Queensland is a state on the east coast of Australia, home to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. With a coastline of over 7,000km, Queensland is known for its amazing surf beaches, as well as natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef.
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, however other notable cities include Townsville, Cairns, Ipswich, and Toowoomba.
One of the most interesting things however, is that as of 2021, around 22.7% of the Queensland population was made up of immigrants. The largest group of these being from the UK.
We’re going to look at what it’s like for UK expats living and working in Queensland, to help you decide whether a new life in Queensland is right for you.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Our top 5 reasons to move to Queensland
Known as The Sunshine State, there are so many amazing reasons you might consider a move to Queensland. Here are our top 5:
1. World-class beaches
Queensland’s beaches are some of the best and most well-known in the world. Surfers Paradise beach, on the Gold Coast, is popular among surfers as the name suggests, with many surf schools and rentals positioned along the beach. In Brisbane there are many beaches, some even within walking distance of the Central Business District, though many people may prefer to trek slightly further afield. In the North, you will find Cairns, a city that boasts a number of tropical beaches and is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. For those who love the beach lifestyle, Queensland is the perfect state to make your home.
2. The climate
To really make the most of the beautiful beaches, warm, dry weather is ideal. Luckily, Queensland is known for its temperate climate, with an annual average of around 24 degrees celsius. In the summer months, the average temperature is around 30 degrees celsius, whilst in the winter time, the average temperature is around 21 degrees celsius. Due to the warm year-round climate, moving to Queensland means you can really embrace the classic Australian outdoor lifestyle. During the winter, you’re still likely to get lots of sun for watersports, hiking and simply enjoying the great outdoors.
3. More affordable cost of living
Compared to other states, Queensland benefits from slightly lower costs of living. For example, Brisbane tends to have many more affordable housing options than major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. In fact, there has been a noticeable shift in people moving from the likes of these cities to Queensland in order to benefit from lower costs. Due to this, those living in Queensland may have a better quality of life than those living further south.
4. Employment opportunities
According to the Queensland Treasury, economic growth has typically exceeded the national average in the last 2 decades. This is due to a number of factors including population growth, as well as strength in sectors such as mining and service industries. The labour market has continued to grow, even throughout COVID, meaning there are plenty of employment opportunities for those looking to move to Queensland. Australia favours those who can fill a skills gap in the economy, based on the Occupation Shortage List. In Queensland there is particular demand for those with experience in sectors including education, construction and healthcare.
5. Natural wonders
In Australia there are 20 World Heritage sites, 5 of which are located in the Sunshine State. This makes it one of the best places for nature-lovers.
The 5 listed World Heritage sites are:
- Australian Fossil Mammal Site – home to some of the world’s most outstanding fossils from the Oligocene period to the Miocene period (10-30 million years ago).
- Great Barrier Reef – home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of molluscs, 400 species of sponge and 300 species of hard corals.
- Gondwana Rainforests of Australia – a rainforest known for representing outstanding examples of major stages of the Earth’s evolutionary history, ongoing geological and biological processes, and exceptional biological diversity.
- K’gari (Fraser Island) – home of the Butchulla people and the world’s largest sand island. A place of outstanding beauty, sandy beaches, rare frogs and birds, as well as more than half of the world’s perched freshwater lakes.
- Wet Tropics – a tropical rainforest, home to an extensive and varied array of plants, marsupials, singing birds, along with other rare and endangered animals and plant species.
Moving to Queensland will put these natural wonders within touching distance, allowing you to learn from and admire them.
Living in Queensland
Cost of living
We’ve mentioned already that the cost of living in Queensland tends to be lower than in other states, but let’s take a closer look.
For the purpose of our example, we will look at Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, and Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, as a comparison.
According to Budget Direct, the cost of living across a range of key areas including groceries, housing and utilities are all higher in Sydney than in Brisbane. Rent prices in Sydney are 41.42% higher than in Brisbane, whilst Grocery prices in Sydney are 7.83% higher than in Brisbane.
Average salaries in Brisbane do tend to be lower but due to the lower costs, local purchasing power in Brisbane is 14.52% higher than in Sydney.
Explore the table below for some average costs:
| Brisbane | Sydney | |
| Rent 1 bed city centre apt. (monthly) | $2456.94 | $3271.95 |
| Rent 3 bed city centre apt. (monthly) | $3937.66 | $6450.94 |
| Buy city centre apt. | $12072.54 | $22837.93 |
| Basic utilities (monthly) | $282.11 | $301.80 |
| Monthly transport pass | $193.00 | $217.39 |
| Fuel/litre | $2.00 | $2.03 |
| Milk (1L) | $2.14 | $2.37 |
| Bread (500g) | $3.57 | $4.17 |
| Chicken (1kg) | $12.54 | $12.71 |
| Meal for two (mid range restaurant) | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $5.35 | $5.04 |
| Domestic beer (restaurant/bar) | $12.00 | $10.32 |
| Gym membership (monthly) | $79.36 | $87.57 |
Across almost all categories, we can see that costs are higher in Sydney than they are in Brisbane.
Best Areas to Live in Queensland
Queensland is an extremely large area, around 7 times the size of Great Britain, so naturally there are many amazing areas you could call home.
Based on population, most people tend to live near the coast in areas including:
- Brisbane (find out more about where to live in Brisbane)
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Townsville
- Cairns
All of these areas offer many aspects of the ‘classic Australian lifestyle’ with access to amazing beaches, surf schools and many other outdoor activities. With sun all year round, Queensland is the perfect area for active, outdoor-lovers.
Housing
There are a wide range of housing options available in Queensland to suit all types of lifestyles and budgets. On the whole, costs of housing are lower in Queensland than in other states such as New South Wales.
As a general rule however, you can expect to pay more for housing or apartments in city centres and prime locations, such as along the coast or in central Brisbane.
The types of homes available for rent or purchase range from historic, character properties, distinctive ‘Queenslander’ style homes, as well as modern apartments and houses.
You can use the Real Estate suburb exploration tool to find average property prices in the area you’re thinking about.
Are There Any Disadvantages of Living in Queensland?
For the most part, living in Queensland offers an idyllic lifestyle, however as with anywhere, there can be some drawbacks.
Queensland is more prone to natural disasters than other areas of the country due to its subtropical climate. This can include storms, floods, cyclones and bushfires. As this is relatively common in Queensland, the state is well prepared with guidance for residents on how to prepare for storm season.
Queensland is a very large state meaning that it can be tricky to explore. There are plenty of transport options however, so if you make a concerted effort, you can visit and explore as many different areas as you would like.
Whilst the sunshine is a benefit most of the time, for some it may be a little too much. In the summer months, temperatures commonly reach 30 degrees celsius and over. The UV index is also very high so SPF is essential for protecting yourself from harmful UV damage.
Working in Queensland
For those looking to move to Queensland, finding a job is essential. Often, you are unable to secure a long term visa without first finding employment.
The work environment in Queensland shares similarities with the rest of Australia, offering a laid-back yet professional atmosphere. Like the UK, most employers in Queensland provide various benefits such as flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, and health insurance.
Job Opportunities in Queensland
The Queensland Government website describes Queensland as a ‘national leader in job creation’, with labour market conditions growing over the past few years. This means that there are many job opportunities for residents of Queensland, as well as UK expats seeking employment.
Each year, the Government publishes a list of occupations experiencing verified shortages. If you have experience in any of these areas, it may increase your chances of finding employment and securing a long-term visa.
In-Demand Jobs
According to the Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists (QSOL), the industries with verified shortages include:
- Energy
- Construction and infrastructure
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Education
- Professional services
- Agribusiness
- Tourism and hospitality
- Transport
Job Search Strategies
To find work in Queensland, you can use a range of techniques including:
- Networking – using your existing professional network to reach out and explore potential opportunities or employers
- Online job portals – using Australian job portals such as Seek and Indeed can help you to find job opportunities in specific areas of interest
- Recruitment agencies – using recruiters based in your industry, that actively place people in Australian companies
- Company careers pages – research companies in your industry that you would like to work for and explore their careers pages on their websites to find opportunities
Work Culture
The work culture in Queensland tends to be professional and relaxed, though this will differ by company and industry. For example, industries like Law and Finance are likely to be more formal than industries such as Construction and Tourism.
In general, working in Queensland offers a good work-life balance and rewards those who are punctual, able to work well as a team and communicate effectively.
Once again, dress codes will differ by company but for the most part smart casual is the norm. Always check this with your employer before starting a job.
Relocation Tips
Be Prepared
Moving from the UK to Queensland is not something that can be done on a whim; it requires high levels of preparation.
Our Moving Overseas Checklist covers everything you need to do in the run up to your move to prepare.
You will need to make sure all of your documents are in order, that you have somewhere to live and work, as well making sure you have notified the relevant people back here in the UK.
Use a Professional Service to Transport your Belongings
Ensuring your belongings arrive safely to your new home is paramount. Having your belongings when you arrive is not only practical, it can help you to feel at home more quickly.
Professional services such as ours can help to ensure that transporting your belongings is as stress-free as possible, helping with everything from packing, transportation and customs clearance, all the way to unpacking in your new home. To make the process easier, you might want to create a packing checklist and familiarise yourself with what you can and can’t take into Australia with you.
Become Part of the Local Community
Moving to the other side of the world, away from friends and family, can be incredibly daunting. Many people find adjusting to their new life a little trickier than expected. To make the transition as smooth as possible, engage with your local community to help you settle in.
You could join groups, start a new hobby or just visit some of the local cafes, shops and bars to get to know the local people and area. This is the perfect way to make friends and find your new favourite spots.
How John Mason can Help
At John Mason, we understand that moving to a new country is incredibly exciting and scary all at once. We make your move to Queensland as easy as possible so you can focus on the important things like beginning your new life.
We offer bespoke removals and relocation services, including packing, visa support, pet relocation and storage.For more information get in touch, or use our online tool to get a quick quote.
