South Australia

South Australia (SA) is Australia’s fourth largest state covering an area of around 984,000 km². If it were a country, it would be the world’s 31st largest, just behind Egypt. It is four times bigger than the United Kingdom and more than twice the size of California.

It has a population of around 1.67 million people. It is known as “The Festival State” and the people who live there are known as “Crow Eaters” – a reference to a time way back when, apparently, some  settlers ate some crows.

South Australia Location MapAdelaide Central Market is the State’s most visited attraction, with the State Library of South Australia coming in second. But a visit to Belair National Park or Mount Lofty Summit may be more fun.

Being Australia’s second least populous state, it hasn’t been too easy to find famous Australians who originated from there. But I did find Anthony La Paglia, actor and Holly Brisley, actress. Not heard of them? Well, he played Jack Malone in the long running series “Without a Trace” and she plays Amanda Vale on Home and Away.

Still nothing? Sorry.

Places in South Australia

The capital city of South Australia is Adelaide, but there are quite a few other major towns, cities and localities to choose from within the state.

Here is a list of towns and localities in the state, with a population of over 10,000 people.

Populations of places change on a daily basis. When I compiled this list in 2011, I got my population figures from various sources and some of them are from the census of 2006. I have decided not to try to constantly update these population numbers, so if you are interested in a certain city or town, then you may want to search online for updated information about the population.

That way you can see if the population is growing, unchanged or shrinking.

  • Mount Gambier  – about 23,000
  • Whyalla – just over 21,000
  • Gawler – about 20,000
  • Murray Bridge – just over 14,000
  • Crafers-Bridgewater – about 13,000
  • Port Augusta- about 13,000
  • Port Pirie – just over 13,000
  • Port Lincoln – just over 13,000
  • Mount Barker – about 11,000
  • Victor Harbor – just over 10,000

And then there are all the towns with less than 10,000 population, we’ll be adding those as we get reviews for them. If you live in one any of these towns, or the smaller ones not yet listed, why not tell us about it in the comments below…

Visa Assessment Service
{ 165 comments… add one }
  • Chris January 22, 2015, 8:45 am |

    Anand,

    like Bob, I don’t possess the information to definitively answer your question. However I may be able to help a little. I take it your daughter is about 15 or 16 and would sit her ‘O’ levels within a year or so. Is that right?

    From my experience of other people coming to Australia not only from Britain but also other countries, it seems that children fit easily into a similar grade in their new schools to that which they left, more especially where English is their first language & where the education system is well established. Apparently the bigger challenge is for children who are not adept in English which seems to make sense.

    Education is administered via both State & Federal systems. Possibly the best way to determine your daughter’s circumstances would be to contact the Education Department in the State that you will be settling in & opening a dialogue with them. While I live in South Australia & my knowledge of the other states’ education systems is limited I suspect that you will find your answers readily in that way.

    Australia has a long term track record in assimilating people into it’s communities. This is most certainly fact where education is concerned because in readily settling children into the school system it greatly assists families in the settling in process.
    Children adapt quickly.

    As to the issue of permits, I have no idea. I don’t know what that one is. Again, it may be that an enquiry of the appropriate government department would assist. If you let me know what the permit is I could at least point you in the right direction.

    Hope this helps Anand.

    Chris

  • Anand January 17, 2015, 7:07 am |

    Hello Bob,
    Thanks – a very active blog with great info. Best wishes to all for 2015.
    I hold a PR under visa 176 under sponsorship from SA which we need to avail of by Sept 2016. We do intend to arrive but I’m trying to get the timing right with respect to the transfer of my daughter from the Cambridge system to the SACE. She is currently in standard 10.
    my question is – Does the Cambridge O level transfer easily into the SACE ?
    A second question is – how long does it normally take for the issue of a 3 month RRV if applying from within Oz.?

    thanks & regards
    Anand

    • BobinOz January 21, 2015, 2:51 pm |

      Thanks for the compliments Anand, but I’m afraid I can’t help you with either of your questions, I simply don’t know anything about either subject.

      Hope you find the answers though, cheers, Bob

  • Chris January 15, 2015, 6:47 am |

    Bob,

    any time I can help any one is a good time. CP

  • Chris January 14, 2015, 6:20 pm |

    Belle,

    good luck when you get here. Work for skilled people is relatively easy to obtain. We have a defence industry growing here, although it is subject to federal policies but seems to be reasonably well entrenched for the moment. Unit’s & Hospitals are often looking for lab staff, so again your opportunity ought to be reasonable.

    Good fortune.
    C

    • BobinOz January 15, 2015, 12:43 am |

      Thanks for helping out here Chris, you’ve given lots of good information, stuff I couldn’t possibly know being up here in Brisbane. It’s much appreciated. Cheers, Bob

  • belle January 14, 2015, 2:01 pm |

    Hi Chris & Bob,

    Thanks for the inputs!! I almost want the days to move fast so that we can be together with our daughter for good. We also hope and pray that we find work the soonest. I’m medical laboratory scientist by profession and my husband is mechanical and electrical technician in global switch data centre here in singapore. All the best to our new adventures this 2015. Thank you south australia for accepting us. Cheers to a better new life there..

    Belle

    • BobinOz January 15, 2015, 12:41 am |

      Exciting times Belle, I hope it all works out for you and your husband. Let us know Harry goes when you get here. Bob

  • Chris January 14, 2015, 6:44 am |

    Hi Belle,

    Renting at this time of year becomes slightly more difficult for a short time as it gets closer to the beginning of the University(s) year. That starts in March, so from late Jan to then, possibly to beginning of April there are a lot of people looking. However, once the Uni’s settled in there is lower demand for rentals and it becomes easier.

    On the basis of coming to Adelaide in May, it’s a pretty good time to look. Rental housing has a fairly low vacancy rate & a relatively short letting up time, which is likely to be why the Agent would have said that it’s too early now to locate accommodation in May.

    Good luck.
    C

  • belle January 13, 2015, 7:22 pm |

    Hi Ravi,

    We are coming to Adelaide in first wk of May and looking for a house/flat to rent is not that easy for us coz we dnt know the area yet. I even tried to send queries as well to gumtree website but then he agent said, It’s still too early to find at this time. He suggested 1 month before moving there. I’ll keep you posted once we found one. Soo excited for the life that’s in store for us there. =)

    Cheers,
    Belle

  • Ravi January 13, 2015, 3:06 pm |

    Hi Chris…

    Finally I have finalised my tickets and arrival there in SA in Adelaide in April 2015…
    Will look for a hostel accommodation initially which will give me some time to search for a good property on rent for family.

    Thanks Chris and Bob for all Your help..
    Will be really Happy to keep in touch with You when there..

    Regards,
    Ravi..

    • BobinOz January 13, 2015, 9:39 pm |

      Congratulations! Yes, do let us know how it goes. Good luck, Bob

  • Tibrani & Saifutdinova January 13, 2015, 12:38 am |

    Good evening Bob!

    stumbled cross your site during research done on whether to move to Australia … My wife and I started our Visa Subclass 190 applications in October 2013 and just today, we collected our CoC (Certificate of Clearance) which is the final process ! Now we wait ….which is quite a norm in-between the entire application process.

    The application process has definitely gotten more stringent over the years.

    Chris, Ravi, been reading the questions and answers from the both of you … really helps!

    My wife and I are planning of selling our only apartment here and have a new start in SA, Australia. We just live once anyway …! I grew in a city and currently the place we are residing is getting more and more congested…!

    Shall look at the blog once Visas are in hand. Good evening to all!

    • BobinOz January 13, 2015, 9:06 pm |

      Good evening to you too.

      Yes, do have a good look around once you’ve got your visas sorted, hopefully you will find plenty of interesting info on here for you. If you have any questions, ask away in the comments, there is always someone who will help out.

      Good luck with your move, Bob

  • Ravi December 7, 2014, 4:01 pm |

    Thanks Chris….

    You have really given me some really good insights. Have already started working on them. Just wanted to know whats the full form of “amp”?

    Regards
    Ravi…

    • BobinOz December 8, 2014, 3:07 pm |

      Ravi, “amp” is short for ampersand or & which means “and”. If you read the comments online rather than in your emails, you will not see it as the & gets published properly on the web, some email clients show it instead as “amp”.

  • Chris December 7, 2014, 8:48 am |

    Hi Belle,

    please have a look at my replies to Ravi’s queries for some information. I will enquire about any groups who have your interests at heart also and get back to you within a day or so. Soon as I can.

    I know there are quite a few from your country here so there should be support. There is a Member of Parliament, whose name is Jing Lee who may be able to put me on the right track as she takes a lively interest in immigrant’s issues. Lovely person. Just thought of her as writing this.

    Will be back to you asap.

    CP

  • belle December 6, 2014, 7:31 pm |

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks a lot for the info. Thanks also to Ravi as we have the same scenario, the only difference is i have a 2yo daughter.
    The plans are also the same, my husband will fly to adelaide first in April, then I will follow in May w/ my daughter. We are a family from the philippines.

    Cheers,
    Belle

    • Chris December 7, 2014, 12:46 pm |

      Belle,

      There is a private, not for profit service known as the Migrant Resource Centre of SA. Their Email: – admin@mrcsa.com.au.

      They exist to help Migrants of all enthnicities/faiths/nationalities.

      They will have people who can assist you with very relevant & accurate information about the things you have written about. Worth a look at.

      CP

      ps – Sorry if I replied to you as Bella. Not sure I did but my eldest grand daughter is a Bella. The name slips out in conversation instead of Belle. cp

  • Ravi Lohate December 6, 2014, 3:06 pm |

    Thanks Chris…

    Actually I am coming from India- am from a marathi(Maharashtrian) Maharashtra is a state in India like SA. I hope you have heard of Mumbai, its the capital of Maharashtra. We are a middle class small family looking to settle there… My major concerns or rather priorities there would be to secure a good and safe accommodation, so that I can bring in my wife and kid,, simultaneously find a suitable job to start with. The place should be well connected to public transport, schools, day care and medical facilities and shopping. I really dont have anything specific in my mind rather than this, nor have any affiliation to a particular group… but would prefer people from Maharashtra near by if its possible. About Job also I am ready to start with anything thats available to make a living… so that it can take care of my rentals, bread and butter for my family. Later on I can get into the type of job that suits me. So coming there is just like landing on a different planet for me right now. Things like… where to go after I land there…where to keep my luggage post landing…how much cash/ money should I carry initially .. what could be the initially expenses I will incur …how to seek medical help for my child if required when he arrives..thoughts similar to this are initially on my mind which needs to be resolved before landing there so that I get a particular direction.

    Am planning to be there in April, seek a accommodation and job and then may be till may or june get my wife and son there.

    I hope I am not bothering You too much.

    • Chris December 7, 2014, 8:44 am |

      Hi Ravi,

      last things first. Not a bother. My pleasure.

      I will make some enquiries about families from Mumbai specifically if there is any specific area they have settled & if there is some sort of group who can make the transition easer. I am sure there is. It’s Sunday here so probably can’t get back to you for a day or so.

      Some of the questions you raise I really need to get proper information for you.

      If you are prepared to work hard you will get work. Simple as that. Most immigrants seem to be infused with the same goal, to make a new life here and they seem to have the determination to succeed. They generally do.

      The following are random thoughts. There is a company, The Peregrine Corporation who run a lot of service stations round SA. They will have a web-site & would no doubt welcome enquiries about work. My daughter works for them so I know they are a decent group of people. Worth your trying for work with them & starting by making contact now.

      Also, log on to Telstra (our major phone company). Have a look at their listings (esp Yellow Pages) for employment organisations. Same thing. Do it now and get on enough mailing lists so you can see what work comes thru.

      Our mining industry is always looking for employees in all sorts of jobs, not just machine operators. They are usually ‘Fly in, Fly out’ jobs where you work in a camp for a month then have a week or so off, then go back to work. Money is brilliant by all reports.

      Will get back to you with more information asap.
      CP

    • Chris December 7, 2014, 8:52 am |

      Ravi,

      I was just replying to another enquiry and I thought of the name of a Member of Parliament who takes an interest in immigrant issues. She will be a good starting point so will get a note to her in the morning. Hope it helps.

      Remember, this is no bother to me. It is a pleasure. What Australians need to recall is that there are no human beings on this continent who originated here. We are ALL migrants, no matter how long we have been here. So, it’s only 1 (older) migrant helping out a newer one.
      CP

      • Chris December 7, 2014, 12:44 pm |

        Ravi,

        There is a private, not for profit service known as the Migrant Resource Centre of SA. Their Email: – admin@mrcsa.com.au.

        They exist to help Migrants of all enthnicities/faiths/nationalities.

        They will have people who can assist you with very relevant & accurate information about the things you have written about. Worth a look at.

        CP

  • Chris December 6, 2014, 1:59 pm |

    ​Ravi,
    I recommend you look on realestate.com or domain.com for rentals.

    As to employment, commercially zoned areas (eg office/workshop et c) are the city, North Adelaide, Kent Town, Norwood, Rose Park, Dulwich, Eastwood, Parkside, Unley, Wayville, Goodwood. (East & South of the city)

    Major arteries have lots of office, retail, district commercial zones, eg Anzac Highway, Richmond Rd, Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Henley Beach Rd, Grange Rd, Port Rd, O’Connell St, Main North Rd, North East Rd, Payneham Rd, Magill Rd, Norwood Parade, Kensington Rd, Greenhill Rd, Glen Osmond Rd, Unley Rd, King William Rd, Goodwood Rd. There are others – South Rd, Marion Rd, Tapley Hill Rd, to name a few. All but South Rd, Marion Rd, Tapley Hill Rd & Eastwood Rd radiate out from the City of Adelaide, through inner then outer suburbs. This list is by no means exhaustive but it is a fair representation.

    As I said in my last email, the metro area spreads north to south between the coast (west of the city) & the Adelaide Hills (to the east). The City of Adelaide itself is a regularly laid out square (approximately) & the suburbs have grown from villages originally settled in the 19th Century. Adelaide was originally laid out be a Surveyor in a logical order and careful zoning (since around 1965) has resulted in well defined & established zones for residential areas as well as separate commercial zones, similarly well defined. The roads are well laid out in logical grid. Easy place to get round in.

    The major industrial areas are generally in the North Western part of the greater metro area. There is a further industrial/commercial belt around Darlington, Lonsdale, Morphett Vale, Reynella, The airport is to the west of the city, within 15 mins drive (off peak) – 25 mins at most during peak hours). It’s no more than 40 minutes at most from 85% of the metro area.

    Traffic wise, morning peak hours start around 7am & are pretty well subsided by around 9.15am. Afternoon peak hours start around 4.30pm & are pretty well subsided by around 6.30pm.

    The metro area is long and covers quite a distance but travel times aren’t bad as traffic is fairly orderly & well managed & it’s a city of less than 1.4 million people.

    In terms of city/suburbs for immediate tenancy. I suggest there are a couple of areas that may give you both an ample selection of rent range and availability of properties, plus proximity to shopping and ease of access by public transport.

    (1) Adelaide (The square mile) post code 5000 if you search online by post code. There is a wide rental range and, although possibly more expensive than the outer or middle distance suburbs you are right in the midst of everything and it’s the centre of all public transport networks. So, a little extra rent is often offset against other costs.

    The inner suburban areas ringing the city are often relatively expensive, particularly to the North, East & South, but it depends, house by house really. I suggest you get a map of the city to work from.

    (2) Glenelg is a beachside suburb but it has a huge number of flats, units, apartments or houses to rent & the range of rentals is pretty broad. The coast is west of the city. Other suburbs to consider on the west side are Seacliff, Brighton, West Beach, Henley, Grange, West Lakes, Semaphore, & the greater Port Adelaide area. These are served mainly by bus but also in some cases by train.

    The ‘deep’ Southern suburbs are on the Noarlunga/Seaford Train line. They are about an hour from town on a non express train or on a bus. This dormitory area is fine because there is a lot of low/modest cost housing but you are at one end of the metro area and more employment is up toward the middle and north west. If you go to one end of the city to live but find work toward the other end you may need to buy a car at some stage. That shouldn’t be as big a hurdle as you may think but more of that later.

    All residential areas have several tiers of shopping from local shops thru to major regional shopping centres. They are all served well by public transport.

    Ravi, I think this is about as much as I can deal with today. It’s not exhaustive and it is the reason why I previously asked if you have a cultural, ethnic or religious affiliation. If you are, for example, an Anglican there is an organistion known as Anglicare who would help. If you were to be Muslim the Adelaide Mosque will put you on the right track & so on. There are large groups of people from other parts of the world who live here. Because Australia is somewhat isolated from Europe in particular those who have a common background tend to help each other out & there is always a group of that nature.

    Mate, let’s leave it there for the moment. Please ask for more specifics and I will try to assist. Perhaps give me a bit more detail about your background & I will make more specific (& hopefully, more helpful) enquiries. How’s that sound?

    Best wishes
    Chris.

  • Ravi Lohate December 5, 2014, 10:48 pm |

    Thanks a Lot Chris…

    But I think we will have to 1st look for a accommodation and then we can search for a job I suppose. What do you suggest.

    We are initially looking to get there, find a suitable rental and and simultaneously look for a job.Can you suggest any properties for the same.

    • BobinOz December 5, 2014, 11:46 pm |

      There are plenty of websites to search for rental properties Ravi, there are links on every page of this website to LJ Hooker, for example. Just search for rental properties around where you want to live.

  • Chris December 5, 2014, 7:44 am |

    Hi Ravi,

    living in Adelaide is pretty simple. Choices are fairly diverse but it depends on where you might be working and what facilities you need. The city is longer than wide as it stretches north/south between the coast and a range of hills. There is some settlement east of the hills and that’s quite good as well. Especially if you come from a cooler climate perhaps.

    Public Transport isn’t Adelaide’s strong suit although it is much better than most residents imagine. We are a city of car drivers. Most buses on main roads offer a 15 minute (peak times) schedule between buses. Trains are limited mainly to Northern, Southern and some Western suburbs. However most of the metro area lies within 30 minutes of the City so a one bus/train trip doesn’t take all that long.

    There is a fair amount of rental accommodation in the city itself. The actual City Of Adelaide is largely contained in an area between 4 terraces approximately 1 mile long. So, ‘the square mile’ is the hub to a larger metro area that goes north for about 25 miles and south for a similar distance. As I said, there is a fair amount of rental accommodation in the ‘square mile’ & it may be a good starting point.

    Are you hooked up to a cultural or ethnicity based group with a back ground similar to your own? If so, they could probably be of greater help in sorting accommodation.

    Ravi, there are areas to avoid but principally based upon distance from town and the possible need for changes of bus/train if you are limited to public transport for a while. The place is pretty navigable. Well laid out, largely on a grid with mainly straight streets and certainly well defined arteries.

    Hope this helps you.
    CP

  • Ravi December 5, 2014, 12:55 am |

    Hi All,

    Our dream has come true and we have got Visa Grant Notice Letter for all three of us(myself, my wife and our 2.5 year old son) on 26th Nov.2014. As told to us its a e-visa, and would require no stamping on passport, it has a QR-code on the letter itself.
    Now we are facing with the question of WHERE TO GO IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA?… We are in search of a good accommodation around Adelaide city and also for a good job.Initially I will be travelling alone in April 1st or 2nd Week to secure a good accommodation and job and then my spouse will follow with our son.

    Can we get some inputs for getting a accommodation and starting level/entry level job.

    Thanks & Regards.

    Ravi…

  • Bianca November 19, 2014, 6:52 am |

    Hi Annabelle

    It is very difficult to rent somewhere before you arrive. We struggled a lot and ended up with an OK rental but we were locked in to a 12mth lease on a place that we found so small with kids. My advice would be to stay somewhere like adelaide shores, West beach. It’s a holiday Park with a pool, play ground, nice chalets and good bus services. If you can stay there for 4-5 nights while you find a rental and gather some items to move in to the home with, you may save yourself a pile of money in unsuitable rentals. Ikea is just down the road, it’s close to the city and airport.

    Depending on where you plan to work, there are affordable rentals near the city. Parkside, Glen Osmond way will give good schools, great child care and transport routes to the city. If you have a bit more cash, North adelaide is beautiful. If you want budget and lifestyle but have a car and don’t mind a 25mins drive to the city, anywhere in adelaide hills is pretty. I love the hills and it’s slightly cooler up here in summer which is perfect. Good luck!

    • BobinOz November 19, 2014, 4:51 pm |

      Bianca, thank you for answering Annabelle, you certainly did a better job than I possibly could have being as I’m based up here in Brisbane. You’ve given some very good advice as well, it is hard to get a rental before you arrive, and those kind of holiday parks can often be a good solution.

      Annabelle, as for getting a longer term rental, providing your prospects are good, that is to say you have skills which will very likely get you a job sometime soon, then you do have a chance of getting a rental. You will have to present a good case on behalf of yourself though to the rental company, you can do that by providing bank statements, maybe references from a rental or mortgage you had back in SG, and perhaps by providing proof of your skills, qualifications and prospects.

      It may even be a good idea for you to offer more rental in advance and is required to help your case.

      All that said, I’ve heard it can be quite difficult finding work down that way, do check the comments on my main page about Adelaide for more information on that.

      Good luck with the move, Bob

  • annabelle November 19, 2014, 1:36 am |

    Hi Bob,

    We are just waiting for the approval of our visa and hope it will be out before Nov is over so that we’ll have a Merry Xmas. =)

    My family plans to move in SA preferably adelaide in May 2015 and in line with this, moving from sg to adelaide is kinda stressful as early as now. Can u give me any information as to where to look for a room to rent (if possible only, for us couple and our 2yo daughter coz we dont have jobs yet so we have to watch our expenses), or a studio type or an apartment if a room is not allowed for a family there (it’s a norm here in sg where landlords, allows family to rent in 1 room).

    Also this concerns me as I read a forum that says, it’s difficult to rent an apartment if ur jobless. New migrants like me will move there w/out a job yet and we dont have any family or friends to ask for about this that’ s why ur blog is a BIG HELP Bob! Thanks in advance for any inputs about this.

  • Nadia November 11, 2014, 5:41 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    Is it okay if one moves with the family prior to securing a job in Australia?
    Nadia

    • BobinOz November 13, 2014, 12:21 am |

      Hi Nadia

      Yes, it is, provided you have the correct visa to allow you to do that. Not all visas require you to secure a job or a sponsorship before you get here.

      Cheers, Bob

  • Chris November 2, 2014, 11:54 am |

    As I understand it, once the process is under way it usually isn’t accompanied by much delay. So, you should get here in Autumn. Winter here isn’t bad any way. June is dry but chilly & rains generally start in July running through August & tapering off in September. Most over night minima in winter are between 0 – 7 or 8 Celsius so while we think it’s cold it isn’t really too bad. Remember SA is largely a desert/semi arid state & only the southern settled areas get much rain fall so you should find it reasonably comfortable. Snow is a newsworthy and rare event.

    Hope all goes well.

    • ravi November 2, 2014, 6:45 pm |

      Thanks Chris!…
      Would like to know something more..
      we have applied for skilled nomination PR visa-Subclass 190…And have got state sponsorship for SA… Once I am here how long will it take to get into a good job?
      What is the range in which i can earn my salary…say suppose I start from a very grass root level job And how much could be our minimum rent? or our monthly expenses?

      • Chris November 3, 2014, 7:55 am |

        Fairly broad questions but I will do my best. It will depend on which skills you bring to SA. I don’t recall you saying what you do. Let’s look at time to get employment. SA has the highest mainland unemployment. However, that said it’s not as bad as it was some years ago it’s just that SA tends to be a Cinderella State. I am not aware of what work your visa-subclass covers so it’s difficult for me to be definitive.

        Hope you aren’t in the car manufacturing sector. We are about to lose car manufacturing in Australia but mainly in SA (2017). But that is 2017. This will affect Victoria as well as between both states the bulk of the car industry is located. We will survive the loss of the car industry.

        Presently if you have marketable skills and good references it should not take long to get work. Perhaps 1 to 3 months is realistic as long as your skills are in good demand. Maybe up to 6 months if your skills are more selective. However, there is plenty of employment which would give you some sort of ‘stop gap’ work to keep body & soul together even if not in your chosen profession nor at your ‘normal’ salary.

        In terms of salary it’s again a broad question. In most areas of employment it’s realistic to look for at least $25,000 pa for casual employment. Full time is greater of course. I think the ‘entry level’ in many jobs is realistically around $40,000 – $50,000 pa. My last employment before I had to stop work was a shade under $50,000 & I was on the bottom level of employment in the company. However that was full time so it brought with it 4 weeks annual leave, 2 weeks sick leave & Employer contributed Superannuation at around 10%.

        If you are in IT you can look to a salary probably around $75,000 pa or more depending upon your skills. You need to make your own investigation about this. Talk with your sponsors especially.

        Rents normally range from about $200 – $500 per week. Have a look on the rental pages of Real Estate . com or Domain . com for rentals. It will give you a better idea of amounts.

        As to cost of living, it’s very hard to assess, not knowing what you expect. A car will cost you around $700 – $900 per annum to register, including Third Party Bodily Injury Insurance (mandatory) Fuel – Gasoline is around $1.35 – $1.55 per litre in the main. Diesel is slightly more expensive.

        Meats run from around $9.00/Kg – $30.00/Kg depending upon what you prefer. At the moment Australia is rebuilding its national livestock herds after an 8 – 10 year drought in 2000 – 2008/9. Meat prices are higher than ever but easing gradually.

        Fresh Produce is pretty modest in cost. As it covers a fair range from European standards to (Asian) exotics it’s pointless giving a price range but it won’t break your budget.

        Energy costs are at an all time high. I worked in energy retailing until recently. Power bills may be between $250 – $750 per quarter. This is a ‘normal’ range. There are some higher and some lower. Gas bills are not so bad. Maybe budget for $250 – $400 per quarter. Again, it’s hard to estimate until you get here.

        Definitive budgets should be sought via your sponsors as they will most likely have the information or at least point you in the right direction. Websites I would look at include the 2 above for rental information plus perhaps the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) website for recent census derived information and Consumer Price Index data. There are websites covering things like public transport (TransAdelaide, I think) & car operation (RAA of SA) Research done this way is going to be much more accurate than my guesses. Perhaps look also at the energy retailers website (AGL, TXU, Origin plus others) for energy cost information.

        Education costs, I have no idea of as all my kids are grown and left home. The Education Dept of SA should be able to provide some idea and I am sure they have some sort of website.

        My caveat is this I provided exceedingly subjective data to you. because everyone’s costs differ widely from one to another. Go back to your sponsors and look on websites. If you have any religious or cultural affiliation which may be represented in SA look for a website and contacts to provide you with better quality assistance.

        I hope this helps. CP

        • Ravi Lohate November 3, 2014, 3:03 pm |

          Thanks a Lot Chris for such a elaborative and subjective reply…. You have really provided some very usefull insights which we were looking for.
          I am into Home Finance as a Branch Manager for more than last 6 years and my wife is a accountant and Admin Manager with a Small scale company. But I am not stubborn in the same line of job. We are a family of three including myself my spouse and our 2.5 year old kid. I am ready to start with any kind of job that SA offers, provided it supports my family needs for a basic living, rental and other overhead expenses. Lets see when we get in there…. initially I will come alone and then after finding a good place to stay on will get my family.
          Is the banking and Finance industry doing good there?

          • Chris November 3, 2014, 5:02 pm |

            Hi Ravi,
            presently the Home Finance industry is pretty sound, I think. It’s probably run differently here than over where you are but it does work well. A lot of the companies have commission paid brokers who are fed leads from their company. There is a Certificate in Finance (I think Cert 3 or 4) available at a Technical & Further Education College (government run) & referred to as a TAFE. It’s not hard to qualify, especially if you already have a background in the discipline. I suspect you might fit in well. While there are a large number of substantial Finance Brokers perhaps you might speak to Mortgage Choice, Aussie Home Loans, Bernie Lewis Home Loans, Assured Home Loans about your options. They aren’t the only ones by any means but are quite prominent. Otherwise, the Banks may be a good place to find employment, especially with your background. Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac, NAB, Bank SA, Bendigo Bank all employ both in house employees and mobile lenders.

            If your wife has demonstrable qualifications in admin/accounting she should have no trouble finding work.

            There are other companies, than those I have cited but I suspect they are the main ones people in SA would mention to you. Finance Broking is fairly competitive but competition usually brings out the best in people.

            Don’t forget to make your enquires thru other avenues as I suggested in this morning’s email as well.

            Best Wishes
            CP

  • ravi November 1, 2014, 9:43 pm |

    Hi Bob!

    We have recently given our medical for migration to SA… Hoping to be there soon. We have got SA state sponsorship…what are our chances of being there and how much time should we expect for the same…

  • Chris October 18, 2014, 9:50 am |

    Annabelle,

    March is a good time to come to SA. The summer has gone albeit the weather may still be quite warm & if the season doesn’t break early it will seem quite dry, but you are in a semi desert state with only 12.5% of the land in council areas, the rest being considered ‘outback’.

    However, don’t let that deter you. Autumn is very pleasant as a rule. Many of the tree species are evergreen so you don’t get the massive colour changes that go with Deciduous species however, as I said it is pleasant.

    Good luck in SA. If ever I can help let me know.

  • annabelle October 17, 2014, 4:15 pm |

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for the info, we are just one step closer to our dream. Waiting for police clearance here in sg then PR visa next. My husband plan to go in SA by March and look for job first then after 2mos, my 2yo daughter and I will follow in May 2015. It’s still autumn as per my research, hope our adjustment will not be that long for us.. =)

  • Chris October 17, 2014, 1:42 pm |

    Belle,

    good luck in SA. It’s not a bad place. A bit quiet if you come from a big city but other than that it’s quite nice. Don’t be put off if the locals are a bit shy at first. They do come out of their shells. If you arrive in January or February you may find the weather a little awful. It’s the height of summer & it we get prolonged heat it can be cruel. (38 – 44 degrees C) It is very dry heat so it’s not as bad as you might imagine but that is the hottest time of the year.

  • Paul October 15, 2014, 3:43 pm |

    Being English I thought you might know of these two that came from Adelaide.
    Australia’s Cricket Captians.
    Ian Chappell
    Greg Chappell

    • BobinOz October 15, 2014, 7:59 pm |

      Well, this Englishman doesn’t follow cricket. That said, I have vaguely heard of Greg Chappell, I think. English cricketers that captained Australia? Whatever next? 🙂

  • Belle July 20, 2014, 4:12 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Got the SA state sponsorhip approval last week and invited to apply Visa subclass 190 (PR) as well. We are very much excited to move soon. Thankful that I found ur blog Bob. It is really really helpful, no doubt about it, most especially for people like me who has no relatives/friends that i can ask anything about SA. keep it going Bob!

    Belle

    • BobinOz July 21, 2014, 1:14 am |

      Glad to have helped to Belle, I hope your move goes well.

      Cheers, Bob

  • Chris July 16, 2014, 3:12 pm |

    Belle, I apologise for being slow in replying to your enquiry. Have been interstate and didn’t check my emails for a couple of days.

    South Australia is a relatively inexpensive place to live. It’s difficult to estimate what you would need to survive for 3 or so months because I don’t have enough information about your requirements.

    As to schools, both the government and independent school systems are pretty good. The Catholic Church as a range of schools from local convent schools to larger colleges catering to education from reception to matriculation. Costs really depend upon the school but the Catholic Church has an education office which would be able to provide better information.

    Cost of living is reasonably modest. Food is available thru Supermarkets and specialty shops & although competition is limited it does exist. I am retired now and so have to be careful about expenditure but I seem to get along ok.

    Rentals in SA are not terribly bad. You can obtain housing for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) from around $200 – $500 per week. There will be some housing available for less but that range seems to encompass most.

    There are some migrant associations in the state which provide information to people of the same ethnicity & the churches have organistions which also provide some help. Again, given that you are Catholic I suggest you contact the Catholic ArchDiocese of Adelaide Office (I think they have a website) and they will no doubt assist with pertinent information.

    As to Landlords not taking on unemployed people. There are probably some who don’t but providing the tenant applicant has other ‘redeeming’ qualities eg references (even overseas references) there is bound to be someone who will take a more kindly view.

    I can’t be of much help but I am here to help if need be.

    Chris

    • Belle July 16, 2014, 6:35 pm |

      Hi Chris,

      Thanks a lot for the inputs. Will update all of u here in this blog once our visa gets approved. Have a nice day.

      Cheers,
      Belle

  • Belle July 16, 2014, 10:22 am |

    Hi Bob,

    Thanks for your reply. I will definitely read all your posts here. Have a nice day.

    Cheers,
    Belle

  • Belle July 15, 2014, 2:39 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Thanks for ur blog as we are learning more about south australia. My husband and I are working here in singapore and our 2yo daughter is back home in the philippines. That’s the reason why we plan to move in there in Oz, specifically in SA. I am a medical lab technician by profession and my husband is facility maintenance technician. We hope to find jobs soon there once we relocate. Our initial plan is by april of next year (hoping to release our State sponsorhip and PR this 2014). We are really excited coz we will finally be together as a family there. A bit scared also as we dont have any relatives or friends down there in SA but sure it will be a great adventure. Just want to ask a few questions for the people who just relocate in SA:
    a) how much money to bring there for 3-6mos of no work(but i hope 3mos will be the max) for a family of 3.
    b) is it safe for my toddler daughter to enroll in a playgroup when my husband and i find a job there? (Whole day class, half day etc..)
    c) is it possible to find a house/flat to rent and secure it while we are still here in sg? coz i read in some forum, landlords do not accept tenants w/o jobs yet. and also room share is not allowed w/ kids.
    d) are there catholic schools in SA?
    e) how long does it take for a new migrant to settle in and feel at home in SA?

    Thanks in advance for all who will give some inputs on my queries.

    Cheers,
    Belle

    • BobinOz July 15, 2014, 8:40 pm |

      Hi Belle

      Sounds like you are excited about your move, I hope you get to love this country as much as I do when you get here.

      Many of your questions though are subjective, they don’t really have definite answers. I can’t tell you how much it will cost for you to survive 3 to 6 months, each family’s outgoings a different. You can work out a budget for yourself if you look at my page called The Cost of Living in Australia of Everything.

      Australia is a safe country, and it should be safe to enroll your daughter in a playgroup, but I can’t speak for that playgroup or guarantee will go on there, it’s impossible.

      It is difficult to find a house or flat to rent before you get here, you may need to enlist the help of a relocation expert.

      Yes, there are catholic schools throughout Australia, see my page called Which school?.

      Took us four months to settle in (QLD), some never do.

      Good luck, Bob

  • Clement March 14, 2014, 12:40 pm |

    Hi Bob

    thanks for the generous description of South Australia. It’s a funny place.

    Third largest state by area but only about 1.5 million population. This does mean that our per capita infrastructure costs are higher than the eastern states bit by virtue of its location sometimes opportunity can be harder to locate. As about 82% of Oz population live in the Eastern states that seems to be where more jobs are.

    However, it is a very liveable place as long as you like mild winters and can tolerate hot summers. It has its appeal.

    There is a little of the village mentality about the place but South Australians are generally quite hospitable.

    It has produced its share of ‘famous’ people across the spectrum of careers and the arts and many of them became good at what they did by sheer persistence as much as from talent.

    Perhaps persistence is the trait to possess for someone who wants to settle here. Once people acclimatise themselves to the weather & the parochialism it can be a lovely place to live.

    Oh a Post-script – Great Train Robber Ronald Biggs found it quite a pleasant place.

    • BobinOz March 15, 2014, 12:31 am |

      Hi Clement

      Thank you for your write-up on South Australia, you are clearly better placed than I am to let us know what it is like. I have been there once, and like Ronnie, I also found it to be, well not quite, but very pleasant indeed. And you are right, the people down there are very friendly, it’s one of the things that struck me most.

      I too can also see the appeal of living there.

      Cheers, and thanks again. Bob

      • Clement March 15, 2014, 7:52 am |

        Hi Bob,

        I have lived in most Oz states. Although I now live permanently in SA I don’t think I view it thru rose coloured glasses. SA has its deficiencies and there are a number but overall it’s pretty good and its size just about supplies a fair range of living environments, with the exception of large densely populated cities & snow capped mountains.

        Did you know that for all it’s vastness about only 15% (or maybe less) is covered in local government boundaries? Nearly 90% of its small population resides in Adelaide so the country areas are very sparsely settled indeed. That said it does have some pleasant towns & villages throughout the southern, settled areas.

        If you long for large cities, then the best choices would be Sydney or Melbourne but if you want some approximation of village life, albeit with some quite large distances between villages then perhaps SA might be the go.

        If you are favour temperance perhaps SA isn’t your scene. The state produces about two thirds of the wine made in Oz. Some of it is almost European in style but much of it is quite robust & full bodied in a rather old fashioned style. That said it is very drinkable and it’s worst is very good compared with some of the ‘vin ordinaire’ I have tried from other wine producing countries.

        Probably the best employment opportunities in SA are within the Mining Industry, which doesn’t match the scale of Western Australia but is growing rapidly. In addition, anyone with specialist Defence Industry skills should also find work & opportunity.

        Sadly, our other manufacturing industry is in decline presently owing to the high Oz Dollar in relation to other significant currencies and also, owing to the generally high level of wages paid (which the state shares with other Oz states) to those who work.

        Thank you & please keep up the great work with your site.

        Clement

        • BobinOz March 17, 2014, 12:31 am |

          Thanks for the additional information Clement, I’m sure it will be very useful for anyone considering South Australia as a destination. I have learnt something too, I didn’t know mining was big down there. I knew about the wine though 🙂

          Cheers, Bob

  • Sonia November 13, 2013, 5:41 pm |

    We moved to Renmark in S.A. nearly 2 years ago from Halifax in West Yorkshire. It’s certainly different here, quieter (only about 10,000 inhabitants) and the climate is totally different. Renmark is a pretty town which evolved due to the citrus and vine industry. Due to foreign competition not as many people grow fruit now, but there is still plenty about. It’s irrigated otherwise the area would a be semi-arid desert like landscape.

    Everyone has been very friendly and although it’s a small place I’d say in some ways there is more opportunity to do things as there isn’t the competition. One example is my hubby thought about joining a tennis club in the uk but was put off with all the membership rigmarole, here there was no problem.

    What do I miss about the uk? Friends and family, a more extensive shopping experience and a larger selection of place to eat out. Being in a small town the last two are limited, but you get used to it and we certainly have a more relaxed way of life and better weather and are planning to go for permanent residency soon.

    • BobinOz November 14, 2013, 12:08 am |

      I’ve never been to Halifax or Renmark, but I’m really not surprised these places are very different 🙂

      I think the biggest difference between Australia and the UK is that you can live in places like Renmark and be so far away from that extensive shopping experience you refer to whereas in England you can live anywhere and probably not be more than half an hour’s drive from a major town all the shops you could ever want.

      Remoteness has a new meaning in Australia. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing though, personally I think it’s great to have a lot of space around you.

      Hope you get your permanent residency soon Sonia, sounds like you want to stay.

      Cheers, Bob

  • Bianca November 5, 2013, 9:51 pm |

    Hi Scouse Bob

    I have posted above about our relocation to SA but I just wanted to say that I have found it a very friendly place with loads of ex pat Brits. My husband is English and there are plenty of his fellow countrymen in Adelaide and up in the hills. We haven’t been here for a full year yet but have met many wonderful people and have a full social life and it is suprising how quickly this has happened. SA seems to be quite a conservative state and some of the major bonuses is that people have strong values, build long lasting friendships and they are forever throwing festivals and events where you can meet people. There are loads of clubs and groups that meet – walking groups, bush preservation groups, a summer programme where people meet after work in the city to run and exercise together etc. There is so much to do here if you are in to the outdoors. Mt Lofty is 15mins from the city and has great walking tracks,awesome views, loads of cyclists and a great cafe at the top. The beaches are well attended near the city but further down the coast they are spectacular and far from crowded. Easy trips to the Wine regions will have you there for lunch and back in the city for dinner and a night out. If you are a person who is confident enough to put yourself out there, you will easily establish a network here. I have found people very genuine and down to earth. Good luck with your move, I hope you love it in SA : )

  • scouse bob October 31, 2013, 2:17 am |

    I moved to Gold Coast as an international student from Liverpool England in 2007 I completed a 2 year cert3 coarse in marine craft construction (fiberglass boat building) This trade was a terrible choice as in 2009 the industry collapsed the dollar got stronger , and the financial crisis in oz began I got laid off , but finished the trade and got only just enough experience to qualify for permanent residency, I very nearly had to go home having spent a fortune on the international trade coarse and living on my savings for 2 years while I got through it , talk about do it the hard way , not recommended!
    But I’m still here now driving a semi trailer around Brisbane and Gold Coast for woolworths earning twice as much money as I ever did as a boat builder novice etc
    Having been over here nearly 7 years now, I’m not really happy with living in Gold Coast its so full of A….Holes its not funny and the traffic is tragic , if you have a physical job anywhere in qld you simply die during the hot humid months it becomes unbearable. I now have Adelaide in my sights , there’s plenty of work opportunities around port Adelaide for me etc the accommodation is very affordable as well I’v noticed I have some friends over there that love it they were at college with me back in 2007 and moved down there in 2009 and are still there now , so they obviously dont miss anything about the gold coast etc. Everytime I mention to anyone that I’m looking to move to adelaide south Australia the first thing they say is “its cold” who cares so is england!. The other thing is I am single 40 and live on my own , I would like to make new friends , I girl friend , social scenes etc
    Am I crazy for moving from Brisbane to Adelaide from the warm to the cold? I love wildlife and outdoor pursuits , walking , camping etc
    Does anyone have any advice for me scouse bob

    • BobinOz October 31, 2013, 1:36 pm |

      Well I’ve only been to Adelaide once for a holiday, but I loved the place. If I had to live in Adelaide or the Gold Coast, I would choose Adelaide for sure. So I don’t think you’re mad at all and Adelaide certainly isn’t cold!

      I can’t give you any specific advice about Adelaide, hopefully someone from over that way will help you out Scouse Bob. You might also want to post a similar question on my page about Adelaide and also check out the many comments about the city that you will find there, and also the hundreds of comments on my page And the Best City in Australia to Live in Is…

      Good luck, Bob

      • scouse bob November 4, 2013, 12:14 am |

        Yeah thanks Bob I had a butchers at the comments about south Australia very positive , and I have met a nice south Australian girl who lives near Adelaide so there’s a motive + there is allot more work down there in port Adelaide , the accommodation situation is allot better , wish I’d of done it years ago ah well we live and learn. By the way bob congratulations on your website it’s so very informative and amusing and refreshing to hear from fello Brit’s and there story’s etc It’s a beautiful Country however not everyone gets my sense of humour and wit , I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

        Cheer’s Scouse Bob

        • BobinOz November 5, 2013, 1:58 pm |

          Sounds like you are heading for Adelaide then, hope it all works out. Maybe you can let us know how it goes. Keep persisting with that sense of humour, I’m sure they will get it in the end 🙂

          Cheers, Bob

  • Jayne Fleet May 9, 2013, 6:28 am |

    Hi,

    My husband and I along with our twin 2 year old girls are thinking of relocating to Adelaide, could you please tell me how we would go about getting sponsored by SA to relocate. He is a computer programmer and I know it’s one of the professions Australia are looking for.

    Thank you in advance for any help.

    Jayne

    • BobinOz May 11, 2013, 12:34 am |

      This isn’t a question I can answer in a sentence, it’s quite a complicated process, but it starts with you putting in an application. Check out my page about Visas and also my post which talks about Expressions of Interest.

      Cheers

      Bob

  • Marty H.s March 24, 2013, 6:19 am |

    Hello everyone,
    I am doing research on some old South Australia stamps. I came across an apparent postmark of “NARA…”. It ends there. With some more net research, I located a postmark “….RAHRAN”. Combining the two did not work, nor did searching for starts or endings for every city in (contemporary) South Australia.
    Any information will go far to quench my South Australia history thirst.

    Marty

    • BobinOz March 25, 2013, 1:52 pm |

      There is a town called Naracoorte in South Australia, could that be it?

  • Jamie February 7, 2013, 7:46 am |

    Hi everyone

    Does anyone have any info on Mount Gambier which is in SA about half way between Ad and Mel. My wife and I are thinking of relocating there as my Wife’s Brother moved there 18 years ago and is now settled with 3 children. We were wondering what it was like to live there as it seems a little far from any major town, we also have 3 children all under 7 years old?

    Any info would be appreciated

    Many thanks

    Jamie

    • Bianca June 17, 2013, 12:02 am |

      Hi Jamie, I haven’t been to Mount Gambier myself but from what I have seen regarding info on the smaller towns in SA, unless you have jobs lined up there already it may be difficult securing work. We moved six months ago to SA and we did struggle initially with how long everything takes here. By the time jobs are advertised, interviews set up, contracts drawn up and certain checks dones (references, police checks etc depending on the work you do) if can be 8 weeks before you start working or more. If you are used to small towns then Mt Gambier might suit but Adelaide city has many opportunities and lots to do. We have four small children and we moved to the Adelaide Hills. It’s 20-25mins to the city and while it has all of the conveniences of city living, it’s slower paced, surrounded by vineyards, has a great range of cafes, restaurants and parks etc. Good schools, good links for transport (although some smaller towns it’s less reliable) and plenty of opportunities for work. If you work in the city it’s an easy commute. The options for kids and play groups/sports clubs etc are plentiful and I feel really positive about the move we made and the opportunities our kids will have here now. My advice would be to have employment sorted before coming, make sure you have plenty of back up cash, be prepared for things to take a long time to happen but once they are sorted it all works well. Six months in to our relocation I feel settled and we had a baby in the middle of it all on top of sorting schools, preschools, work and knowing no one. People are unbelievably friendly, there are a load of new people to the Hills area and people in the city are just as welcoming. One thing to be aware of, you need to be here to gain leases on houses/apartments. It’s frustrating when moving with kids not knowing where you will be living but there are some ways around that one. SA is a beautiful part of Australia, much cheaper than the eastern states and I know it may be more expensive compared to 10 years ago but we find it much more affordable than New Zealand. If you are still looking at SA and want any more info I am happy to help : ) let me know and I can provide email details

  • Chris December 20, 2012, 11:02 am |

    I moved to Adelaide just a few months ago (August) with my wife and 13 year old son, we have a PR visa. We have been to pretty much everywhere in Australia over the last few years on reckie trips and decided on SA last year, it was either that or forget the whole idea. We are already planning moving back to the uk next March, it feels very disappointing but we cant see a future here and time is against us due to my sons age with his school. We rent out properties in the uk including our home, this would give us a very good income in the uk and would be enough to live off comfortably, but here in oz due to the poor exchange rate and high cost of living we could not live off our income, not that I don’t want to work in the future..My sons school costs 60% more than the school he went to in the uk, so its not just the exchange rate or cost of living, its also because some things in Australia are a complete rip off. Some things here are expensive for a reason, like locally sourced produce, I for one have always backed this as I believe in supporting local small business if you’re able to do so.
    For the last 20 years I owned my own construction company back in the uk and had over 40 employees, I sold my company earlier in the year but again due to the exchange rate I can’t bring the money over as I would loose too much.
    I initially planned to set a business up here but it is too difficult especially with me being new here, plus the construction industry is going through a lul..I have applied for several jobs but with no joy, I have been for an interview with one of Australias leading construction companies, I even had a second interview with them and thought the job was mine but I was recently informed that I was unsuccessful, maybe I am over qualified to work for someone here, or maybe I am only cut out to work for myself..
    I feel that SA is lacking something, and I am beginning to think that the UK has much more to offer, I used to take many things for granted in the uk but now I miss everything there, the pub culture, shops, countyside, friends etc..dont get me wrong, I do like Australia, the people here especially in SA are so friendly, the climate is good and theres great beaches, but thats about it, I do think SA is about 15 years behind. I do appreciate that things may be different if I was working but I cant see how it would change some of the other issues I have with the place. I dont want to start mocking Australia as everyone has their own opinions. Anyway I think my above comment has no relevance on this site and is a bit random but I just wanted to air my thoughts with someone. Sorry if Ive offended anyone, and Good luck to everyone and Merry Christmas.

    • BobinOz December 21, 2012, 12:52 am |

      No offence taken Chris, it’s always interesting to hear other people’s views whatever they are.

      Australia isn’t for everyone, and you won’t be the first person to have moved here and then move back again to the UK. I recently wrote an article for a magazine in which I talked about “winners and losers”, that’s people who are either better off moving to Australia or worse off.

      The ones who are worse off are the ones with the most money, ironically, because the exchange rate doesn’t favour them. As a result, everything they buy in Australian dollars, they convert back to GBP and then decide that everything is expensive. On the other hand, those who come here with very little start earning Australian dollars, they usually get 30% or more as a salary, and they start thinking in dollars straight away. For these people the future looks really bright here in Australia.

      Your son’s education is a good example, it only costs 60% more because you are using that AUD/GBP conversion. If you are here earning Australian dollars, you probably wouldn’t think there was that much difference in the fees. If the pound could buy 2.5 AUD again, as it used to, you wouldn’t see any difference either, would you?

      this country does not become unviable simply because of an exchange rate and that’s how you are judging Australia. Four months isn’t long enough to allow yourselves to adjust either; that you are considering going back so quickly suggests you weren’t 100% sure about moving here in the first place.

      Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticising you or blindly defending Australia, I’m just trying to make sense of what you have said about your experiences. As I said earlier, Australia isn’t for everybody, it sounds like it’s not going to be for you. That’s a shame, because moving here and then moving back again is a very expensive process.

      I wish you well and I hope everything turns out for the good in the end. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.

      Cheers

      Bob

      • Russell (Tyke) December 21, 2012, 8:35 am |

        Chris, I agree very strongly with Bob on your comments.
        I know the exchange rate will be killing you.

        We arrived here over a couple of years 1999/2000 – when the rate was nearly 3 to 1!!!
        Sold up a large business and investment portfolio.
        Yep it helped to say the least
        But……………..

        We did a lot of research, had several trips over and were prepared to have to go very backwards if necessary.
        We moved here to change our lives, new challenges and new experiences.

        Been hard for other reasons at times, lost family members ,constant trips back and forth to the UK.
        Adelaide will never entirely feel like home to us, I’ve strong links to Yorkshire ,love visiting and proud of my heritage.
        But, it’s working after 12 years. Took some time to embrace and accept – as I think it will with you Chris.
        You just have to let go of converting Dollar back to Pounds.
        Not having a go but did you do a LOT of research before moving here to Adelaide?
        There is plenty of info and help online now. I know nothing is like experiencing it for yourself but it does help.
        I’ve seen a lot of folk in your position Chris,it takes time and this time of year does not help at all. It’s a mixed time if you are having your first warm Xmas away from family and friends.
        Thought of moving interstate??? You might find something to suit your needs elsewhere??

        I sincerely wish you and your family well a lovely first Christmas here.

        Take time and GIVE it time!

        Cheers

        Russell

  • janette whatley August 18, 2012, 10:31 pm |

    Hi Bob,
    I am trying to find out how much i have to save to join my son in Adelaide. I am a single 55 female art teacher but to old to score points to come the normal route. Im teaching autistic kids art and would love to dothe same but unsure what to do or how much it will cost and how long will it take as i was thinking of working in Singapoure to help save for the money needed.
    jan

    • BobinOz August 20, 2012, 11:53 pm |

      I’m afraid I can’t help you with that one Janette, I’m not sure what kind of visa you’d be getting or what the costs of it will be. I’ve heard some of the parent visas, for example, are very expensive and take ages to get. My professional MARA agent would be able to help, have you checked out my Visa Assessment Service?

  • Tyke July 13, 2012, 12:03 am |

    Clive Owen and Robson Green absolutely love South Australia, Clive Own filmed “The Boys are Back” in Willunga.
    Robson Green has a relative around Port Lincoln and loves Tuna and Snapper fishing there.Oft seen in Adelaide Airport.

    • BobinOz July 13, 2012, 2:36 pm |

      Wolf Creek AND Robson Green! Yo, SA is on the map 🙂

      Thanks Tyke!

  • Tyke July 12, 2012, 11:59 pm |

    Wolf Creek filmed in SA,

  • Kat June 17, 2012, 10:11 pm |

    Damn… you got me on that one 🙂

    • BobinOz June 18, 2012, 8:23 pm |

      Smirks to self 🙂

  • Kat June 17, 2012, 2:56 pm |

    Jimmy Barnes…. you forgot Jimmy Barnes! He grew up in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Also Sir Donald Bradman …. c’mon, you’re from England and you must know of him 🙂

    • BobinOz June 17, 2012, 9:43 pm |

      Grew up in Adelaide, yes, but born in Scotland. Sorry, can’t let you have that one 🙂

  • Geniene Prater March 6, 2012, 12:31 am |

    apparently South Australia esp Adelaide has one of the highest costs of living in the Country now in 2012. I too wish Julia Gillard stayed in Wales, she is the final nail in the coffin for Australia, and her SA counterparts are doing a fantastic job of ruining South Australia. I am in Whyalla, apparently there is going to be a mining boom, well IMHO I have had farts bigger than this so called boom, but if it does happen I am happy enough to sell my big 6 bedroom home to the highest bidder, and move interstate I have had enough of Whyalla, Regional SA and SA altogether. I do appreciate this website it gives me lots of information on potential homes. I want to be where it is GREEN, Wonderful Native birds, Cockies, parrots, lorikeets etc. Access to good medical and dental services. and HOPE that my kids can have a better chance of doing with their lives what they want to do. Job satisfaction is important. I have spent the last 3 years at Uni trying to get some reasonable recent education, but the courses are limited here. I want to be able to just get in my car and drive in any direction for day trips to discover new places. I have done the road trip via Barrier Hwy to Sydney and back via Hume Hwy and Sturt Hwy back to Whyalla and it was the best time of my life. This year I hope to head up to Longreach ( Stonehenge) to see where my father is buried, and also head along the east coast back down the Great Ocean Road, camping with my kids along the way.

    • BobinOz March 6, 2012, 9:55 pm |

      I think we all wish Julia Gillard had stayed in Wales, apart from the Welsh.

      Have you considered Tasmania? I went last year, thought it was fantastic. Some friends of ours went this year, they thought it was amazing! I think they are seriously tempted to move there at some point.

      You don’t get much greener than Tasmania, apparently it has the cleanest air in the world.

  • michelle January 17, 2012, 1:46 am |

    hi i am desperately wanting to move to adelaide, and just unsure how it all works, my husband is a mechanic and i myself a care assistant, we have 5 kids, can you tell me if i need set amount of money in bank to apply?

    • BobinOz January 17, 2012, 4:47 pm |

      It doesn’t really work like that, although it is not cheap to move to Australia. Start by reading my series about how I moved to Australia, the link is in the main navigation menu at the top of the page.

      Also, check out Visas

  • Stephanie December 30, 2011, 9:31 pm |

    Hi Bob,

    Well we made it here to South Australia just 7 weeks ago. We’ve settled in a cute country town in the Adelaide Hills and absolutely love it here!! Belair Nat’l Park is beautiful, we even videotaped a Koala walking from one tree to another right in front of us! The Adelaide Hills are spectacular with flowing green vineyards, fruit orchards and livestock all around!! Feels like finally finding home…

    Take Care,
    Stephanie & Alan

    • BobinOz January 2, 2012, 10:12 pm |

      Congratulations and welcome! I have been up them thar hills in Adelaide and they are truly stunning, aren’t they? They are almost certainly brimming with lots of wildlife and I’m sure you will enjoy many more special moments to add to your koala sighting.

      I hope you settle in fast; be aware the first few months can be the toughest, just make sure you get through it.

      Cheers

      Bob

      • Stephanie January 3, 2012, 7:55 am |

        Thank you, and your advice to never turn down an invitation is so true. We’ve made great friends already. Had a busy Christmas with all the get togethers we were invited to. Makes all the difference when you’re not sitting at home missing your old friends or old life!
        We truly love it here.

        • BobinOz January 4, 2012, 2:14 pm |

          Sounds like you’re staying 🙂

        • Karen February 23, 2012, 8:06 am |

          Hi Stephanie

          Am interested in hearing how you are finding Adelaide? Hubby has been offered a job in Adelaide and a job in Brisbane and we have 4 small children. Having never been to either and no time to do a reccie, we are interested in hearing from others who have made the leap. Does Adelaide have plenty of things to do/places to visit and distractions to keep children entertained???

          Glad to hear you guys seem to have settled in!

          • Stephanie February 27, 2012, 10:07 pm |

            Hi Karen,

            Please feel free to visit my blog (www.willowtreereflections.blogspot.com.au/) as I have written quite a bit not only about our process of getting here, but how it’s been and why we chose it. Though we’ve only been here a little over 3 months, we have no regrets. We absolutely love it here in the Adelaide area. We really aren’t “city folk” so we chose the Adelaide Hills and it’s perfect for us, with only a 30 minute drive to Adelaide. We did visit Brisbane a few years back on our exploratory trip and while it is certainly beautiful as well and very tropical feeling, the heat and humidity was definitely not for us. We have 6 children (and 2 dogs) and there are so many things to do here, even lots of free stuff. Chocolate factory tours, zoos and wildlife parks, beautiful beaches and lots of activities and events geared towards kids/families.
            Hope this helped and you find what you’re looking for wherever you end up in Oz! 🙂
            Stephanie

            • Stephanie February 27, 2012, 10:19 pm |

              And Karen, please keep in mind blogging is very new to me. My blog sucks compared to Bob’s, please don’t hold it against me 🙂

              • BobinOz February 27, 2012, 10:53 pm |

                Your blog looks pretty good to me Stephanie 🙂

                Anyone wanting to visit Stephanie’s blog, just click on her name (in blue) above any of her comments.

                • Stephanie February 27, 2012, 11:05 pm |

                  Thank you, nothing like pressure to improve! 🙂

                  It’s definitely a work in progress!

  • Jack December 30, 2011, 10:08 am |

    Bob,

    I guess Julia Gillard grew up in Adelaide (even though she’s Welsh). Found your site and having recently moved to Oz finding it pretty entertaining….particularly enjoyed the fightclub/friends-making “rules”.

    Cheers,
    Jack

    • BobinOz January 2, 2012, 9:53 pm |

      I wish she was in Wales now, they could have the carbon tax instead of us!

      Anyway, welcome, and I hope you are enjoying Australia is much as I do.

  • Stephanie August 7, 2011, 2:08 pm |

    Hello Bob,

    Your site has been a wonderful tool in our research on Australia. Keep up the great work! We were recently sponsored by SA and received our PRV just this week, so maybe I can share a little more about SA after we arrive. 🙂

    ~Stephanie & Alan

    • BobinOz August 8, 2011, 3:06 pm |

      Congratulations Stephanie & Alan and I hope your upcoming move goes smoothly. Glad my website has helped and yes, do tell me what you think when you get here.

      Cheers

      Bob

  • BobinOz August 3, 2011, 9:06 pm |

    Ah, Leighton Hewitt, yes, born in Adelaide. Thank you so much! My research didn’t uncover that one, but it sure beats my two.

    Got any more?

    • Mai April 21, 2015, 1:46 pm |

      How about Nancy Cato, born in Adelaide, you cannot say she is not famous!

      • BobinOz April 22, 2015, 5:27 pm |

        Well I had to Google her to find out who she was, excuse my ignorance :-), but yes, she does look a bit famous. Thanks, Bob

  • Lisa August 2, 2011, 4:12 am |

    Famous people?

    Leighton Hewitt! C’mon dude seriously….

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