$20,000 AUD is workable for a single person moving to a regional area with a job lined up. For a family of four moving to Sydney or Melbourne, it is not enough. Here is exactly how the money gets allocated.
Is $20,000 Enough to Move to Australia?
The short answer: it depends on family size, destination city, and whether you have a job before you arrive. For a single person, $20,000 AUD is manageable. For a family of four, you will run short.
## What $20,000 AUD Needs to Cover
Migration costs: $6,000–$12,000 AUD
Skills assessment, English test, visa application fees, police clearances, medical examination, and immigration agent fees will absorb a significant chunk. A single applicant on a 189 visa should budget around $7,000–$9,000 AUD for the application process alone. A family pays considerably more.
Relocation: $3,000–$8,000 AUD
International flights, excess baggage, and freight shipping. Flying from South Africa with a family is expensive — expect to spend $5,000–$10,000 ZAR per adult minimum.
First month's expenses: $4,000–$7,000 AUD
Most Australian landlords require a rental bond (four weeks upfront) plus two weeks' rent on signing. In Sydney or Melbourne that is $3,000–$5,000 AUD before you have bought a single item of food. Add groceries, transport, and connection fees and your first month costs more than you expect.
Emergency buffer
Standard advice is three months of living expenses in reserve when you arrive. In a major city, that is $6,000–$12,000 AUD for a single person. For a family, significantly more.
## The Reality for Different Situations
Single applicant, regional area, job offer: $20,000 AUD is enough. Visa costs are covered, regional rents are 30–50% cheaper, and an income starts quickly.
Couple, Brisbane or Perth, no job offer yet: Tight but possible if you have already paid visa costs separately and your job search does not take longer than six weeks.
Family of four, Sydney or Melbourne: Not enough. You will need $30,000–$40,000 AUD for a safe, well-planned move.
## Where to Stretch Your Budget
The 491 regional visa takes you to areas with dramatically lower rent and cost of living. Some regional councils actively assist incoming skilled migrants with temporary accommodation or small relocation grants.
Complete the assessment below and we will give you a precise cost estimate for your specific pathway and situation.