Spring Gathering at Taproom #307 in Gramercy

Join The Australian Community for our May 16th Social Gathering at Taproom #307.

It has been a few years since we last held a social gathering at Taproom 307,  but it was one of our most popular.  The location at 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Gramercy, which makes it geographically desirable for many members – including those in Brooklyn.

Taproom is known for its wide selection of beers on tap and great pub food.

You can RSVP using the link below.  Cash Bar, No Cover.

Our monthly gatherings are an excellent opportunity to meet other professional Australians in NYC, share knowledge and make new friends.

We hope to see you there!

#ANZACDayNYC “Spirit of Mateship” Drinks

In 1993, the Hon. P.J. Keating gave a eulogy for the Unknown Soldier that is regarded as one of the greatest speeches ever delivered by an Australian Prime Minister.  Speaking to the ANZAC legend:

“It is a legend of free and independent spirits whose discipline derived less from military formalities and customs than from the bonds of mateship and the demands of necessity.”

As Australian citizens living in a foreign land, we are yet compelled by the same “bonds of mateship and the demands of necessity” to honor the ANZAC legend by remember fallen Australians in a tradition that has continued for more than a century.

On Wednesday April 25th from 6:30PM The Australian Community is inviting its members and their guests to attend informal drinks at Beckett’s Bar and Grill located in the Historic Stone Street District of NYC to continue this tradition.

For those who may have missed it, below is a video of the 2018 Dawn Service in NYC.

There will be a cash bar and food will be available for order for those who also wish to eat.  Space is limited so RSVP is essential using the form below.

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How Many Australians are Living and Working in the US? V 3.5

For a number of years we have been publishing data on Australian visas from the Department of Homeland Security.  The information is released at different times of the year, and some remarkable data has recently come to light.

Ask any Aussie visiting New York and they will tell you that NYC is one of the most Australian Friendly cities in the World.

It is true that you can now buy a flat white coffee on nearly every corner, Tim Tams are sold in Target, and you can have a meat pie delivered to your door.  For the cost of a subway ride you can access dozens of Australian cafes and restaurants serving everything from Barramundi to Vegemite on toast.

The most often asked question is just how many Aussies are living and working in the US, and how many are just visiting? Continue reading “How Many Australians are Living and Working in the US? V 3.5”

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The 2018 Creative Challenge Art Competition

The Australian Community Creative Challenge was first held in 2013 to recognize the diversity of Australian artistic talent living and working in the Greater New York area.

The Challenge for creative Australians living in New York is to create a body of work – using any medium – that encompasses three elements: Australia, Community and New York. Continue reading “The 2018 Creative Challenge Art Competition”

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Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 10

Everything you wanted to know about Expat Filing Requirements – but were afraid to ask!

Many Australians are still coming to grips with the US Tax Code as well as Expat filing requirements.  You may feel confident in filing your first E-3 visa, but first time tax filers should seek an “Australian Friendly” US accountant to make sure you have all of your bases covered.

Continue reading “Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 10”

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New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 3)

Over the past seven years, The Australian Community has connected over 5,800 Australians living in New York.  We reached out to members who have returned home, and asked them to share their perspective on living in NYC and their transition back to Australia.

What advice would you give to Aussies contemplating the move to NYC?

Continue reading “New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 3)”

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New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 2)

Over the past seven years, The Australian Community has connected over 5,800 Australians living in New York.  We reached out to members who have returned home, and asked them to share their perspective on living in NYC and their transition back to Australia.

How did NYC change you professionally? Continue reading “New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 2)”

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New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 1)

Over the past seven years, The Australian Community has connected over 5,800 Australians living in New York.  We reached out to members who have returned home, and asked them to share their perspective on living in NYC and the transition back to Australia.

What is it like transitioning back to Oz?

Continue reading “New York in the Rear View Mirror:  An Australian’s Perspective.  (Part 1)”

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Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen

There are dozens of Australian businesses who have opened shop in New York.  Some we know well, and others not so well.

We want our readers to learn about these businesses, where they are located, as well as share the personal stories of their owners.

We spoke with Peter Godhard, the Founder of Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen – an Aussie café located at 428 Hudson Street in New York City. Continue reading “Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen”

March Member Networking Event

Thank you to all of our Members and their guests who attended this event.

The evening featured a brief presentation from HSBC discussing the expat credit services, including home loans, available to our members.  Currently our members are able to open bank accounts and access credit cards before they receive their social security number, and start building a US credit score from Australia. 

You can use this link to learn more about expat credit services available to members:  www.aucommunity.org/news_hsbc/

Through this new program, our members can now access HSBC’s expat mortgages, an important service for those members who may be considering selling their Australian property and reinvesting in the US before the proposed changes to Australian Capital Gains Tax that come into effect in June, 2019.

The Australian Community’s 2018 Creative Challenge art competition was also announced on the evening.

The Creative Challenge is an art competition open to Australian artists living in the Greater New York Area, and the entry can be in any medium of art that embodies Australia, Community and New York.

Click here to learn more and submit an entry in this year’s Creative Challenge.

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Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 7

Finding Work

The fact is that finding work in one of the most competitive cities on the planet is going to be a challenge for most Australians.  Landing in a US city with a freshly minted EAD or Green Card is only a ticket to the big league.

If you go into the game without understanding the rules or having a game plan, you will quickly start to accumulate some very unnecessary scar tissue.

Members of the Australian Community have access to resources inside our Private Social Network to assist in the job hunt.  They include our Employment and Mentoring Groups where they can make professional connections, access job resources and learn from the experience of other Australians.

Continue reading “Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 7”

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Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 6

Local Language 101

In 1887 Oscar Wilde wrote: “We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.” This observation is very true for Australians who move to the US.

Firstly, Americans have a very different Language of Friendship which can be puzzling to an Australian.  For example when two American women first meet they may positively remark on the other’s clothing, shoes or a pocket book (hand bag) to start a conversation.

“I have that exact same Birkin.  Did you buy that here or Hermès in Paris?”  

This does not necessarily reflect materialism, rather Americans will lead with visual cues in an attempt to create an instant connection with the other person on a socioeconomic level.

Australians on the other hand will look for common personal interests to connect.  This requires conversation, and some Americans are not so comfortable in sharing personal information with a stranger. Continue reading “Moving to the US for Aussies: Chapter 6”

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Aussie Cafés in NYC – and where to find them: Wattle Café

There are literally dozens of Australian businesses who have opened shop in New York.  Some we know well, and others not so well.

We want our readers to learn about these businesses, where they are located, as well as share the personal stories of their owners.

We spoke with Ana Ivkosic, the Founder of Wattle Café – an Aussie café located on Third Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets in New York City. Continue reading “Aussie Cafés in NYC – and where to find them: Wattle Café”

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Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Wellbuilt

There are literally dozens of Australian businesses who have opened shop in New York.  Some we know well, and others not so well.

We want our readers to learn about these businesses, where they are located, as well as share the personal stories of their owners.

We spoke with Mitch Kidd, one half of WellBuilt Co – an Australian Construction and Development company making waves in New York and the Tri State Area.

Continue reading “Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Wellbuilt”

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Wrap up of #OzDayNYC 2018 – aka “The Joeys”

It was a sold out, star-studded, Black Tie event at Pier A that recognized the contributions of Australian performing artists Amanda Bishop, Marika Aubrey, Ben McHugh, Kaye Tuckerman, Nick Hardcastle and Jeremy Youett.  Our Honorees were Stella Pulo and Sullivan Stapleton.

It was also great to see fellow Blindspot actor Luke Mitchell and his wife Rebecca stop by with Sully.  World renowned Australian Classical Guitarist Rupert Boyd added a special touch to the evening with a live performance.

The guest list read like a who’s who of Australian performing artists!

Continue reading “Wrap up of #OzDayNYC 2018 – aka “The Joeys””

December Drinks at Hole In The Wall – 15 Cliff Street FiDi

Our monthly gatherings are always an opportunity to make new Australian friends and share your New York experiences, so on the evening of Wednesday December 13 we will be hosting a small gathering where members and guests are welcome.

December is a difficult time to organize after work drinks given the number of competing office Holiday parties that happen this time of year. However, what is more difficult is being away from family and friends in a new city.

Our friends at Hole in the Wall's new café, which recently opened up on 15 Cliff Street in the Financial District, are opening up their doors for our members to gather together to share some Holiday cheer, and meet other Australians who are living in New York.

In addition to being a Café, the 15 Cliff Street location has a fully licensed bar so you have the choice of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks - not necessarily in that order!

An outside view of Hole in the Wall's Cliff Street location.

 

Space is very limited, so RSVP early as this event is likely to oversubscribe.

Details:  No Cover - Cash Bar -  Happy Hour Drink Specials - Snack Menu.

 

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Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Sweat Yoga

After a very positive response following a series of articles featuring Aussie Cafés in NYC, we will be posting a series featuring Australian small businesses operating in New York.

We want our readers to learn about these businesses, where they are located, as well as share the personal stories of their owners.

We spoke with Wade Helliwell, the 6’11’ Australian professional Basketball player at his studio Sweat Yoga in New York City. Continue reading “Aussie Businesses in NYC – and where to find them: Sweat Yoga”

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Top 10 Tips for Australian Job Seekers in New York

The fact is that finding work in one of the most competitive cities on the planet is going to be a challenge for most Australians.

Landing in a US city with a freshly minted J-1 or Green Card is only a ticket to the big league.  If you go into the game without understanding the rules or having a game plan, you will quickly start to accumulate some very unnecessary scar tissue.

Continue reading “Top 10 Tips for Australian Job Seekers in New York”

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Moving to the US for Aussies: The Book

Introduction

If you look at any successful organization, at its core you will find the company handbook.  It details policies and procedures for any new employee joining the company, and is the culmination of years corporate knowledge captured within the organization – So why not have a instruction manual for Australian expats moving to the US?

Have you ever wondered if USCIS handed out a book to anyone arriving in the US on a work visa on all of the traps for young players, how much of an asset it would be?

Well, wonder no more because The Australian Community is producing a book “Moving to the US for Aussies”

Continue reading “Moving to the US for Aussies: The Book”

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The Top 10 Questions asked by Australians Living in New York

On Wednesday June 14, 2017 The Australian Community held a private networking event at Bluestone Lane’s DUMBO location in New York to record a video of the Top 10 Questions asked of The Australian Community.

Some of the answers captured in the thirty minute video revealed a number of common mistakes (and incorrect assumptions) made by Australian expats living in New York and the broader US. Continue reading “The Top 10 Questions asked by Australians Living in New York”

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Top 10 Reasons to Join The Australian Community

Diving into the deepest end of the most shark infested pool on the planet may be no brainer when it comes to taking your career to the next level.  However, without a social or professional lifeline, you are going to face some serious challenges.

The Australian Community is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to connect Australians living in the US through social, professional and charitable initiatives.

Continue reading “Top 10 Reasons to Join The Australian Community”

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Find out how much you could be saving through our Preferred FOREX Rate.

“If there is a better rate on International wire transfers, we have not seen it!”

Members of The Australian Community transfer millions of dollars every year for business and personal needs.  Based on this volume, a preferred rate on International wire transfers has been negotiated with OFX.

Continue reading “Find out how much you could be saving through our Preferred FOREX Rate.”

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Top 5 reasons why the E3 visa is not going away anytime soon.

Since the new Administration has signaled sweeping changes to the US’s policy on immigration, The Australian Community has been approached by many of its members who are concerned that the E3 visa may be abolished.

Clearly they are concerned about the potential economic and social impact that this will have on thousands of Australians living and working in the US.

Continue reading “Top 5 reasons why the E3 visa is not going away anytime soon.”

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What would happen if The Australian Community appeared on Shark Tank?

If you are not familiar with Shark Tank, the TV show features Entrepreneurs pitching highly successful business owners on why they should invest in their company.

Theoretically speaking, if you could successfully pitch the Sharks on the value proposition of our organization to Australian Ex-pats, then attracting new members to join The Australian Community should be a no-brainer.

Continue reading “What would happen if The Australian Community appeared on Shark Tank?”

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Our first networking event of 2017 included a private shopping experience on Fifth Avenue, NYC!

It was a packed house with members attending an exclusive networking event and private shopping experience at Microsoft’s Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue.

In January 2016, The Australian Community officially launched its Private Enterprise Social Network powered by Yammer at the Microsoft Store.  Since then, our Yammer Network has grown to the largest Australian private network in North America and contains a searchable knowledgebase built on the experiences of over 5,000 members who have connected with our organization since 2011.

Continue reading “Our first networking event of 2017 included a private shopping experience on Fifth Avenue, NYC!”

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How our Members can quickly Access and Build US Credit – Even before they arrive in the US!

According to the latest US Department of Homeland Security statistics, 3,239 Australians obtained legal permanent residency in 2016, and another 5,609 obtained E-3 visas.

One of the main challenges facing these and thousands of Australian expats every year is how to access US credit without a US Credit Score.

The simple reality is that no credit score is almost the same as a bad credit score!  Thousands of Australians who arrive in the US experience the frustration of a zero credit history. Continue reading “How our Members can quickly Access and Build US Credit – Even before they arrive in the US!”