This is not the largest state in Australia, but that’s a great thing! South Australia offers a humble and bespoke culture filled with state pride. Most South Australians have a friendly intellect about them; approachable, with respect for diversity, and lovers of the finer things in life. South Australia is Australia’s relaxed underbelly of the country, packed with rich culture and unique regions to explore.
South Australia At a Glance
South Australia, also known as The Festival State, provides a comfortable place to live when it comes to population, regional variation, and climate.
Population
South Australia is home to approximately 1.8 million people. Of its population, approximately 1.4 million people live in the state capital, Adelaide. The remaining population is mostly spread throughout the southern part of the state. South Australia’s net population growth is approximately one per cent per year. This growth rate makes for a small, friendly population.
Main Regions
The following are some of the more popular regions of South Australia, and for what the area is most commonly known.
Adelaide
The state capital is Adelaide; the interstate air transport hub and government centre. Adelaide is also home to 77.6% of the state’s inhabitants. Adelaide is called the City of Churches, on account of the many churches built in the area. Adelaide was founded by mainly religious people and is one of the few planned capital cities in Australia; making the city more convenient to navigate.
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills cover the areas to the south and east of Adelaide. These areas are well known for horticulture farming and wineries. Unlike many other cities in Australia, Adelaide has a close proximity to agricultural areas. A short drive in any direction from the city will find farmland and wineries in abundance.
Barossa Valley
The Barossa is the best-known wine-growing region in South Australia and arguably nationally. The area is famous for the iconic new-world Shiraz that is grown. The Barossa is a popular tourism destination filled with offerings of great wine and rich food.
Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island
The Fleurieu Peninsula is the small peninsula directly to the south of Adelaide. It’s also a popular tourist destination for the McLaren Vale wineries. Fleurieu Peninsula gives access to Kangaroo Island, home to nature reserves for wildlife such as koalas and sea lions.
The Yorke and Eyre Peninsula
The two peninsulas found to the west side of Adelaide are both mostly agricultural lands. Both the Yorke and the Eyre Peninsula are home to broadacre farming; growing wheat, barley, canola, and lentils. Both peninsulas also have seaports for exporting agricultural products.
Limestone Coast
The Limestone Coast is another popular tourist destination. The primary industries on the southernmost coast on the eastern side of the state include livestock farming for both sheep and cattle. There are also plenty of vineyards in this wine-growing region.
Climate
South Australia has a mostly Mediterranean climate, with warm-dry summers and very mild winters. Its proximity to the arctic makes the temperature not as harsh for heat as what is found in other regions of Australia. This is also why the southern part of the state is the most inhabited. The northern part of the state is home to some of the driest, most arid land in Australia. Compared to other states, South Australia is a very comfortable place to reside.
Lifestyle
South Australia is home to a unique cultural atmosphere. The people of South Australia, in many ways, have a conservative approach with a progressive attitude. The culture carries heavy European influences.
Sports
There are two main sports enjoyed by South Australia; Cricket and Australian Rules Football. In both sports, massive rivalries exist between South Australia and its neighbours in Western Australia and Victoria. Sport is a major part of South Australia’s culture and is often discussed at social events. South Australians also participate in other staples of Australian sporting culture including netball, field hockey, and football/soccer.
Cuisine
South Australia enjoys a range of foods, heavily inspired by the state’s local produce and European roots. South Australia’s more popular dishes include a Pie Floater; a pie with meat filling immersed in pea soup. The state has also made itself home to German-style delicacies, especially in the town of Hahndorf just east of Adelaide. The city of Adelaide itself has many opportunities to purchase Greek-style Yiros; it is the main city in Australia where the convenient food has been popularised.
Beverages
South Australia is home to some of Australia’s most popular wine-growing regions. South Australians are proud to be home to Coopers Brewery, Australia’s largest independently-owned brewery based in the heart of Adelaide. Farmer’s Union Iced Coffee is considered an icon of the South Australian dairy industry, a milk beverage originally produced by a farmers cooperative.
Cost of Living
The average salary in Adelaide is lower than in Australia’s largest city, Sydney. However, it is far more affordable to live in Adelaide. Housing in Adelaide is half the price of Sydney, with approximately two-thirds of residents owning their homes. Many leisure activities are also more affordable including eating out at a restaurant, going to a cinema, and going to the gym.
Environment
Sparse population density and natural weather patterns are conducive to increasing the air quality in South Australia compared to international and even Australian standards. South Australia is home to very few polluting industries and even these are decreasing. South Australia is committed to transitioning to renewable resources instead of fossil fuels for energy before 2030.
Main Places of Interest
The state is home to many natural and cultural wonders. South Australia has become a popular tourism destination and there are many places to explore in the region.
Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island
Based on Kangaroo Island, in this national park visitors are able to enjoy the thunderous sounds of the ocean from the Great Australian Bight, enjoy seeing Australia’s unique offering of flora and fauna, and investigate unique rock formations. Flinders Chase National Park is a unique conservation area filled with many bushwalks to enjoy a taste of the wilderness that Australia has to offer.
Wine Regions
South Australia is well-known for its many wine growing regions. Many parts of the state will offer a range of cellar doors boasting the popular South Australian shiraz or cabernet sauvignon. If wine is not your preferred beverage, these vineyards do make for relaxing countrysides for an afternoon drive. With wine regions also comes an abundance of small bespoke producers of cheese and cured meats, as well as many restaurants and cafes.
Adelaide Oval
South Australians are very fond of watching sport, and Adelaide Oval is a beacon for their favourite pastimes. The Adelaide Oval sporting ground is the best destination in Adelaide to enjoy a game of Australian Rules Football during winter or a test match of cricket during the summer.
Festivals
The Festival State is a name carried by South Australia, and for a good reason. An abundance of parkland and affordable accommodation for visitors make it the ideal place to host a festival. There are opportunities throughout the year to enjoy a range of festivals and enjoy the cultural diversity on offer.
Hahndorf
Hahndorf is a small town that was originally established by German settlers. The town has become a popular destination for someone to enjoy the cross-cultural diversity of Germany with the Australian lifestyle. The village now offers a range of activities to be enjoyed, the perfect place to go for a weekend getaway.
Main Industries
With its geography, climate, and highly centralised population, South Australia is home to many industries that are in high demand for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Agriculture and Fisheries
The South Australian economy relies on agriculture including broadacre cropping, horticulture, livestock, and fisheries. These industries rely on a broad range of skillsets for both labour on-farm and export both international and interstate.
Wine and Tourism
The South Australian vineyards have become a significant tourist attraction. With the appeal of the vineyard comes the direct need for skilled winemakers, as well as the requirement for workers in hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Government Employment
A major employer in South Australia is the Australian government, with many projects underway in the defence industry in South Australia. The government has many opportunities that will require professional and trade occupations to ensure the ongoing security of the country.
Renewable Energy
The state government in South Australia is planning for the state’s energy to be 100% renewable by 2030. With the development of solar and wind farms across the state, more opportunities have become available for employment in a range of skilled professions as a civilian contractor.
Education
South Australia is home to some of Australia’s best educational institutions. Adelaide is filled with a wealth of private schools, private colleges, and specialist schools for both hospitality and culinary purposes. South Australia also prides itself in having one of the most secular and diverse public education systems in the nation. The state government offers free and compulsory education to all inhabitants.
Fun Facts about South Australia
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Adelaide is the 20-minute city. It takes only 20 minutes to get to anywhere.
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Top five ancestries for South Australians are English, Australian, Scottish, Irish, and German.
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Lake Eyre in outback South Australia is the largest salt lake in the world, although it is usually a dry salt flat used for breaking land speed records.
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South Australia is the only state to share a border with all mainland states including the Northern Territory.
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The Royal Adelaide Hospital is the third most expensive building to be built in the world and the largest building in Australia by floor space.
Top Five Reasons to Live in South Australia
- Great Food. South Australia is home to some of the best produce in Australia, and this produce often becomes the tastiest foods.
- Affordable Living. South Australia is the most cost-efficient area in Australia for those wishing to fulfil the Australian dream of owning their home.
- Climate. South Australia is home to Australia’s most comfortable place to live, with summers and winters not as harsh as other parts of the country.
- The Friendly State. South Australia is home to a population that is among the most welcoming and accepting in the country.
- Wine. It is the most popular state for wine regions. If you are a lover of wine, look no further than South Australia.
Closing Thoughts
If you want to live somewhere that is comfortable and affordable with a rich culture, The Festival State should be at the top of your list. South Australia offers a relaxed and intellectual atmosphere, rich in diversity. Its less aggressive climate makes for a relaxing place to live. South Australia is on the forefront of clean living and an agricultural powerhouse, filled with wineries and natural wonders.
Visa options for South Australia
South Australia is one of the most migration-friendly states in Australia. For example, relative to its population size, it issues a comparatively high number of nominations for visa subclasses that require state nomination. You can find general information on Australian skilled visas here.
South Australia’s DAMA agreements are another key advantage, as they provide visa pathways for prospective migrants whose occupations do not otherwise appear on the Australian skills lists. In addition, both DAMA agreements offer very generous provisions for obtaining permanent residency. While the usual age limit for permanent visas is 44 at the time of application, the DAMA framework allows permanent visa applications up to the age of 50 – and in some occupations even up to 55. You can find more information about the South Australia DAMA in our blog article.
Another unique feature is the New Entrepreneur Visa, which exists in this form only in South Australia. This visa allows founders with innovative business models in designated target sectors to apply for an initial temporary visa in order to implement their business model in South Australia.
