Moving to Zambia from Australia

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Australia to Zambia. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°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 Zambia.

Living there in 2020
323 ↑ 39% vs 2015

people born in Australia live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Australia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

AU
0.8
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

AU
4.5
ZM
17.1

Australia performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

AU
$7,691
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

AU
39.8
ZM
2.6

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia 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
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

AU
14.1t
ZM
0.5t

Australia generally does better on environment, though Zambia 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
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

AU
4.6%
ZM
2.8%

Australia generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

AU
3.7%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AU
$59,500
ZM
$3,700

Australia generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

AU
83.1 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AU
3.0
ZM
37.1

Australia performs better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

Data: Australian Taxation Office, 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

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Canberra Lusaka
Jan–Mar 80°/54°F (26°/12°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 61°/39°F (16°/4°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 56°/35°F (13°/1°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 73°/47°F (23°/9°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Canberra Lusaka
Jan 82°/55°F (27.7°/13.0°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 81°/55°F (27.0°/12.9°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 76°/51°F (24.4°/10.7°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 68°/44°F (19.8°/6.6°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 60°/38°F (15.4°/3.1°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 54°/34°F (12.1°/0.9°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 52°/32°F (11.2°/-0.2°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 55°/34°F (12.9°/1.0°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 61°/38°F (16.0°/3.1°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 67°/43°F (19.2°/6.0°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 72°/47°F (22.4°/8.5°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 79°/52°F (26.0°/11.2°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Bureau of Meteorology Bureau of Meteorology, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Australia passport

Australia passport holder visiting Zambia

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

Zambia passport holder visiting Australia

Visa Required
Zambia 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 Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Australia performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Australia.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Australia?

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 39.8 in Australia. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Australia: 87).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 67°F in Canberra. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Canberra gets 24.8 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

Both Australia and Zambia share the same official language: English.

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At a Glance

AU ZM
Population 26,141,369 19,642,123
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages English English
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +61 +260
Time zones 8 1
Emergency number 000