Australia's global city
The gateway to Australia, Sydney is renowned as a dynamic and cosmopolitan city, combining excellent business and education facilities with great leisure.
Famous for its World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, Sydney is one of the world's favourite cities, and has been voted "world's best city" by readers of US travel magazines Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. Sydney is also ranked first in the Asia Pacific for quality of life by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007.
Australia's oldest and largest city is set on one of the world's most stunning harbours, fringed by easy-to-reach, sandy beaches. Sydney Harbour separates the city into north and south, with harbourside villages, beachside suburbs and inner city areas full of life and their own distinctive character.
The city has a sunny, moderate climate which contributes to Sydneysiders' relaxed lifestyle and love of the great outdoors. There are five major national parks around Sydney with 8,000 square kilometres of open space.
This multicultural city's restaurant and cafe scene is enhanced by outstanding local fresh produce and world-class wines. Sydney has a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It is home to some of Australia's leading arts organisations such as Opera Australia, Sydney Symphony, Sydney Dance Company and Sydney Theatre Company and has produced many talented writers, film directors and performers.
Employment prospects are plentiful, education is world class and healthcare readily available.
Sydney offers a secure environment for families, with excellent facilities, transport and telecommunications.
Find out more about living in Sydney:
- Business visas, salaries and taxes - explains visas, citizenship, salaries and the taxation system
- Business and skilled migration - explains how to apply for State Government sponsorship to live and work in New South Wales
- Student visas - explains the visas and assessments for various types of study.
- Getting around - provides information about drivers' licences, owning a car, and public transport
- Health care - outlines the health system including health insurance
- Residential real estate - gives an overview of the market for renting or buying a house or an apartment
- Cost of living - gives an indication of some of the day-to-day costs
- Climate - gives an overview of the weather around New South Wales
- Leisure and entertainment - introduces what people in Sydney do for fun and relaxation.
- Public and school holidays
