Bali is a miracle, not only a paradise we have known every day, but also a place for staying with the right community and a good lifestyle to be true. Many Australians are moving to Bali due to its tropical lifestyle, relaxed vibe, and affordable cost of living, which allows them to lead a luxurious life. Big-city life in Australia can be overwhelming, so they want to have a little room for balance, wellness, or community by living in Bali. Bali offers an alternative, not just a tropical paradise, but also a chance to reset. With its warm climate, slower rhythm, and vibrant expat scene, Bali provides an environment where people can live more intentionally and affordably.
More than just a holiday destination, so how many Australians live in Bali, and what keeps them there? Here is the answer about Australians living in Bali.
1. The Numbers Behind the Trend
Indonesia doesn’t release precise nationality data for residents by province, but independent estimates provide a good clue. It’s widely reported that more than 10,000 Australians living in Bali either year-round or for a large portion of the year (based on the website indonesia-australia.com). This figure is echoed by university research, Curtin University reports that over 10,000 Australians consider Bali as their home.
In contrast, tourism data shows Bali welcomes over a million Australian visitors annually, that 16% of all international arrivals. However, most do not stay long. Only a small fraction transition to long-term living, and an even smaller number hold valid work or retirement visas that allow them to stay in Bali.
2. Who Are These Australians Living in Bali?
Surveys from 2014 and earlier note that Australians living in Bali often fall into a few categories :
- Digital nomads and entrepreneurs working remotely or freelance.
- Expat retirees holding retirement visas.
- Frequent visitors or semi-permanent residents traveling on tourist, business, or social-cultural visas.
Most of them are in their late 30s and early 50s, married or in partnerships, and often caring for children in local schools. So it's not new if we know some Australians have a relationship and are staying in Bali with locals, because they feel welcome and excited to live in this place.
3. Why Do Aussies Favor Bali?
Because of the lifestyle and climate, with its tropical weather, beaches, and lush landscapes, Bali attracts Australians accustomed to coastal living. The island offers a relaxed pace and a chance to live closer to nature, with a dash of cultural spirituality. Besides that, Bali is no longer the ultra-cheap destination it was; costs for accommodation, food, and services remain significantly lower than in major Australian cities. Digital nomads and retirees often find the lifestyle more sustainable. And if you like to build a community, Bali has it all. Community areas like Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, and Sanur are filled with expats, including Australians living in Bali. This place is really making it easy to connect socially and professionally.
4. What Living in Bali is Really Like
As an official, Australians living in Bali are temporary visitors and not residents. They rely on tourist business, social-cultural, or retirement visas that require sponsorship or frequent renewal. Long-term Australians often loop out and return to renew visas, which carries legal risk. A large portion, approximately 68%, reports relying on visa runs to renew status rather than formal work or retirement permits. If you’re an Australian and new to Bali, maybe you’ve an expectation to live in good infrastructure, health services, and a legal landscape than in Australia’s. But several reports have been frustrated at slow services, unreliable amenities, and sometimes unsafe or inconsistent regulations. So Bali is better to be your second home.
5. Life as a Digital Nomad or Family Expat
Australians living in Bali often take advantage of coliving spaces designed for digital work and community. These rooms with reliable Wi-Fi, coworking areas, shared kitchens, social events, and proximity to beaches and cafes. Alzeto Coliving in Kuta is an example of this, offering private rooms at affordable rates, daily cleaning, and inclusion of social events, all set within walking distance of Kuta Beach. For remote workers or emerging expat families, this place eases visa-based lifestyle transitions by combining comfort and flexibility.
If you’re in love and want to live in Bali as soon as possible for the long term, here are the pros and cons as an Austalians living in Bali.
Advantages :
- Affordable lifestyle compared to Australia.
- Access to international communities and digital economies.
- Tropical climate and cultural richness.
- More relaxed pace in daily life.
Challenges :
- Visa complexities and legal risks in overstaying.
- Cultural differences and adjustment to Indonesian bureaucracy.
- Infrastructure and healthcare differ from Australia.
- Occasional safety concerns and rising crime rates are tied to rapid tourism growth.
On the one hand, how many Australians live in Bali may seem modest compared to tourist numbers. Yet those who do often discover a deeply personal connection to the island. Despite visa hurdles and cultural gaps, Bali offers a lifestyle that’s difficult to replicate. Living in Bali and choosing Alzeto Coliving to be your second home while exploring Bali’s iconic.
Published on 13 August 2025
