Australia
Profiled in Sydney · Oceania and the Pacific
Sydney is a sun-soaked harbour city where you can surf before work, swim at lunch and still catch a world-class dinner with a skyline view.
Cost of living
What a month costs
One of the priciest cities in the world, driven mostly by rent.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Sydney
- Sydney Opera HouseThe sail-roofed icon on Bennelong Point, worth a guided tour.
- Sydney Harbour BridgeWalk it, cycle it or climb it for the best view in town.
- Bondi BeachThe famous surf beach and start of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
- The RocksCobbled colonial lanes, weekend markets and historic pubs by the harbour.
- Royal Botanic GardenFree harbourside gardens leading to the Mrs Macquarie's Chair lookout.
- Taronga ZooHilltop zoo across the water, reached by a short ferry ride.
- Manly BeachA scenic ferry from Circular Quay to a laid-back surf suburb.
- Art Gallery of New South WalesFree state gallery with strong Australian and Aboriginal collections.
- Darling HarbourWaterfront precinct with the aquarium, museums and restaurants.
- Queen Victoria BuildingA grand Victorian arcade of shops under stained-glass domes.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Blue MountainsEucalyptus valleys and the Three Sisters, ninety minutes by train or car.
- Hunter ValleyAustralia's oldest wine region, an easy two-hour drive north.
- Port StephensBig sand dunes, dolphin cruises and calm bay beaches up the coast.
- Jervis BayWhite sand and clear water at Hyams Beach, about three hours south.
- Kangaroo ValleyGreen farmland and river kayaking in a pretty inland pocket.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Bourke Street BakerySurry Hills institution famous for sausage rolls and pastries.
- Single OSurry Hills specialty roaster that helped shape Sydney coffee culture.
- Campos CoffeeNewtown roaster pouring some of the city's most respected espresso.
- Gumption by Coffee AlchemySerious single-origin coffee inside the Strand Arcade.
- Paramount Coffee ProjectAiry Surry Hills cafe with all-day plates and strong brews.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- QuayFine dining with a full Opera House view, a special-occasion classic.
- Tetsuya'sLong-running degustation temple blending Japanese and French technique.
- Rockpool Bar & GrillNeil Perry's polished steak and seafood room downtown.
- Mr. WongBuzzy Cantonese basement famous for dumplings and roast duck.
- Icebergs Dining RoomItalian food above the Bondi sea pool with a knockout view.
- Sean'sBeloved seasonal Bondi bistro that has run for decades.
- Golden CenturyLate-night Chinatown seafood favourite pulling straight from the tanks.
Morning
Best breakfast
- bills DarlinghurstHome of the legendary ricotta hotcakes and creamy scrambled eggs.
- The Grounds of AlexandriaSprawling garden cafe and bakery in a restored industrial site.
- Speedos CafeBeachfront brunch on the Bondi to Bronte walk.
- Reuben HillsSurry Hills brunch spot with a Latin lean and great coffee.
- The Boathouse Palm BeachBreezy seaside breakfasts at the northern beaches.
- Three Blue DucksFarm-driven brunch with locations from Bronte to Rosebery.
- Devon CafeSurry Hills favourite mixing Asian flavours into brunch plates.
- CornersmithMarrickville cafe known for pickles, ferments and honest cooking.
- Kepos Street KitchenMiddle Eastern brunch of shakshuka and mezze in Redfern.
Residency
Most newcomers arrive on a skilled or employer-sponsored visa that leads to permanent residency, then citizenship after four years. Points-tested skilled migration, business and investor streams, and family visas are the main routes.
Tax
Australian residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 45 percent, plus a 2 percent Medicare levy. There is no separate state income tax, but capital gains are taxed as income with a 50 percent discount on assets held over a year.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Australia residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Australia tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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