Emigrating for a Purpose
Many Britons have chosen to emigrate to Australia seeking a "better life," but Tom Cowan, 23, took this step with a distinct goal: to build a better life back home in Wales. In March, Tom moved 10,600 miles (17,059 km) from Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, to Melbourne.
Unlike many expatriates, Tom has a clear plan to save £50,000 over two years by living and working in Australia. His aim is to purchase a house in Wales and support his family.
Family Motivation and Personal Goals
Tom shared the inspiration behind his ambition, highlighting his mother’s sacrifices.
"Mum never went for a night out with her mates, never bought clothes for herself, she just gave me and our little sister everything she could to have as good a life as possible,"
"I like being in a position to be able to give back and be able to improve our lives."
Describing himself as a straightforward individual, Tom intends to work extensively while minimizing expenses to reach his financial target.
"I don't need new clothes or a fancy car. I don't want instant gratification – I want to be more comfortable in life, to be able to create more opportunities for myself and my family,"
he explained.
Tom’s financial situation was challenging after completing his degree in business management at the University of Liverpool in 2025, with his bank account at -£400.
Determined to improve his circumstances, he spent seven months working as a groundwork labourer, saving approximately £11,000 before embarking on his journey.
Journey to Australia and Work Life
Before settling in Melbourne in March, Tom traveled through Asia. Upon arrival, he secured accommodation and a construction job.
When asked about his choice of Australia, Tom said:
"I always wanted to live abroad, so why not go as far as I possibly can, see what my life would look like if I started from scratch, without the influence of my friends, family or town.
I'm living the type of life I always knew was best for me but struggled to make it a reality due to my environment."
Despite the higher cost of living in Australia, Tom noted that overtime pay is favorable, allowing him to work more hours at a job that pays less per hour compared to the UK.
He earns about £20.50 an hour, compared to £15 per hour for the same job in the UK. Additionally, his rent is lower; he pays £100 a week sharing a room with his girlfriend, less than the £140 weekly rent he paid at university halls in Liverpool.
Financial Progress and Accountability
So far, Tom has saved £2,000 but still has a considerable way to go to reach his £50,000 goal. He estimates needing to save about £400 weekly to meet his target.
"Sometimes you have to make choices that hurt you now to improve your situation in the future. That's the choice I've got to make,"
To maintain accountability, Tom created an Instagram page to document his progress. He has been surprised by the support, gaining over 2,000 followers in six weeks.
Through videos of his daily life, many people, including fellow Welsh and Australians, have offered advice, accommodation, and job opportunities.
"I'm really expecting nobody to see these videos - and a lot of people have now, which is surprising."
Initially, Tom found it unusual to speak to the camera while filming, but he has grown accustomed to it, especially since he is unrecognized while walking in his new city.
Most videos are in English; however, when discussing the emotional difficulty of leaving his family behind to improve his future, he spoke in Welsh.
"I'm able to talk about my feelings better in Welsh for some reason,"
he admitted.
Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle
Alongside his financial goals, Tom is committed to enhancing his health and fitness. In line with his frugal lifestyle, he exercises primarily at free outdoor gyms, with his online followers encouraging him to stay consistent.
"I use the audience to keep me accountable... If in a month I decide to spend all my money or stop exercising, I now have over 1,500 followers who think 'what is this guy doing?'"
Tom acknowledges that his longing for family and the Snowdonia mountains will eventually bring him back to Wales. For now, he enjoys his life in the Australian sunshine and the hard work involved in pursuing his ambition.
"The times I am happiest in life are when I have something to work towards,"
"Maybe some people see that working a lot of hours and not spending money doesn't look like fun - but the feeling behind it gives me respect for myself, and that makes me happy."
Tom describes himself as a "really simple person" focused on achieving comfort and opportunity for himself and his family.
