Guide to Moving to Bali From Australia

Bali sits just a six-hour flight from Sydney, yet offers a completely different pace of life. While Aussies have long treated it as a holiday escape, thousands are now calling it home. Some are running businesses in Bali, others are working remotely for Australian or international companies, and many more are simply enjoying a lower-cost lifestyle without sacrificing quality.

This guide walks through the practical realities of making that move, from securing the right visa to renting property, healthcare options, schools, and more.

Cost of Living in Bali vs Australia

Monthly Living Expenses Comparison

Most Australians moving to Bali see their monthly expenses drop by roughly half. A comfortable lifestyle that costs AU$8,000 monthly in Sydney typically runs about $3,000–4,000 in Bali. Typical monthly costs in Bali include:

• Villa rental (2-bedroom with pool): AU$ 1,500–2,500
• Groceries and dining: AU$ 500–800
• Transportation (scooter rental + fuel): AU$ 100–150
• Utilities and internet: AU$150–200
• Household staff (cleaner 3x week): AU$ 100–150

Tax Benefits for Australian Expats in Indonesia

Bali’s lower cost of living already gives Australians a major advantage. Across housing, groceries, transport, and everyday services, life on the island is generally 40%–60% less expensive than in Sydney and Melbourne.

The real financial difference is when you qualify as an Indonesian tax resident after spending 183 days in the country. At this point, you shift from Australia’s 0–45% scale and the flat 20% withholding tax on Indonesian-sourced income, to Indonesia’s progressive system (PPh 21) of 5%–35%. The Australia–Indonesia Double Tax Agreement (DTA) also ensures you’re not taxed twice on the same income.

Indonesia adds another benefit through its Non-Taxable Income Allowance (PTKP), which reduces your taxable base before rates apply. For single expats, this is about AU$5,600, with higher thresholds for families and dependents.

This contrast becomes most apparent for high-income earners. In Australia, earnings above AU$190,000 are taxed at the top rate of 45%. Indonesia applies 30% up to about AU$455,000, with the top rate capped at 35%. Consider a senior professional on an annual salary of AU$200,00, for instance:

• In Australia, the tax bill comes to about AU$60,000 (including the Medicare Levy).
• In Indonesia, after PTKP for a single expat, it comes to roughly AU$48,000.

That’s a saving of about AU$12,000 each year, before factoring in Bali’s lower daily costs. Or in other words, that tax saving alone covers your cost of living in Bali for about 3 months.

Essentially, you’ll find that taxes in Australia often bite into nearly every lifestyle expense. But the same income stretches much further in Bali, buying you more freedom to save, reinvest, upgrade your lifestyle, or simply enjoy life on the island.

Indonesia Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens

When you’re planning your move to Bali, the very first decision would be to choose the right visa based on your needs. The visa you choose shapes your entire experience in Bali. 

While tourist visas and visa runs might work for a few months, immigration is increasingly strict about people living on tourist permits. You need something more stable, and the good news is that Indonesia offers several pathways depending on your situation.

1. Remote Worker Visa (E33G)

The Remote Worker Visa has become increasingly popular among Australians who want to maintain their foreign employment while enjoying Bali’s lifestyle. Valid for one year with multiple entries, this visa allows you to work remotely for your Australian or international company while living in Indonesia. The key requirement is proving employment with a foreign company and demonstrating an annual income of at least $60,000.

However, this visa comes with an important limitation– you cannot earn any Indonesian income or run a local business. This means you can’t sell products locally, offer services to Indonesian companies, or even do freelance work for Bali-based clients. For many remote workers, though, this isn’t an issue since their income streams remain entirely foreign-based.

2. Retirement KITAS for Australians Over 60

If you’re over 60 and looking to enjoy your retirement years in Bali, the Retirement KITAS offers a straightforward path to long-term residency. This annual renewable permit requires proof of pension or passive income of at least $1,500 (around AU$ 2,200) monthly, along with comprehensive health insurance. While you cannot work or actively run businesses on this visa, you’re free to manage investments and live off passive income streams.

The application process is relatively smooth, and renewals are typically hassle-free as long as you maintain the income requirements. Many retirees appreciate that this visa doesn’t require the complex business structures or employment arrangements that other visa types demand.

3. Investor KITAS and PT PMA Company Setup

For those ready to commit to business ventures in Bali, the Investor KITAS provides the most comprehensive rights and freedoms. 

This visa comes with establishing a PT PMA (foreign-owned company), which allows you to legally operate businesses, hire staff, and sponsor not only your own stay but potentially those of key employees. 

However, do note that PT PMA setup requires a minimum capital amount of IDR 2.5 billion. This includes your operating capital, meaning these funds can be used for business operations rather than sitting idle.

Setting up a PT PMA opens doors to virtually any business activity permitted to foreigners, from restaurants and villas to consulting firms and digital agencies. Moreover, once established, your company can hold property rights and enter into long-term commercial leases, providing a more secure foundation for your business ventures.

4. Work KITAS to Work as an Employee of an Indonesian Company

The Work KITAS remains the only visa that allows you to legally earn a salary from an Indonesian company. This requires sponsorship from an Indonesian employer who must demonstrate that your position cannot be filled by a local candidate. The role must align with your qualifications and experience, and the company needs to justify why they need foreign expertise.

While this visa provides stable employment and residency, it does tie you to a single employer. Changing jobs means your new employer must sponsor a new KITAS, and there’s typically a gap where you might need to leave the country during the transition. For this reason, many expats prefer the flexibility of the Investor KITAS if they qualify.

5. Dependent KITAS for Family Members

Family members can join you in Bali through the Dependent KITAS, available for spouses and children under 18. 

These visas are tied directly to the primary KITAS holder’s status, meaning they remain valid only as long as the main visa is active. While dependents cannot work or engage in business activities on this visa, children can attend school, and spouses can participate in community activities. If family members want to work, they’ll need to secure their own Work or Investor KITAS independently.

Between visas, taxes, and capital rules, the fine print of relocating can quickly stack up. Emerhub’s relocation experts break down the essentials and take care of the paperwork so you can focus on settling into your new life on the island.

Housing and Living Arrangements for Your Stay in Bali

Your choice of location will directly define your lifestyle, living costs, and even your business prospects. Below are Bali’s most popular communities among expats, each offering something different depending on your priorities.

A. Popular Locations in Bali for Australians

Finding your place in Bali means finding the right community that resonates with your preferred lifestyle. For digital nomads for example, Canggu remains the undisputed hub. It’s a hive of activity, packed with with co-working spaces, cafés, and a social scene tied to surf culture. A two-bedroom villa here typically starts around AU$ 1,500, with premium properties topping AU$ 4,000. 

If you’re moving with a family, a calmer pace might be a better fit and Sanur is a popular destination offering just that. You’ll find a more relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere with a large boardwalk for strolling and cycling. It’s also home to reputable international schools such as the Australian Independent School (AIS) and Bali Island School (BIS). A modern three-bedroom villa with a pool here typically starts from IDR 300 million per year (~AU$ 27,660), similar to a smaller two-bedroom in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

For those with a vision in business, each region comes with unique commercial appeals. Aside from mainstream hubs, Sanur’s Special Economic Zone is a magnet for specialized medical ventures. Meanwhile, Ubud continues to be the heart of Bali’s wellness scene and eco-retreat markets. But if you’re considering a longer-term play, emerging zones in West and North Bali offer some of the most affordable land for land banking. 

And, of course, for surfers and ocean lovers, Bali’s coastline is a playground with waves for every level. Uluwatu offers world-class breaks for pros, while Medewi is known for its long, mellow waves, perfect for intermediate riders. A quick ferry ride from Sanur brings you to the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, a quieter surf-and-sea area.

B. Understanding Your Rental Options in Bali

• Short-Term Rentals between 1–6 months: It’s more common for newcomers to start with a short lease as a “trial run.” It gives you time to explore neighborhoods, handle visa paperwork, or settle children into school. The trade-off, however, is the costs that are normally 20–30% higher than annual rentals.
• Long-Term Rentals between 1–3 years: For longer stays, most expats commit to annual or multi-year leases. These generally require paying upfront (at least one year in advance) but secure lower monthly rates and typically include pool and garden maintenance. 

Key Consideration: Bali’s leasehold system doesn’t work like rolling monthly rentals. Renewals are not automatic, quarterly contracts are rare, and extra costs (like Banjar fees or maintenance) are often pushed onto tenants unless clearly stated in the contract.

Emerhub experts understand your peace of mind rests in the details: from securing a sound property agreement to finding a school with a familiar curriculum and reliable healthcare options. We ensure these choices are grounded in clear contracts and local insights tailored to your personal preferences.

Building a Business or Career in Bali

If you are confident about staying long-term and want your capital to work for you, Bali offers opportunities that move far beyond property investment. Expats are tapping into sectors that align with their professional and creative strengths, often in ways that enrich Bali’s own communities and creative fabric.

A. Profitable Business Sectors for Australian Expats

• Creative and Digital Services: Bali’s position as a global remote-work hub means small businesses and international clients alike need branding, content, and digital marketing support. Australians often find traction here by helping local operators with their online presence or by servicing international companies from a Bali base. The wellness industry also ties neatly into this sector, yoga studios, eco-tourism, and health retreats, all benefit from digital visibility.
• Lifestyle and Hospitality: With a constant influx of tourists and expats, the hospitality and food and beverage sectors are ripe for innovation. Most expats carve out niches through boutique hotels and concept cafés that bring something distinct to Bali’s already diverse commercial landscape. Retail, fashion, and artisanal goods, rooted in Bali’s reputation for craftsmanship, also remain promising entry points.

B. Navigating Your Entry Point into Bali

Your entry into Bali depends on whether you are coming to “test” the lifestyle or plant your roots. A Work KITAS requires a local employer to sponsor you, while the Investor KITAS ties you to a PT PMA (foreign-owned company) setup. Both are viable, but they often like big leaps if you’re only looking to test the waters.

This is where the combination of the Remote Worker Visa and an Employer of Record (EOR) offers an advantage. Instead of potentially rushing into company setup, you can live on the island legally via the Remote Worker Visa while maintaining your Australian income stream. If you decide to trial a local venture or hire Balinese staff during this period, our EOR acts as the legal employer for your team, handling their payroll and taxes without requiring you to have an Indonesian entity yet.

Once you’re ready to scale, a PT PMA (foreign-owned company) remains the most common structure that gives you access to a suite of rights to run most commercial activities on the island. You’re able to hire local staff, manage your own payroll, and sponsor your Investor KITAS. Whether it’s to manage a property or a restaurant, the PT PMA provides the most secure foundation for your business ventures.

General Tax and Legal Compliance

Moving to Bali creates new financial ties in Indonesia, but it doesn’t sever your obligations to Australia. The key is understanding how your tax residency is defined in both countries and how this affects your income, assets, and superannuation.

A. Your Australian Tax Status in Bali

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) determines your residency through the Resides Test to determine your residency status, which looks at your purpose for being overseas and your ties to Australia.

• You’re an Australian Tax Resident if: You maintain strong ties to Australia, such as a family home, a spouse, or financial assets, and your move is for a fixed or temporary period. In this scenario, the ATO still taxes you on your worldwide income, including what you earn in Bali.
• You’re a Foreign Tax Resident if: You have permanently severed your ties to Australia and established a new home overseas. In this case, you will only be taxed on income from Australian sources, like rental properties.

It’s also worth noting that your superannuation remains governed by Australian law regardless of where you live. Funds cannot be transferred to Indonesia or accessed early– you can only withdraw them once you meet standard conditions, such as retirement age.

B. Indonesia’s Tax Residency Rules and Obligations

Once you become an Indonesian tax resident, you must declare worldwide income to the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP). This means registering with the DJP, 

• Local income: Tax (PPh 21) is withheld by your Indonesian employer.
• Foreign Income: Must also be reported but covered by the Australia–Indonesia DTA to prevent double taxation. 
• Other income: Business profits, investments, and rental income (whether from Indonesia or abroad) must also be declared.

Keep in mind: transfers over AU$ 10,000 are automatically reported under AUSTRAC rules, and Indonesian banks often require documentation to verify the source of funds. Having proper documentation on hand avoids any legal setbacks when moving money between the two countries.

Emerhub can verify your tax residency status, structure payroll, and apply the DTA correctly so you stay compliant in both countries and avoid double taxation. Reach out through the form below to learn about our full range of assistance.

Healthcare, Insurance, and Schooling Options for Australian Families

As with anyone moving to Bali, one of the biggest adjustments is shifting from a subsidized public system back home to a fully private one. Healthcare and education aren’t covered by the state, so they’ll be among the most important fixed costs in your budget.

Most expats rely on private hospitals like BIMC, Siloam, and Kasih Ibu, for day-to-day care with English-speaking doctors. Where things shift is at the serious end. Expats often still fly to Singapore or back to Australia for major treatment. This is why many families secure international health insurance with evacuation cover. Policies typically cost AU$ 3,000–5,000 a year, but spare you from massive six-figure bills for a medical evacuation flight alone.

While Bali does have local schools, the curriculum is in Bahasa Indonesia and designed for the national system, making it difficult for most Australian children to integrate academically or socially. This is why expats overwhelmingly choose international schools, like Australian Independent School (AIS), Bali Island School (BIS), and Green School, which follow Australian, IB, or other international curricula. Fees typically range between AU$ 10,000–20,000 per child, per year, similar to private schools in Sydney or Melbourne.

Navigating Daily Life and Community in Bali

Bali feels instantly familiar to most Australians but living here long term means popping the tourist bubble and adapting to the pace of a developing island.

Community life is shaped by the banjar (village council). Instead of paying council rates, residents contribute directly to ceremonies, neighborhood security, and even traffic management. Villa owners and businesses work closely with the banjar, especially when approvals are needed for renovations and expansions. 

Daily logistics are also another adjustment. Bali’s traffic is infamous for heavy congestion and sudden gridlock on narrow streets. Scooters cut through the traffic the fastest, which is why they’re as common for expats as cars, whether for school drop-offs or quick errands. To drive legally though, you’ll have to hold an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is valid for up to a year. After that, you’ll need a local Indonesian driver’s license (SIM), which requires holding a valid KITAS.

Ready to Make the Move to Bali? 

Emerhub’s on-ground experts provide local insights to navigate your move and truly thrive on the island. We offer on-the-ground support for your relocation, handling the administrative and legal burdens so you can focus on building your new life with peace of mind. Our services include: 

• Secure the right visas and KITAS permits
• Establish a PT PMA (foreign-owned company) with full compliance
• Review property due diligence and contracts.
• Structure your payroll and taxes to avoid double taxation.

Want full support for your move to Bali from Australia? Reach out to our experts for a breakdown of how we can help– fill out the form below and we’ll put you in touch!