Every year, thousands of Aussies search “how to move to America from Australia” on Google at 2am, dreaming of bigger opportunities and different lives.
Maybe you’re one of them. Sitting there scrolling through job listings in Silicon Valley while your Melbourne rent eats half your paycheck. Or watching American Netflix shows and wondering what it’s actually like to live there.
Here’s what those late-night search sessions won’t tell you: knowing how to move to America from Australia isn’t just about wanting it badly enough. It’s about knowing what steps to take and how to take them.
The difference between success and failure isn’t luck. It’s knowing exactly what you’re getting into before you start. The real costs, the actual timelines, the visa pathways that work and the ones that waste your time.
So if you’re serious about figuring out how to move to America from Australia, stop googling and start planning. Let’s get right into it!
How to Move to America from Australia?
Let’s get brutally honest about the visa situation. Americans don’t hand out visas anyhow. You need a legitimate, documented reason to live in America. The best ways are:
- A company that wants you badly enough to sponsor your visa and pay thousands in legal fees.
- A university that accepts you into a degree program.
- Family members who are American citizens or permanent residents.
- Enough money to invest in a business that creates American jobs.
Without one of these four pathways, you’re stuck as a tourist with three months maximum, then you have to leave.
Work Visas
The H-1B visa is what most skilled Aussies chase. It’s designed for “specialty occupations” like software engineers, doctors, architects, financial analysts. These are jobs that require specific degrees and skills.
Only 85,000 H-1B visas get approved each year. Last year, over 780,000 people applied. That’s a 10.9% approval rate, and it’s getting worse every year.
Even if you’re perfect on paper – Stanford MBA, job offer from Google, stellar references – you still face those odds. The whole thing runs on a computer lottery system. No amount of qualification or preparation changes your chances once you’re in the pool.
The L-1 visa dodges the lottery but has different restrictions. Your company needs substantial Australian and American operations. You must work for them in Australia for at least 12 months before they can transfer you. Also, the US role has to be managerial, executive, or require specialized company knowledge.
Companies like Atlassian, Canva, and Xero use L-1 visas to move their Australian talent to American offices. However, you need to be working for the right kind of company first.
Student Visas
American universities will happily take your money and give you a student visa. F-1 visas are much easier to get than work visas, assuming you can prove you can afford the fees.
But let’s talk about those fees. Harvard Business School costs $112,000 per year just for tuition. Add living expenses in Boston and you’re looking at $150,000+ annually. Even state schools run $40,000-60,000 per year for international students.
That’s before you factor in the opportunity cost of not working full-time for two years, and student visas don’t guarantee you’ll get work authorization afterwards – you still need to find an employer willing to sponsor you.
The math only works if you’re targeting high-paying careers where the American degree opens doors that wouldn’t exist otherwise. Yoiu should consider investment banking, management consulting, or top-tier tech companies.
Family Connections
If you’ve got American family, you’ve won the visa lottery before you even start. US citizens can sponsor their spouses, parents, children under 21, and unmarried adult children. The process takes 8-18 months depending on the relationship.
Marriage to an American citizen is the fastest family route, but immigration officers already know this. They’ve seen every fake marriage scam in the book. Your relationship needs to be genuine, well-documented, and able to survive intense scrutiny.
They’ll want photos spanning years, joint financial accounts, evidence you’ve met each other’s families, proof you’ve lived together. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your partner’s habits, preferences, and history.
Investment Visas
The E-2 treaty investor visa requires “substantial” investment in an American business. There’s no official minimum, but immigration lawyers suggest at least $200,000-500,000 to be taken seriously.
The business has to be real and active. You can’t buy a house and rent it out, you can’t invest in stocks or bonds, and you need to be running something that employs Americans and contributes to the economy. You should consider manufacturing plants, tech startups, restaurant chains, or substantial retail operations. The kind of businesses that require serious capital and ongoing management.
Read also: US Jobs for Canadian Citizens: Your Complete Guide
Best States for the Move to America from Australia
California
Los Angeles and San Francisco house the largest Australian populations in America. If you walk through Santa Monica or the Mission District and you’ll hear Aussie accents at every coffee shop.
The weather explains part of the appeal. California’s Mediterranean climate feels familiar after Sydney or Perth. You can surf year-round, eat outdoors in winter, and never own a proper winter coat.
But California will financially destroy you unless you’re earning serious money. A basic one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco runs $3,500-4,500 per month. In LA, you’re looking at $2,500-3,500. That’s more than most Aussies pay for entire mortgages.
Silicon Valley tech salaries can make the math work. Software engineers earning $200,000-400,000 can afford California living, especially if their company covers healthcare and offers stock options. But teachers, nurses, and retail workers struggle massively.
The job market is competitive but enormous and every major tech company has California offices.
New York
Manhattan attracts Aussies who want the full American experience. The career opportunities are unmatched. Finance, media, advertising, fashion, tech – whatever industry you’re in, New York has the biggest version of it. In New York, promotions happen faster, networks are stronger and salaries reflect the intensity.
But New York will test your mental health. The apartments are genuinely tiny – 400 square feet for $4,000 per month is normal. Winters are harsh and depressing. The social pressure is constant. Everything costs twice what it should.
Successful Aussies in New York tend to be highly driven personalities who thrive on competition and stimulation. If you need space, nature, or work-life balance to function, choose somewhere else.
Texas
Houston, Dallas, and Austin are quietly attracting more Australian expats every year. Housing costs are reasonable and the job markets are diverse and growing.
Austin especially appeals to younger Aussies. It has that laid-back, music-focused culture that feels somewhat familiar. The tech scene is booming without California’s brutal competition and you can actually afford to buy a house on a normal salary.
Texas politics might surprise you. It’s more conservative than most places Aussies come from. Gun culture is real and visible, but the economic opportunities are genuine. Energy companies, tech firms, aerospace, healthcare – Texas has major industries that hire internationally. The business culture is less formal than East Coast cities but more profit-focused than California.
Other States Worth Considering
- Florida attracts Australian retirees and people seeking warm weather year-round. No state income tax and reasonable living costs make it financially appealing. But job opportunities outside tourism and healthcare are limited.
- Chicago has a small but tight-knit Australian community, mostly in finance and consulting. The winters are brutal, but the city offers genuine American culture without New York’s intensity or California’s costs.
- Seattle draws tech workers and people who like rain and coffee. The Australian population is smaller, but the city’s laid-back vibe feels more familiar than other major American cities.
- Colorado appeals to outdoorsy Aussies who ski or hike.
- Denver has a growing tech scene and reasonable costs. The altitude affects some people initially, and the Australian community is quite small.
You could consider these states and many others.
Read also: Study and Migrate to USA 2024 Texas A&M University Scholarships For International Students Apply now
The Real Cost of Moving to America from Australia
Everyone focuses on visa fees when calculating how to move to America from Australia. Those fees are just the entry ticket. The real costs start after you get approved. Below is the breakdown of costs you should expect-
Upfront Visa and Legal Costs
- H-1B applications cost your employer around $6,000-10,000 in government fees and legal costs. Most companies absorb this, but some make you pay if you leave within two years.
- L-1 visas run similar costs. E-2 investment visas can cost $15,000-25,000 in legal fees alone, before you even invest the actual business capital.
- Student visas are cheaper. They cost around $500 in government fees, but then you have tuition costs that dwarf everything else.
- If you hire your own immigration lawyer instead of relying on an employer, budget $5,000-15,000 depending on your case complexity.
The Moving Costs Nobody Calculates Properly
Shipping a full container from Australia to America costs $4,000-8,000 depending on your destination. That’s for a 20-foot container that holds about as much as a small apartment.
Most people sell everything and start fresh. You’ll lose money on every item you sell, then pay American retail prices to replace it all.Flights for the initial move run $1,500-3,000 per person during normal times. Add 50% during peak seasons or when you need to book last-minute.
Bringing pets requires quarantine, veterinary certificates, and professional transport services. You should budget $3,000-7,000 per animal.
Setting Up Your Life
You need serious cash reserves to survive your first few months. Opening bank accounts, finding housing, buying a car, getting insurance – everything requires upfront payments before you’ve received your first American paycheck.
Security deposits for apartments equal 1-2 months rent. In expensive cities, that’s $6,000-10,000 just to secure housing. Add first month’s rent and you’re looking at $9,000-15,000 before you even move in.
Cars require down payments if you’re financing, or full payment if you’re buying outright. Insurance deposits can be $1,000+ if you don’t have American driving history. Financial advisors suggest having $25,000-40,000 saved before moving, assuming you have a job lined up. Without confirmed employment, you need significantly more.
Healthcare Costs
American healthcare will give you panic attacks – both from the service quality and the bills that follow. Employer health insurance costs $200-800 per month in employee contributions. That covers about 80% of costs after you meet your deductible, which ranges from $1,000-8,000 per year.
Individual health insurance runs $400-1,200 per month for basic coverage. Family plans can cost $2,000+ monthly. Simple doctor visits cost $200-400 without insurance. Prescription medications cost 5-20 times what they do in Australia. Insulin that costs $40 in Australia can be $400+ in America.
Emergency room visits start at $1,000 and go up rapidly. Having a baby costs $10,000-20,000 even with insurance, and surgery can bankrupt you if you’re underinsured.
The Hidden Costs
American salaries look impressive until you factor in all the things that are free or cheap in Australia. State income taxes vary from 0% (Texas, Florida) to 13.3% (California). Federal taxes add another 22-37% depending on your income level.
Property taxes on homes are ongoing and substantial – often $5,000-15,000 per year even on modest houses. Everything costs more than you expect. Groceries, utilities, internet, phone plans, car insurance – the total monthly expenses add up to significantly more than comparable Australian costs.
Read also: Moving to Canada from Australia: Your Complete Guide
How to Move to America from Australia- Step by Step Process
Once you’ve decided on a visa type, here’s what actually happens.
Phase 1: Getting Sponsored (Work Visas)
For work visas, you need a job offer first. This means job hunting from Australia or visiting on a tourist visa for interviews.
The company has to be willing to sponsor you, which isn’t guaranteed. Many companies prefer to hire people who already have work authorization.
Phase 2: Paperwork
Every visa type requires extensive documentation. Educational credentials, work history, financial records, background checks, medical exams.
Get your documents apostilled in Australia before you leave. The US requires specific authentication that can take weeks to arrange.
Phase 3: The Waiting
Processing times vary by visa type and current government workload. Work visas take 3-6 months, while family visas can take 8-18 months.
During this time, you can’t do much except wait and respond to any requests for additional information.
Phase 4: Interview and Approval
Most visa types require an interview at the US consulate in Australia. So, prepare thoroughly because officers ask detailed questions about your plans and background.
If approved, you get your visa stamped in your passport. You usually have six months to enter the US and activate it.
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The Return Question
Here’s something nobody talks about: many Aussies eventually move back home.
Sometimes it’s planned – you always intended to return after a few years of experience. Sometimes it’s unexpected – family emergencies, job loss, relationship changes.
Keep your Australian connections strong. Maintain your superannuation. Don’t burn bridges with former employers.
Moving back to Australia after years in America can be almost as challenging as the original move. Everything changes while you’re away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Australians get a US green card through the diversity lottery?
A: No, Australia is excluded from the diversity visa lottery due to high immigration rates.
Q: How long can I stay in America on a tourist visa while job hunting?
A: Tourist visas don’t allow job hunting. You can visit for tourism only, typically 90 days.
Q: Do I need to give up Australian citizenship to become American?
A: No, both countries allow dual citizenship, so you can keep your Australian passport.
Q: Can I sponsor my Australian spouse if I get US permanent residency?
A: Yes, but processing takes longer than if you were a US citizen, typically 1-2 years.
Q: What happens to my Australian superannuation when I move to America?
A: You can leave it in Australia and access it later, subject to tax implications.
Q: Are there any US states that don’t tax Australian retirement income?
A: Tax treaties and state laws vary. Consult a tax professional familiar with both countries.
Q: Can I bring my pet when I move to America from Australia?
A: Yes, but it requires veterinary certificates, quarantine periods, and significant paperwork and costs.
Conclusion
Now you have read to the end, is moving from Australia to America a good idea? Only you can answer that.
Consider your age, career stage, family situation, financial position, and personal goals. Moving in your twenties is different from moving in your forties. Think about what you want from the experience. Career advancement? Cultural exposure? Adventure? Make sure America can actually provide what you’re seeking.
Have realistic expectations. America won’t solve all your problems. It might create new ones, but for the right person at the right time, moving to America can be life-changing in the best possible way.
Thousands of Aussies have made the jump successfully. With proper planning, realistic expectations, and a bit of luck, you could be next. Just remember it’s not a permanent decision. You can always come home.
Before you go, you should read: How to Travel to the USA with Illinois Registered Nurse License
