Canberra: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to Canberra in 2026

Canberra is Australia's capital, a planned city among hills and a lake with government institutions, strong universities and one of the highest income levels in the country. The city is calm, safe and green, with short commutes, but smaller and quieter than Sydney and Melbourne. Moving suits specialists on work visas, researchers and families who value schools and a quiet life, while the path to permanent residence runs through an employer or a talent visa.

What it costs to live in Canberra

Prices come from two independent 2026 price databases, with Australian dollars converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026. A square metre of a flat in the centre costs about $9,940-11,180.

Where to live in Canberra: districts

• Civic and Braddon - the city centre with cafés, bars and flats in new buildings.
• Kingston and Barton - by the lake and Parliament, prestigious and quiet.
• Gungahlin - the fast-growing north with new homes and light rail to the centre.
• Belconnen - the north-west near the university, a shopping centre and a lake.
• Woden and Tuggeranong - the south with family homes, schools and parks, cheaper than the centre.

Visas and the path to permanent residence

The main route is the skills in demand work visa through a sponsoring employer: up to 4 years, at least a year of experience, a salary threshold from 1 July 2026 of AUD 79,423 a year, or AUD 146,576 for high earners, and a government fee of about $2,800. After 2 years of work you can move to permanent residence. Recognised specialists get permanent residence straight away on the talent visa by invitation, with a fee of AUD 6,235, about $4,340, and no employer or investment needed. Citizenship is granted after 4 years in the country, including a year with permanent status. More on the skills in demand visa and Australian talent visa pages.

Taxes in Australia

The tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Residents pay no tax on the first AUD 18,200 a year, then 15%, 30%, 37% and 45%, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Non-residents pay 30% from the first dollar up to 135,000. Employers pay 12% superannuation on top of salary. Corporate tax is 30%, or 25% for small and medium businesses, GST is 10%, and there is no inheritance tax. More on the Taxes in Australia page.

Buying and renting

Since 1 April 2025 foreigners and temporary residents have been banned from buying established homes, and the government has announced an extension of the ban to 30 June 2029. Any purchase by a foreigner requires approval from the foreign investment regulator and is mainly allowed for new builds and development land, while states add surcharges to stamp duty and land tax. So newcomers usually rent: leases are 6-12 months, the bond is usually four weeks' rent, and good flats draw dozens of people to viewings.

Climate and everyday life

Canberra has four seasons: hot, dry summers, cool autumns with bright foliage and cold winters with night frosts, unusual for Australia. In summer bushfires and smoke can occur around the city. The city is bike-friendly, with buses and light rail. It has strong public schools and universities, and the coast and ski resorts are about two to three hours away by car.

Work

The largest employer is the public service, but its jobs usually require Australian citizenship, so newcomers more often work in universities, research centres, healthcare, construction, IT and defence through private contractors. The average salary after tax is among the highest in the country, about $4,330-4,500 a month.

Pitfalls

• The established housing market is closed to foreigners until 2029.
• Many public service jobs are open only to citizens.
• Competition for rental flats.
• Cold winters and summer bushfires.
• Without a sponsoring employer or a talent visa invitation, moving is difficult.

Murblz specialists match a visa to your profile, prepare documents and calculate the moving budget.