Overview
Australia is the world's only country that occupies an entire continent—7.7 million square kilometers with approximately 27 million people, the majority living along the eastern and southern coasts.
For international migrants, Australia is attractive for a milder climate than Canada, the Medicare health system, world-class education, a substantial Vietnamese community, and direct flights from Vietnam.
But there was a major change in 2024 that many sources have not yet updated:
Australia closed its investment-based residency program (Business Innovation and Investment Program), including the Significant Investor Visa, to new applications from mid-2024.
This means the pathway of "invest a large sum to obtain Australian permanent residency"—which was widespread among Asian applicants for over a decade—no longer exists.
Instead, Australia has shifted to attracting talented professionals and innovators, with the National Innovation Visa targeting individuals with exceptional achievements in their field.
Anyone still being offered "Australia Visa 188 investment" should request written confirmation of the program's current status from their advisor before making any financial commitments.
Geography & Climate
For international migrants, three main destinations stand out:
- Sydney (New South Wales)—the largest city, temperate climate with summer highs of 20–30°C and winter lows of 8–17°C. The most expensive property market in the country
- Melbourne (Victoria)—famously unpredictable weather, sometimes experiencing all four seasons in one day; the richest cultural scene
- Brisbane (Queensland)—subtropical, warm year-round, somewhat similar to Vietnam's central regions, lower cost of living than Sydney
Perth on the west coast has abundant sunshine but is quite remote; Adelaide has lower costs and a slower pace of life.
This is a clear advantage over Canada: Australia has no harsh winters. No snow in major cities, no need for -20°C winter coats, no months of short, early-darkening days.
Risks to know: Bushfires in summer are a serious problem and are increasing with climate change. The 2019–2020 fire season destroyed large areas of New South Wales and Victoria. Some peri-urban regions have high fire risk with correspondingly elevated insurance premiums. When buying property, you should carefully inquire about the fire risk rating for your area.
Historical Background
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have inhabited this continent for more than 60,000 years—one of the world's oldest continuous cultures still in existence.
Britain established a penal colony in Sydney in 1788. Six colonies federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It remains a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth.
The "White Australia Policy" restricting non-European immigration lasted until the 1970s. Its repeal coincided with the Vietnamese boat people wave of the late 1970s—Australia accepted approximately 100,000 Vietnamese during that period.
The Vietnamese community in Australia now numbers approximately 330,000 people, concentrated in Sydney (Cabramatta, Bankstown), Melbourne (Footscray, Richmond, Springvale), and Brisbane. Vietnamese ranks among the most-spoken home languages in Australia.
Culture & Society
Australian society values ease, equality, and the spirit of "fair go"—giving everyone a fair chance. Australians communicate directly, with few formalities, and frequently use self-deprecating humor.
Outdoor lifestyle is central to Australian culture: beaches, sports, and outdoor barbecues. Cricket and Australian rules football are the national sports.
Australian English has distinctive slang; it can initially be hard to follow but becomes familiar quickly.
Work-life balance is notably better than in the United States: labor law protections are strong, minimum annual leave is four weeks, and there is a cultural resistance to working outside normal hours.
Economy & Opportunity
Australia's economy rests on mineral resources, agriculture, international education, tourism, and financial services.
International education is a major export industry—hundreds of thousands of foreign students annually, including many from Vietnam. This creates genuine demand for rental housing near universities.
Agriculture and food: Australia exports beef, dairy, wheat, and wine to Asia. There are opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in two-way agricultural trade.
Real estate: be aware that Australia has restrictions on foreign ownership of property—non-permanent residents typically can only purchase newly built properties or vacant land for development, must obtain Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval, and pay significant additional tax penalties. Many people do not know this before planning.
Tax: Australia taxes residents on worldwide income, with progressive tax rates that are fairly high. In return, Medicare and a compulsory retirement savings system (superannuation) are provided.
Residency Programs
What Has Changed
The Business Innovation and Investment Program—comprising Visa 188 (temporary) and Visa 888 (permanent) categories, including the Significant Investor Visa requiring a very large investment—closed to new applications from mid-2024. Previously submitted applications continue processing under the previous timeline.
The Australian government's stated reason: the program did not deliver economic value proportionate to skills-based migration.
National Innovation Visa (subclass 858)
The replacement pathway, targeting individuals with exceptional achievements in academia, research, sports, arts, or business.
Strength: grants permanent residency directly, without a temporary residency phase.
Core requirement: demonstrating internationally recognized exceptional achievements and securing sponsorship from a reputable organization or individual already in Australia.
This is not an investment pathway. Money cannot substitute for genuine credentials. If you or your children have strong academic, research, startup, or athletic credentials at the international level, this is worth serious consideration.
Other Practical Options
Skilled migration pathway based on points—still the most common route. Assessed on age, qualifications, experience, and English. If you or your children are under 45 with relevant qualifications and strong English, this pathway is typically faster and less expensive than alternatives.
State and regional sponsorship — some states offer dedicated streams for business owners; conditions vary by state and year.
International education followed by transition—many Vietnamese families are using this path, with children studying first and then transitioning to permanent residency and employment.
Pathway to Citizenship
After obtaining permanent residency, you must actually reside in Australia for 4 years, with the final 12 months as a permanent resident, plus passing a citizenship knowledge test. Australia permits dual citizenship.
On specific numbers: eligibility criteria for each pathway, points systems, and occupation priority lists change annually. Check the detailed requirements on the relevant government pages or consult a qualified migration advisor.
Life in Practice
Cost of living is high. Sydney and Melbourne rank among the world's most expensive for housing. Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth are more affordable. Food and services cost more than in the United States, but minimum wages are significantly higher.
Healthcare: Medicare covers the majority of medical costs for permanent residents and citizens. The public system is strong, but waiting times for non-emergency procedures can be lengthy—many people purchase additional private insurance to reduce waiting periods.
Education: public schools are free and high quality. Australian universities rank among the world's best; permanent residents pay domestic tuition fees and can access government-supported education loans—a significant difference from international student rates.
Travel: there are direct flights from Vietnam to Australia—from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Sydney and Melbourne. Flight time is approximately 8–9 hours. This is a significant advantage over Canada.
The time difference with Vietnam is only 3–4 hours depending on the season—making it nearly possible to work the same business day with contacts back home. This is a major advantage if you continue to manage operations in Vietnam.
Who Should Consider Australia
Well-suited if you:
- Want to settle somewhere with mild climate, free from harsh winters
- Need to return to Vietnam regularly—direct flights of 8–9 hours with only 3–4 hours time difference
- Have children interested in studying abroad then staying—Australia has a clear pathway from international education to permanent residency
- Have exceptional achievements yourself or your children—National Innovation Visa grants permanent residency directly
- Are under 45 with relevant qualifications and strong English—skilled migration is typically faster and far less expensive
- Want a substantial Vietnamese community: approximately 330,000 people
Not well-suited if you:
- Expect to invest money to obtain permanent residency—this program closed in 2024
- Want to freely purchase property—foreigners are restricted in property types, must obtain FIRB approval, and pay additional tax penalties
- Wish to maintain your life in Vietnam—all pathways require genuine residence
- Want to avoid taxation on worldwide income once a tax resident
- Are being offered "Australia Visa 188 investment"—request written confirmation of current program status from your advisor before committing funds
This article provides foundational reference information. Australian migration policy changes frequently—the investment program specifically closed in 2024. You should work with a registered Australian migration agent (MARA); Viking Global Group offers guidance and connections.