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Migrants in Demand |
| Engineers |
| (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical etc) |
| Healthcare |
| (Nurses, Pharmacist, Doctors etc) |
| IT Professionals |
| (C++/C#, SAP, Java, Siebel) |
| Tradesmen |
| (Toolmakers, Electrician, Welders etc) |
| Other Professionals |
| (Accountant, Chef etc.) |
Housing
Most new migrants rent a house or a unit (flat) on new arrival. The real estate market in Australia is well-regulated and all dealings are done as per laws and regulations.
Renting a Property
Real estate agents in Australia manage properties (houses, units and apartments) on behalf of the owners. Rental vacancies are usually advertised in daily newspapers, real estate offices in suburbs, or can be viewed online. You can arrange for an inspection time with an agent to view the property. Once you have inspected a property, you can make an application, which will be assessed on your income and your perceived reliability in paying rent. Personal references from employers or past landlords may be useful. If successful, a security deposit is to be paid to book the property and then you can shift to your new place. A bond money equivalent of 4 weeks rent is to be paid when you sign your lease agreement.
Monthly rental rates vary based on location (more expensive the closer you are to the city or the beach) and the type of property. It will be more expensive to live in a capital city than it will be to live in a regional or rural area.
Buying a Property
Houses and other properties for sale are normally advertised by real estate agents in newspapers, real estate offices and online. Buying a property through private sale means you buy the property at the advertised price or you negotiate the price with the vendor, which would be through vendor's estate agent.
Auction is another common way of selling a property. The auction method is a good way to test the property market against buyer demand. However, it is also an emotionally charged and fast-moving atmosphere. All legal documents relating to the sale are available for inspection before the auction and contracts of sale can be signed and exchanged on the day of the auction.
If you need to borrow money to buy a property, you may approach a bank, a building society or other financial institution for a loan. In the current market you may be able to acquire a loan for up to 80% of the value of a property, if you can pay upfront for the balance 15-20% of the property value and show a regular source of income. Most Australian home owners have a mortgage with varying repayment period from 15-25 years. When buying a property, people usually use a solicitor or conveyancer to check the title deeds and organize the paperwork.
If you want advice on the steps involved in buying a home and what government assistance schemes are available you may visit the Home Purchase Advisory Service website.
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