Silvana (46) originally comes from Argentina, and Peter (45) from Deventer in the Netherlands. In 2015, their paths crossed in the Netherlands, where they met and fell in love. Two years later, they were offered a special opportunity: through Peter’s job at Rabobank, they could relocate to Australia for four years. With a temporary visa in hand, they decided to take the step and move to the other side of the world.
From 2017 to 2020, they lived happily in Australia, and their son Marco was born during that time. Due to family circumstances and the emerging COVID‑19 pandemic, they decided to return to the Netherlands four months before their visa expired. When Australia closed its borders, they knew that returning anytime soon would be impossible. Still, they quickly realised how much they missed their life in Australia and that they wanted to live there again.
The path to permanent residency
Peter explains how he ended up at Visa4you’s Experience Day. “I was very impressed by Hester’s knowledge,” he says. “She spoke with real expertise, and it was inspiring to meet others who were on the same journey toward a permanent visa.”
Together with Hester, they began their application process in 2022. At the end of that year, they received the news they had hoped for: their visa was approved! In 2023, they flew back to Australia and this time with their permanent residency.
“Hester was invaluable,” Peter adds. “She is organised, knowledgeable, and positive. Because of our age it was difficult to score enough points, but Hester explored every possible pathway. In the end we didn’t need the extra points, but we’re incredibly grateful for her expertise and support.”
Building a new life in Sydney
Peter, Silvana, and Marco have now been living for two years in Caringbah South, close to Cronulla’s popular beach. “We are very happy here,” Silvana says.
Peter initially continued working hybrid for Rabobank, but when that contract ended, he found a new position at Westpac. Silvana found a job within a month at the University of Wollongong and now also works at Westpac.
Their commute takes about 40 minutes by car or an hour by public transport, and the beach is only seven minutes away.
Why we returned: the Australian lifestyle
“We originally moved here for work, but we came back for the lifestyle,” Silvana explains. The outdoor lifestyle is a major attraction: beautiful weather, nature, a relaxed atmosphere, year‑round camping, Marco attending nippers (surf life saving for kids) every Sunday, and early‑morning coffees or playdates at the park.
“They often say Australians start their day with a ‘5‑to‑9’ before the usual 9‑to‑5,” Peter laughs. “And it’s absolutely true.”
Living in Sydney: the costs
Life in Sydney is expensive. Their current rent is roughly four times higher than their previous mortgage in the Netherlands. Buying their current home would mean a mortgage nearly eight times higher. However, taxes in Australia are generally lower than in the Netherlands, offering some financial balance.
Preparation & choices
Before moving, Peter and Silvana already knew which region they wanted to live in. They prepared thoroughly, explored different neighbourhoods and spoke with locals to understand each area’s atmosphere. Friends had told them that the public schools in the region were of good quality, an important factor for Marco.
They viewed homes in December, in the middle of the Australian summer, which worked to their advantage due to lower competition. “Renting a house here feels like applying for a job,” Silvana explains. “You submit motivation letters and plenty of documents, like previous rental records. Luckily, we still had ours from our first stay in Australia.”
Choosing a school for Marco
When they returned to Australia, Marco was four years old. After the summer holidays, he could start kindergarten immediately.
“Most children were five or six, so he was one of the youngest. He even came home with homework, definitely different from the Netherlands!”
Peter and Silvana share an important tip for parents planning to emigrate:
“Make sure your child is ready for primary school. Many Australian children stay in preschool until age five or six. We underestimated this and, in hindsight, would have preferred an extra year of preschool.”
Integrating into Australian life
Peter and Silvana describe Australians as open, spontaneous, polite, and respectful.
“We felt welcome from day one.”
They recommend that future migrants travel extensively before choosing where to live, explore different regions, and prepare thoroughly.
Sometimes, a piece of the Netherlands pops up unexpectedly in daily life.
“I once heard a couple speaking Dutch in the supermarket,” Peter recalls. “We started chatting and are good friends now. There are plenty of Dutch people here, you feel the cultural connection, and you find each other naturally.”
''Once a year, they celebrate Sinterklaas with other Dutch families in the area.''
