Living in Australia

If you're considering a move to Australia or are simply curious about what day-to-day life is like here, you’ll find plenty of quirks and conveniences that make it a unique place to call home. From unexpected power outages to the ease of utility meter readings, here's a glimpse into everyday life Down Under.

Power Outages: A Common Occurrence

You’ll notice when living in Australia that power outages can be surprisingly frequent, especially during storms or heat waves. We experienced this twice, once in Kewdale, where we lost power for a few hours (annoying but nothing too bad), and while pet-sitting in Balga—one night around 22h, the power suddenly went out. It turned out that an electrical pole had caught fire, leaving the entire area in darkness. Since we weren’t prepared for an extended blackout, we decided to escape to the city the following morning. The outage lasted until 5 o'clock the next day, making it a clear reminder always to have a fully charged power bank on hand. Some suburbs experience outages more than others, so it’s worth asking locals about the grid's reliability in your area.

Pool Fence Regulations: Safety First

If you have a pool (or are renting a place with one), you'll quickly become familiar with Australia's strict pool fencing laws. Pool fences are mandatory, and regular inspections ensure they meet safety standards. While staying in Kewdale—one day, out of nowhere, a big guy showed up and asked to check the pool fencing. It was an unexpected visit, but we soon realised these inspections were routine and taken very seriously. It might seem excessive at first, but given Australia’s warm climate and the number of backyard pools, these laws help prevent accidents, especially for young children.

Utility Meters by the Road: No Need to Be Home

A small but convenient feature of Australian homes is that utility meters—whether for electricity, water, or gas—are often located by the road. This means you don’t need to be home for meter readings, as technicians can easily access them from the street. It’s one less thing to worry about when scheduling your day! This surprised us as one afternoon, the dog in Kewdale went bonkers and started barking at the front door. We opened it to check, making sure the dog was held back. A man was fiddling with the electricity box, and he hardly looked up when we said hello.

Life and Work in Western Australia

Margaux at the Fromagerie & Deli in Boatshed Cottesloe

If you love gourmet food, you’d envy Margaux’s job at the Fromagerie & Deli inside the Boatshed Market in Cottesloe. The market is well-known for its high-quality produce, and the Fromagerie is a dream spot for cheese lovers. From French bries to a whole row of blue cheese to locally made cheddar, Margaux gets to work surrounded by some of the finest cheeses in the world. But it’s not all smooth sailing—she sometimes has to deal with Karens trying to scam their way into free cheese or husbands wandering utterly clueless about what their wives asked them to buy. One of the more amusing pieces of advice she’s received? Many people dumpster-dive for the cheeses that don’t get sold, as many of the sell-by dates are set way before the product actually expires. Plus, being in Cottesloe means she’s just a short walk away from one of Perth’s most famous beaches—perfect for unwinding after a shift. She'll be using those when I have to go pick her up when we rent a car, as she gets off at 2 pm and me at 4 pm.

Ocean Reef Marine Aquariums

Meanwhile, I'm spending my days working as a service technician at Ocean Reef. This means I get to interact with all sorts of aquatic life while maintaining and setting up tanks for clients. Whether ensuring the perfect water chemistry or introducing vibrant coral and fish species, my work brings a little piece of the ocean into people’s homes and businesses. While I have to look out for the sharper corners of the coral and the odd bitty fish, it's a great way to get some experience with odd creatures while practising for when we have an aquarium of our own again.

Final Thoughts

Living in Australia comes with its own set of adjustments, but the lifestyle is hard to beat. Whether it’s adapting to power outages, getting used to strict pool safety laws, or enjoying the convenience of roadside utility meters, life here is full of little surprises. And for those lucky enough to land a job near the coast, like us, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Australia’s way of life.

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