The Migration of Australians to Bali, Indonesia: More than Retirees and Surfers

The factors underpinning the migration of A ustralian residents to B ali, I ndonesia, and the demographic characteristics of the A ustralian expatriate population in B ali are examined. It is argued that in undertaking a move to B ali, A ustralian expatriates are employing a deliberate strategy to utilise their existing financial resources and social networks to gain a lifestyle they perceive would not be available to them if they were to remain in A ustralia. However, it is also argued that there is considerable diversity in the factors underpinning migration decisions. Through a survey of 236 A ustralians living in B ali, it was found that a complex of place‐based and non‐place‐based factors influenced migration decisions. It was also found that some factors underpinning migration were broadly associated with phase in the life course. While the survey identified only a minor overrepresentation of A ustralian retirees living in B ali, given the factors that were identified as underpinning migration to B ali, and with the large baby boomer population nearing retirement, it is probable that as A ustralia's population ages, there will be further growth in the number and proportional share of older A ustralians living in B ali.