World famous lifestyle
The Australian lifestyle. It’s often called our superpower, and it's envied the world over.
Australians live in a safe and stable country with a friendly and relaxed culture that makes it easy to achieve a work–life balance.
And Australia is beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. Spectacular landscapes, dynamic cities, vibrant regional centres, and an inclusive professional culture that allows you the time to enjoy them. Three Australian cities are regularly ranked among the world’s top 10 most liveable. Our cities are also affordable, offering a lower cost of living than most major cities elsewhere in Asia–Oceania.
In 2021, Australia claimed four of the world’s top ten most liveable cities. Source: EUI Global Liveability Index 2021
Australians are warm and welcoming, hardworking and creative. We’re one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world’s oldest living culture.
‘You can enjoy every second of your life here’ – AFM Saiful Haque Misha, from Bangladesh, now based in Sydney
Excellent healthcare
Australians have access to high-quality, timely and affordable healthcare at every stage of life.
Medicare is Australia's universal health care system, providing free public hospital care and patient subsidies for medical services, while the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme keeps medicines affordable. Life expectancy is two years above the OECD average.
Australia has been recognised globally for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the OECD average, Australia’s response to the crisis helped prevent around 40,000 deaths while protecting livelihoods.
Australia ranks 2nd in the world for our ability to respond to health care threats
Australia ranks 3rd in the world for the performance of our health care system
High-quality education makes Australia great for families
Australian schools are among the world’s best. Our public schools provide free high-quality education to all students. There are also a variety of non-government and faith-based schools.
Students in Australia benefit from university-trained teachers and excellent school facilities. There’s support for every child, including programs to extend gifted and talented students, and individual learning programs for students who need extra support.
Australian students rank above the OECD average in reading literacy, science and mathematics, according to the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment. And the World Economic Forum in 2021 ranked us equal first in the world for the parity of educational attainment between men and women.
In fact, overall Australia ranks 2nd best for education in the OECD, according to the 2022 OECD Better Life Index.
Australia’s higher education sector has numerous world-class universities. We rank 3rd globally for the number of universities in the world’s top 100. It’s no wonder we’re a preferred destination for international students.
We support families at all stages
Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme signals that taking time out of the paid workforce to care for a child is part of the usual course of life and work for parents. The scheme aims to help balance between work and life commitments, and support workforce participation.
Our Child Care Subsidy assists families with the cost of child care, facilitates workforce participation and supports children’s attendance in child care. It also enhances early learning and development.
Australia is safe, prosperous and free
Backed by our strong economy, Australians enjoy a high standard of living. We ranked 3rd in the OECD for growth in household disposable incomes in 2021 despite the pandemic, and we are the wealthiest nation on earth in terms of median wealth per adult. This prosperity gives people the freedom to enjoy all that our world-class cities and fascinating countryside have to offer – from incredible food and wineries to boutique shopping and an extensive calendar of sporting and cultural events.
And Australia is the ideal place to raise a family. The Paid Parental Leave scheme supports new parents to take time out of the paid workforce, while the Child Care Subsidy helps parents with the costs of childcare – supporting both workforce participation and children’s early learning and development.
Living in Australia, you’ll feel a deep sense of safety and freedom thanks to our enduring political stability and open, diverse society. Sydney and Melbourne ranked among the top 10 safest cities in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index 2021.
At the same time, Australia’s beautiful climate and clean, green environment – ranked first in our region for quality – encourage a healthy outdoors lifestyle. It’s a recipe that saw Australia ranked second happiest country in our region in 2022.
