Moving to Singapore from Great Barrier Reef and Queensland: Expat Guide usually starts with one core question: is Singapore the right next step for lifestyle, career, and property investment? For many Australians from Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, and coastal Queensland, the answer is yes—especially if you plan carefully around visas, housing, and costs, and use a trusted platform like Homejourney to navigate Singapore’s real estate safely.
This focused guide supports our main pillar on moving to Singapore as an expat , and zooms in on the unique needs of people familiar with the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Australia, and Australia tourism who are now considering a long-term base or investment in Singapore.
Life in Great Barrier Reef & Queensland vs Singapore
If you are used to life in Queensland—weekends on the Great Barrier Reef, relaxed coastal cities like Cairns and Townsville, and the café culture of Brisbane—Singapore will feel both familiar and very different.
Similarities: both are warm, coastal, English-speaking environments with strong tourism industries and a focus on safety and cleanliness. Singapore’s waterfront areas like Marina Bay and Sentosa can feel like a more compact, urban version of Cairns’ Esplanade, with promenades, parks, and year-round outdoor activities.
Differences: Singapore is far denser and more vertical, with high-rise condos instead of low-rise Queensland houses, and an extremely efficient public transport network instead of car-centric suburbs.[1][3] The cost of cars is dramatically higher in Singapore due to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system, so most expats rely on MRT, buses, and taxis.[1]
Many Queenslanders are first introduced to Singapore on stopovers from Brisbane or Cairns to Asia or Europe, or through combined trips with the Great Barrier Reef & Queensland Australia Guide Great Barrier Reef & Queensland Australia Guide | Homejourney . Those who return to Singapore as expats usually cite career progression, regional business exposure, and stable, well-regulated property markets as the main draws.
Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Jobs & Costs
Visa and work pass options for Australians
Australian citizens do not need a visa for short tourist visits to Singapore (up to 30 days in most cases), but to live and work here you will need a valid work pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[3][4] Your employer typically sponsors and applies for the pass on your behalf.
Key work passes include:
- Employment Pass (EP): for professionals, managers, and executives, with a minimum qualifying salary (regularly updated by MOM). As of recent guidelines, base thresholds start in the SGD 5,000 range for most sectors, higher for financial services.[4]
- S Pass: for mid-skilled employees, with a lower salary threshold but quotas and levies applied on employers.[4]
- Dependant’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass: for eligible family members of EP and S Pass holders.[4]
Official requirements and the latest salary thresholds change regularly, so always verify directly on the Ministry of Manpower website and, where needed, consult an immigration professional.
Employment opportunities for Queenslanders
Australians from Queensland often move into sectors where Singapore is a regional hub: finance, trade, logistics, aviation, tourism, marine sciences, and sustainability. Professionals with experience in reef conservation, marine tourism, hospitality, and aviation often pivot into roles with regional hotel groups, cruise operators, tourism boards, or environmental consultancies in Singapore.
From a practical standpoint, it is easier to secure a Singapore role while you are still in Australia. Many employers conduct initial interviews online, then arrange relocation once the pass is approved. Use LinkedIn, Australian alumni groups in Singapore, and expat career networks to target companies with existing Australian teams.
Cost of living: Great Barrier Reef & Queensland vs Singapore
Sydney and Brisbane residents are often prepared for high costs, but long-time Cairns or Townsville locals may find Singapore prices for rent, cars, and alcohol noticeably higher. Everyday food at hawker centres and many local services, however, can be cheaper than dining out in major Australian cities.[5][6]
As a rough guide (figures vary by location and property type):
- Central condo rental: SGD 4,000–7,000 per month for a 2–3 bedroom near Orchard, River Valley, or Tanjong Pagar.
- City-fringe or suburban condo: SGD 3,000–4,500 per month in areas like Pasir Panjang, Paya Lebar, or Upper Bukit Timah.
- Public transport: most MRT trips cost SGD 1.00–2.50 with contactless cards.
Homejourney helps you benchmark rental prices across different districts via our property search Property Search and projects directory Projects Directory , so you can cross-check asking rents against completed transactions and verified listings.
Australian community and social networks
Singapore has a well-established Australian community, with around 20,000 Australian expats living here according to recent expat estimates.[4] You will find:
- Australian & New Zealand associations and sports clubs (rugby, AFL, netball).
- Australian international schools offering familiar curricula.
- Regular ANZAC Day events and Australian-themed social meetups.[8]
Many Queenslanders cluster around family-friendly areas with good schools (e.g., Holland Village, Bukit Timah, East Coast), balancing suburban greenery with easy MRT access.
Property in Singapore for Expats from Great Barrier Reef & Queensland
What foreigners can buy
Singapore’s housing market is highly regulated to keep it safe and stable, which aligns with Homejourney’s focus on user safety and trust. Foreigners can typically buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments (both resale and new launch).
- Executive condominiums (ECs) on the resale market after the 10-year mark, when they are fully privatised.
Foreigners generally cannot buy subsidised public housing (HDB BTO flats) and face restrictions for landed property such as bungalows or terrace houses, which usually require approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU).[1][6]
ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for Australians
In addition to Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreign buyers pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property in Singapore. Rates are periodically adjusted by the government to manage speculation, and foreigners typically face one of the highest ABSD tiers compared to citizens and Permanent Residents.
Because ABSD policy changes can materially affect your investment decision, always verify the latest figures with IRAS or a qualified solicitor and cross-check with Homejourney’s financing resources and bank rates page Bank Rates .
Popular neighbourhoods for Queensland expats
Drawing on first-hand observations of Australian enclaves and tenant patterns, the following areas tend to be popular with expats from Great Barrier Reef and Queensland Australia:
- East Coast / Katong: breezy, coastal lifestyle, popular with families who like walking or cycling by the sea. Travel time to CBD by bus or MRT is usually 25–35 minutes.
- Holland Village & Bukit Timah: low-rise feel, many international schools within a 10–15 minute drive, café culture that feels familiar to Brisbane and Cairns residents.
- Orchard, River Valley, Robertson Quay: central, urban lifestyle with short commutes, suited for professionals willing to pay higher rents for convenience.
- HarbourFront / Sentosa: waterfront condos and resort-style living that resonates with those used to the Great Barrier Reef and coastal tourism areas.
You can explore verified listings in these neighbourhoods via Homejourney’s property search tool Property Search , filtering by budget, bedroom count, and MRT proximity to prioritise both convenience and safety.
Rental market overview and insider tips
Many Queenslanders choose to rent for the first 2–3 years before deciding whether to buy. Typical leases are 2 years with a diplomatic clause often kicking in after the first 12–15 months. Landlords usually request one to two months’ security deposit, plus one month’s rent in advance.
Insider tips from locals and long-term expats:
- Always check for aircon servicing history—humidity can cause mould if systems are poorly maintained. Homejourney’s aircon services partners Aircon Services can help you set up regular servicing after you move in.
- Visit at different times of day to check traffic noise and nearby construction.
- Factor in commute time by MRT rather than by car—most expats rely on public transport.
