FAQ

Almost always, yes.

• Australia requires most passport holders to have a visa — only New Zealand citizens enter visa-free.
• The easiest starting point for a short trip is the ETA (subclass 601), which you can apply for online in minutes and is valid for 12 months with stays up to 3 months per visit.
• Eligibility and fees depend on your passport — whether you're visiting from Korea, the US, the UK, Europe, or anywhere else, the same rule applies: check your specific case on homeaffairs.gov.au before you book flights.
• Longer stays, work, and study each have their own subclasses — the visa guide walks through the main five.

No.

• Tourist visas (including ETA) do not allow any work.
• If you're caught working on a tourist visa, you risk deportation, a ban, and your future visa applications being refused.
• If you want to work, you need a working visa — Working Holiday Maker (417), student, or skilled visa.

Yes — Sydney and Melbourne are among the world's most expensive cities.

• A coffee is around $5–$7 AUD.
• A casual restaurant meal is $20–$35 AUD per person.
• Rent in Sydney is the biggest cost — a room in a shared house is $200–$350 AUD/week, a one-bedroom apartment starts around $450–$600 AUD/week.
• Use numbeo.com or expatistan.com for real-time comparisons.

Superannuation (super) is a retirement savings account your employer is legally required to pay into — currently 11.5% of your wages.

• It's yours.
• You can't access it until retirement (with some exceptions).
• When you leave Australia permanently, you can claim it as a 'super withdrawal' — but tax applies.
• Always check your super statement annually and consider consolidating accounts to avoid fees.

Australia has a public healthcare system called Medicare.

• If you're on a permanent visa, you're generally eligible.
• On a temporary visa, you generally need private health insurance — which is strongly recommended anyway.
• For emergencies, go to a public hospital's Emergency Department (free).
• For everything else, book a GP (General Practitioner) — most bulk-bill so you pay nothing out of pocket.

You can get by with limited English, especially in Sydney's Korean areas (Strathfield, Chatswood, Eastwood).

• But life gets significantly easier with English — at the doctor, at the bank, in legal situations.
• Even intermediate English will open far more doors.
• Our Aussie English guide and the Language Exchange page are good starting points.

Yes, for up to 3 months.

• After that, you need an Australian licence.
• Bring your Korean licence and an official translation (from an NAATI-accredited translator) — or an International Driving Permit.
• Note: Australia drives on the LEFT.
• This is the opposite of Korea.
• Many drivers find this the hardest adjustment.

Budget travellers: $600–$900 AUD/week (shared accommodation, self-catering, free activities).

• Mid-range: $1,200–$2,000 AUD/week (private room, eating out 2–3 times, some paid attractions).
• This excludes flights, long-term visa costs, and health insurance.
• Use numbeo.com for detailed cost-of-living breakdowns.

Generally yes.

• Australia is a safe country with low violent crime.
• Standard precautions apply — don't leave valuables visible in cars, watch your drink, be cautious at night in unfamiliar areas.
• The main dangers are natural: sun (UV), rips (ocean currents — swim between the flags at beaches), and wildlife (snakes and spiders exist but rarely cause serious harm if you're careful).

Australians are generally friendly but making deep friendships takes time — showing up consistently is key.

• Common paths: language exchange groups (Meetup.com, Facebook groups), sports clubs (AFL, soccer, hiking groups), Korean community groups (churches, Korean restaurants, Korean Australian associations), and at work.
• Australian friendships often form around shared activities rather than purely social settings.