Should You Immigrate to the U.S. or Australia? Discover Which Country is the Ideal Choice

Choosing between settling in the U.S. or Australia is a fantastic comparison. Both have developed economies, high living standards, and opportunities for education, career building, and long-term residency.

However, deciding whether to move to the U.S. or Australia can be challenging and requires careful consideration.

In the following article, ImmiPath will compare the most fundamental factors to help you decide whether to choose the U.S. or Australia for settlement. See it now!

1. Should You Settle in the U.S. or Australia for Job Opportunities?

First, to decide whether to settle in the U.S. or Australia based on job opportunities, ImmiPath invites you to consider the following specific comparisons:

1.1 Job Opportunities in the U.S.

The United States offers numerous job opportunities for Vietnamese individuals. There is a high demand for skills in various fields such as healthcare, computing, and information technology. This is also an ideal pathway to the U.S. as a student, with the possibility of applying for a temporary work visa (H1-B) or obtaining a green card to study in the U.S. through the EB-3 immigrant visa category.

The U.S. does not guarantee job security for workers. The risk of job loss in the U.S. is approximately 6.3 percent. The minimal government intervention in the U.S. has created a more flexible job market system.

1.2 Job Opportunities in Australia

Driven by high immigration rates, Australia’s economy and population have been continuously growing. Nearly 200,000 new jobs are created each year.

Relatively speaking, workers in Australia have a higher job security rate. The average job retention rate is close to 89% nationwide. However, the rapidly evolving business environment is facing more challenges than ever before.

ImmiPath invites you to review the most sought-after jobs in Australia and the U.S.:

The U.S.	Australia
Application Software Developer	Nurse and Healthcare Workers
Healthcare	Programmers and IT Software
Medical Services Director	Construction and Trade
Data Scientist	Professional Managers
Business Development Manager	Teachers
Medical Technician	Automotive Engineers
Construction Workers	Construction Engineers
Home Health Support	Lawyers
Financial Managers	Surgeons

2. Should You Settle in the U.S. or Australia Based on Cost of Living?

The cost of living in the U.S. is generally better compared to Australia. The difference in living costs between states is primarily due to relatively high housing prices.

On average, the cost of living in Australia is 15.71% higher than in the U.S. It varies depending on the city or region you live in, with Sydney being the most expensive place to live nationwide.

ImmiPath invites you to review the cost of living comparison table to decide whether to settle in the U.S. or Australia:

Factor	Australia	The U.S.
Average Monthly Salary	$3,780.69	$3,258.85
Basic Utilities	$192.98	$162.08
Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment	$2,778.30	$1,685.98
Movie Ticket	$15.19	$10.00
Internet	$58.02	$45.72
Local Purchasing Power	$101.60	$128.73

3. Should You Settle in the U.S. or Australia Based on Healthcare and Medical Services?

Healthcare facilities in the U.S. are largely owned and operated by the private sector. While 58% of hospitals are nonprofit organizations, 21% are government-owned, and 21% are for-profit.

Although Australia has highly developed healthcare facilities, they are not evenly distributed. Healthcare is provided by both private and public sectors and is covered by Medicare.

Factor	Australia	The U.S.
Healthcare Index	77.38	69.20
Global Ranking	9th position	27th position
Accessibility	Free or Low Cost – Provided by the government through Medicare	Expensive and not free – Insurance needed for lower medical costs – Various types of insurance for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Public Healthcare Infrastructure	Highly developed – State and private	Federal structure – Limited progress
Annual Budget	$185 billion	$3.8 billion
Life Expectancy	82.50 years	78.93 years

4. Which is Easier: Immigrating to the U.S. or Australia?

4.1 Immigration Pathways to the U.S.

When aiming for U.S. immigration status, here are the main visas you can apply for:

• F-1, J-1, M-1 Visas: For students pursuing undergraduate, high school, vocational education, or cultural exchange.
• E-1, E-2 Visas: For workers seeking residency.
• IR-1 and CR-1 Visas: For spouses of U.S. citizens.
• K-1 Visa: For fiancés/fiancées of U.S. citizens to come to the U.S. to marry.
• I-130 (K-3) Visa: For spouses of U.S. citizens awaiting approval.
• EB-3 Work Visa: For skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
• EB-5 Investor Visa: For investors who contribute a significant amount to the U.S. economy.
• F2-A Visa: For green card holders sponsoring their spouses from Vietnam to the U.S.
• F-3 Visa: For married children of U.S. citizens.
• F-4 Visa: For siblings of U.S. citizens.

4.2 Immigration Pathways to Australia

You can immigrate to Australia through several categories, including:

• General Skilled Migration
• Employer Nomination
• Business Skills Migration
• Distinguished Talent
• Partner Visa
• Dependent Child Visa
• Parent Visa
• Relative & Carer Visa
• Regional Initiatives
• Attracting skilled migrants to rural and regional areas to meet local labor market needs
• Popular Temporary Migration Programs
• These are rapidly becoming the first step towards permanent settlement in the country.

4.3 Differences Between Australian Permanent Residency and U.S. Green Card

There has been a significant increase in the number of people migrating to Australia and the U.S. over the past decade. The warm climate in both countries, highly developed economies, and increasing diversity of residents have made these nations some of the most sought-after destinations for long-term settlement.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between settling in Australia and the U.S. to obtain permanent residency in the table below:

	Australian Permanent Residency (PR)	U.S. Green Card
Validity	PR in Australia is for life. You can reside indefinitely if you have permanent residency status.	The permanent Green Card is valid for 10 years. The expiration date varies for conditional permanent residents.
Likelihood of Obtaining the Visa	High, especially if you score well on English proficiency tests.	The Green Card is issued based on different sponsorship categories, such as family, employment, or investment.
Processing Time	PR is processed faster, taking 6 to 10 months if you meet the requirements and have a good PR score.	Green Card processing time: 7 to 33 months. Employment-based Green Card: 1 to 6 years. Family-based Green Card: 1 to 10 years.
Required Fields	IT, Engineering, Healthcare, and other fields	Law, Community & Social Services, Scientists, Athletes, Entertainers, Engineers, Healthcare Support & others
Total Visas Issued Annually	Target of over 400,000 immigrants	Cap at 140,000 per year

5. Should You Settle in the U.S. or Australia Based on Working Hours and Annual Taxes?

5.1 Working Hours in the U.S.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. employees worked about 34.4 hours per week in 2019.

In the U.S., an average full-time employee may receive around 10 paid vacation days per year. The U.S. tax system is somewhat complex, operating at both federal and state levels. Taxes include various forms such as income, sales, capital gains, and others.

5.2 Working Hours in Australia

In Australia, the standard working hours for an employee regulated by federal law are 40 hours per week. Australians typically work around 41 hours per week. Full-time employees in Australia are entitled to 4 weeks of paid annual leave each year.

Australia has a progressive tax system where tax rates increase with income. Foreign citizens moving to Australia are considered residents for tax purposes.

6. Some Frequently Asked Questions about Settling in the U.S. or Australia

6.1. Which PR visa in Australia is processed the fastest?

The newest addition to Australia’s immigration system, the Global Talent Independent program, is the fastest way to obtain permanent residency in Australia. The processing time for the Global Talent Visa ranges from two days to two months.

6.2. What is the Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

There are 2 types of visas under the Working Holiday Maker program: Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) and Work & Holiday Visa (Subclass 462).

Both visas allow you to work and stay in Australia. You are also permitted to seek full-time, part-time, casual, and shift work for up to 12 months.

6.3. What types of student visas are available in the U.S.?

There are 3 types of student visas issued by the U.S.:

• F-1 Visa: For full-time students.
• J-1 Visa: For exchange visitor programs based on work and study.
• M-1 Visa: For full-time vocational or technical training.

6.4. Can temporary migrants become Australian passport holders?

Yes, you can apply for an Australian passport if you meet the following criteria:

• You have held a temporary or permanent visa allowing you to stay in Australia for at least 4 years.
• You have not traveled outside Australia for more than 3 months in the past year before applying.

6.5. What is the easiest way to obtain a U.S. Green Card?

• Family-Sponsored Priority Categories
• Employment-Based Priority Categories
• Diversity Visa Lottery Program

6.6. Is it difficult to obtain a Green Card in the U.S.?

The U.S., along with countries like Switzerland, Japan, Germany, and Austria, has some of the most challenging residency or citizenship processes for foreigners. Particularly, obtaining a U.S. Green Card can be difficult due to the complex legal framework.

It is advisable to consult with an experienced immigration expert, such as ImmiPath, for detailed guidance.

6.7. Can my parents obtain permanent residency in Australia?

Yes, a Parent Visa allows individuals with Australian PR and citizens to sponsor their parents for permanent residency in Australia. However, this migration program is limited and has a waiting list, which can result in lengthy processing times.

6.8. Can I work in the U.S. as a permanent resident of Australia?

Yes. Australians can apply for the E-3 visa to live and work in the U.S. This visa is a specialized, easier, and less expensive alternative to the H-1B work visa. Approximately 10,500 E-3 visas are allocated to Australians each year. The E-3 visa is valid for 2 years.

6.9. What can I do if my Australian PR visa expires?

You can travel in and out of Australia freely with your PR visa during the first five years. However, after the travel component of your visa expires, you won’t be able to return to Australia. If you wish to re-enter, you can apply for a Resident Return Visa.

6.10. Does Australia allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Australia permits dual or multiple citizenships. However, this must be legally recognized by all relevant parties. Citizens of other countries can reside in Australia and obtain Australian citizenship, allowing them to hold multiple citizenships.

6.11. Which country is less expensive to live in, Australia or the U.S.?

Australia currently has the 12th highest cost of living in the world, while the U.S. is ranked 21st. The overall cost of living in Australia is nearly 9% higher than in the U.S. Sydney is the most expensive city to live in Australia.

6.12. Which country is larger in area, Australia or the U.S.?

Australia is not larger than the U.S.; it is approximately 1.3 times smaller. The U.S. spans about 9,833,517 km², while Australia covers approximately 7,741,220 km². Meanwhile, Australia has a population of 25.69 million people, while the U.S. has a population of 331.9 million people.

7. Should You Settle in the U.S. or Australia?

Both the U.S. and Australia are developed countries with a high standard of living. Both offer high-quality education systems and career opportunities. Australia provides Medicare for healthcare services, while the U.S. also offers healthcare services but at a higher cost. Choosing between these two countries can be challenging.

Here is a quick comparison between the two countries to help you assess and decide whether to choose the U.S. or Australia for settlement:

Comparison Index	The U.S.	Australia
Average Life Satisfaction Ranking	13th	14th
Unemployment Rate	10.2%	6.8%
Cost of Living	USD 1,000 per month for one person	AUD 2,835 per month for one person
Average Working Hours	34.4 hours per week	40 hours per week
Top Cities	Dallas, Denver, Boston, Charlotte, Portland	Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne
Permanent Residency Opportunities	Offers various types of visas suitable for different groups, such as a 3-year visa (for spouses of U.S. citizens) or at least 5 years for other visa categories, after which one can apply for U.S. citizenship	Visas available through family reunion sponsorship, skilled migration categories such as Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491

If you are still unsure about which country to choose for migration, work, or study, please comment below this post on whether to settle in the U.S. or Australia. The team at ImmiPath will provide support and advice with all the experience, helping you choose the most suitable country for settlement.