland<\/li>\n
  3. Geneva, Switzerland<\/li>\n
  4. Basel, Switzerland<\/li>\n
  5. Bern, Switzerland<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    4. What’s The Quality Of Life Like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    In Mercer\u2019s 2018 Quality of Living Survey, Sydney ranked #10 out of 200+ international cities, again leaving London and New York in the dust.<\/p>\n

    So, when you take the whole picture into account, the higher COL just might be worth it. Below are just a few reasons why Sydney\u2019s quality of life is considered to be high.<\/p>\n

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    1. Idyllic Climate.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Does the term sub-tropic oceanic mean anything to you? If it doesn\u2019t yet, picture this. Winters are mild and sunny (but are often windy and rainy). Summers are sunny, warm and humid.<\/p>\n

    Rumour has it Sydney enjoys 300 days a year of sun. Not too shabby, right?<\/p>\n

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    2. Natural Beauty.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Think open outdoor spaces, beautiful golden sand beaches, waterways, national parks and bushland<\/a>. Sydney\u2019s landscape encourages an active outdoor lifestyle.<\/p>\n

    So, it\u2019s no surprise that Sydneysiders (what we call the natives, by the way) enjoy and cherish their recreational time more than New Yorkers and Londoners.<\/p>\n

    If you end up moving to Sydney, make sure you take the time to soak in the beauty of these three waterfront gems:<\/p>\n

    Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Not a piece of furniture, but a breathtaking vantage point with majestic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding harbour at sunset.
    \n\"\"<\/p>\n

    Pro tip: the ice cream truck on top of the hill is a hit with kids and adults alike.<\/p>\n

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    Bondi To Bronte Walk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This activity must be done on a hot sunny summer day, wearing a pair of comfortable shoes and relaxed clothing.
    \n\"sydney<\/p>\n

    A waterfront walkway takes you past spectacular beaches on one side and some of Sydney’s most exotic real estate on the other. Have lunch in Bronte, then stroll back to Bondi (or catch an Uber for $15).<\/p>\n

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    Vaucluse Walk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This is Sydney’s best-kept secret. You won’t see many tourists on this walk, and yet the scenery is more beautifully rugged than in Bondi.
    \n\"\"<\/p>\n

    Enter the walk through the playground in Clarke St, Vaucluse and just follow the edge of the water south .. for as long as you want.<\/p>\n

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    3. World-Class Culture.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Sydney is Australia\u2019s international city and its cultural and culinary offerings reflect the area\u2019s diversity.<\/p>\n

    More than 1\/3 of Sydney\u2019s population was born outside Australia. This is reflected in Sydney’s food culture<\/a>, with an abundance of Asian, European and South American influences.<\/p>\n

    After moving to Sydney you may find yourself eating more Thai and Vietnamese food than you thought was possible. More on that shortly.<\/p>\n

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    5. Looking For A Job In Sydney.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Moving to Sydney means looking for a job. If you’re transferring from another company office overseas, this section will not apply to you. But if you have to find a job once you get here, there are a few things you should know.<\/p>\n

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    A. Visa Types And Skilled Occupation List.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    First, a necessity. If you\u2019re going to live and work in Sydney, you either need to be a citizen, or qualify for a visa.<\/p>\n

    While some employers may sponsor you for a visa, it\u2019s smart to learn as much as possible about your options<\/a>, and the process, from the get-go.<\/p>\n

    You should also check to see if your profession is listed in Australia\u2019s occupations that qualify for a skilled visa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    B. Finding A Job.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019re still unsure about which Sydney employers interest you most, using LinkedIn for your Sydney job search is a great idea. As you research job types and employers in NSW, take note of the recruiters\u2019 names you see popping up.<\/p>\n

    Send them a carefully crafted invitation to connect briefly outlining your career goals. But don\u2019t make it all about you. Is there something you can offer in return?<\/p>\n

    At the very least, be grateful and considerate in your approach.<\/p>\n

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    C. Best Websites For Sydney Jobs.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    What types of jobs are available in Sydney right now and who\u2019s hiring? There are several popular Australian job search sites that are worth checking out.<\/p>\n

    https:\/\/www.seek.com.au\/<\/a>
    \n    https:\/\/www.careerone.com.au\/<\/a><\/p>\n

    Each of these sites offers details such as salary range and visa requirements. Seek is perhaps the most comprehensive as it also features company reviews, volunteering opportunities and businesses for sale.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    D. Make Your Resume Aussie-Friendly.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Australian resumes have their own proclivities and unless you know what those are, you\u2019ll miss the mark with Sydney recruiters.<\/p>\n

    Fortunately for you, this is a topic I know just a little bit about.<\/p>\n

    (For useful tips and examples, read this post on how to prepare your resume for the Sydney market<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Also, keep in mind that Arielle Executive offers the best-rated resume writing service in Sydney<\/a> and the top executive resume writing service<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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    E. You Can Work From Home.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Hybrid, flexible and remote work has been on the rise in Sydney. During the pandemic, businesses allowed their employees to either work from home for at least part of the week or chose to shed their CBD offices altogether.<\/p>\n

    (Related: Where To Buy A Herman Miller Aeron For Your Home Office<\/a>?)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Most Sydney employers and employees saw this forced experiment as a success<\/a>, so it’s unlikely that the city will return to pre-pandemic levels of working from home.<\/p>\n

    For you, this means working from a home office is a viable option<\/a>. Be sure to discuss it with your potential employer during the interview stage.<\/p>\n

    (Related: How To Claim Your Home Office Expenses<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    6. Opening A Bank Account.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Major Australian banks have a strong presence in Sydney (I recommend Westpac, NAB and Commonwealth Bank).<\/p>\n

    International institutions such as HSBC or Citibank have fewer city branches and therefore offer less convenience, but may be a more efficient option overall for existing customers who are moving to Sydney.<\/p>\n

    In Sydney (and Australia in general), a transaction account or everyday account is a bank account for your day-to-day banking. In the USA this type of account is known as a checking account.<\/p>\n

    All will allow you to open an account before you actually arrive.<\/p>\n

    Typically, you can open an account online up to three months before moving to Sydney, then transfer money across so it\u2019s waiting when you get here.<\/p>\n

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    However, you will not be able to access your funds until you arrive in Australia, visit a bank branch and activate your accounts.<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    If you\u2019d prefer, you can also open an account after you arrive by visiting a bank branch.<\/p>\n

    Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to verify your identity by providing the following originals and certified copies of the following documents:<\/p>\n