How the hell can I stay in Australia,
and do I even want to?
2nd April 2026
I’ve been living in Australia for three and a half years now.
I remember the day I landed here so vividly: arriving into Melbourne at 7am after a 24-hour flight; I had no data, I didn’t know how the trams worked, and as a result, walked 35 minutes through the city with my backpack to my hotel, where it was (obviously) far too early to check-in. After buying another night’s stay as a result, I collapsed on the bed and the sudden realisation of just how far away I was, and just how alone I was, hit me like a tonne of bricks. I didn't know a single person in this country, and I was 10000 miles away from home. It took everything in me not to look at booking the next flight home.
Thinking back to this moment now, as a 25 year old, living in the same city (where I now consider home). Having planted so many roots here, I ironically have an almost alien and detached feeling to the UK. The script has flipped. And presently, I'm sat wondering, in six months time, I may have to go back.
What's the visa situ?
Acquiring a Working Holiday visa is pretty common knowledge now, not many people, however, talk about the process of staying after this is over, and just how hard it really is. I have a series of tabs collapsed on my laptop with immigration websites, help sites and questions for ChatGPT, which has kind of become symbolic for my current and complete avoidance of this topic. I just can't think about it, but I obviously need to.
My options are:
1. Student visa
2. Partner visa
3. Job sponsorship
The odds of me finding an Australian partner are next to none (see previous posts), I don’t really want to go back into education at all (it’s extortionate and you can’t work full-time whilst studying), so I don’t know how feasible it would even be, so that leaves sponsorship - which I have tried, and failed at. Perhaps studying English Literature and Philosophy wasn't the best idea? Perhaps it's time I learn a trade.
God, this is so woe is me. But, I do believe if there’s a will there’s a way. That's why I haven't fully given up or fully accepted the idea that it's not possible.
But where do I even want to be?
To put it frankly, I don’t know. In so many ways, coming to Australia was the best thing I could have ever done with my life and has fully shaped me into who I am now. But whilst I do love Australia, there are definitely things I don't like or align with here. Additionally, I’ve never lived adult life in any other country, so shouldn’t I at least try somewhere else?
The UK just isn’t calling to me. In many ways I’m completely different to the 22 year old grad who flew over here and in some ways I’m exactly the same. I guess it terrifies me, going back to the place I used to be, because doesn’t that consequently mean I’ll revert back into the person I was?
Change is terrifying but fundamental
Everything considered, the main thing that terrifies me is starting over, again. Melbourne feels like home, I don’t want to just rip my roots out. I feel like I’ve reset so many times before, and whilst I know this is the nature of life, I'm unsure if I can face that again right now.
The main thing I’ve learned over the years, is the importance of people. I know I can get myself through almost anything, I believe that, but having a foundational group of people around you is what can make or break a place. The thought of going to somewhere new again, completely on my own again, is a terrifying prospect, add in to the mix a language barrier, culture shock etc. But on that same vein, is a place only as good as the people in it? Would my life be as fulfilling if people moved away and my Melbourne circle shifted? So many questions.
I, contradictorily, have a tendency to run away from places but also overstay my welcome. I have definitely left places before at the first sign of adversity, but similarly, I've stayed for way too long (cough cough Gold Coast) and grow into absolutely resenting where I am. If I end up staying in Melbourne, I really don't want that to happen. Is it just better to leave on a good note?
Verdict: I have commitment issues?
I think what it all essentially boils down to is control, and my lack of it in this scenario. The thought of getting sponsored by a company, whilst a privilege and an amazing opportunity, is also quite suffocating. Having the trajectory of my entire life be in the control of essentially one person, or group of people, is unsettling to say the least.
I also know in myself that if I committed to the decision to stay, and a year or so down the line, I grow to hate it, I would feel as though I couldn't back out, that I had made it this far so would have to see it through.
This stream-of-consciousness piece has been more questions than any answers. But the overarching question was one of the main topics that inspired me to make this quarter-life crisis series. So here I am, sat with six months left in this country, a looming fact hanging over my shoulders, and what? I actually don't have an answer to this one. I kind of just want someone to tell me what to do.