Australian expat Jay Houston is encouraging others to relocate to Thailand, saying he enjoys a luxury lifestyle for about $1,800 a month as living costs rise at home. The 50-year-old has launched an online business helping Australians navigate Thai visas, insurance and housing, drawing on his own experience of moving overseas.

Houston says he pays $630 monthly rent, alongside relatively low utility and internet bills, and lives in a condominium with two pools. His move comes as more Australians seek additional income or work abroad: over one million now hold multiple jobs, while full-time employment fell by 6,000 in August and part-time work rose by 39,000. KPMG economist Brendan Rynne said the figures indicated households were struggling with inflation and higher future mortgage costs.