Why Australia? Like many, you may be attracted to Australia. From what you most likely would have read or heard, Australia is probably the most live able country on planet Earth. Awesome beaches, huge homes, beautiful climate, pristine environment, friendly people, glorious foods…. One can go on and on.

There is no question that given an opportunity, everyone would love to holiday in Australia at least once in their life-time.

But living, working and doing business in Australia require a more hard headed consideration. Can I get a good education and health care? What about job opportunities? Is it small business friendly? Can big businesses thrive here? Is the political system stable? What about the tax system? Most importantly can I achieve a good life and prosper in Australia. These are great and fair questions.

Well, ask yourself this. Each year, there are between 150,000 to 200,000 new visas approved for overseas people to live and work in Australia. In fact the number of visa applications far exceed those numbers each year. Why do so many people want to join in the Australian dream? Obviously, it must be for a better and brighter future! The latest Significant Investor Program alone brought in many high net worth (with at least $5million transferable to Australia) investors in the past year with total investments of nearly $2billion. Indications are that the coming years will see a further increase of this.

• Politically: A strong and true democratic system of government, makes Australia stable, fair and sustainable. The political leaders and bureaucrats are well schooled in leadership-servant hood. They genuinely listen and serve its people. Otherwise they will be quickly booted out of office. Federal elections are held every 3 years. Many of its political leaders consider their work as a calling. Their monetary rewards are fair but nowhere near the remuneration of chieftains of industry with lesser responsibilities. Amazingly many of its young and brightest continue to aspire to political leadership.
• Economically: Innovative and clever leaders are in all fields from the sciences like CSIRO, businesses and politics. Australia is under-exploited in its opportunities. Medical services to the world to name just one. Everyone who works hard and work smart have a good chance of achieving a good balanced life. The world- given status as a blessed “lucky country” is a bonus! In the last 20 years, despite some unenlightened media often projecting as a slow moving, somewhat lazy country, Australia went through the economic turmoil’s of the Asian crisis, the Asian flu, Sars, the dot.com crash, 9/11, the Great Recession, with flying colours. The country prospered and came through unscathed. What about its tax system? High tax? Yes and no? Yes when one looks at tax in comparison with some of the city states but no when you consider the many benefits and fair distribution of wealth and the less expensive items such housing and cars of the city states. Are there many wealthy Australian billionaires and the uber rich talented executives who would exchange their place in Australia for the lower taxed countries around the world? The answer? Hardly any. So long as tax money is well spent for society’s good and does not prevent wealth generation and the individual’s prosperity, tax is not feared.
• Culturally: With more than 20% of its population born overseas and an even greater number of earlier generations who arrived from more than 100 different countries, the nation is enriched by the diversity and richness of its people. Australia has business links with countries near and far. With many friends, from the tiny nations to the super powers, the country is secure and united. Australia is content and presents no threat to anyone. In fact, it is always ready to help others when called upon.