Why Aussies Abroad Say Life Is Cheaper and Better - But Still Miss Home
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With around 1 million Australians living abroad - nearly 4% of the population - it’s clear that many of us see the advantages of building a life outside of Australia. According to the latest Advance Global Australians 2025 report, most Aussies living abroad moved overseas in search of better job opportunities and a higher quality of life. And for many, the move has paid off.
Across key areas like housing, dining, transport, and groceries, Aussies abroad report that life is not only more affordable but also better overall - which comes as no surprise, given Australia’s cost of living crisis.
Yet, despite these advantages, the pull of home remains strong. The majority of Aussies overseas want to return eventually - however, the reality of moving back is often more complicated than expected.
In this article, I’ll be going through some of the key findings of Advanced Global Australians’ report, and explore why moving home might be especially challenging for women balancing careers, family, and financial security.
Why Aussie Women Are Drawn to Life Abroad
For many Australian women, moving overseas is often a chance to break free from high living costs, experience new cultures, and build careers in ways that might not have been possible at home.
It’s no secret that Australia’s soaring costs of living are hitting younger Australians harder than older generations, and it’s exactly this demographic that seems to be leaving. According to the ABS, the median age for Aussies moving abroad is 31. And it seems to be a growing trend - between 2023-2024, the total number of Aussies leaving to move overseas increased by 8%, from 204,000 to 221,000.
Multiple sources (like WorldData and Numbeo) list Australia as being one of the 20 most expensive countries to live in, ahead of countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, China, and Japan - the countries which have the largest Australian migrant populations.
Given all this, it makes sense that Aussies living abroad might noticeably feel less of a pinch in day-to-day costs, allowing for more spending on hobbies, leisure and travel - and potentially contributing to the “better life” reported by the report’s participants.
There’s another factor to consider here that’s especially relevant to women with families, who usually carry a larger share of domestic and childcare responsibilities. In a lot of countries, the availability of government-subsidised childcare, affordable domestic help, and flexible working arrangements can often make it much easier for mothers to juggle career and family life, allowing them to enjoy a lifestyle that might be out of reach in Australia.
Beyond finances, living abroad often brings a sense of reinvention. Many Australian women view it as a chance to expand their horizons, step outside of traditional expectations, and find new ways to balance ambition, relationships, and personal fulfillment.
But Why Do So Many Still Want to Return?
Despite the perks of living abroad, 95% of Aussies living abroad report wanting to eventually come home. And there’s one overwhelming factor pulling them back: family. While video calls and WhatsApp chats can help bridge the distance, they don’t replace being there for milestones, ageing parents, or the casual everyday moments that make up family life.
It’s likely that this is an even greater concern for those raising children outside of Australia. They might start to question:
Do I want my kids to grow up close to their grandparents, cousins, and extended family?
Am I missing out on a support network that would make parenting easier?
Would moving home give me a better work-life balance?
According to Advance Global Australian’s report, social life and healthcare access are also major considerations. For Australians living in countries like the United States - where the healthcare system is notoriously complex and expensive - the appeal of returning to Medicare’s universal healthcare system is clearly a strong drawcard. And for women planning families, raising children, or considering future healthcare needs, the stability and accessibility of Australia’s system can be a powerful reason to move home.
I also think there’s another factor here that’s not mentioned in the report, but comes up a lot when I talk to other Aussie women living abroad. Australia’s geographic isolation can often make leaving - and staying away - feel like a much bigger leap than it might for expats from other parts of the world (like Europe or North America, where a flight back home may just be a couple of hours). The sheer distance can often make the separation feel more acute.
That distance can seem manageable at first, especially in the excitement of new opportunities, travel, and personal growth. But for many, the longer they stay away, the more they feel the tug of home, especially when major life changes happen.
The Challenges of Moving Back - And Why Many Hesitate
Even when the desire to return is strong, the practical realities of moving back to Australia can be daunting.
It probably comes as no surprise that the top deterrent against moving back home is the cost of housing. Most Aussies left when housing was already expensive, but for those contemplating a move back, returning now may feel even more impossible. Major cities have seen property and rental prices soar, and expats often dread the thought of trying to get a foot back onto Australia’s property ladder.
Those who do make the move back find themselves coming up against unexpected challenges that don’t exactly help to make the transition a smooth one. According to Advanced Global Australians’ report, one of the biggest hurdles for Aussies who return home is rebuilding their social and professional networks. Years abroad mean friendships and professional contacts may have faded, and for women in particular - who often bear the mental load of maintaining social ties - this can be an isolating experience.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard about Aussie women outgrowing friendships when they return back home, due to a perceived lack of interest in their experiences abroad - something that can be frustrating when you’ve lived a whole other life that you’re not ready to completely let go of just yet.
What’s more, while many leave Australia to advance their careers, returning can feel like starting over. Some find that their international experience isn’t always valued by Australian employers, or that industries have changed since they left. For women who took time off for parenting, re-entering the job market can be even more challenging. Considering that career is often the primary motivator for leaving Australia in the first place, it can be disappointing to come home and feel like you’ve taken one step forward, but two steps back.
Finally, it’s easy to assume that coming home will feel familiar and effortless, but for some, Australia feels very different after years abroad. Adjusting back to life in Australia (and the reality of expensive groceries, slower public transport, and different work cultures) can be unexpectedly difficult. This “reverse culture shock” can leave returnees feeling like outsiders in their own country, grappling with a sense of disconnection from both their old life and the one they left behind.
All these factors might explain why, according to InSync Network Group, it’s common for Aussie expats who come home to actually leave again. In fact, 42% of Aussies who returned home (or “repatriated”) had actually done so at least once before, showing that the decision to move back to Australia isn’t always a permanent one.
So… Stay or Go? The Ongoing Tug-of-War
Advance Global Australians’ report highlights the fact that for Aussies living abroad, the decision to stay or go is rarely simple. The question often comes down to whether the emotional pull of home outweighs the practical benefits of life overseas. And it’s not an easy choice: while financial stability, career growth, and adventure are powerful motivators, and the deep longing for family and security can be just as strong.
For some, staying overseas makes sense, even if it is just for now. For others, the pull of home eventually becomes too strong to ignore. But for many, the decision is never final. And being able to have those options is something that reflects the unique privilege of being an Australian abroad: the ability to build a life elsewhere while always having the option of returning to familiar shores.
Have you struggled with the decision to stay abroad or return to Australia? Share your story in the comments below - I’d love to hear how you’ve navigated the challenges of living abroad.
