Moving to Canberra Guide

Moving to Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the national capital of Australia. Canberra enjoys a subtropical highland climate, with January being the warmest month averaging 28 °C and July being the coldest averaging 11 °C.

As a planned city, Canberra is an ideal place to relocate to and work in. It is planned to fit with modern society, making everything easily accessible to its residents. Canberra prides itself with remarkable natural features like the Brindabella mountains and the man-made Lake Burley Griffin.

Living in Canberra Guide

Are you thinking about moving to Canberra? If you are, here are some of the things that you have to take into consideration:

Housing and Rental
Average monthly household rental payment – A$1,629
Average monthly household mortgage payment – A$2,178

Food
Meal (inexpensive restaurant) – A$20.00
Fast food hamburger menu – A$10.00
Mineral Water- A$2.86
Lettuce – A$2.64
Eggs (12) – A$4.84
Local Cheese (454g)- AU$3.59
Bread (454g) – A$2.55
Apples (454g) – A$2.01
Milk (3.79L) – A$6.09

Personal Care
Cold medicine (6 days) – A$8
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) – A$19
Toothpaste (120g) – A$3.40
4 rolls of toilet paper – A$3.39
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (200ml) – A$3.78
Deodorant (50ml, roll-on) – A$5.45

Economy
Majority of the employment opportunities in Canberra are in the Public Administration and Safety industry. Compared to the previous years, those who work in the utility and support services industry have increased in number. There are several job opportunities for those who are interested in the professional/scientific/technical services, administrative/support services, and electricity/gas/water/waste services.

Education
Canberra has more than 130 schools and most of them are government schools. The city also has several Catholic and independent schools. If you’re relocating to Canberra with your children, it won’t be hard for you to find a new school they can attend. The schools in the city provide modern, well-equipped facilities to support the students in every learning stage.

Leisure/Attractions
Canberra has plenty of national museums and national monuments that residents and tourists can visit to learn more about the city’s rich culture and history. Some of the commonwealth buildings, such as the Royal Australian Mint and the Parliament House, are open to the public.

• Australian War Memorial
  Established in 1941, the Australian War Memorial is one of the most significant war memorials in the world. The memorial features an extensive collection of artwork, records, and relics that portray the qualities and the life of Australian servicemen and women who lost their lives during the conflict, and in other peacekeeping operations.The memorial has three most popular sections, the Commemorative Area, the Hall of Memory, and the Pool of Remembrance. Visitors are also invited to attend the Last Post Ceremony held at the Commemorative Area before the Museum closes. During the event, the story of one serviceman or women, chosen from the 102,815 individuals whose names are included on the Roll of Honour, is narrated to the audience.
• National Gallery of Australia
  Home to more than 155,000 artworks, the National Gallery of Australia is one of the largest art museums in Australia. The museum has a vast art collection including, Australian art, Western art, Eastern art, Modern art, Pacific arts, photography, crafts, and a sculpture garden.The Collection Study Room and the Library can be accessed by individuals who book special tours. These areas provide public access to research and pieces of art that are not currently on display in the galleries. The tours can be booked by individuals performing various research related to the different kinds of arts.
• Royal Australian Mint
  Opened in 1965, the Royal Australian Mint is the only producer of all circulating coins in Australia. It is also the first Australian Mint that is not a branch of the Royal Mint in London. Aside from producing Australia’s legal coins, the mint also offers guided tours for its visitors.A tour inside the mint offers a unique experience for its visitors. The free tours will take guests to the factory viewing area to watch how the coins are made. The mint also has an extensive collection of significant coins. There are also interactive touchscreens and videos which explain the coin making process and the history of coins.
• Mount Ainslie Lookout
  Mount Ainslie is a hill with an elevation measured at 843 metres and is located in the northeastern suburbs of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Its lookout offers the best panoramic view of Canberra and nearby mountain ranges. Some of the city’s national attractions and tourist destinations are also visible from Mount Ainslie. The Mount Ainslie Lookout has a walking trail known as the Mount Ainslie Kokoda Summit trail. The trail is paved and has a few well-maintained stops. Along the way you will see several plaques to commemorate the battles fought in Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda trail during World War II. If walking isn’t your thing, you may choose to drive or cycle to the lookout. The scenery is particularly impressive at sunrise or sunset.
• National Zoo and Aquarium
  The National Zoo and Aquarium located in Australia’s capital city is a 19-hectare zoo and aquarium. The Zoo houses several Australian endemic and introduced species including, blackbuck, wapiti elk, common marmoset, Tasmanian devil, white lion, white rhinoceros, cotton-top tamarin and red panda.Aside from various animal encounters, the Zoo has several family-friendly facilities where visitors can rest and eat. The Zoo has a playground, a picnic area, and some function areas that are ideal for family gatherings and get-togethers, especially when there are children involved.

Transport:
One way ticket (local transport) – A$4.80
Monthly Pass – A$86.96
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) – A$5.00
Gasoline (1 gal.) – A$5.81