How to Transition to Working Remotely

Taking advantage of the “remote working” lifestyle

The way we work has changed. Back in 2019, only 8% of Australians worked from home. Fast forward to 2022, and 67% of us telecommute at least a couple of days a week.

Working remotely is not new, but it’s fast becoming the new normal. And there are lots of benefits for employees and businesses.

Why workers are “going remote”:

• Skipping the commute
• Schedule flexibility
• Higher productivity and better focus
• Better work-life balance

The benefits for businesses

• More productive workforce
• Rental savings
• Recruiting from a larger geographic pool
• Retaining staff who prefer remote work

If you’re looking to join the growing cohort of professionals without borders, here are a few things to help you make the switch without stress.

Tips to make working remotely work for you

1. Look before you leap

Remote work is here to stay, so there’s no need to rush the decision. Make a plan for the next 6-12 months to save money, research your destination, and gradually transition to remote work.

Trialling different versions of the remote working lifestyle can also help you figure out if it’s right for you. Being location-independent means you can choose to stay where you are, move to a laid-back regional area, or even explore a new country.

2. You don’t need to Eat, Pray, Love your life

Spontaneously hopping on a plane might seem romantic when Sandra Bullock does it in a movie. But in reality, starting from scratch is expensive and time-consuming.

If you’re thinking about working and travelling, or moving overseas for a couple of years, consider storing your belongings, so they’re here when you return. KEYS’ long-term storage solutions are affordable, secure and flexible, so you don’t need to worry while you’re away.

Or, if you’re set on moving overseas for good, shipping your furniture and belongings is often more affordable than rebuying it all when you arrive.

3. Make meaningful connections

Working remotely offers a level of flexibility that seemed out of reach a decade ago. But after a while, many remote workers miss the camaraderie of office life. Socialising through a screen just isn’t the same.

Thankfully remote working hotspots are popping up around Australia and abroad. Finding a community of like-minded people can make all the difference when settling into a new lifestyle.

4. Research your new home

Many regional towns in Australia have seen their populations swell as remote workers leave the city to find a more peaceful pace of life.

Further afield, the list of international destinations with attractive remote working opportunities seems to grow by the day. From Bali to The Bahamas, Iceland to Italy, and Portugal to Prague, remote workers have their pick of places to settle.

Research your shortlist of digital nomad havens in detail to make sure it suits your goals:

• Visa conditions 
• Remote worker community
• Taxes for remote workers
• Safety and health
• Cost of living
• Internet connection
• Co-working spaces
• Accommodation availability 

At least the logistics of moving overseas are easily taken care of. KEYS is part of a trusted global moving network, and we have over 25 years of local, interstate and international relocation experience to make the move easy.

1. Take everything you need

If you’ve invested time and money into a work-from-home setup, relocating can seem daunting. 

But we’ve got you covered. 

Whether it’s office furniture, IT hardware or custom tools, your specialist equipment is in safe hands with KEYS. We can also provide transit insurance to cover your belongings on the journey.

Request a no-obligation custom quote to find out how we can help you make the shift to working remotely.