City guide

🇦🇺 Living in Sydney

Australia's largest city, with a high quality of life, strong professional salaries, a sunny coastal lifestyle, and moderate income tax

At a glance

Population
5,560,000 (Greater Sydney)
Currency
AUD
Avg. salary
€65,000–€100,000
Effective tax
23–28%

Net salary calculator

Calculate your take-home pay in Sydney with our detailed tax calculator.

Calculate net salary →

Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center)€2,126/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb)€1,462/mo
Groceries (single)€365/mo
Groceries (family)€910/mo
Transport pass€132/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range)€79
Coffee€3.00
Gym membership€63/mo
HealthcareAustralia has public healthcare (Medicare), funded partly by a 2 percent Medicare levy. Access depends on visa and reciprocal agreements: France has no reciprocal agreement with Australia, so French temporary-visa holders are not covered by Medicare and must hold private health insurance, usually as a visa condition. Permanent residents gain Medicare access, and higher earners without private hospital cover also pay a Medicare Levy Surcharge
Frugal
€2,200
/month
Moderate
€3,100
/month
Comfortable
€4,400
/month

Budget calculator

Build a detailed monthly budget for Sydney based on your lifestyle.

Build your budget →

Why choose Sydney?

Moderate income tax for a high-income country: an effective rate around 23 to 28 percent for a typical expat, with no employee social contributions beyond the Medicare levy

A high quality of life: beaches, harbour, parks, and a mild, sunny climate

Strong professional salaries, especially in finance, tech, and professional services

English-speaking, safe, and politically stable

Public healthcare (Medicare) for residents, though access depends on visa and reciprocal agreements

A clear skilled-migration system with routes to permanent residence

Quality of life

Overall
8.5
Safety
8.5
Healthcare
8.5
Education
8.5
Air Quality
9
Culture
8
Expat Community
8.5
English Proficiency
10

Moving to Sydney : checklist

  1. 1Secure a skilled visa: the main temporary route is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, employer-sponsored); permanent routes include employer nomination (186) and points-tested skilled visas (189 or 190). There is no digital-nomad visa
  2. 2Arrange private health insurance before arrival: France has no reciprocal Medicare agreement with Australia, so French temporary-visa holders are not covered by Medicare and private cover is usually a visa condition
  3. 3Understand the tax: a flat 2 percent Medicare levy funds public healthcare on top of progressive income tax, and there is no state income tax
  4. 4Budget for rent: a one-bedroom in the city averages around 2,130 euros per month, less in the suburbs
  5. 5Get an Opal card for trains, buses, and ferries; fares are pay-as-you-go with a weekly cap rather than a monthly pass
  6. 6Open an Australian bank account and apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) to work
  7. 7Note that Sydney is far from Europe: long flights and a large time difference shape ties back home

Frequently asked questions

How much tax will I pay in Sydney?+
Australia has progressive federal income tax plus a 2 percent Medicare levy, and no state income tax. For a typical expat the effective rate is around 23 to 28 percent. Higher earners without private hospital cover also pay a Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1 to 1.5 percent, which most avoid by holding private cover. This is general information, not tax advice.
What visa do I need to work in Sydney?+
The main temporary route is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), and permanent routes include the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and points-tested skilled visas (189 and 190). There is no digital-nomad visa.
Does a French expat get Medicare in Australia?+
Generally not on a temporary visa. Australia has reciprocal health agreements with several European countries, but not France, so French temporary-visa holders are not covered by Medicare and must hold private health insurance, often as a visa condition. Permanent residents do gain Medicare access.
How expensive is Sydney?+
Sydney is expensive, with rent the main cost, though it sits below the most expensive US cities. The sunny, outdoor lifestyle offsets the cost for many residents.
Is English enough in Sydney?+
Yes. English is the official language of Australia, used in work, government, and daily life.

Compare Sydney with

🇦🇺vs🇸🇬
Sydney vs Singapore
+9% cost
🇦🇺vs🇬🇧
Sydney vs London
+5% cost
🇦🇺vs🇦🇪
Sydney vs Dubai
−9% cost

EXPATRIATION.IO

Going further with your move?

Explore expatriation.io for the guides, tools and resources to plan your expatriation, all in one place.

Explore expatriation.io