Moving to Sydney or Melbourne from Europe
A move from Europe to Australia is the longest move most households make: a working day eight to ten hours apart, a school year that starts in a different season, 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 Europe. Choose your residence by email, phone or video call. Sydney and Melbourne are eight to ten hours ahead of Central Europe, depending on the season, so we arrange calls for the start or the end of your day.
Try the neighbourhood first. A few months in Balmain or Barangaroo, or in Toorak or Brighton, shows you the commute, the schools and the weekends before you sign for anything long-term.
Live well while your shipment travels. Furniture, a full kitchen, premium linen and a quiet place to work are ready on arrival, so the wait for your belongings from Europe does not decide how you live.
Made for company postings. If your employer is moving you from a European office, 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. Many European passport holders can apply for a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) or a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462). The age limit is 30 or 35 depending on your passport, and the 462 visa has education and English requirements. For employer-sponsored and family visas, speak to a registered migration agent.
Health care. Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden. These cover some medically necessary care while you visit, not everything. There is no agreement with Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria or Spain. Home Affairs strongly recommends private health insurance for anyone not covered, and some visas require it.
Driving. Licences from most of Western Europe, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy and Spain, are recognised in NSW and Victoria, so they can be transferred without knowledge or driving tests. On a temporary visa, you can drive on your licence for up to six months of living in either state. Permanent residents in NSW have three months to transfer. If your licence is not in English, carry an English translation or an international driving permit.
Pets. Most European countries are Group 3 countries. Cats and dogs need a current rabies vaccination and a rabies blood test, and can travel no sooner than 180 days after the blood sample reaches the laboratory. Pets fly directly into Melbourne. Quarantine at Mickleham is at least 10 days if a government veterinarian checked your pet's identity before the blood test, and at least 30 days without that check. Allow at least seven months. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sets the rules.
School year. Most European school years begin in August or September, after the northern summer. Australia's runs from late January or early February to mid-December, so families moving in the European summer usually join at the start of Term 3. In 2027, Term 3 begins on Monday 12 July in Victorian government schools and on Tuesday 20 July in NSW. International schools may follow different calendars.
We do not advise on visas, tax or health cover. We look after where you live while you settle.
Europe at a glance: Austria: Work and Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes; Belgium: Working Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Denmark: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes; Finland: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; France: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes; Germany: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes; Ireland: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Italy: Working Holiday, 18 to 35; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Netherlands: Working Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Norway: Working Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Spain: Work and Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes; Sweden: Working Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care yes; licence recognised yes; Switzerland: Work and Holiday, 18 to 30; reciprocal health care no; licence recognised yes. Checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the Department of Home Affairs, Services Australia, Transport for NSW and VicRoads before you plan.
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 Europe.
Over 20 years of looking after residents who are new to the city. A residence with the feeling of home, ready when you land.
Frequently asked questions
Can I arrange a residence in Sydney or Melbourne from Europe?
Yes. You can choose and confirm a residence by email, phone or video call, and move in on arrival. Tell us your flight date and we work to have the residence ready for you.
What is the time difference between Central Europe and Sydney or Melbourne?
Sydney and Melbourne are eight hours ahead during the northern summer and ten hours ahead during the Australian summer. For a few weeks in March, April and October, when only one side is on daylight saving, the difference is nine hours.
Which European passports can get a working holiday visa?
It depends on your passport. Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Italy are 18 to 35 on the Working Holiday visa. The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Belgium are 18 to 30. Austria, Spain, Switzerland and Portugal use the Work and Holiday visa, for ages 18 to 30, with education and English requirements.
Will I be covered by Medicare?
It depends on your country. Visitors from countries with a reciprocal health care agreement, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Finland, Ireland and Italy, are covered for some medically necessary care. There is no agreement with Germany, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria or Spain, so plan on private health insurance, which Home Affairs strongly recommends.
Can I drive in Australia on my European licence?
On a temporary visa, yes, for up to six months of living in NSW or Victoria. Licences from most of Western Europe are recognised in both states, so you can transfer to a local licence without knowledge or driving tests. Carry an English translation or an international driving permit if your licence is not in English.
Can we bring our dog or cat from Europe?
Yes, with planning. Most European countries are Group 3 countries, so your pet needs a rabies vaccination, a rabies blood test and an import permit, and can travel no sooner than 180 days after the blood sample reaches the laboratory. Pets fly directly into Melbourne for quarantine at Mickleham.
When should our children start school in Australia?
Most families moving in the European summer start at the beginning of Term 3. In 2027, that is Monday 12 July in Victorian government schools and Tuesday 20 July in NSW. Families who prefer a full year start in late January or early February.
How long can we stay?
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.
Do you help with visas?
No. The Department of Home Affairs sets the visa rules, and a registered migration agent can advise on your situation. We look after where you live while you settle.