Australia (AU)
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.
Capital: Canberra
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: AUD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)
Emergency: 000
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Australia.
Australia has strong professional regulation — verify registrations before engaging any professional. For legal advice, the Law Society of each state operates a referral service. Legal Aid commissions (legalaid.nsw.gov.au etc.) provide free or subsidised legal advice for those who meet means tests. Community Legal Centres (clc.org.au) offer free legal advice on many topics including tenancy, employment, and family law.
Language options: Professionals in Australia typically work in English. NAATI-certified translators and interpreters are available for those who need services in other languages — find them at naati.com.au. TIS National (131 450) provides free interpreting for eligible Medicare card holders at professional appointments.
Migration Agent (MARA-registered)
$200–$500/hour. Partner visa application: $2,000–$6,000. Skilled migration EOI and application: $1,500–$4,000. How to find: Verify at mara.gov.au — only use agents listed on the OMARA public register with a current MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number). Beware of unregistered operators who cannot legally provide immigration advice.
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)
💡 No legitimate agent can guarantee a visa outcome. Always get a written service agreement and fee schedule before engaging. Australian lawyers (solicitors) can also provide migration advice without a MARA registration.
Expat Tax Accountant
$300–$600 for annual individual tax return (with foreign income). $150–$400/hour for specialist advice. How to find: Search for CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants ANZ-registered accountants with expat/international tax specialisation. Expat-focused firms often advertise on expat community Facebook groups.
CPA Australia (cpaaustralia.com.au)Chartered Accountants ANZ (charteredaccountantsanz.com)Tax Practitioners Board (tpb.gov.au) — all registered tax agents
💡 Essential if you have foreign income, overseas assets, or are navigating foreign income exemptions under Australian tax law. A good expat accountant can often claim deductions for relocation costs, work-related travel, and professional development. Verify your accountant's registration at the Tax Practitioners Board register (tpb.gov.au).
Conveyancer / Property Solicitor
$800–$2,000 (standard residential property purchase). Solicitor: $1,500–$3,500. How to find: Each state has an Australian Institute of Conveyancers (e.g. AICCV in VIC, AICNSW in NSW). Solicitors can also do conveyancing.
Australian Institute of Conveyancers (conveyancer.com.au)Law Society of each state
💡 Conveyancing is legally required for all Australian property purchases — you cannot DIY. Conveyancers review the contract of sale, Section 32 (VIC) or Vendor Statement, and coordinate settlement. Separate to stamp duty, land tax, and FIRB approval costs (required for temporary residents buying property).
AFS-licensed Financial Planner
$2,000–$5,000 for a comprehensive financial plan (Statement of Advice). Ongoing fees: $2,000–$6,000/year. How to find: Verify at moneysmart.gov.au/financial-advice/financial-advisers-register. All financial planners must hold an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence or be an authorised representative of a licensee.
Financial Planning Association (fpa.com.au)Association of Financial Advisers (afa.asn.au)
💡 Do not use a financial planner who earns commission — fee-for-advice models are the post-Royal Commission standard. Check the ASIC Financial Advisers Register before engaging. Particularly useful for superannuation strategy, investment planning, and managing the interaction between Australian super and home-country pension entitlements.
Employment Lawyer / Solicitor
$300–$600/hour. Unfair dismissal representation: $800–$3,000. General employment advice: $400–$800 for initial consultation. How to find: Find through the Law Society of your state (e.g. lawsociety.com.au for NSW, liv.asn.au for VIC, qls.com.au for QLD). The Fair Work Commission website (fwc.gov.au) also provides guidance on self-representation. Many firms offer fixed-fee or no-win-no-fee arrangements for unfair dismissal claims.
Law Society of NSW (lawsociety.com.au)Law Institute of Victoria (liv.asn.au)Queensland Law Society (qls.com.au)Fair Work Commission (fwc.gov.au)
💡 For unfair dismissal claims, you must apply to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of termination — this is a hard statutory deadline. Many solicitors offer unbundled services (document drafting only) for straightforward disputes. Community Legal Centres (clc.org.au) provide free employment advice for eligible individuals.
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