Going overseas to live, work or study

Last Updated

Thursday, 11/06/2026

On this page:

Choosing a destination
Travelling to work - Research your employer
Travelling to study - Research your institution
Travel insurance
Visas
Other important documents
Money, taxes and banking
Staying healthy
Getting to your destination
Handling culture shock
Where to get help

This page is for people making a going to live, work or study overseas. For shorter-term trips, read our advice on going overseas for business or to volunteer.

Choosing a destination

Before you choose, read the travel advice for the countries you're considering. It will help you understand the:

safety and security risks
local laws and customs
health issues
visa, entry and exit rules.

Subscribe to travel advice updates for your destination to alerted if things change.

Understand travel advice levels

We give each country a level of advice. Read about what our advice levels mean.

Certain areas within a country have a higher travel advice level than the rest of the country. If you're going to one of these areas, consider a safer location. If you go ahead, you may need to take extra security precautions.

The Australian Government is limited in how it can help in most 'do not travel' destinations.

Local laws and culture

A country's local laws and culture can guide whether it is a good fit for you. Find out about their:

laws
politics
culture
economic environment.

Talk with others who have lived there before, or who currently live there.

Local laws and penalties will apply to you. Even if they appear harsh by Australian standards. Many countries use capital punishment.

Many cultures have more conservative standards of dress and behaviour than in Australia.

Some things to consider are:

the legal drinking age, and other laws or customs around alcohol
drug laws, including for medicines
tenants rights
workers rights
superannuation and income laws
driver's licensing and road rules
discrimination laws
legal and cultural acceptance of your identity
standards of dress and behaviour, particularly if they differ for men and women.

Read our advice about staying within the law.

Identity may affect your destination choice

Certain identities may face higher risks in some countries. When choosing where to go, consider local laws and cultural attitudes towards your:

colour
race
ethnicity
religion
nationality
age
gender
sex
sexual orientation
ability
mental health.

Some countries have different accessibility standards from Australia. If you have accessibility needs, check whether your needs will be met.

Read our advice about:

colour, race, ethnicity or religion
women travellers
LGBTQIA travellers
travelling with a disability
mental health and travel.

Taking your children with you

If you're travelling with children or expect your child to be born overseas, find out about:

what baby products are available, including formula
whether childcare is available and regulated
available schooling.

Relationships

Attitudes to relationships and marriage vary around the world. It's important to be mindful of the local laws and attitudes when deciding to move overseas.

Understand the local laws and culture around:

marriage
divorce
child custody
relationships outside of marriage
same sex relationships.

Dual nationality

Being a national or citizen of more than one country is dual nationality. If you plan to travel to a country where you may be considered a national, know how this can affect your legal rights. Inform yourself about issues such as military service, divorce and child custody. Read our advice for dual nationals.

Travelling to work - Research your employer

Unfortunately, not every job overseas will be trouble-free. If someone offers you a job overseas, research it before you accept. The conditions of employment offered to you are important.

Be wary of job offers that promise quick, easy money for entertainment or hostess jobs. Many of these businesses are involved in human trafficking.

Make sure you understand the financial and other conditions of the job offer.

Find out as much as possible about the organisation or company. Confirm it's legitimate. Ask others who have worked for them or a current employee.
Check what currency your employer will pay you in. Is the local currency convertible? Are there any restrictions on sending funds home?
Find out how you will make contributions to your superannuation or pension scheme.
Research whether the pay is enough to cover basic in-country living costs.

Know what your employer will cover and what you will have to pay for, including:

relocation
housing
utilities
transport to and from work
insurance
school fees
visas and permits
language training.

Check if there are different housing standards for single and married staff members. Or if you'll be sharing housing with other employees.

Scrutinise the terms of your contract. Have a lawyer check it before accepting the job offer, if necessary. Find out if there are restrictions on your ability to end your employment contract.

Travelling to study - Research your institution

Speak to other students who have studied at the same institution. Learn about the living conditions, local facilities and their study experience.

Ensure that the local authorities properly accredit your host school, college or university.

Will the courses you take overseas be credited towards your degree back home?
Are there any restrictions or conditions on the host's accreditation?
Will your state or territory regulators recognise your course of study or qualification?

If you are going on a secondary school student exchange program, or you are sending your child on one, ensure that proper safety and security practices are in place. The National Coordinating Committee for International Secondary Student Exchange's national guidelines outline the areas of responsibility for exchange organisations, governments and exchange students.

Your host institution will often help you find housing. Find out as much as possible about your accommodation before you go.

If you're going into a student house, will you have your own room or share? If you're sharing, are dorms mixed? Will you have the option to move rooms or dorms if you need to?
If you are doing a homestay, make sure you organise it before you go. Be aware that the standards for selecting and screening host families can vary.

If you need to find your own place to stay, speak to your host institution, a returned student or a trusted local. They can guide you on safe locations and building security standards.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Without it, you could face unexpected costs. Check our travel insurance advice.

When buying insurance, consider:

Does the policy cover your pre-existing medical conditions?
Does it cover you for any activities that you might want to do, like skiing or adventure sports?
Does the policy cover you for medical evacuation if you can't be treated in-country?
Will the policy cover you if you travel to another country on a holiday? It can be hard to get more Australian travel insurance once you're already overseas. If you want to travel to other countries and these limits apply, get extra cover before you go.
When does your policy expire? If you extend your stay, remember to extend your insurance as well.

If you're going to study or work, your employer or home institution may arrange your insurance. Or they may suggest a provider for you to arrange on your own. They may also have specific requirements for your insurance cover. Check before you buy a policy.

Make sure you understand the policy terms. The CHOICE travel insurance buying guide to help you understand the fine print.

Other things to check:

You may be eligible for local health insurance.
Australia may have a reciprocal health care arrangement with your host country.

These options don't replace the need for full travel insurance. But they may make it easier to get treatment if you need it.

Visas

Be careful to choose the right visa. Understand what it lets you do.

Some study and tourist visas have strict limits on paid and unpaid work. This can include things like house and pet sitting and volunteering.
The type of visa you need might change if you're on a practical or clinical placement overseas.
Some work visas need employer sponsorship. If you don't yet have a job, it may be hard to get a visa.
If you plan to leave and re-enter the country, ask about multiple-entry visas.

Check if your institution or employer will arrange your visa, or if you need to do it.

Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you're going to for visa information.

Read our advice on getting a foreign visa.

Working holidays

Australia has working holiday agreements with some countries. If you want to take part in these programs, you must apply for a working holiday visa.

Read more about the Working Holiday Maker program.

Money, taxes and banking

Setup costs

Setting up in a new country is expensive. Living expenses vary across the world. Before leaving Australia, ensure you have enough funds.

Customs officials might need proof that you have a certain amount in your bank account before they let you in.
You may need to pay for temporary housing while arranging longer-term housing.
You will have up-front costs to pay as soon as you arrive. For example, rental bonds, mobile phone contracts, setting up utilities and bank accounts, and buying supplies.

Banking overseas

Consider setting up a local bank account if you're staying in a country longer-term. Your bank in Australia may be able to suggest banks overseas.

Check with your bank about:

the ease and cost of transferring money between Australia and the country you'll live in
whether there are any international transfer limits.

Currency laws can be restrictive. Speak to an accountant or the Australian Taxation Office.

Centrelink payments

Leaving Australia may affect your Centrelink payments or concession cards. You won't receive Australian social security payments if you live overseas permanently. There are exceptions for certain payments in countries Australia has an agreement with. Check with Services Australia to find out how travel could affect your payment.

Taxes and superannuation

Talk to an accountant:

what taxes you might need to pay in Australia, and in the country you're going to
managing your super contributions
ongoing repayment of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) or Trade Support Loan (TSL) debt.

You must tell the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you plan to move overseas for six months or more in a twelve-month period. You must do this within 7 days of leaving Australia. Update your contact details via myGov.

For more information, visit the Australian Taxation Office website.

Staying healthy

It is important to consider your physical and mental health before going overseas. See your doctor at least 6 to 8 weeks before you go. Talk to them about the best way to stay healthy during your time overseas.

Read about staying healthy while you travel. Also see our advice about preventing infectious diseases.

Travelling with medication

Medicines that are legal in Australia may not be legal in other countries. This includes common prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you need to take medicine with you, talk to the embassy or consulate of your host country to find out:

if your medicine is legal
if you need a permit
how much you can carry through border control.

Talk to your doctor about options if your medicine isn't legal where you're going. Never stop taking prescription medicine without medical advice.

Read our advice about travelling with medicine and medical equipment for more.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries. These enable Australians to access urgent or emergency treatment overseas.

Read our advice about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Getting to your destination

What to take

Excess baggage rates and shipping belongings can be expensive. Talk to local contacts, your employer or institution about what to take. Find out what you can buy once you arrive, rather than bringing it all from home.

Know what you can and can't take on a plane.

See the TravelSECURE tips to help you clear security checks.
Use the Pack Right. Safe Flight. tools to learn how to pack items that can be dangerous. For example, lithium-ion batteries in smartphones and power banks.

Take enough local currency to cover any costs when you first arrive in the country. It can reduce the stress of finding an ATM as soon as you land. Check if there are rules around how much money you can carry across the border.

Speak to the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you're going to about import and customs regulations.

Getting from the airport to your accommodation

Know your transport options before you arrive.

Learn some basic phrases in the local language that can help you safely get to where you're staying.

If you're there for study or work, your institution or employer may arrange transport for you. Get the details of who will pick you up from the person who organised it. Ask the driver to show their ID before going with them.

Handling culture shock

Culture shock is a feeling of discomfort you can have when you're around a new or unfamiliar culture. It's common, and can take many different forms.

Ask for help if you're having trouble adjusting. Your institution, employer or local medical centre can guide you to services that can help you settle in.

Read our advice about mental health and travel. Also see the University of Melbourne's advice on coping with culture shock.

Staying in touch

Your friends and family back home will worry if they don't hear from you. Keep in touch with them so they know you're ok. Let them know if you'll be out of contact.

Keeping your family and friends informed will also help them give DFAT information if you need our help.

Where to get help overseas

If you need help, seek support locally first. You can also reach out to friends, family and your travel insurer.

Contact local emergency services. We list local contact numbers in the travel advisory for each destination.
Contact your friends and family. They can help you decide what to do next and offer emotional support.
Contact your travel insurer. Most travel insurers have 24-hour emergency hotlines you can call from overseas. If you're covered, they may give you both logistical and financial support.

In most cases, you must explore all other options before asking the Australian Government for help. To know how and when we may help, read the Consular Services Charter.