How to arrive and

The cost of utilities

The costs of utilities vary widely and often depend heavily on the use of air-conditioning. The further north and more isolated you are in Australia, the more you’ll use air-conditioning.

The average cost of utilities for all types of accommodation in Australia annually are:
Heating and light A$ 2 000

Water A$ 650

Telephone A$ 1 500

Total cost per annum A$ 4 150

Cars and their prices

A wide range of brand new and second-hand cars is available in Australia. Second hand (used) cars present very good value for money compared to their brand new equivalent. Locally-produced Holdens (a division of General Motors), Toyotas and Fords are by far the most common brands seen on the roads. Four-wheel drives and pick-ups (utes) are becoming very popular.

The general belief in Australia is that it is not worthwhile importing a car from Europe or America. It only makes sense if it is a truly exotic and remarkable model of usually a high price. If you’re going to be working for a large Australian employer you may qualify for a company car. Companies prefer nowadays to lease rather than buy cars.
Below is a table of the popular marques, models and their accompanying prices. Prices are for guidance purposes only and can vary due to a variety of factors.

Make & model NEW	Engine size (cc)	Price (A$)
Ford Laser	1600	22 500 (2 yrs old 14 500)
Holden Barina	1400	19 990
Holden Barina	1600	20 800
Nissan Pulsar	1600	22 900
Toyota Corolla	1600	24 900
Holden Astra	2000	23 300
Mazda Protege	2000	28 900
Mitsubishi Lancer	2000	23 900
Toyota Camry	2000	32 550 (2 yrs old 21 500)
Toyota Camry	2400	33 700
Holden Commodore	3800	33 500
Ford Fairmont	4000	41 950
Ford Falcon	4000	38 850

Motoring taxes and costs vary considerably depending upon the state or territory. Annual comprehensive insurance for a 1600 cc vehicle averages around A$1400 and for a 2000 cc vehicle A$ 1600 in New South Wales. NSW is the most expensive state for motoring. In South Australia it can be as little as A$ 100 per year irrespective of the car.

A wide range of second-hand cars is available. Vehicles tend to lose the equivalent of a third of their new value after 2 years. The dry climate keeps rust down to a minimum. A Road Worthiness Certificate is issued after the compulsory mechanical test which is conducted annually. A valid and appropriate driving licence must be carried at all times when driving. Third party insurance is compulsory and evidence of current insurance is required for taxation purposes. Foreign insurance policies are not accepted.
A good source of quickly finding out new and used vehicle prices can be found at:

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/home.php
Finding out almost anything automotive in Australia can be found at:

http://www.autosource.com.au

The cost of food

Food shopping in Australia is pretty much like anywhere else in the world. Supermarkets are scarce in city centres (high rent) and more prevalent in the suburbs. Store sizes and variety of goods stocked are not on the scale of American or British retailers, but more like their Canadian counterparts. The variety and quality of foodstuffs available are quite respectable. The prices on certain goods can raise eyebrows though. This is because of the extra expense in moving goods around in a big country and their refrigeration requirements. Fruit juice, for example, can be quite expensive for a country that produces loads of it. Staple goods are affordable and most people eat well in Australia.

Here is a sample of what you can expect to pay for foodstuffs in Australia. Prices will vary between cities and regions, so what follows should be regarded as the roughest of indicators. This data is sourced from the September 2007 Cost of Living Survey conducted by Mercer. All prices displayed are from the medium pricing level reported in the survey.
There are numerous supermarkets in Australia such as Woolworths, located nationwide ( www.woolworths.com.au ) and Coles ( www.coles.com.au ). Visit these websites to see the latest prices.
Franklins/Big Fresh can be found in Sydney and Brisbane while Safeway is in Melbourne. All of these stores stock a wide range of goods. There is a plentiful and year-round supply of fresh meats, dairy products, fruit and vegetables. Wines and spirits imported from other countries are costly but are of good quality. Locally produced beer (e.g., Fosters and Victoria Bitter) and wine are sold at affordable prices. Beer is usually sold in packs of 24 cans, known as a ‘slab’. There is also a good choice of soft drinks, fruit juices, health drinks and milk drinks available, which are naturally popular in a hot country.
Eating out in Australia is a favourite pastime of many of the locals. Restaurants are not just a place to get a meal, but can be an entertaining experience if there is a good location with scenic views or special atmosphere. Generally, the better the view, the higher the prices.

To find out what things cost generally, you can start off at the following listing page of retail websites:

http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/Oceania/Australia/Business_and_Economy/Shopping
You might find the following interesting too: http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Cost_of_Living/462

- Chapter 7 -
Working in Australia – Life In The Workplace