Surviving a Migration from Singapore to Australia

Migrating to Australia can be very challenging and difficult for many. This is no different for Singaporeans (as elaborated on my first part of blog series) migrating to Australia. Most Singaporean migrants move to Australia for a better life. Some move because they are unhappy with the government, while some are after the elusive work-life balance.

Right Mindset

Step 1 to a successful migration is to have the right mindset. Australia is not like Singapore, you shouldn't expect a same lifestyle or way of doing things. If you are expecting the same, and would only accept that things would be the same, I would suggest you don't even bother trying to migrate. Having a right mindset also means to being open to a different standard of living. Most migrants do drop their standard of living in order to survive, but quickly build themselves and their families back up to thrive. Having a right mindset also means, to stay positive no matter what lies ahead. Drop the complaining, no one will pity you nor would they bother that the government hasn't done something right, as you chose to move after all.

That said, here are some essential things to consider for survival. In this post, I will cover only the bare survival essentials. In my next post, I will cover other topics such as recreation, etc. I have provided some step by step tips to assist. Remember there is no absolute right or wrong way of doing things. You might find that you can start from Step 3 instead of Step 1 or skip steps. You might find that Step 2 is your end goal and you are happy and contented that way already.

Language

Think about how you speak

Don't we speak English already? Yes, but Australians speak quite differently. This difference is not only in accent, but also in the speaking speed, slang and the absence of Singlish. Most Australians find Singaporeans difficult to understand as most Singaporeans speak too fast or speak weird. I work in a hospital, and at one point, the doctor asked to provide a Singaporean patient with an interpreter as they did not understand them at all. Little did they realise, the patient was actually speaking English with a strong Singaporean accent.

Step by step tips
Step 1: Drop the speed you speak at by at least half.
Step 2: Speak in proper written English sentences.
Step 3: Learn the slang.
Step 4: Modify your accent.

Housing

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

An old home is better than no home

Homes in Sydney can be pretty old. It is not uncommon to find a 50 year old flat or a 100 year old house. Many new Singaporean migrants get confused between what's old and what's unhygienic, especially when it comes to bathroom and kitchens. Something old might be pretty worn with surface damage such as scratches or chips, but it doesn't not necessarily mean dirty.  If you are moving to Sydney, remember to budget for not having a decent job for a year, you might need to opt for renting an older abode to save cost.

Rent before buying

If you have the budget to buy a home when you arrive, it is still wise to rent around the area for at least 3-6 months. That way you can be sure you like the area, and know the minute differences between living on different roads on the same suburb. For example, most people don't really want to buy next to a block of housing commission (government) flats, and it will affect your resale value.

Renting is Temporary

I've met many new Singaporean migrants trying to pick out their first rental property. What most can't believe is the price. Remember in Sydney, once you're here, if you can't find a home, it means you're going to a motel which costs even more. You're not picking out a dream home here, you're picking out a temporary abode. Figure out what you can compromise with early. For example, are you willing to rent a room instead of a whole flat; or are you willing to rent in a less desirable suburb.

However just be careful where you rent. If you rent closer to a train station or major bus route, you might find that you can save money on transport that way. Also there are things which you will less likely to compromise with such as the idea of living in a red light district, or in a high crime area.

Step by step tips
Step 1: Rent your first room. (Good for low budget or saving money to buy a flat.)
Step 2: (Can skip) Rent your first flat
Step 3: (Can skip) Buy your first flat
Step 4: Upgrade to bigger flat/ house

Work

Unemployment in Australia is significantly higher than in Singapore. In fact it is almost 3 times higher in Australia - 1.9% in Singapore ve 5.8% in Australia (2016).  If you're young, you are at an even greater disadvantage. The youth (under 28) unemployment is at 12.6% (Jan 2016). So don't be fooled that you're going to find a job fast. 

Also, if you are a new migrant and have stayed in Australia for less than 104 weeks (2 years), you aren't eligible for unemployment benefits (pension) from the government either. In fact, because you aren't eligible, most charitable organisations will turn you down also as their criteria is being on a government pension. The flow on includes being not eligible for discounts in utilities, or public transport.

Experience in Singapore might be considered null and void

Depending on your area of work, all your experience in Singapore might be considered null and void. For example, if you are a doctor and want to move to Sydney, even if you are a specialist, you have to start from being an intern again. This can be really hard if you are already mid-career. It will take quite a lot of determination to restart all over again.

(Source: BusinessInsider.com.au)

Local job references

In some companies, particularly government jobs, local job references are very important. This is very challenging for the migrant as most migrants don't come with local job references. This means taking up a job which don't require a reference, which translates to having your first job as a front-line service job or a job involving manual labour. The same kinds of jobs which in Singapore most Singaporeans don't take up in the first place.

Minimum wage

For most Australians, employment starts are around 14-15 years old where kids work in front-line service jobs and get paid a junior wage which is much less than the adult minimum wage. This form of employment is a great way of getting work experience and attaining good references. When migrants move to Australia, they come without local experience and local references. Most end up taking up service jobs which pay less than the minimum wage. Basically, very few employers would like to hire you in the first place with your weird language, when they can easily employ a junior for much less. The Fair Work Ombudsman has been cracking down on these underpaying employers, but the irony is that if you don't take up the work, there are plenty of juniors vying for the same job.

Pay differences

In Singapore, most professional jobs pay much better than trades jobs (e.g. plumber). In Australia, a trades person can earn even more than a professional. This may make you want to think twice about what you work as.

Step by step tips
Step 1: Take up a job (any job) to get local experience
Step 2: Take up a job in your desired industry
Step 3: Move into a job which better meets your skill set
Step 4: Work up the career ladder

Church

(Source: Sydneycathedral.com)

Bigger is not necessarily better

The bigger is not necessarily better. There are some very large churches in Sydney and there are some churches with excellent international branding (such as Hillsongs). But a big church isn't for everyone. Work out what you want out of a church. Common factors include:
- Good bible teaching
- Good community
- Good music (praise and worship)
- Alignment with doctrine you believe in
- Love for the church building
- Familiar liturgy
- Good Sunday school
- Cell group (bible study) group on the right days
- How accessible is the church from your home

Transport

Sydney is Big

One of the comments from most new Singaporean migrants is "I didn't realise Sydney is that big!" Yes, Sydney is really an urban sprawl, quite unlike Singapore. From the north of Hornsby to the south in Waterfall, it will take you a whopping 92 km on the road taking 1.5 hours by care or almost 2 hours by train. This translate to carefully picking out where you work and live. If you've religious commitments like I do, I would be careful to balance that as well.

(Source: SMH.com.au)

Public Transport is NOT Cheap

Unlike in Singapore, where public transport is generally affordable. Bus fares start from $2.10 and up to $4.50 Train fares start at $3.40 and up to $8.30. If you are on a low budget, public transport is not an option. I know my Australian friends will never understand this as if are unemployed they get to travel on a pension ticket for $2.50 all day. If have managed to keep work, home and shops all close together, you will save significantly on transport. A second-hand bicycle can help greatly with off-setting travel cost as well.

10+ Year old cars

The system in Singapore is such that it promotes disposal of older vehicles and the purchase of newer ones. This is not really the case in Australia. You will be able to find cars which are more than 10 years old. So don't be surprise if you're being recommended to buy a 15 year old car by your used-car sales man.

Step by step tips
Step 1: Try to minimise your need for transport by keeping work, home and shops all close to each other.
Step 2: Apply for an Opal Card. (Equivalent to EZlink)
Step 3: (Can skip) Get a bicycle (Most second hand works well.)
Step 4: Get your first car.
Step 5: Upgrade your car.

Food

Enjoyable Healthy Survival Cooking

It's pretty easy to learn to make instant noodles, but most of us know it's not really healthy to eat that on the long run. It's also not that hard learning to make pasta, but after eating it for 3 meals in a row, you'll realise how Asian you are after all. So ask your mum, aunty or grandma about the easiest dishes to prepare which you like. Making something from back home which you enjoy helps a lot with the initial homesickness. For me, it was learning to make soy sauce chicken. It might be something different for you.

(Source: ABC.net.au)

Learn where to shop

There's not really a Shing Song or NTUC supermarket for 1 stop shopping for Asian food, nor are there wet markets in every suburb. For Asian groceries, you'll need to find an Asian grocer. For meat, vegetables, fish, you will need to go to your butcher, green grocer or fish monger respectively. There's the big 2 supermarkets - Coles and Woolworths which you can buy most fish, meat and vegetables too. In some areas there is the no-frills supermarket - Aldi as well. In Sydney, there's Flemington markets on a Saturday morning or Paddy's Market (best price on Sunday afternoons) for fruits and vegetables. Depending from shop to shop, suburb to suburb, the goods may vary in terms of freshness, quality and price. You'll need to do your homework to work out where is best to shop in your local area

Aim to learn 1 Singaporean dish a month

There are plenty of Singaporean or Malaysian food recipe websites. You'll just have to google the dish you want to cook and they will just pop up. Most of them aren't too difficult to follow. If you learn 1 dish a month, by 1 year you'll have enough dishes for the next festive season!

Learn to Meal Prep or Freeze

Cooking everyday can be a pain especially if you don't enjoy cooking. You can learn to do bulk meal preparation on the weekend for all your meals. There are plenty of websites on meal preparation recipes. Alternatively, you can cook in bulk and freeze for all your meals during the week.

Marked down food

Most "fan-cai" type of outlets will markdown their food just prior to their closing time to clear off all their food. If you learn when this happens, you can save lots on eating out. Also, supermarkets would mark down their food before they expire. The shelf life of some of these foods can be extended by freezing them. If you are lucky you can save more than 50%.

Step by step tips
Step 1: Learn to make survival food
Step 2: Learn where to shop for food to give you the best value for money.
Step 3: Learn about the best Singaporean food recipe websites
Step 4: Learn where to shop for Asian groceries
Step 5: Learn to make Singaporean food
Step 6: Learn about affordable Singaporean (or Malaysian) restaurants.
Step 7: Learn about where to get the best of Singaporean (or Malaysian) food

Conclusion

If you're not ready to jump into a totally different lifestyle, Singapore might not be too bad an option to live in after all. It's clean. Low crime rate. Relatively cheap for Singaporeans.

In my next post, I will cover topics on recreation, staying safe and making friends.

Related Posts
Why Singaporeans struggle when they migrate

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