Moving to Taiwan from Australia

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Australia to Taiwan? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Australia to Taiwan, you would find that Taiwan is 31.4% cheaper than Australia overall. A A$107,867 salary in Australia would need to be roughly NT$1,767,816 in Taiwan to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Australia and Taiwan.

What does your salary buy?

A$107,867 NT$1,767,816

To maintain the same standard of living in Taiwan

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 62.5% less

Groceries

pay 14.1% more

Transportation

pay 23.9% less

Housing

pay 63.5% less

Childcare

pay 22.2% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 43.9% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 AUD = 22.33 TWD (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Cost of living by city

Cost of living varies a lot by city. Each figure is a city's overall cost of living as a percentage of New York City (the priciest, = 100%).

On average, cities in Taiwan cost about 24% less than cities in Australia.

Australia

Sydney 64%
Melbourne 60%
Perth 57%
Brisbane 57%
Adelaide 55%

Taiwan

HsinChu 47%
Tainan 43%
Taoyuan 39%

Compare cities head-to-head

Get free moving quotes to Taiwan

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Taiwan compared to Australia.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

AU
96.0%
TW
90.0%

Australia performs better than Taiwan across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

AU
3.7%
TW
3.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AU
$59,500
TW
$47,800

Australia generally does better on employment & economy, though Taiwan leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

AU
83.1 yrs
TW
81.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AU
3.0
TW
4.0

Australia performs better than Taiwan across all family life metrics.

Data: Australian Taxation Office, The World Factbook

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Australia and Taiwan. To live, work, or study long-term in Taiwan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Taiwan's immigration authority.

Australia passport

Australia passport holder visiting Taiwan

Visa Free
Australia passport holders can enter Taiwan without a visa.
Taiwan passport

Taiwan passport holder visiting Australia

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Taiwan passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Australia.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Taiwan than Australia?

On average Taiwan is about 27% less expensive than Australia, with major cities narrowing the gap.

How much money do I need to move to Taiwan?

Budget about NT$441,954 for 3 months in Taiwan (based on a A$107,867 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Taiwan?

From major Taiwan cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Australia and Taiwan are what actually decide it long-term.

What language do they speak in Taiwan?

The official language in Taiwan is Chinese. In Australia, the official language is English.

Share this

At a Glance

AU TW
Population 26,141,369 23,580,712
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)
Languages English Chinese
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +61 +886
Time zones 8 1
Emergency number 000 110