Is it hard to make friends in Australia?

It takes some effort at first, like anywhere new, but it is very possible. Australia has a large and welcoming migrant community, and most people you meet in the big cities moved from somewhere too. That shared experience makes it easier to start a conversation and to keep in touch afterwards.

How long does it take to make friends after moving?

For most people it takes a few months of showing up regularly to the same groups or events. Friendships grow from repeated small meetings, not from a single big night out. Pick one or two weekly activities you enjoy, keep going back, and suggest a coffee once a face becomes familiar.

Where do newcomers meet people in Australia?

The most common places are community events, sports and hobby clubs, language exchanges, volunteering, short courses and local community apps. Shared interests give you an easy reason to keep meeting the same people. Local councils and public libraries also list free events, and Volunteering Australia can point you to volunteer roles near you.

What if I am shy or still learning English?

Start with structured activities like a class, a sport or a volunteering shift, where there is always something to do and talk about. Language exchanges are made for exactly this. Eligible migrants can also join free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, which is a good way to practise and meet classmates at the same time.

Newcomer guide

Making friends after moving to Australia

Building a new social circle is one of the hardest parts of moving abroad, and one of the most important. The good news is that Australia is full of newcomers doing exactly the same thing. Here is how to start.

Last updated 6 October 2026

This guide is general information, not professional advice. If loneliness starts to affect your mood, sleep or daily life, please talk to a doctor or one of the free support services listed at the end.

First, know that this is normal

Almost everyone who moves abroad feels the same quiet loneliness in the first few months. It is not a sign that anything is wrong. It simply takes time to rebuild the web of small, familiar faces you left behind. Be patient with yourself, and treat meeting people as something you do a little of each week.

The encouraging part is that Australia is a country of arrivals. In most cities, a large share of the people around you also came from somewhere else. They remember what your first months feel like, and many are still looking for their own people too.

Ways to meet people that actually work

There is no single trick. What works is putting yourself in the same room as the same people, more than once. These are the easiest starting points:

Go to community events. Local meetups, markets, and cultural nights are made for turning up alone and leaving with a new contact. Your local council website and public library usually list free events.
Join a sport or a club. A weekly team, a running group, or a climbing gym gives you a reason to return each week.
Take a class. A short course in cooking, a language, art, or dance puts you next to the same faces regularly.
Volunteer. Giving a few hours to a local cause is one of the fastest ways to meet warm, open people. Volunteering Australia is the national body for volunteering and a good place to start looking for roles.
Try a language exchange. If you are still building your English, these are perfect. Everyone is there to talk and no one minds mistakes.
Say yes to invitations. Even the small ones. A coffee after class or a drink after a game is how acquaintances slowly become friends.

If you are still learning English

Free English classes are another easy way to meet people. The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) offers free English tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. It is run by the Department of Home Affairs, which also funds settlement support services in many communities. Eligibility depends on your visa, so check the official site for your situation.

If you are an international student, your university or college usually runs clubs, societies and welcome events. Study Australia, the official government site for international students, also has information on student life and support.

Lean on your community

Many people find their first friends among others from their own country or region. That is not "staying in a bubble". It is a soft landing. A shared language and a shared story make the first friendships easier, and those people often introduce you to everyone else.

Look for community groups, cultural associations, and local events in your city. From there, your circle widens naturally.

How Nyvo helps

Nyvo is a free community app for the immigrant community in Australia, whether you arrived last week or have been here for years. It has a local community feed, events near you, and space to find others in your city who understand the journey. If you have just moved, you do not start from zero. You land somewhere that already has your people in it, including people who have been here long enough to show you around.

You can join Nyvo for free and start with the events and communities in your city.

When loneliness feels heavy

Feeling lonely for a while after a move is common. If it does not lift, or it starts to affect your sleep, work or study, it is worth talking to someone. You can see a GP (a general practitioner, or family doctor), or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free health advice at any time. Beyond Blue offers free mental health information and support. If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 000.

Give it time

Friendship after a move is built from repetition. Pick one or two things you genuinely enjoy, show up to them again and again, and be the person who suggests the next coffee. In a few months, a new city stops feeling like a place you moved to and starts feeling like home.

Official sources

Volunteering Australia: the national peak body for volunteering, with information on finding volunteer roles.
Department of Home Affairs: settlement support and the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) for eligible migrants.
Study Australia: the Australian Government site for international students, including student life and support.
healthdirect: free government-funded health information and a 24/7 helpline on 1800 022 222.
Beyond Blue: free mental health information and support.
Lifeline: 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to make friends in Australia?: It takes some effort at first, like anywhere new, but it is very possible. Australia has a large and welcoming migrant community, and most people you meet in the big cities moved from somewhere too. That shared experience makes it easier to start a conversation and to keep in touch afterwards.
How long does it take to make friends after moving?: For most people it takes a few months of showing up regularly to the same groups or events. Friendships grow from repeated small meetings, not from a single big night out. Pick one or two weekly activities you enjoy, keep going back, and suggest a coffee once a face becomes familiar.
Where do newcomers meet people in Australia?: The most common places are community events, sports and hobby clubs, language exchanges, volunteering, short courses and local community apps. Shared interests give you an easy reason to keep meeting the same people. Local councils and public libraries also list free events, and Volunteering Australia can point you to volunteer roles near you.
What are the best apps to meet people after moving?: Community apps, event platforms and friendship apps all help, and many people use more than one. Nyvo is a free community app for the immigrant community in Australia, whether you arrived last week or have been here for years. It has a local feed, events and communities in your city, so you can find people who understand the journey.
What if I am shy or still learning English?: Start with structured activities like a class, a sport or a volunteering shift, where there is always something to do and talk about. Language exchanges are made for exactly this. Eligible migrants can also join free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, which is a good way to practise and meet classmates at the same time.