What are the best and worst things about living in Australia?

Australians were asked to participate in a study by Immigration to Australia to determine the top five experiences that newcomers have had while living there.

Over 80% of Australians cited rising rent and property prices as a major obstacle for new immigrants, thus it should come as no surprise that these issues were of great concern.

An important barrier for immigrants is the unprecedently high cost of housing, especially in South Australia and Queensland.

Next on the list of urgent concerns is the high cost of living, which impacts a significant 73% of the population, particularly those in the 35–54 age range.

This information is based on a thorough survey that Immigration to Australia carried out with 1,012 Australians who were nationally representative.

In light of rising immigration and a skills gap, the study sought to explore Australians’ opinions of the positive and negative elements of living in the nation for immigrants.

Diverse challenges for new arrivals

Respondents were tasked with evaluating 15 potential drawbacks of living in Australia, encompassing issues from traffic congestion to internet quality and visa complications.

Interestingly, 59% of participants highlighted poor internet as a key concern, while 50% emphasized the vast distances within the country.

A deeper examination of the data, segmented by age and state, uncovered a noteworthy trend—88% of individuals aged over 55, the highest percentage among all age groups, identified the housing and rental crisis as one of the nation’s top five issues.

These revelations come at a crucial juncture marked by near-record levels of international immigration and a government initiative to allocate 190,000 spots in the 2023-24 permanent migration program to address skill shortages.

It is worth noting that last year, significant shortages were identified in 36% of assessed occupations in Australia, underscoring the urgency of addressing these concerns.

Regional variations in housing concerns

In regions such as South Australia and Queensland, grappling with a soar in house prices, the housing crisis stands out as the most pressing concern.

Adelaide, in particular, witnessed an astounding 60% surge in median house prices over a span of four years, surpassing national averages.

Brisbane, too, bore witness to record highs in housing and rental prices, underscoring the acute impact of this surge on the local populace.

Alon Rajic, the founder and managing director of Immigration to Australia, astutely observes that these results not only shed light on the perceived challenges for newcomers but also articulate the shared concerns of residents across diverse states and age groups.

He notes a distinct strain on South Australians and Queenslanders due to the rapid escalation of property prices, while Victorians express equal worries about property prices and the overall cost of living.

Generational differences in perceived challenges

Remarkably, the housing and rental crisis emerges as a more pronounced concern for individuals aged over 55, in contrast to their younger counterparts.

Middle-aged Australians, potentially contending with family-related expenses, identify the cost of living as a more prominent and immediate issue.

The survey further illuminates the perception of Australia’s isolated location and extensive travel distances, indicating that these aspects weigh more heavily on the minds of older Australians than on the younger generations.

Conversely, younger respondents are inclined to perceive Australia as lagging in innovation and experiencing limitations in global product availability.

Highlighting Australia’s attractions

On a positive note, the survey delved into the most favorable aspects of life in Australia for newcomers.

Outstanding healthcare services, the freshness of Australian cuisine, and the country’s agreeable climate emerged as standout attractions.

Nevertheless, regional variations in the appreciation of weather were observed, and differences across generations in the perception of Australia’s low crime rate were evident.

Alon concludes that the survey results not only shed light on the challenges faced but also underscore the cherished aspects of Australia as perceived by its residents, including the climate, healthcare system, and food quality.

He particularly emphasizes the sense of pride young Australians take in the nation’s safety, a sentiment shaped by the steady decline in crime rates since the 1990s.

source: www.propertyupdate.com.au