Can You Move to Australia Without a Job? Here’s the Real Deal

So, you’ve been dreaming of kangaroos, golden beaches, and that famously laid-back Aussie lifestyle. But there’s one big question hanging over your head: Can you move to Australia without a job? The short answer? Yes, but it’s tricky—and not for the faint-hearted.

Let’s break it down, mate.

Do You Need a Job Offer to Get a Visa?

Unlike some countries (looking at you, U.S.), Australia doesn’t always require a job offer to let you in. But—and it’s a big but—you’ll need a visa that allows you to stay and work legally.

Here are a few visa options that don’t require employer sponsorship:

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) – The Golden Ticket

If you’ve got skills that Australia wants (think IT, engineering, healthcare, and trades), you might qualify for this points-based visa. No employer needed. No strings attached.

• How it works: You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and if your score is high enough, Australia might invite you to apply.
• Key requirements:
  • Your job must be on the Skilled Occupation List
  • You’ll need to pass a skills assessment
  • You must score enough points (65 minimum, but realistically 85+ is safer)

Downside? The process takes months, and competition is fierce.

2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – State-Sponsored Option

Like the 189 visa, but here’s the twist—you need an Australian state or territory to sponsor you. This can boost your points and improve your chances of getting in.

• Each state has its own list of in-demand occupations (so check where your skills are needed).
• You’ll have to live in that state for at least two years after arrival.

Best part? It’s easier to get than the 189 visa. Worst part? You lose some flexibility—Sydney might not want you, but Adelaide might.

3. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 & 462) – Short-Term but Fun

If you’re under 35 (or under 30 for some countries), this visa lets you live and work in Australia for up to a year.

• No job offer needed!
• Work with multiple employers, travel around, and soak up the Aussie experience.
• Want to stay longer? Do specified work (like farming) for 3-6 months and qualify for a second or even third-year visa.

Catch? It’s not a long-term solution, and wages for casual work can be unpredictable.

4. Student Visa (Subclass 500) – A Sneaky Way In

Want a side door into Australia? Study something useful (IT, nursing, trades) and get a student visa.

• You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying.
• After graduation, you might qualify for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which lets you stay and work full-time for 2-4 years.

Downsides? Tuition is expensive, and student life isn’t always glamorous (think shared apartments and part-time café jobs).

But What If You Just… Move and Figure It Out?

Listen, we’ve all fantasized about just packing a bag and showing up in Sydney, figuring it out as we go. But Australia’s not that kind of place.

• You can’t just arrive on a tourist visa and start working—it’s illegal.
• If you overstay or work without the right visa, you risk deportation and future bans (yikes).
• Cost of living is no joke—rent in Sydney or Melbourne can make your wallet cry ($600+ per week for a decent one-bedroom).

That said, people do make it work. Some come on a tourist visa, network like crazy, and line up a sponsored job before their visa runs out. Risky, but possible.

How Much Money Do You Need to Move Without a Job?

Let’s talk cash because, without a job lined up, you’ll need a decent financial cushion.

Estimated Cost for Your First 3 Months in Australia (No Job):

$12,000 AUD (~€7,200 or $8,000 USD) is a good safety net. More is always better.

Can You Get a Job After Arriving?

Yes! But it depends on:

1. Your industry – IT, healthcare, construction, and trades? High demand. Arts, marketing, or hospitality? Harder.
2. Your visa – Some visas (like student or working holiday) limit how much you can work.
3. Networking – Aussies love hiring through referrals. Connect with expats, hit up LinkedIn, and don’t rely just on online applications.

The Bottom Line: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can move to Australia without a job, but you need a plan. Unless you have a sought-after skill or a financial safety net, it’s tough.

TL;DR – What Are Your Best Options?

• Skilled visas (189/190) = Best for long-term, but competitive.
• Working holiday (417/462) = Great for young adventurers, but temporary.
• Student visa (500) = Costly but a good pathway.
• No visa, no plan? You’re rolling the dice.

So, if you’re serious, start researching your visa options now—and maybe brush up on your Aussie slang while you’re at it. Good luck, legend!

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.