Moving to Vanuatu from Australia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Australia to Vanuatu. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Port Vila averages 83°F vs 67°F in Canberra, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Australia to Vanuatu.

Living there in 2020
665 ↑ 2% vs 2015

people born in Australia live in Vanuatu · UN DESA

Who's moving to Vanuatu?

Top countries of origin for Vanuatu's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Vanuatu compared to Australia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

AU
0.8
VU
0.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

AU
4.5
VU
12.5

Australia generally does better on safety, though Vanuatu leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

AU
$7,691
VU
$141
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

AU
39.8
VU
1.6

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

AU
10.0
VU
57.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

AU
14.1t
VU
0.9t

Australia generally does better on environment, though Vanuatu leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

AU
35.1
VU
1.1
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

AU
96.0%
VU
66.0%

Australia performs better than Vanuatu 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%
VU
5.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AU
$59,500
VU
$3,000

Australia performs better than Vanuatu across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

AU
83.1 yrs
VU
75.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AU
3.0
VU
14.3

Australia performs better than Vanuatu across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Canberra Rain: 24.8 in/yr (629 mm)
67° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Port Vila Rain: 87.5 in/yr (2222 mm)
83° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Canberra Port Vila
Jan–Mar 80°/54°F (26°/12°C) 86°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Apr–Jun 61°/39°F (16°/4°C) 82°/70°F (28°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 56°/35°F (13°/1°C) 79°/67°F (26°/19°C)
Oct–Dec 73°/47°F (23°/9°C) 84°/71°F (29°/22°C)
View all months
Month Canberra Port Vila
Jan 82°/55°F (27.7°/13.0°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.4°C)
Feb 81°/55°F (27.0°/12.9°C) 86°/74°F (30.2°/23.6°C)
Mar 76°/51°F (24.4°/10.7°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C)
Apr 68°/44°F (19.8°/6.6°C) 84°/72°F (28.9°/22.5°C)
May 60°/38°F (15.4°/3.1°C) 82°/70°F (27.7°/21.3°C)
Jun 54°/34°F (12.1°/0.9°C) 80°/69°F (26.7°/20.5°C)
Jul 52°/32°F (11.2°/-0.2°C) 79°/67°F (25.9°/19.5°C)
Aug 55°/34°F (12.9°/1.0°C) 79°/67°F (26.1°/19.3°C)
Sep 61°/38°F (16.0°/3.1°C) 80°/67°F (26.7°/19.6°C)
Oct 67°/43°F (19.2°/6.0°C) 82°/69°F (27.8°/20.6°C)
Nov 72°/47°F (22.4°/8.5°C) 84°/71°F (28.9°/21.7°C)
Dec 79°/52°F (26.0°/11.2°C) 85°/72°F (29.7°/22.4°C)

Data: Bureau of Meteorology Bureau of Meteorology, Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Australia passport

Australia passport holder visiting Vanuatu

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

Vanuatu passport holder visiting Australia

Visa Required
Vanuatu passport holders need a visa to enter Australia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Vanuatu?

Connectivity is usually fine (Vanuatu: 1.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Vanuatu offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Vanuatu safe for expats?

Australia generally does better on safety, though Vanuatu leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Vanuatu is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Australia.

How is healthcare in Vanuatu compared to Australia?

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Vanuatu, compared to 39.8 in Australia. Vanuatu scores 47 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Australia: 87).

What's the weather like in Vanuatu compared to Australia?

The average high temperature in Port Vila is 83°F, compared to 67°F in Canberra. Port Vila receives around 87.5 in of rainfall per year, while Canberra gets 24.8 in.

What language do they speak in Vanuatu?

The official languages in Vanuatu are Bislama, English and French. In Australia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

AU VU
Population 26,141,369 308,043
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) Vanuatu Vatu (VUV)
Languages English Bislama, English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +61 +678
Time zones 8 1
Emergency number 000