In exciting news, two of the longest-running Australian expat community networks, Australians in the USA and Aussies International, have officially become part of America Josh.
If you've been in the US for a while, you've probably crossed paths with one of these networks. Maybe you joined a state Facebook group when you first arrived, or maybe you found an AFL team or Netball team through the online directories. These communities have been connecting Aussies abroad since 2005—long before I started America Josh.
Now we're bringing everything together under one roof!
What This Means for You
If you're looking for other Australians in your area, we've made it easier than ever:
Australians in the USA is now a state-by-state directory covering all 50 US states. Click your state on the interactive map, and you'll find:
- Local Facebook groups and LinkedIn networks
- AFL teams in your area
- Australian government resources
- Links to Australian American Chambers of Commerce and other organizations
Aussies International expands the network globally. Whether you're in the US now or considering a move elsewhere, you can find Australian communities in:
- 🇺🇸 Every US state
- 🇨🇦 Every Canadian province
- 🇬🇧 The United Kingdom
- 🇪🇺 Europe
- 🕌 The Middle East
- 🌍 Africa
- 🌏 Asia & Pacific
- 🌎 South America & the Caribbean
A Tip of the Hat to Darren Green
These networks were founded by Darren Green in 2005—twenty years ago.
Long before social media made it easy to find people, Darren was building communities for Australians abroad. He saw the need for a way for Aussies to connect, share information, and help each other navigate life overseas.
That vision hasn't changed. We're just building on it.
Darren's work laid the foundation for what we're doing today. The Facebook groups he started still have thousands of active members. The networks he built are still helping people find jobs, housing, friends, and a sense of home away from home.
Thank you, Darren. We'll take good care of what you built.
My Own Journey
I started America Josh in 2017 after moving to New York City on an E-3 visa and realizing just how hard it was to find practical, trustworthy information about life as an Australian in America.
What began as a blog sharing what I was learning has grown into something much bigger. Over the past eight years, I've written over 700 articles covering everything from visas and taxes to health insurance, credit scores, and where to find a decent meat pie. We've built a community of more than 50,000 members across private Facebook groups, a newsletter reaching over 17,000 subscribers, and a website that now sees over 50,000 visitors every month.
Along the way, I've had the privilege of being featured in the Sydney Morning Herald (which generously called me “one of the most well-known Australians in New York” – step aside Hugh), ABC News, SBS, and other outlets. But honestly, the thing I'm proudest of is the community—the people who show up to our events, who help each other in the Facebook groups, who send emails saying “your article helped me figure out my visa” or “I made my first friend in New York at your trivia night.”
That's what this has always been about: making the transition just a little bit easier.
Bringing Australians in the USA and Aussies International into the America Josh family is the next step. It means we can do more, reach more people, and build something that serves Aussies wherever they are in the world.
The Bigger Picture: What We're Building
America Josh has always been about helping Australians navigate life in America—from visas and taxes to finding good coffee and understanding why tipping is so complicated.
But community is just as important, if not more important, as information. Moving to another country is hard. Having people who understand what you're going through makes it easier.
With Australians in the USA and Aussies International now part of the family, we can offer:
State-by-state resources — Not just generic “moving to America” advice, but specific information and communities for wherever you land
A directory of organizations — AFL teams, netball leagues, Australian American Chambers of Commerce, professional networks, and community groups across the country
Connections beyond the US — For those who might move on to Canada, the UK, or elsewhere, or who have friends and family in those places
One place to start — Whether you're researching a move, just arrived, or have been here for years, you know where to go
Find Your Community
Here's where to start:
- Australians in the USA — Find communities in your US state
- Aussies International — Find Australian communities worldwide
- Join America Josh — Get on the newsletter and join our private community groups
Organizations We Work With
We're proud to partner with and promote organizations serving Australians across the US:
- Global Australians — The global Australian diaspora network
- American Australian Association — Strengthening ties between Australia and the US
- USAFL — United States Australian Football League
- Australian American Chamber of Commerce, Texas
- Australian American Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Northwest
- Australian American Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco
- Australian Women in New York
- Netball America
If you run an organization serving Australians in the US and want to be listed, reach out at [email protected].
What's Next
We're just getting started. Over the coming months, we'll be:
- Adding more organizations and resources to the directories
- Creating city-specific guides beyond just New York
- Building out content for Australians in other countries
- Finding new ways to bring the community together—online and in person
If you've got ideas or want to help, I'd love to hear from you.
Welcome to the family, Australians in the USA and Aussies International. Let's keep building.
