Live, Work and Start a Business in Australia

Do you want to move to Australia to look for job opportunities? If YES, here is every detail you need to live, work or start a business in Australia as a foreigner.

Since the late 1980s, the government of Australia has extensively transformed its economy into an export-driven, high tech juggernaut. The reward for this steadfastness has been higher gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates that have averaged 3.6% compared to the OEDC average of just 2.5%, between 1992 and 2007.

Why Start a Business in Australia?

Australia over the years has also proven resilient to the global economic downturn of 2008 and beyond. The country’s economy and employment levels rose during the worst of the crisis. Other measures like consumer confidence and business confidence also quickly rebounded to pre-crisis levels, which many have attributed to the country’s resilient economy.

Australia boasts of a very competitive business and investment environment that is driven by its stable politics, solid frameworks and proximity to rapidly growing countries. Experts believe that these attributes have helped it rapidly expand at a rate beyond that of other developed countries, including the United States, European Union, and Britain.

Australia consistently ranks highly for political stability and government efficiency, while housing strong banks and a great fiscal balance sheet. Australia has strong corporate governance laws that ensures ethical behavior, as well as efficient legislation and intellectual property protection.

Challenges of Starting a Business in Australia

Even with all the shiny advantages, there are a few challenges to investing in Australia. Higher commodity prices and pollution concerns have led to debates about imposing new taxes on resource companies. Meanwhile, the country’s dependence on China as a consumer of resources adds risk in the event of reduced demand.

Chinese demand for natural resources has been responsible for a large amount of Australia’s growth. Australia has run a current accounts deficit for more than 50 years, which could become a problem if its commodity sector falters.

Meanwhile, willing investors can invest in Australia using ETFs, ADRs, or by buying securities directly on one of the country’s six stock exchanges. But for most investors, ETFs represent the easiest option of the three. Below is a brief summary of the Population, thriving industry, and one reason why investors should consider the 50 Major Cities in Australia based on economic indices.

Starting a Business in Australia – What You Need to Do

Job Opportunities and Business ideas in Australia According to Cities

Adelaide

Population: 1,345,777 (2018)

Healthcare and wine production are the most thriving industries in Adelaide. Health care and social assistance represented nearly 13% of the state average annual employment. Report also has it that the Adelaide Hills wine region is an iconic and viable economic region for both the state and country in terms of wine production and sale.

Adelaide is noted for its enticing festivals and sporting events, its food and wine, its coastline and Hills, and its large defense and manufacturing sectors. Adelaide’s quality of life has ranked consistently highly in various measures through the 21st Century. These and many more are good reasons why investors, especially real estate entrepreneurs, should consider Adelaide.

Albany

Population: 34,205 (2018)

Albany’s major industries are tourism, fishing, timber (wood chips) and agriculture. Bounded by Mount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west, the city is in the local government area of the City of Albany. Albany is the southern terminus for tourism in the Western region. Its scenery and stable economy will sure attract savvy and willing investors.

Alice Springs

Population: 23,726 (2016)

The economy of Alice Springs is seen to be reliant on domestic and international tourism, with 4% of its workforce employed providing accommodation. Note that the largest employer in Alice Springs is the Northern Territory Government, with 8% of employed people working in government administration, 7% in school education, and 4% in the Alice Springs Hospital.

Alice Springs includes a number of mining and pastoral communities, the Joint Defence Space Research Facility at Pine Gap and tourist attractions at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Watarrka National Park and the MacDonnell Ranges. This city is a good choice for real estate or hospitality investors.

Ballarat

Population: 101,588 (2016)

The service industry is the most thriving industry in this city, with key areas of business including tourism, hospitality, retail, professional services, government administration and education. Ballarat has large sectors of employment in business including retail, professional services and trades as well as state and federal government branch offices for public services and health care and non-government service organizations.

Approximately half (38,000 hectares or 94,000 acres) of the municipality’s area is rural with excellent conditions for agriculture including rich volcanic soils and climate. This area is used majorly for agriculture and animal husbandry and generates more than $37 million in commodities. This is a top rated city for investors interested in agriculture and commodities.

Bathurst

Population: 36,801 (2018)

The manufacturing industry remains the most thriving industry in this city. Bathurst’s economy is vastly based with a manufacturing industry, large education sector (including agricultural) and government service sectors.

The median age of the city’s population is 35 years; which is particularly young for a regional center (the state median is 38), and is related to the large education sector in the community. The Bathurst government understand this advantage and are generally striving to ensure a competitive workforce and good innovative minds in the city.

Bendigo

Population: 95,587 (2016)

The health industry is the most lucrative industry in Bendigo. Other major industries are finance (headquarters of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank), tourism, commerce, education, food processing, and primary industries, with some significant engineering industries.

Bendigo is a large and growing service economy. The city’s growth has stimulated growth in small surrounding rural towns (such as Elmore, Heathcote, Rochester, Inglewood, Dunolly and Bridgewater). All these rural towns provide an open and not near saturated market for investors in Australia.

Brisbane

Population: 2,462,637 (2018)

White and blue collar jobs are very rampant in the city. Brisbane is one of the major business hubs in Australia. A lot of the top Australian companies, as well as numerous international companies, have contact offices in Brisbane, while numerous electronics businesses have distribution hubs in and around the city.

The Port of Brisbane is a part of the Australia TradeCoast, the country’s fastest-growing economic development area. Geographically, Australia TradeCoast occupies a large swathe of land around the airport and port. This city, commercially, should attract any investor who’s success oriented.

Bunbury

Population: 74,363 (2018)

The mining and mineral processing sector are the main economic driver for Bunbury ($2 billion annual turnover). The agriculture sector however, remains very important as the value of production is approximately $146 million per annum.

The ongoing expansion of the Bunbury port will promote further economic growth for the sub-region, and may in time be an economic stimulus for the corporate support and ancillary services associated with port-based industries locating to Bunbury city center, further strengthening its role as a regional city. This is a good reason for investors to rush to Bunbury to claim a share of this young and lucrative market.

Bundaberg

Population: 69,061 (2016)

The sugar industry is perhaps the most functional industry in Bundaberg. Extensive sugar cane fields have been developed throughout the district. Value-adding operations, such as the milling, refinement of sugar, and its packaging and distribution, are located around the city.

Renowned as the business center for a major sugar cane growing area, it is also well known for its namesake export, Bundaberg Rum. The city is an important tourism gateway for inland national parks and the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef and resort islands, also a notable location for intending investors.

Burnie

Population: 19,385 (2016)

The major industries are heavy manufacturing, forestry and farming. The Burnie port along with the forestry industry provides the main source of revenue for the city.

Burnie being a port city provides many trade and export options for investors. It is a city that shows enormous support to startup and foreign investors.

Busselton

Population: 25,329 (2016)

The major industries of the Busselton area are services (e.g. retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and recreation). Busselton is 220 km (140 mi) south-west of Perth, the capital of Western Australia and was voted Western Australia’s top tourist town in 1995, 1996, and 2005.

The economic focus of the region has gradually shifted from agriculture as the population has increased and tourism has grown in the district. This tourist hotcake can provide any willing investor interested in the tourism industry with the much needed base for success.

Cairns

Population: 144,787 (2016)

Tourism remains the most thriving industry in Cairns. The city is near the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics of Queensland, and the Atherton Tableland. Great Barrier Reef tours that operate from Cairns are very popular and hence Cairns is also considered as the gateway to Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns is a popular tourist destination because of its tropical climate and access to both nearby tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. As an investor who’s looking to invest in the tourism industry, Cairns is without doubt a suitable choice.

Canberra

Population: 410,301 (2017)

The city’s major industry is public administration and safety, which accounted for 29.8% of Gross Territory Product in 2011–12 and employed 33.9% of Canberra’s workforce.

A rising number of software vendors have based themselves in Canberra, to capitalize on the concentration of government customers; these include Tower Software and RuleBurst. Note that a consortium of private and government investors are making plans for a billion-dollar data hub, with the aim of making Canberra a leading center of such activity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Central Coast

Population: 333,627 (2018)

The education Industry plays a key role in the economy of the Central Coast. The Central Coast has a campus of the University of Newcastle located at Ourimbah. There are three campuses of the Hunter Institute of TAFE located at Gosford, Wyong and Ourimbah.

The Central Coast is serviced by an extensive and burgeoning road system. Have it in mind that the combination of bus and rail provide unlimited public transport options for locals. The region also has a number of taxis operated by Central Coast Taxis. This constantly improving transport system serve as an attractive factor for investors in Australia.

Coffs Harbour

Population: 71,822 (2018)

Report has it that Coffs Harbour’s economy was once based mainly on bananas, now being superseded by blueberries as well as tourism and fishing.

Coffs Harbour is near numerous national parks, including a marine national park. There are regular passenger flights each day to Sydney and Melbourne departing from Coffs Harbour Airport. The city’s tourism industry is an attractive option for investors all over the world.

Darwin

Population: 148,564 (2018)

Mining and tourism are the two largest economic sectors in Darwin. Mining and energy industry production exceeds $2.5 billion per annum. The most important mineral resources are gold, zinc and bauxite, along with manganese and many others.

According to reports, Darwin’s importance as a port will continue to grow, due to the increased exploitation of petroleum in the nearby Timor Sea, and to the completion of the railway link and continued expansion in trade with Asia. This city is a nice place to invest now, especially for future purposes.

Devonport

Population: 23,046 (2016)

Agriculture is the most thriving industry in Devonport. The Devonport area has rich red soils that are ideal for producing vegetable crops (beans, onions, peas, potatoes etc.) and very significant values of cereals, oil poppies, pyrethrum and other crops.

Infrastructures and arts have grown encouragingly over the past years. The main CBD is on the west side of the Mersey River and includes a pedestrian mall, cinema, specialty stores, chain stores such as IGA and hotels. There are several local restaurants and cafes.

Dubbo

Population: 38,392 (2018)

Agriculture is the most thriving industry in this city. The city’s largest private employer is Fletcher International Exports, which exports lamb and mutton globally. While other local industries reflect the city’s status as a regional base for surrounding agricultural regions.

The tourism and retail industry in Dubbo are growing promisingly and this growth should interest any willing investor.

Geelong

Population: 253,269 (2016)

The service industry is the most thriving industry in Geelong. More than 10,000 businesses employ over 80,000 people in the Geelong region, with manufacturing and processing industries providing around 15,000 jobs, followed by 13,000 in retail, and 8,000 in health and community services.

The city’s economy is shifting quickly and even after experiencing the drawbacks of losing much of its heavy manufacturing, it is seeing much growth in other sectors, positioning itself as one of the leading non-capital Australian cities. This is one of the reasons investors should consider Geelong for investment.

Geraldton

Population: 37,648 (2018)

Geraldton is an important service and logistics Centre for regional mining, fishing, wheat, sheep and tourism industries. The major exports from the Geraldton in 2012/2013 were (tonnage): iron ore (10,741,662); grain (2,618,507); mineral sands (849,933); copper concentrate (149,450); zinc concentrate (148,420); nickel concentrate (65,919); and livestock (2,758).

The Port of Geraldton is a major west coast port with seven bulk handling berths and an average loading rate of seven tones per hour. This port has made Geraldton a business hub to identify with.

Gladstone

Population: 33,418 (2016)

Gladstone’s primary industries are mining-related. Gladstone is also a tourism destination, with cruise ships regularly docking at the port.

The Port of Gladstone is the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia and the world’s fourth largest coal exporting terminal. The port consists of a number of wharves and terminal facilities. It is a good point of business for willing investors.

Gold Coast

Population: 569,997 (2016)

Tourism is the topmost income generator of this city. Gold Coast is a major tourist destination with its sunny subtropical climate and has become widely known for its surfing beaches, high-rise dominated skyline, theme parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland.

Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing large cities, with a 5-year annual average population growth rate to 2015 of 1.8%, compared to 1.5% nationally. Gross Regional Product has risen from A$9.7 billion in 2001, to A$15.6 billion in 2008, a rise of 61 percent. This steady growth makes this city a stable location for investment and businesses.

Hervey Bay

Population: 52,073 (2016)

Hervey Bay is mostly known as a tourism and whale watching location, with humpback whales migrating along the coast between April and October every year.

Whale watching in Platypus Bay to the north, ferry access to Fraser Island, accessible recreational fishing and boating and the natural north facing, calm beaches with wide undeveloped foreshore zones has made this city a top tourist site. It is without doubt a strong reason why any investor should consider this location.

Hobart

Population: 240,342 (2019)

Shipping is the most thriving sector of the city’s economy. Hobart is the home port for the Antarctic activities of Australia and France. The port loads around 2,000 tons of Antarctic cargo a year for the Australian research vessel Aurora Australis. The city is also a popular cruise ship destination during the summer months.

Hobart is an Antarctic gateway city, with geographical proximity to East Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. All these make it a promising city for investors.

Kargoolie

Population: 29,849 (2018)

Mining is unanimously the most thriving industry in Kargoolie. Kalgoorlie–Boulder is a regional center and has a Chamber of Commerce and a Chamber of Minerals and Energy. Kalgoorlie has been home to the Diggers & Dealers conference, held annually in August. It is Australia’s premier international mining conference. Experts rate it as the coal capital of Australia.

Launceston

Population: 84,153 (2016)

Aside from being a popular retail center with an average of 75% of market share in surrounding local councils, Launceston is also a top service center for the north of Tasmania. These two industries are tipping the charts of Launceston’s economy.

City of Launceston’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) was reported at $3.85 billion, which represents 15.6% of the Tasmania’s Gross State Product (GSP). Its importance as an economic center is clear as the largest economy in Northern Tasmania. It is a good place to invest if your considering Australia.

Mackay

Population: 78,685 (2016)

Mining and sugar are the two main income generator in Mackay. Mackay is known for its history as one of Australia’s largest cane farming regions. However, in recent years, the mining industry has become the mainstay of the local economy.

It is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia’s sugar. The sugar industry is still up in and running while also open for investment.

Maryborough

Population: 27,846 (2015)

Tourism and the manufacturing industry are growing fast in this city. Maryborough is regarded as the self-styled Heritage City of Queensland and holds heritage markets each Thursday. The city has many preserved 19th and 20th century buildings including the General Post Office and Customs House.

Aside tourism, Maryborough’s income also comes from numerous farming and station prospects in and around the city and it has a healthy fishing industry. The city also has had traditional ties to the timber industry and is home to Hyne & Son one of the largest producers of natural timber products in Australia. It boasts a vast economy and is willing to accommodate new investors.

Melbourne

Population: 4,936,349 (2018)

Melbourne boasts of a highly diversified economy with particular strengths in finance, manufacturing, research, IT, education, logistics, transportation and tourism. The Economist Intelligence Unit also has ranked Melbourne as the most livable city in the world for seven consecutive years (2011-2017). This rating alone speaks volume about this city to investors.

Mildura

Population: 32,738 (2016)

The fruit industry is the most thriving industry in this city. Mildura boast of being the center of Victoria’s Food Bowl and is a key producer of citrus fruits (especially oranges), and wine. The city is also notable for its grape production, supplying 80% of Victoria’s grapes. Many wineries also source grapes from Mildura. The local area produces more than 70% of Australia’s dried vine fruits.

Mildura is part of the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone, in which fruits or vegetables may not be taken into the area but can be taken out. This is to stop the Queensland fruit fly from invading crops and plantations which could have a devastating effect on the economy. The government are concerned about their plantations but are always open to aid willing investors.

Mount Gambier

Population: 28,684 (2016)

The service industry is the most thriving industry in Mount Gambier. Its key areas of business are tourism, hospitality, retail, professional services, government administration and education.

The city is known for its geographical features, particularly its volcanic and limestone features, most notably its Blue Lake, parks and gardens, caves and sinkholes. It is also a growing tourist location and an open market for savvy investors.

Nelson Bay

Population: 11,820 (2016)

Tourism is the most lucrative sector of Nelson Bay’s economy, especially for dolphin and whale watching, surfing, diving, fishing and other recreational aquatic activities.

The eastern boundaries of Nelson Bay lie within the Tomaree National Park while the southeastern section is almost entirely within the park. A promising city with prospects and policies to ensure substantial growth, it is uncommon not to consider this location as an investor.

Newcastle

Population: 322,278 (2016)

Mining is the most thriving industry in Newcastle. Famous for its coal, Newcastle is the largest coal exporting harbor in the world, exporting 159.9 million tones of coal in 2017.

Beyond the city, the Hunter Region possesses large coal deposits. This coal deposits according to experts will sustain the economy of Newcastle in excess of 15 years. This is one good reason any investor should consider Newcastle Coal industry.

Nowra

Population: 35,795 (2016)

Tourism and agriculture are the two thriving industries in Nowra, especially in the summer months, when visitors (mostly from Sydney and Canberra) flock to the beaches, to enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing and relaxing in the restaurants and cafés plus hunting for treasures in the shops and boutiques.

Nowra is majorly a farming community, sustaining a thriving dairy industry and a number of State forests, but is also gradually a retirement and leisure area for Canberra and Sydney. It is a good quiet city for agro – related and real estate investments.

Orange

Population: 39,755 (2016)

Orange is renowned as a fruit growing district, and produces apples, pears, and many stone fruits such as cherries, peaches, apricots, and plums.

Recently, a good number of vineyards have been cultivated in the area for rapidly expanding wine production. The growth of this wine industry, along with the further development of the town as a gourmet food capital, has ensured Orange’s status as a prominent tourism destination.

Perth

Population: 2,059,484 (2018)

The service industry is the most thriving industry in Perth. Perth functions as the state’s capital city, its economic base and population size have established development opportunities for many other businesses oriented to local or more diversified markets.

Due to Perth’s relative geographical isolation, it has no need to develop significant manufacturing industries other than those serving the immediate needs of its people, mining, agriculture and some specialized areas, such as, niche shipbuilding and maintenance.

It has always been cheaper to import all the needed manufactured goods from either the eastern states or overseas. Perth provides an open invitation to a diverse economy, which gives an investor the platform to achieve success.

Port Macquarie

Population: 45,698 (2016)

Tourism is the foremost industry in this unique city. Known for its extensive beaches and waterways, the town is also known for its koala population, being the home to the Billabong Zoo (a wildlife park and koala breeding center) and the Koala Preservation Society’s Koala Hospital.

Being a top students city in Australia, it provides enough target audience for investors who are willing to invest in Port Macquarie.

Rockhampton

Population: 76,985 (2016)

Renowned as an industrial and agricultural center of the north, Rockhampton is also a large tourist destination known for its history and culture. The Central Queensland Livestock Exchange at Gracemere is one of the major livestock sales facilities in the country. Rockhampton promotes itself as the Beef Capital of Australia. Agro-related investors should take note.

Shepparton

Population: 49,672 (2016)

Agriculture and associated manufacturing are the most thriving industries in Shepparton. Australia’s largest processor of canned fruits, SPC Ardmona, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Amatil, has production facilities in Shepparton and nearby Kyabram.

Shepparton is a major regional commercial and shopping centre and service economy for the Greater Shepparton area. Shepparton is a key center for infrastructure and civic services. This is a good location for investors to consider in Australia.

Sunshine Coast

Population: 346,522 (2017)

This city’s economy runs across a number of key sectors including healthcare, education, finance and professional business services. According to reports, the Sunshine Coast economy has exceeded most of the regional economies in Australia in terms of growth over the last 15 years. This is one good reason to invest in Sunshine Coast.

Sydney

Population: 5,230,330 (2018)

Financial and Insurance Services is the most thriving industry in Sydney. The industry accounts for 18.1% of gross product and is ahead of Professional Services with 9% and Manufacturing with 7.2%.

Sydney is ranked amongst the top ten world cities that are highly integrated into the global economy. Also, the Global Economic Power Index ranks Sydney number eleven in the world. The Global Cities Index also recognizes it as number fourteen in the world based on global engagement.

Tamworth

Population: 41,006 (2016)

Tamworth is majorly a service center for the New England and North West regions, providing services to a population of 200,000 plus people from the Tamworth region and satellite areas.

Tamworth is famously known as the “Country Music Capital of Australia”, annually hosting the Tamworth Country Music Festival in late January; the second-biggest country music festival in the world. The city is recognized as the National Equine Capital of Australia. It is an attractive choice for an entrepreneur, especially one with eyes for good investment.

Toowoomba

Population: 135,631 (2017)

Tourism and services are the two thriving sectors in the city. A university and cathedral city, it hosts the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers each September and national championship events for the sports of mountain biking and motocross. There are more than 150 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba.

In the last five years, Toowoomba has also become one of the fastest growing towns in the country, with low unemployment and an increase in infrastructure leading to employment generation.

Townsville

Population: 173,815 (2016)

This town boasts of a diverse economy with strengths in education, healthcare, retail, construction and manufacturing. Referred to as a defense hub and also home to thousands of military personnel, it is also a major manufacturing and processing hub.

Townsville is the only city in the world to refine three different base metals — zinc, copper, and nickel — and it is planned in the near future to be home to a $2billion lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility developed by the Imperium consortium in partnership with Siemens. You should consider this city as an investor.

Traralgon

Population: 25,485 (2016)

Note that the city’s economy is majorly driven by primary industry, natural resources, and secondary industry including coal mining, processing and fossil-fuel power generation for the National Electricity Market.

It is the largest and fastest growing city in the greater Latrobe Valley area. Along with electricity production, Traralgon gains from the mining for oil and natural gas in the nearby Bass Strait fields. It’s important you consider this city for business investment as an entrepreneur.

Tweed heads

Population: 8,176 (2016)

This city’s most thriving industry is the tourism industry. Tweed Heads’ most popular tourist destinations include Mount Warning, one of the biggest shield volcanoes in the Southern Hemisphere, and the nearby Nightcap, Border Ranges, Springbrook and Lamington National Parks, which abound with sub-tropical fauna and flora.

Due to its proximity to the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads has a shared economy with Coolangatta based heavily on tourism. Which is one reasons why an investor should consider this city as a real estate investment location.

Wagga Wagga

Population: 54,411 (2016)

According to reports, the commercial service industry is the biggest in this city. Wagga attracts people from all over the Riverina and southwestern New South Wales to its shopping facilities. It is the major support city for over 200,000 people who live across the region.

Wagga Wagga is a crucial agricultural, military, and transport hub of Australia. Located midway between the two largest cities in Australia–Sydney and Melbourne–it is the major regional center for the Riverina and South West Slopes regions. This city is a good location for investment and business startup.

Warragul

Population: 14,276 (2016)

Agriculture and services are the most important industries in Warragul. Warragul is the major population and service center of the West Gippsland region and the Shire of Baw Baw. The surrounding area is noted for dairy farming and other niche agriculture and has long been producing gourmet foods.

For a town of its size, Warragul has a massive education industry with four primary schools, three secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Student towns, generally, are business towns.

Warrnambool

Population: 34,618 (2016)

Note that the most thriving sector of the city’s economy is agriculture and its support industry – particularly dairy farming and associated milk processing. Other major industries and services include retail, education, health, meat processing, clothing manufacture and construction.

According to reports, Warrnambool attracts many visitors each year, and it is a comprehensive regional service center. This is one of the reasons investors will keep trooping into this city.

Wollongong

Population: 302,739 (2018)

Mining, agriculture and tourism are the thriving industries in Wollongong. Wollongong has a long history of coal mining and industry. The city attracts many tourists each year, and is a regional center for the South Coast fishing industry.

Wollongong is renowned for its heavy industry, its port activity and the quality of its physical setting, occupying a narrow coastal plain between an almost continuous chain of surf beaches and the cliff line of the rainforest-covered Illawarra escarpment. It is a comfortable and attractive location for investors willing to tap into its vast tourism and mining market.