The Family Guide To Moving To Australia

Hey, my name is Gemma. In November 2023 I moved from Ireland to Perth with my husband and our two little boys, who were just one and three at the time.

This guide isn't here to convince you to move, or to sell you the dream of life Down Under. There's enough of that online already. It's here to prepare you honestly, with the practical, real-world information that people so often leave out.

While I've written it from our own experience moving to Perth, this guide is for anyone moving to Australia. The advice on money, visas, schools, healthcare, packing and settling in applies right across the country, wherever you're coming from and wherever you land. Only one chapter focuses specifically on Perth and its suburbs, since that's the city I know best.

Inside, I share everything I wish I'd known before we made the move: the true cost of living, how to get your money across the world without losing a fortune, the reality of finding a rental in a tight market, how the school and childcare system actually works, visas and the difference they make to your day-to-day life, and the admin that catches everyone out, like Medicare, Centrelink, cars and tax.

I've also been honest about the harder parts: the loneliness, the mistakes we made, and the lessons we learned along the way.

Whether you're moving for work, family, or simply a fresh start, my hope is that this guide helps you feel calmer, more confident, and more realistic about what you're walking into, so you can make the right decision for your family with your eyes wide open.

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best.

Gemma, Perth, Australia