Australia, with its diverse attractions, is a dream destination for people from all walks of life. From the bustling city life to pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery, and a climate that gifts you long, sun-drenched days, Australia offers it all.
Among its gems, Sydney stands tall as the nation's financial and economic powerhouse, driving Australia's prosperity for the past decade. As the gateway to vital Asian markets, Sydney proudly hosts the Australian headquarters of numerous national and international organisations. In fact, an astonishing 60% of Australia's top 100 companies have chosen Sydney as their headquarters.
Sydney is not just an economic hub but repeatedly ranks among the world's "best places to live." In the 2023 Mercer Global Quality of Living Survey, Sydney secured the 9th spot for quality of life, with all major Australian cities making it to the top 50 for personal safety.
The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Ranking, which assesses 140 major cities based on healthcare, education, stability, culture, environment, and infrastructure, positioned Sydney in the impressive 4th place.
Legal Market Intel
The Australian legal market is a dynamic and constantly evolving landscape, with many opportunities for legal professionals and clients. In a world marked by economic downturns, Australia stands out for its resilience and steadiness, resulting in a legal market that tends to experience less extreme fluctuations. This stability translates into a buoyant recruitment scene, with both large and small law firms actively seeking talent across the country.
Sydney continues to attract top-tier, mid-tier, international, and boutique law firms interested in talented international lawyers or Australian-qualified returnees.
Currently, there is robust demand for lawyers across various practice areas, including:
- Energy (particularly Green Energy / Energy Transition / Renewables)
- Projects
- Environment & Planning
- Competition
- Employment
- Insurance
- Commercial Litigation
- Cyber
- ESG
Lifestyle
Sydney isn't just about work; it's a city that promises a first-class career along with a vibrant and healthy lifestyle. Few places in the world can rival Sydney's lifestyle, offering accessible, uncrowded beaches, lush parks, mesmerising forests, and pristine waterways. It boasts some of the world's finest restaurants, bars, and pubs.
Sydney residents are renowned for their work-life balance, facilitated by firms that provide flexible working options, fitness classes, wellbeing seminars, and other healthy-living incentives.
Cost of Living
Sydney’s cost of living is 64% cheaper than Sydney, 17% more affordable than London, and 25% less expensive than Los Angeles.
Climate
Sydney's climate is undoubtedly one of its biggest draws. With a sunny and humid temperate climate, mild winters, and long, warm summers, it's a haven for swimming, surfing, and outdoor activities.
Summer temperatures average between 18 – 26°C, while winter sees averages between 8 – 17°C. December boasts the longest daylight hours, with sunrise at around 5:30 am and sunset at 8 pm, while June has the least daylight, with sunrise at 7 am and sunset at 5 pm.
Location
Situated on Australia's east coast, Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and offers convenient access to various major cities, including Hong Kong (9.5 hours), Los Angeles (14 hours), Singapore (8 hours), Dubai (14 hours), Dallas (15 hours), and Tokyo (9.5 hours).
5 Fascinating Facts about Sydney:
- Sydney's population exceeds 5 million people.
- The Sydney Harbour Bridge, affectionately nicknamed the 'Coat Hanger' by locals, stands as the world's largest steel arch bridge, taking 1,400 men eight years to build.
- While Sydney is New South Wales' capital, it's not the capital of Australia; that distinction belongs to Canberra in the ACT.
- Sydney's fish market ranks as the third-largest market of its kind globally.
- The Sydney area boasts over 2000 Aboriginal rock engraving sites from the Daruk tribe, whose territory once extended from Botany Bay to Pittwater.
Are you interested to learn more about working as a lawyer in Sydney?
Talented Australian and New Zealand lawyers can enjoy great success in Sydney. If you are a foreign-qualified lawyer interested in exploring this market get in touch to discuss your visa options. We have helped multiple overseas lawyers to make the move to Sydney.
For a no-obligation discussion about the next steps in your legal career and to see what opportunities we have available in Sydney, get in touch with one of our expert consultants at info@sonderconsultants.com
* This article was last updated on January 2024
