While India is generally much cheaper, items like quality Australian wine, duty-free luxury goods (cosmetics, fragrances), certain high-quality groceries (milk powder, butter), and domestic-sourced gold can be relatively cheaper in Australia due to local production and lower import costs, alongside free/low-cost public services like beaches and parks.
Top 12 Unique Australia Souvenir Ideas
The best buys at Australian duty-free are typically alcohol (especially premium spirits and Australian wines like Penfolds), designer fragrances, luxury cosmetics, and Australian-made skincare (Jurlique, Lucas' Papaw Ointment), along with high-tax items like cigarettes, due to significant savings compared to local prices. You can also find good deals on electronics, luxury accessories, and gourmet chocolates, often with unique Australian treats available as souvenirs.
Yes, gold is generally cheaper in Australia than in India, primarily because Australia is a major gold producer, leading to lower local prices due to reduced import needs and lower taxes/tariffs compared to India, which often adds import duties. While specific rates fluctuate, Australia consistently ranks among the countries with lower gold prices due to its domestic mining, making it a cheaper option for buying investment gold compared to India's higher duties, though India remains popular for its jewelry selection.
Yes, the cost of living in Australia is considerably higher than in India.
Australia offers great deals on local fashion brands like Cotton On, Country Road, and Bonds, surfwear like Billabong, and iconic items such as Ugg boots and Tim Tams, especially during sales, while budget supermarkets like Aldi and major retailers like Kmart/Target provide value; for specific premium goods like supplements (Swisse) or certain luxury brands (Lululemon, Aesop), Australian prices and tax refunds can be significantly lower than in other countries.
What to Pack from Australia (Things You Won't Easily Find Back Home)
Quality of Life: Australia usually registers at the top of global indices of quality of life. Clean cities, low air pollution levels, first-rate healthcare, and education make residents happy.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
Yes, AUD 5,000 (around $3,300 USD) can be enough for a single person's month in Australia, especially in regional areas or if you're budget-conscious and can find work quickly, but it will be tight in major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, where it covers basics but leaves little for luxury, according to Anzuk Education and Reddit users, as city living costs, especially rent, can quickly consume most of that, requiring careful planning for accommodation, food, and activities.
Liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products tend to offer the best deals because they're usually heavily taxed. Other items you're likely to find in many duty-free shops include perfumes, gourmet chocolates (especially from Switzerland), electronics, cosmetics, and other beauty items.
The Australian Government's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) allows international travellers to claim a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET). The government pays this on eligible purchases you make in Australia and take offshore when you meet certain conditions.
While many famous brands like Arnott's or Vegemite have Australian roots, they are often foreign-owned; genuinely 100% Australian-owned and made brands include Norco, SPC, Mayvers, Sanitarium, Bundaberg Rum, Fess Nasal Sprays, Hydralyte, and many smaller businesses found via the Australian Made Campaign like GME, Aqualyte, and Struc Steel. Look for the Australian Made and Owned logo for assurance that money stays local.
Australia's "Big Five" typically refers to iconic native animals like Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Platypuses, and Freshwater Crocodiles, though variations exist, with some focusing on marine life (Whale Sharks, Humpbacks) or specific regions like Western Australia (Quokkas, Whale Sharks, Orcas, Humpbacks, Kangaroos). These animals represent Australia's unique biodiversity, with the land-based set being popular for wildlife parks and tours.
The United States of America has the largest gold reserves in the world. It holds 8,133.46 metric tonnes of gold, closely equal to the combined reserves of the next three largest gold-holding countries, namely Germany, Italy, and France.
Switzerland: Purity and Prestige
The cost of 24K gold in Switzerland is approximately ₹78,660 per 10 grams due to its 99.99% purity. VAT-exempt investment gold enjoys high demand, making it an elite purchase when it comes to the best countries to buy gold cheap.
Indian Households Hold the World's Largest Private Gold Reserve 🇮🇳 📌Indian households own 25,488 tonnes of gold 🥇, making them the world's largest private holders of gold reserves.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
Overview. According to the Australian High Commission, there are about 3,000 to 4,000 Australians living and working in India.
Some of the best things to buy in Australia are:
Importing Gold Bars and Coins
You can bring up to 1 kilogram of gold bars or coins from the USA to India, but these are not duty-free. All gold bars and coins must be declared upon arrival at Indian customs.
Major imports by India from Australia
India's major imports from Australia include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes.