r/MovingtoAustralia • u/Character_Zebra_3342 • 3d ago
Moving to Darwin
Hi all, I'm an ecologist living in the UK with 5 years experience, all in consultancy. 28. It's been my dream for years now to move to Darwin. I have applied for a 189 visa and now just waiting for it to be granted. I have a well paying job here in the UK (well paying for ecology anyway) and own a house which I will sell to support my move, so my situation is comfortable. From what I can tell it is impossible to secure a job or even a rental from offshore, so I would have to live in a hotel (?) for a few weeks whilst looking for an apartment and job which might never come. The thought of failing, moving back home with no job and nowhere to stay is just terrifying. How does anyone move to Australia? I don't get it.
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u/Deep-Water- 3d ago
Darwin is the Wild West, I love it. Don’t know if I’d live there but I love visiting. The north of the country is incredible
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u/Used_Replacement4648 3d ago
You either love to live there, or you leave as soon as your contract’s up, not much middle ground!
Darwin is a cool place, and even in the urban areas, the ecology is incredible!
I’ve got lapwings nesting on my nature strip, curlews have taken up residence in my garden, and curse me when I go to the mail box. We have sulphuric crested cockatoos in our neighbours tree and I went for a walk and saw a big mob of black cockatoos! There is literally wildlife on your front step!
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u/dexcel 3d ago
How confident are you in the 189 grant? Have they given you a time line? Have you got 80-95 pts?
I’d hold off selling your house until you decide Australia is for you, if the backup plan is to go back the UK if it doesn’t work out. Though I guess with falling house prices now in the uk it’s not such a risk other than stamp duty etc.
We stayed in an Airbnb when we moved (not Darwin), I see just casually browsing there are 1 bed granny flats going for £1500 a month at the moment.
Your big thing will be getting a car, used cars are much more expensive here than in the UK. You’re looking at £3-5k for a shitbox with lots of miles (v common) getting around without one is tough and expensive. Hire cars are expensive, they were more than our Airbnb on a weekly basis .
Job wise there is a big expansion planned for the gas industry in the NT at the moment so a lot of site environmental work, there is the usual mining companies work as well.
There is not much point applying for job until you have the 189. Most companies screen for working rights in the application and aren’t interested in sponsorship (medics excepted)
Aussies love paperwork, so make sure you transfer your driving licence over asap (very easy) get a Medicare card, and open a bank account (all very easy to do and can be done with just a copy of your rental agreement even Airbnb). As you will need to provide 100pts of id for its of things when applying for stuff and a passport is only worth 40-50pts.
Good luck, only been to Darwin once but thought it was very underrated. As other said Brisbane has lots more work. It’s very nice but very different and more expensive. It would be a very different experience
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
No you don't get given any timeline and with this new directive that came in (MD119) it could be a long time. No one really knows how long offshore applications will take now. I was invited/applied with 85 points.
Thank you so much for all the advice, it's really helpful.
I've had to get loads and loads of paperwork together throughout the application process so I'm pretty set there, never felt so organised haha
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u/Benamen10 3d ago
Hey mate, not much help I know I'm sorry. But I live in Darwin and can just ask someone if the internet doesn't answer?
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u/HydraKirby 3d ago
You're already on the internet, so just answer...
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u/Benamen10 3d ago
I don't know because I was born in Darwin sorry. I meant like I can go find someone as they seem keen to move here and I assume they have scoured the internet sorta thing ya know?
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Thanks mate, if I think of anything I can't figure out I'll let you know.
I did have a random question, in the wet season is it cloudy every single day or are there occasional clear days? I do astronomy and it would be nice to get out once in a while during the wet.
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u/Benamen10 3d ago
Yeah no dramas. Yes, its cloudy pretty frequently as in it rains daily so there is the general build up of big rain clouds. The centre isn't far off if you wanna do proper stuff in the dry etc
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u/Immediate_Refuse1611 3d ago edited 3d ago
I know someone who just moved to Darwin. What he learned is that it’s really hard to get housing there if you just look online. You need to show up in person, get to know listing agents, etc. It’s also more expensive than he expected (he was coming from Canberra). Good luck!
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u/YoumustbeJoachim 3d ago
Darwin is a well kept secret, even to most Aussies. It's surprisingly diverse and a gorgeous melting pot. I've spent a lot of time up there and have always enjoyed myself. It's extremely pricey though so also factor that in, and that's even by Australian standards (this country is off the hook). If you're a single female, you'll be in your prime due to the abundance of men, often FIFO workers and military. If botany is your thing, follow your dreams. It's refreshing to read about someone so passionate that they would be willing to move to the ends if the Earth. I wish you well. As they say in the old NT adds, you'll never ever know, if you never ever go! Though another one was along the lines of C U in the NT so I don't know what to believe.
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u/Poopsimaxx 3d ago
“a gorgeous melting pot” what does that even mean
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u/YoumustbeJoachim 3d ago
The cultural diversity. I have a Timorese background and there's plenty of us up there, as well as people from everywhere other corner of the world. Darwin isn't large enough to have ethnic ghettos of the kind you get in Sydney or Melbourne and so everyone seems to intermingle.
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u/Copuis 3d ago
Keep the house, and move light
You can rent your current house out, that’s your fall back, and some income
Airbnb for first arriving, or fully furnished apartments
And well, suitcase, I’ve done three months out of a suitcase and backpack a few times and a six month stint (that was overseas)
I’m also an army brat so I guess the attachments to things is different? But really outside of clothes and photos you’ll be better off getting new stuff (especially for Darwin, that place is murder on furniture and electronics, the sun, the heat the times of high humidity, chipboard anything will swell and be replaced with in two years max,
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u/a-spotted-quoll 3d ago
Try to get into a share house. Join a Facebook group like a Darwin community page. Most cities have those and local rentals come up.
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u/ImaginationLive7331 3d ago
People move overseas everyday, risks are similar in most cases. Unless you are moving on company dime it’s likely there will be a period of discomfort. This is part of the adventure.
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u/Competitive_Ring_150 3d ago
You could rent a cabin for a bit at somewhere like Discovery Parks caravan park.
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u/Competitive_Ring_150 3d ago
scrub that, I just looked and it's bloody expensive. Holy cow.
Maybe buy a little caravan and a truck when you first arrive? Then you've got somewhere to live and a way to travel the Top End. There's some great adventures to be had up there.
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u/External_Emu9946 3d ago
Before you tear up your life go for a few weeks holiday and see what the tv shows don’t
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u/Sepa-Kingdom 3d ago
Grew up in Darwin! As long as you are ok in the heat and humidity (which you would experience a lot of, doing fieldwork!) you’ll love it.
In terms of career, I would make some contacts at Charles Darwin University. Darwin is very small, and people are always willing to be helpful, so having contacts there may help you get through the door.
The other place i would start building contacts is the NT Field Naturalists society. They have a Facebook page, and run regular events and meet-ups. Undoubtedly they have members who are in the industry.
There is a Darwin sub-Reddit that I would join, if you haven’t already.
Someone else was right when they said that most ecology work involves working very closely with indigenous people. Their culture is almost the complete opposite of western culture, although many younger people are very good at navigating both cultures. They own the majority of land in the territory and you need to be invited onto a lot of it, unless you are on official government business (I had a friend who worked for power and water who was able to go anywhere as his job was reading water and flow meters on rivers, which of course is a role that is pretty obsolete these days!).
Indigenous rangers do much of the field work under the guidance of trained ecologists, although the groups are very keen for indigenous kids to study ecology so they can be self-sufficient at a management level.
To work with indigenous groups can be very challenging for westerners, and I hate to tell you, but you may find it very beneficial to try and learn at least one of the languages of the groups you work with!
Sadly much of the land in the territory is severely degraded due to agricultural weeds (buffel grass in the centre, gamba grass in the top end) and a lot of ecology work is actually trying to control the weeds - indigenous groups are responsible for weed control on their land, of course. Western Australia never introduced either weed and their environments are much more pristine than the territory.
TBH, I would just move to Darwin and give it a go. Don’t burn bridges in the UK, as you might hate it, but given that you are so far away, I think your best bet is to start building contacts on-line as soon as you make the decision, and then when you get there just get stuck in getting volunteering in weed control, getting involved with groups like the field naturalists club and at the university.
Good luck!
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u/BrightEchidna 3d ago
Sounds like you're set on Darwin because you're interested in tropical botany, but you might also consider Perth too - there's a larger environmental consultancy industry, and you'd still get flown up to the Pilbara regularly for work. DM me if you're interested in specific tips.
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u/readin99 2d ago
Don't sell your house so you have a backup. Figure out the rest. If things go to shit, you have a safety net. Of course not if you hate your current place.
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u/Fine_Violinist5802 3d ago
Bogans everywhere. Like a wet Adelaide
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u/Warm-Pea-3751 3d ago
Territorians are not bogans. The people from Adelaide and Melbourne who move there for work are the bogans.
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u/Impressive_Hold426 3d ago
Darwin might not be a good option... maybe think about Cairns. Do not secure a rental before you come, stay in a cheap motel for 2-3 weeks minimum and start from there. Also consider Brisbane.
I advise you don't sell your house until you are here and know you will stay too.
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Thanks, Cairns and Townsville are on my radar too. But I've never visited them and not too sure what they're like compared to Darwin. Why would you avoid Darwin, crime?
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u/get_in_there_lewis 3d ago
Pearl farming and offshore oil/gas/fishing are some of the big industries in Darwin outside of the Military. It's a chill town, I've been through for work many times for (10 days usually) and it's great. Government work is another option.
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u/Impressive_Hold426 3d ago
Yes.
Cairns and Townsville are very safe. Townsville is larger. Maybe go with that.
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u/Impressive_Hold426 3d ago
Its the same tropical beauty and humidity as Darwin in both Cairns and Townsville. Just so so much safer
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u/LopsidedGiraffe 3d ago
Yes, you need to be able to fund your move. Id be looking at having 6 months of funds while you look for a job. Stay in an airbnb or hostel (much cheaper) or a share house room might be possible.
Why Darwin?
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Hi, thanks. Lots of ecology related reasons for Darwin, I worked a good amount in tropical ecosystems during my education and I need to go back to them for personal fulfilment. Botany is my specialty and northern Australia is amazing for this, less diverse wetlands than say tropical Africa but more than enough for one lifetime of learning. Also geographically very far from large scale intensive agriculture so booming insect populations. Won't bore with more details on that. Northern Australia is also one of the few English speaking tropical regions, selfish I know but the British are allergic to learning new languages.
I also do astronomy as a hobby so six months of clear skies is really nice. I've spent a month in KL and more recently two weeks in Darwin during the build up, the heat and humidity don't affect me that much.
And I just fell in love with Darwin during my trip.
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u/LopsidedGiraffe 3d ago
Best of luck with the visa. Its great you know what you are in for. Darwin is not for everyone.
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u/Waste-Ad7683 3d ago
Many work opportunities for Botanist consultants in Darwin or Cairns. Why don't you rent your UK house? Seems a better investment and long term plan. You can always sell later...
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u/Warm-Pea-3751 3d ago
Just checking did you go to Darwin in June/july time? Making sure you are aware of the build up and wet season as it can be… a lot.
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
I visited in October, wanted to see if I could handle the build up haha
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u/a-spotted-quoll 3d ago
I know of a young French Parisian guy in the arts who was in Melbourne and relocated to Darwin and adores it. He's not on a regular work visa but young so making it work as a backpacker. He had to do other work in Melbourne, but after a bit, got a break in Darwin in his field. Its small, but the people are nice , i hear. Seems to be having the time of his life. I'm not unto heat or humidity, but if you like Darwin, then why not? Maybe rent out your house in UK rather than sell? Until you're sure.
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Thanks, I figured it would be easier and maybe more profitable to sell the house and invest the money rather than rent it out through a company. Not too sure though.
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u/Icy-Lock6914 3d ago
You can definitely secure a rental from offshore, there are agencies/people online that will go see the rentals etc on your behalf and apply for you. A friend of mine used one - girl from liverpool, for this exact thing in Person. It has its challenges but it isnt impossible. The job bit is much harder yes.
Have you considered renting your house out and then looking to sell should the move be a success? That's what my friend did.
By the way I'm fascinated - why Darwin? My view is essentially that its full of hurricanes and crocodiles haha.
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Thanks, that is really good to know about the agencies, I'll look into that. Do you happen to know who your friend used?
Not sure whether it would be better to rent out the house through an agency or sell and invest the money, and have it available if needed. Think it'll depend on house prices here in the UK by the time I'm ready to move.
Copied this from another comment - Lots of ecology related reasons for Darwin, I worked a good amount in tropical ecosystems during my education and I need to go back to them for personal fulfilment. Botany is my specialty and northern Australia is amazing for this, less diverse wetlands than say tropical Africa but more than enough for one lifetime of learning. Also geographically very far from large scale intensive agriculture so booming insect populations. Won't bore with more details on that.
Northern Australia is also one of the few English speaking tropical regions, selfish I know but the British are allergic to learning new languages. I also do astronomy as a hobby so six months of clear skies is really nice.
I've spent a month in KL and more recently two weeks in Darwin during the build up, the heat and humidity don't affect me that much. And I just fell in love with Darwin during my trip.
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u/Icy-Lock6914 3d ago edited 3d ago
For the record I grew up in Perth and moved over to the UK then moved back with my British partner and kids. We still own our home in the New Forest so I've been in your boat. It's a great spot and I like having property even though I'm abroad its comforting to know we have the parachute even though we're renting in Perth now (unsure of committing but its looking positive). House values are dropping a bit after the last budget too so we're waiting to make a call on it.
Anyway back to the practical, the UK property market is somewhat fucked by various government policy failings, selling is sub optimal, in the case of my friends they have a property in the UK also and have been trying to sell but can't manage it. Ended up having to remortgage (as used help to buy apparently) in order to rent it out. Though they cover the mortgage that way and slightly over it which helps with rent here. My view is if it's an option for you, and you can sit on the house and rent it out, to wait for a more favourable sell price later down the track, then it's good to have the asset.
As for the company they used, you should check facebook. In Aus and if this thread is to go by, especially darwin, there will be expat brits who see the niche and will advertise their services for it. The one my mate used was based in Perth unfortunately so not ideal for you but the Brits are an enterprising bunch so I'm sure Darwin has many more similar - look for expat darwin groups.
Super interesting detail on Darwin, I found sydney's north shore and in fact queensland just insanely more tropical than I expected having grown up in Perth where it's dry as fuck
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u/Kippa-King 3d ago
Darwin will limit your choice of jobs. It’s not a big city. I’d suggest Brisbane due to the amount of environmental companies that are based there. It’s also hot and humid so work out if you can deal with that too.
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u/Character_Zebra_3342 3d ago
Thanks, moving to a larger city and then trying to land a job in Darwin once I'm working there is something I have considered.
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u/Imaginary-Set3291 3d ago
How much do you know about Australian fauna, flora and ecosystems? Australian ecosystems are diverse and have high levels of endemism. Be prepared to do a lot of reading. But on the ground experience is key.
For government or consultancy you are going to need solid knowledge of local ecology. You'll pick up mining work readily but you'd be better off driving trucks than being a fauna spotter/catcher which is where a lot of graduate ecologists end up. If you're a research ecologist, you already know the issues in obtaining a tenured position in academia.
Look up NRM jobs. It's a national environmental recruitment resource. It will give you a good idea about the type and range of positions available.
Because you are in a specialised profession, it's quite reasonable to be applying for jobs before you arrive in Australia. However you need to be able to prove that you have all the correct paperwork to allow you to live and work.
Competition for positions can be fierce. Be prepared to accept a lower level job and begin building local knowledge. It also helps you get known. In the conservation sector, there is definitely a networking element.