Moving to Sydney or Melbourne from China

A move from China to Australia is often made for a company posting, a new role, or a child starting school or university here: a working day only two or three hours apart, a school year that starts at a different time, and a new city to learn before you choose where to settle. Westprecinct offers managed serviced residences in Sydney and Melbourne, exquisitely furnished and presented to The Westprecinct Standard. You arrange it before you fly, move in when you land, and keep the feeling of home while you find the right suburb.

Arranged from China. Choose your residence by email, phone or video call. Sydney and Melbourne are two hours ahead of China from April to early October, and three hours ahead during Australian daylight saving, so most of your working day overlaps with ours.

Try the neighbourhood first. A few months in Rhodes or Barangaroo, or in Toorak or Brighton, shows you the commute, the schools and the weekends before you commit to a longer-term home.

For parents staying with a child at school. Many families come so a parent can look after a child at school in Australia. The Chinese winter break around Spring Festival falls close to the start of the Australian school year, so many arrive in late January or February.

Made for company postings. If your employer is moving you from an office in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or elsewhere, we work with you or your mobility team directly: one point of contact, and itemised invoices if your employer is covering the stay.

Time to settle properly. If the home search or the school start takes longer than planned, your stay can continue by arrangement, subject to availability and the guest terms.

Visas. The Department of Home Affairs sets visa rules. For employer-sponsored, skilled and family visas, speak to a registered migration agent. Chinese passport holders aged 18 to 30 can register for a yearly ballot for a Work and Holiday visa, which has education and English requirements. A parent or relative who comes to look after a student under 18 may be eligible for a Student Guardian visa.

Health care. Australia has no reciprocal health care agreement with China. Unless you are a permanent resident or have applied for permanent residency, you are generally not eligible for Medicare. Home Affairs strongly recommends private health insurance for anyone not covered, and some visas require it.

Driving. On a temporary visa, you can drive on a current Chinese licence for up to six months of living in NSW or Victoria, with an approved English translation. To keep driving after that, you need a local licence. China is not on the recognised list in either state, so expect knowledge and driving tests. Hong Kong licences are also not recognised in NSW from 1 February 2026, or in Victoria. Permanent residents in NSW have three months to transfer.

Pets. Mainland China is not an approved country for importing cats and dogs, so pets cannot travel to Australia directly from mainland China. They must first live in an approved country for at least 180 days before export, with all vaccinations and tests done there. Hong Kong is an approved country with its own steps, which take at least seven months. Plan this early with a pet relocation specialist. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sets the rules.

School year. Chinese schools and universities begin their year in September, with the winter break around Spring Festival (5 to 13 February in 2027). Australia's school year runs from late January or early February to mid-December. In 2027, Victorian government school students start on Thursday 28 January, and NSW students in the Eastern division on Wednesday 3 February. International schools may follow different calendars.

Getting in touch from China. Some online services can be slow or unavailable from mainland China. If our enquiry form will not send, call our office on +61 (2) 9726 6882 in Sydney or +61 (3) 9592 2432 in Melbourne.

We do not advise on visas, tax or health cover. We look after where you live while you settle.

In Sydney, our residences sit in harbourside and inner-west neighbourhoods: Barangaroo, a walk from CBD offices; Balmain and Rozelle, with village streets and a ferry into the city; and Drummoyne, Cabarita and Breakfast Point, quiet waterfront living popular with families. In Melbourne, they sit in Toorak, Armadale and Malvern, leafy and close to well-regarded schools, and in Brighton, by the bay.

Sydney stays are from around three months, and Melbourne stays are 30 days and beyond. Higher rates may apply for under 6 months. Your stay can continue by arrangement, subject to availability and the guest terms. Through The W Circle, Westprecinct’s recognition programme, paid stays from now count towards standing from 1 January 2027, carried across Sydney and Melbourne.

Send us your flight date, the city and the suburb or school you would like to be near, the household (including any pets) and how long you expect to stay. We come back to you with suitable residences and a clear proposal, by phone, email or video call at a time that suits China.

Over 20 years of looking after residents who are new to the city. A residence with the feeling of home, ready when you land.