Many people want to relocate to Thailand soon after visiting the country for the first time. Moving to Thailand from Australia is a bit easier and less expensive than moving your belongings halfway around the world. However, some details must still be seen once you’ve arrived.
Sabuy Express offers this comprehensive guide on how to successfully move to Thailand from Australia. We’ll focus on readers who are moving to Thailand for retirement, education, or simply wealthy individuals looking for a lifestyle change.
Common Long-Term Visa Options in Thailand
The first hurdle to overcome when you arrive in Thailand to live is getting the proper long-term visa. Four long-term visas are currently available to most foreigners wanting to establish a home in Thailand. All long-term visas require visa-holders to report to immigration every 90 days, although you can report online. The current visas are
Retirement Visa
The retirement or non-immigrant O-A visa is available to people over age 50 who meet the financial requirements, including at least THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank annually or THB 65,000 per month of income.
DTV Visa
The Destination Thailand Visa, or DTV visa, is also known as the digital nomad or remote worker visa. It’s a cost-effective visa that’s valid for five years. The requirements include a local or foreign bank statement showing a minimum balance of at least THB 500,000 per year and an employment contract or certificate authenticated by the embassy of the country where the company employing the applicant is located.
Education Visa
The education visa allows you to reside in Thailand for 90 days, after which you can apply for a one-year visa. The requirements include an acceptance letter from a recognized Thai education institution and sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses.
Elite Visa
The Elite Visa has four membership levels. The financial requirements for the different levels are THB 900,000 for a 5-year visa, THB 1,500,00 for a 10-year visa, THB 2,500,000 for a 15-year visa, and THB 5,000,000 for a 20-year visa.
Banking in Thailand
For Australians, setting up a Wise account is useful for transferring Australian funds to Thailand. Wise is now operating in Thailand. Once you have a long-term visa, opening a Thai bank account will generally be easy. It’s advisable to transfer money into your Thai bank account as needed and pay your daily expenses using a QR code or cash.
Thailand Transportation
An Australian driver’s license is not valid in Thailand for longer than 90 days. Once you have a long-term visa, you can apply for a Thai driver’s license. The tests can be taken in English. However, many foreigners find they can get around in Thai cities by relying only on public transportation.
Finding a Place to Live
There are many online real estate listings for apartments and houses at a wide variety of prices in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui. A first and last month’s deposit, and a long-term visa are generally required for a one-year lease. Foreigners can only legally own condominiums in Thailand. There is a large variety of luxury condos for expat ownership in all the major cities in Thailand. Expats who want to live in a free-standing house are free to lease their homes.
Health and Accident Insurance
Health insurance for foreigners is generally a must in Thailand. Only expats employed by a company registered and operating in Thailand can use the public healthcare system. However, many reputable insurance companies in Thailand offer health insurance for foreigners. These policies will give you access to quality healthcare in private hospitals in Thailand. The policies can be much less expensive than in other countries.
Importing Your Belongs from Australia
Sabuy Express is a trusted and experienced company specializing in shipping from Australia to Thailand. Under Thailand’s customs laws, people relocating to Thailand are entitled to one-time allowances on belongings brought into the country. Sabuy Express can ensure you receive the customs allowances and help you make the importation of your personal belongings a smooth and trouble-free experience. Contact Sabuy Express before moving from Australia to Thailand.
References:
- Moving to Thailand from Australia – The Step-by-step Guide – Retrieved July 23, 2025, from: https://offshoreinasia.com/moving-to-thailand-from-australia/
- Thailand’s Retirement Visa – Retrieved July 23, 2025, from: https://offshoreinasia.com/thailands-retirement-visa/
- How Anyone Can Live in Thailand Using the Thai Education Visa – Retrieved July 23, 2025, from: https://offshoreinasia.com/how-anyone-can-live-in-thailand-using-the-thai-education-visa/
- The Thailand Elite Privilege Card Explained – Retrieved July 23, 2025, from: https://offshoreinasia.com/the-thai-elite-visa-explained/
