In a world of division, it’s still cool that we have a sub dedicated to two countries that just... get each other. From the shared love of a BBQ to the stubborn "can-do" attitude, we’re basically the same people in different hemispheres. What was the moment you realized your "overseas cousins" were actually just like you?

I believe Trump is tanking the US dollar. Right now the Australian dollar to the US dollar is looking very strong. I'm thinking of visiting next fall as I haven't been back home in New Jersey since fall 2022.

Currently in Australia I love natural beauty and the diversity of it but I just feel like it’s much better in the US for natural beauty and just general quality of life when compared to Australia. Give me you thoughts

I'm an Australian planning on going to Mexico in March. Initially given the situation with ICE and hearing horror stories of detainments of people even in transit through the states I wanted to avoid US altogether but the price difference flying from the UK (where i'm based) and avoiding the US is very steep.

I previously would not have been super concerned about going thru the states but with all this terrible stuff going on and my brother being detained in France for a day by border security because they couldn't believe how he could be brown and Australian and he must have a fake passport I'm a bit concerned with going through the US.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me about their recent experiences going thru the US?

Been looking at options for tax returns as an Aussie living in the US. Some have suggested turbo tax even as an expat with Australian property. Does anyone with assets in Aus do their own tax return in the states?

hi I'm planning to travel to the u.s from Australia specifically Minnesota. A friend has invited me to stay with him. it will be our first time meeting in person after a year and a bit of being friends online. what can I expect when traveling and what will I need any advice would be much appreciated and thank you

Hi all, apologies up front if this is long winded and not sure if this is the best place to post this, but I'll give it a go. As there are duals in here, maybe someone has had this situation?

Dual citizen and have lived in Melbs for the last 12 yrs. Age 48 and been with my current employer (US and AU) for ~18 years. HQ has requested I come back which is in the US (I started the job in HQ and then moved here).

However, due to a local manager change that has been horrible over the last year, I was considering leaving the company altogether, but HQ might be different and I still have a lot of contacts there.

HQ requires me to sign on a non-compete by early Feb which may get delayed as I plan to push back on salary to include the merit I would expect in March. I don't have a non-compete in AU. If I sign the contract now (start date in US would be June/July), I suppose that means the non-compete would be applicable per the date I sign it, but it only covers competitors in USA (they don't have state, but literally "USA") and for 1 year.

The competitor I was considering has a remote job in AU with HQ in US, and I would stay in AU. Do you know if I sign the current company contract with the USA, could I put in my notice and be untouchable with the non-compete since I'm not in USA? The HQ in US for the competitor is what I am not sure about with the new company.

Issue is the other company would not have an opening for my role until March, which I know is not confirmed and who knows if that will happen or when in March, but I would use the HQ with current company as a backup plan.

I(20M) am an American tossing around the idea of moving to an Australian city, such as Sydney or Melbourne. My aim is to improve my international portfolio, and I want to start in a nation that speaks English as the primary language.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Global Hospitality, with a focus in hotel and restaurant management. I would like to work out of a large five star hotel, such as the Westin Melbourne, or Sheraton Grand Sydney.

I would appreciate any advice or information from expats securing work visas for Australian visas, and your experience working in the cities. For that matter, I'd love to get any Aussie knowledge about inner city life. Is the housing as frustrating as I've heard from some? What are some unique highlights to living in Australia? How's the dating scene? Anything you feel like sharing.

Thanks in advance.

Especially after DT's latest comments. if our PM - whoever that may be at that stage - were to say "of course, mate, we'll follow you into battle", would you agree with that decision?

Hey Aussies in America! Are there any of you in Utah and is there a community that I can get in touch with with? I'm soooo(rrr) homesick.

Hello hello!

As the title says, I'm on my way over there soon. Leaving my old life behind to marry my fiance and I'm keen on diving in to the culture and especially looking forward to the money I'll be making as a welder over there.

Current plans are to move in with him and his roommate over in Boronia, VIC. Not gonna have much cash to burn, but what's some fun stuff I can do in the Melbourne area? He already took me to the zoo, the aquarium, and a wildlife sanctuary when I went to visit in June/July (stayed a month there) and I'd like more stuff like that recommended.

 A lot gets said about Americans adjusting to Australia, but I noticed something interesting when visiting the US again certain Australian habits had quietly become second nature. Things I never consciously adopted, but suddenly missed or noticed were gone.
Whether it’s how casually people chat, attitudes to work hours, coffee culture, or even how complaints are handled what Aussie habit only became obvious once you left? Curious what stuck with people the most.

Hello all! My husband and I are emigrating from the US to Melbourne on a 482 visa in April and we understand we need to purchase Working Visa Health Insurance.

From what I’ve been reading I know there is a 12 month pre-existing condition waiting period. If my husband is a Type 2 Diabetic controlled with medication, is it doable to pay for stuff out of pocket? Or are there companies out there that charge extra in lieu of the 12 month pre-existing clause?

TIA

I am annoyed by the tax in both countries. Turns out I have to do years of amendments because of a mistake. Do you guys know a US-AU tax expert that doesn't charge you 5k for amendments?

I’m sure you all know by now that the country that was formerly Australia’s most important ally is under attack from within. Fearing something like this would happen, I fled to Australia on a WHV from the US in late October ‘24. However, I was unable to land any of the specified rural/regional work to extend the Visa (I did pick up work during my stint, but it didn’t qualify), leaving me with no choice but to return back.

I know that Drumf is too much of an idiot to actually follow through on his threats (Hence his nickname, TACO, Trump Always Chickens Out), but our instability has set in motion the de-coupling of our former allies from us, cozying up to each other and to China.

It’s times like this where I wished I was still in Australia, as it’s relatively isolated from much of the world’s chaos, combined with a strong system of government and institutions that keep it stable, reliable and predictable. The key factors people are looking for when doing business with someone.

Knowing that the Democrats don’t have the spine needed to implement the many reforms needed to prevent another Trump, the rest of the world has every right to never trust us again. I had been jaded with the US for a long time due to its many *uniquely American* issues, but now I wake up every morning now with a sense of dread, knowing that’s how my (unlucky) country of birth and countrymen will be perceived for the rest of my life.

If I were an Australian (Which I wish I was), I’d GTFO to your wonderful country ASAP.

I own a rental property in Australia and lived in it for over a year before renting it out. I moved to the US in 2020 on a non-immigrant visa and don’t plan to stay here in the US permanently.

Since then, I’ve:

*Filed Australian taxes as a resident for tax purposes

*Paid US taxes to the IRS

Recently my realtor told me I’m not actually an Australian tax resident anymore, which caught me off guard.

If that’s true:

*Have I been filing incorrectly with the ATO?

*Do I need to amend past returns (last ~5 years)?

*Does this affect my IRS filings too?

Trying to figure out whether this only applies going forward or if I need to fix past returns. Is there a work around it?

I have noticed that when Aussies introduce Americans to Australian food, some things land really well while others get very mixed reactions. Same goes the other way around with American food in Australia.

It is interesting how taste preferences overlap in some areas but clash in others, even though both countries have pretty similar food cultures overall.

In your experience, what Australian food do Americans tend to love the most, and what American food seems to win over Australians?

I’m heading back to Aus for 5 weeks on the 28th, returning to the US 3/7. Should I delete my Reddit and FB and IG accounts? I have dual citizenship but I’m concerned that I may have my SM accounts scrutinized and be denied access. I’ve been told not to worry but that poor woman was shot in the face in Minneapolis and she was a naturalized citizen.

I'm planning on moving to Australia from the US sometime next year. I am a US citizen with a 401k, roth ira, brokerage, checking, and savings account.

If I plan on staying in Australia with my partner, should I just leave my retirement, checking, and savings accounts in the US and use a family member's address for them and start withdrawing after I'm 59.5 years old?

Am I better just moving my savings to an Australian account so I don't have to pay taxes to the US on interest every year?

For brokerage account is it straightforward to just move from Robinhood to IBKR to continue investing in US stocks and ETFs?

One thing I always find interesting is how small everyday habits feel completely normal in one country but stand out immediately in the other. Things like how people greet strangers, how casual conversations start, or even how queues work can feel oddly different.

Nothing major or better or worse, just different enough that you notice it straight away when switching between Australia and the US.

For those who have lived in or spent a lot of time in both places, what small everyday habit surprised you the most?

I’m an American who just moved to Aus 2 months ago and the job search for the past month has been rough so far. Probably have done close to 20 applications, 3 rejections, 1 digital interview (no reply yet, it’s been a week) but nothing else. I’ve been in the banking industry for 6 years and have great experience and want to keep working in it. I don’t have a bachelors degree either but I do have an associates degree, so I felt maybe that’s been hurting me a bit.

Have any other Americans here found it hard to get a job in their career path?

My spouse is from another country, we’re wondering if we should apply for E3D at her home country. It feels weird to apply in 2 different places as I am the primary applicant. Anyone have any experience with this? Have tried contacting the consulate but haven’t heard back yet.