r/AskAnAustralian • • 2d ago

Moving to Australia? Ask your questions here in this weekly megathread

1 Upvotes

We regularly get posts about moving to Australia and rather than clutter up the sub with repeat questions we’re providing this weekly megathread.

Ask our community any questions you like here in the megathread.

Aside from our sub the best place to start is the ‘Moving to Australia’ page of the Australian Border Force

Also worth checking out the r/AusVisa subreddit.

External sources of information

Australian Border Force - Moving to Australia

This covers:

  • Studying in Australia
  • Working in Australia
  • Bringing your family or partner

Subreddit sources of information

We also suggest search the subreddit for 'Moving' and similar terms.

Here’s some posts that contain useful information and some detailed responses.


r/AskAnAustralian • • Sep 17 '26

Moving to Australia? Ask your questions here in this weekly megathread

1 Upvotes

We regularly get posts about moving to Australia and rather than clutter up the sub with repeat questions we’re providing this weekly megathread.

Ask our community any questions you like here in the megathread.

Aside from our sub the best place to start is the ‘Moving to Australia’ page of the Australian Border Force

Also worth checking out the r/AusVisa subreddit.

External sources of information

Australian Border Force - Moving to Australia

This covers:

  • Studying in Australia
  • Working in Australia
  • Bringing your family or partner

Subreddit sources of information

We also suggest search the subreddit for 'Moving' and similar terms.

Here’s some posts that contain useful information and some detailed responses.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 2h ago

What are your opinions on the cat curfews?

44 Upvotes

I heard that in Australia, they are enacting curfews for domestic cats in order to protect native wildlife from them.

Here is my question specifically to those Australians who own a cat:

What are your opinions on the cat curfews?

Do you think its for the best or is it bad for your cats? Do you keep your cats indoor or outdoor? Does your local council currently have a cat curfew or containment law? Do you support 24/7 containment, night-only curfews, or letting cats roam freely? If you own a cat, how have you adapted to these rules (catios, harness walking, indoor toys)?

Me personally, I think cats are more indoor pets


r/AskAnAustralian • • 7h ago

Any kind soul in SE suburbs able to supervise me while i drive (Im on L’s) Willing to pay 35/hour

49 Upvotes

Hey there, im a 20 year old currently living in the SE suburbs in Melb(Berwick) and i was wondering if any kind soul in my area is able to supervise me while i drive around? (Open to drive you to get grocery, run errands or pretty much drive anywhere where you need to go) i’m willing to pay $35/hour for your time as my financial situation isn’t great due to unemployment. I’m also currently living with relatives who don’t have the time to supervise me while i drive as they are always working. Driving wise I’ve done about 8 lessons with a professional instructor in my area so far so my control of a car is pretty decent but i just need to get practice done to get my hours up and build my confidence further.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 5h ago

Lifeline Book Fair Was Like a Stampede. Is it always like this?

24 Upvotes

I took the grandkids there last weekend and there were almost 1000 people lining up. My grandkids and I got pushed, shoved, yelled at and stared at. It was far from an enjoyable experience.

Is this how it always is?

I then had to stand in line with hundreds of other people so we just left and went to Big W.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 15h ago

What do you actually think of Hugh Jackman?

139 Upvotes

Outside of Australia, Hugh Jackman is pretty much universally seen as the ultimate Hollywood nice guy: talented, jacked, and polite.

But I’m curious how he’s viewed back home. Is he seen as a beloved national treasure, or is he just another big Hollywood star who made it overseas? Does he still hold genuine "top bloke" status in Oz, or do people find the showbiz persona a bit much?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 17h ago

For those who grew up in Australia: What is a genuinely normal part of your day-to-day life that you later realized terrifies foreigners?

154 Upvotes

r/AskAnAustralian • • 5h ago

How is timeshare still a thing in Australia?

14 Upvotes

You'd think most sensible people (or their adult kids) would know better. Yet I've seen seminars being held at the local RSL, library, conference centre... are people still buying into these things?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 5h ago

Where is a good place for Korean to learn how Australians think and use English?

10 Upvotes

I have been on Reddit for over a year now. But recently, I have been seeing that the English I use is not good enough for employment, despite achieving 7.5 in IELTS Academic. At the moment, I use Grammarly to fix typos and I continue to write an essay(700 words) 4 times a week. I hope English I use at this moment is sufficient to convey my intentions.

ps: I now see what people meant by my English is poor. It seems the words I use aren't exactly right in a contextual sense.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 19h ago

In your opinion, what is the best Australian tv show in history?

101 Upvotes

I vote for Number 96


r/AskAnAustralian • • 2h ago

How many of you celebrate Halloween?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

How many of you celebrate Halloween?

As a child, we never really acknowledged or celebrated it. We occassionally carved a pumpkin and put it outside.

I have two young children now (4 and 6), and a lot of their classmates go trick or treating or decorate their homes.

Just wondering if anyone else thinks celebrating Halloween has increased in the past decade or so?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 8h ago

What is a realistic and profitable side-gig for a M-F 9-5 CBD worker?

10 Upvotes

What is a job that one can hold on top of that job?

So for example nothing that starts at 10 and ends at 6 in the morning, because you'd not have enough time to sleep


r/AskAnAustralian • • 10h ago

Terminating Belong, wanting to gift the remaining data away

15 Upvotes

Still have about 180GB data, terminating it tomorrow. Free to whoever wants it. The requirement says maximum 5 data gifts and has to be an active belong customer. So, only the first five people who DM their numbers to me. If less than 5 people, I'll split equally. Will be gifting the data tomorrow arvo before terminating my service. Will update once 5 people have sent DM.

Thanks.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 16h ago

Why are they fire bombing tobacco shops?

36 Upvotes

And a second question, do the mafia or whoever… goto milk bars and demand or ask they sell illegal vapes and cigarettes?

My lovely local older gentlemen from Iran started selling vapes and cigarettes I’m curious how these little corner stores get into the ‘trade’ of selling illegal vapes and cigarettes, while before they were doing fine. I asked another young man behind the counter, “would all your profit come from vapes?” He’s response “big time”


r/AskAnAustralian • • 7h ago

Sleep anxiety issue, seeking advice.

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone, for about 2 years, I've had sleep anxiety only when I have something important the next day, like early university, presentations, or work. On normal nights I sleep fine, without a worry. I've tried magnesium glycinate, 0.3mcg melatonin, sleep teas, breathing techniques, phone free nights, and exposure therapy techniques, but nothing is really working to calm me down the day before. Whenever there is something coming up that requires a early wake up, my mind is consumed by it and I dread it. I make sure to make all my appointments and classes at later times to avoid early wake ups but I know that isn't ideal and eventually when entering my career, I am going to have early wake ups for work.

I'm seeing a psychiatrist this month, but I really want to hear people's experiences. I'm interested in medication recommendations for those in my shoes or are dealing with a similar situation as me. Ideally, something non addictive, with few side effects, that I can use occasionally before big days, but also something that wouldn't be a problem if I ended up taking it daily in the future for an early start job. Thanks for sharing any experiences or tips.


r/AskAnAustralian • • 13h ago

Melatonin, how is it purchasing from overseas since our border security doesn't like it.

14 Upvotes

Hello everyone.

I'm a new user to Melatonin. Works great but has added a chucky line-item to my budget. I'm seeking cheaper overseas options but there are some things I need clarified after doing my own research.

🟠 Australian border security don't like this because the Melatonin without Australian approval doesn't have accurate testing. Many contain too much Melatonin per tablet. It seems though it's OK if a have a prescription, which I do. I already think I don't have the full story here.

🟠 My prescription says to take 2mg but verbally my doctor has told me to take 4mg with 5mg being ok.

Could anyone getting what I can expect from trying to get Melatonin online, overseas?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 4h ago

Do I have to verify myself via seekpass since businesses "keep asking me to verify my right to work" via Seek? I'm so confused as this is my first time applying

3 Upvotes

r/AskAnAustralian • • 5m ago

First-time voter overwhelmed, help

• Upvotes

Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions.

It's my first time voting in Australia, with the upcoming Victoria State election.

I was reading the voting guide on the VEC website which indicated that we vote for individual candidates rather than parties and that we would be ranking them in order of preference.

Then it recommended researching the candidates which I was excited to do.

Then I saw on this ABC website link that there are OVER 500 candidates...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/vic/2026/guide/candidates

How does anybody have the time to look at all of them and make even a remotely informed vote?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 21m ago

People who have touched a Gympie-Gympie, how painful was it? Would you say there was anything more painful?

• Upvotes

r/AskAnAustralian • • 17h ago

Young people and relationship culture

24 Upvotes

Im 21F from North Queensland. I’m sick of hearing all these young blokes training each other to play their relationships like it’s ‘him vs her’. Making fun of each other for being weak when their responsibilities in being a partner come up. They’re actually without realising holding each other back?
My boyfriend 23M and I were in a serious, mature relationship from the get go… but now he’s been hanging with his mates more often (who most are single) and they seem to be making him feel bad about me… for example- when he quickly pops in to his mates for an arv drink before our own plans… I’d call him to remind him that we have plans after cus he’s taking a little longer than I expected, I can hear his mate in the background making the whipping sound, you know “chhh chhh”😂😂😭 I know it’s funny in hindsight but I really think all those little remarks and things are getting to my bfs head because his kindness and respect towards me has taken a hit lately. I know they don’t have a problem with me personally I do them favours and them me and we’re always really friendly. Of course I’m not solely blaming his friends, my bf is an adult and it IS his responsibility.
Anyway I’ve had to take a step back because the other night he went out with them, which ofc I have no issue with, but he didn’t tell me where he was going, and I caught him lying about something. He ended up not coming home til 6am with barely any communication at all.
I know some women are guilty of it too… encouraging eachother to break up with their man when an easy fix is there. But can’t we all just respect the relationship and stop making it a commodity and only step in if there’s a real concern?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 7h ago

surf life saving as someone not from Australia

3 Upvotes

For context, I live in Sydney and have been here for a couple years, am a strong swimmer and often spend time surfing, snorkelling, swimming at the beach etc.

I was recently curious about volunteering as a surf lifesaver and getting my bronze medallion. However from what I've been able to see online, common opinion seems to be that it tends to be a cliquey community which had me questioning whether it would be a welcoming environment for someone like me.

I'd love to hear anyone's experiences with surf life saving especially as someone who wasn't involved in the community from an early age!


r/AskAnAustralian • • 12h ago

What arrangements do you have with meter readers for a locked gate?

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I need some advice about meter reader access.

I keep my front gate locked because my cat is contained to the property. He doesn’t jump the fence—he just patrols around the yard when he’s outside during the day.

For the past seven years, I’ve had a simple arrangement with the Skilltech meter reader: when he needed access, he could press the doorbell on the west side of the gate, which he passes as he walks east along his route. It worked really well—only once in seven years was nobody home when he rang.

Australia Post and other delivery services have generally had no trouble with this arrangement either.

I think the previous reader may have retired, because there’s a new meter reader now. The first time she came, she ignored the doorbell and went straight to the letterbox to leave a missed-meter-read card. Within five minutes, I had photos of the meter and sent them to Multinet, then let them know the doorbell was still there and working.

It’s possible she came by a few weeks earlier too, but the camera footage has since been overwritten. There was no record of the doorbell being pressed.

I’m wondering what arrangements other people have with their meter readers, aside from the standard energy-industry lock—which they seem to ignore because they don’t even look at the gate. I understand you can sometimes arrange a custom access code.

I’d especially like to hear from anyone who has arranged for the meter reader to call a nominated phone number (such as a landline) to arrange access. That would be my preferred solution.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!


r/AskAnAustralian • • 1h ago

What are your thoughts on only having one child?

• Upvotes

I just am so confused. I had a great childhood growing up with my brother. My relationship with him has definitely been the highlight

But it's also because my parents were very abusive to each other and us. So sometimes my brother was the only good thing.

My partner and I have a household income of 250k and we have a 600k mortgage. I work a very high stress job and wouldn't be able to work full time with 2 kids. If I switch to 4 days my income would drop to 90k

Also we have zero family or close friends in our state. Like NO ONE who can ever help so can't decide if we should have one or two kids

I have also worked as a teacher in a low SES public school and definetly want to send my kids to a private one. So that's extra expense

I don't need overseas holidays, new cars or anything like that. I drive a 9 year old car and am very happy with it. So we don't need expensive holidays, cars or eat out much.

But my concerns are more about private school fees, me having to switch to part time, childcare etc

(Also when I was 15 my dad took his own life due to debt and mental health. So i just can't digest not being financially stable.)


r/AskAnAustralian • • 1h ago

Aren’t SIM card costs supposed to come down?

• Upvotes

I’ve been working in the telecommunications industry for the last five years. I’m also a former employee of Vodafone and several MVNOs, including Lebara, TeleChoice, Telsim, Amaysim, and Optus Prepaid.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder: wasn’t voice calling supposed to eventually move towards apps, or weren’t other technologies supposed to disrupt the traditional SIM-based model?
When eSIM technology entered the market a few years ago, I thought we were heading in that direction. Apple even removed physical SIM slots from some iPhone models, reinforcing the idea that traditional SIM cards would gradually become less relevant.

I also remember when SIM cards and mobile services were much more expensive, followed by a period when they became increasingly affordable. Yet now, prices seem to be going up again as if nobody cares.
Personally, I’ve never really preferred MVNOs. I’ve tried multiple providers but have generally stuck with major carriers. At the moment, I’m with Optus.

What do you prefer though?


r/AskAnAustralian • • 12h ago

Anyone Getting Sick Twice In Under 2 Months?

7 Upvotes

I was sick in September with the flu. I had a bad cough, blocked nose, bad taste and runny nose and now probably 4 weeks later I have it again. How is this even possible.

I know how this happens