Australia and New Zealand, Oceania
Australia: an English-speaking, very safe country with a top-ranked healthcare system and a generous working-holiday visa for Americans — though cost of living runs slightly above the U.S.
Australia is one of the most accessible destinations for American expats: it is an English-speaking country (English is the de facto national language; ~72% of residents speak only English at home and overall proficiency is near-universal per the 2021 ABS Census), carries the U.S. State Department's safest rating (Level 1 — Exercise Normal Caution, reissued 2025), and ranks 18th of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index (score 1.505). Healthcare quality is a major draw — the Commonwealth Fund's 2024 'Mirror, Mirror' report ranked Australia the #1 overall health system among high-income nations, and it placed 9th in FREOPP's 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, leading on health outcomes and equity. Note, however, that Medicare's universal coverage is generally limited to citizens and permanent residents; most Americans on temporary visas must hold private health insurance.
Key indicators to help you understand what life in Australia might be like
Data last updated: 6/16/2026
Available visa types for Americans looking to move to Australia
Provisional visa for investors and business owners, leading to permanent residence (subclass 888). Investor stream requires investing AUD 1.5 million in a state/territory and maintaining activity; the Significant Investor stream requires AUD 5 million, and the Premium Investor stream AUD 15 million. (minInvestment below is the AUD 1.5M Investor-stream entry threshold, stated in AUD.)
Permanent visa introduced in December 2025 that replaced the former Global Talent visa, targeting individuals with internationally recognised achievements who can contribute to Australia's innovation economy (high-performing professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors). No fixed minimum income/investment threshold; selection is merit/nomination based. Confirm the exact subclass page via the official visa listing — deep-link slug not independently verified in this research.
For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents; leads to permanent residency.
Points-based permanent residency for skilled workers without employer sponsorship.
State-nominated permanent residency for skilled workers.
Temporary skilled worker visa sponsored by Australian employer.
Visa to study full-time at an accredited Australian institution; allows limited work rights and accompanying family members. Not a direct path to permanent residency, but can be a stepping stone toward skilled migration. Requires enrolment (CoE), financial-capacity evidence, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Get detailed guides, visa checklists, and connect with others who've made the move.
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