Moving to Australia from the UK

Overview of Moving to Australia from the UK

Australia consistently ranks as the most popular country in the world for Brits to emigrate to, with approximately over 1.3 million individuals from the British diaspora living there as of 2026.

Australia is a highly desirable destination for Britons for numerous reasons. Firstly, the general climate is significantly warmer and sunnier than the UK, offering year-round pleasant weather. Australia is also relatively closely aligned with the UK in terms of its shared culture, with no language barriers present and a generally easy-going lifestyle to be found that many Britons may enjoy as a contrast to life in the UK.

Australia also offers numerous job and employment opportunities for expats, particularly to those who may have specialist skills or knowledge that may be in short supply within the local employment market.

What is it Like to Live in Australia Compared to the UK?

Despite also being a highly developed, western, English-speaking country, Australia has a few marked differences to the UK that potential expats should be aware of before moving.

Cost of Living and Housing

In terms of pure numbers, the cost of living can be around 10-25% higher on average in Australia than in the UK. However, potential expats should note that salaries in Australia are also generally around 20-30% higher, which can help to offset the slightly more expensive ticket prices of essentials and housing.

Typical grocery items may be around 30-100% more expensive in Australia than in the UK. For instance, an average loaf of bread may cost around £1.20 in the UK but £2.50 in Australia. Similarly, a typical casual meal out in the UK may cost around £12-19, while in Australia it may be around £15-24.

Average rents and [property prices may also be slightly pricier in Australia, although London is by far the most expensive city in either country to rent or purchase property. An important factor to consider when considering property prices is that Australian homes, while slightly pricier on average compared to the UK (without factoring in London), will generally be larger, more spacious and often come with gardens as standard. This is compared to the UK, where homes generally tend to be smaller with private outdoor space being less common, particularly in large urban areas.

It is also likely that expats will be able to find more reasonably-priced properties to rent or buy outside of major cities such as Sydney or Melbourne, both of which have the most expensive property prices in Australia.

Healthcare

In contrast to the UK’s NHS, Australia’s healthcare system mostly uses a hybrid model of public/private services, with a higher proportion of its population taking out some form of private healthcare insurance.

While Medicare is publicly funded and can provide things such as GP appointments and public hospital care at no cost, private healthcare insurance is utilised by many and also subsidised in order to lessen demand and pressure on the public healthcare system. It may also be easier to access specialist care and treatment through private healthcare routes.

For this reason, expats may face varying degrees of service availability and access across Australia, depending on the type of service provider they choose and where in the country they are located, compared to the largely consistent and standardised structure of the NHS. This can be particularly felt for residents of Australia’s vast and sparsely-populated rural areas, who may struggle to find comprehensive medical services the further away they are from a major town or city.

UK expats will be able to take advantage of basic Medicare treatment without having to obtain permanent residency status first, thanks to the reciprocal agreement between the two countries. However, this will not encompass the full extent of services available under Medicare, and private healthcare will be a necessity when moving to Australia in order to ensure Britons are fully covered.

Education

Both the UK and Australia offer the option of publicly-funded or private schools for students, with many opting to send their children to public (state) schools. Public schools also make use of a catchment area system for enrolment, similarly to the UK. There are faith schools available in Australia.

Depending on your visa type and which state you reside in, education may not automatically be free for your children. For this reason, it is important to check well in advance of moving if your children will be eligible for free education.

Like in the UK, higher education is not free in Australia. However, as long as you are not on a temporary visa and your children aren’t classed as international students, tuition fees can cost anywhere between £2,000 and £7,000 a year, which is lower than the UK’s £9,790 a year maximum. Students unable to pay the fees upfront may have the option of taking out a student loan.

Both the UK and Australia have a high standard of higher education. While the UK has universities that sit in the top 10 global rankings (Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College) and Australia has none, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney are ranked 37th and 53rd in the world, respectively, with four other Australian universities also sitting within the top 100 rankings (Monash, Australian National University, University of New South Wales and University of Queensland).

Lifestyle

Compared to the UK, life in Australia is generally said to be slower-paced and more relaxed, with an emphasis on outdoor activities and sports. Australia also has a high proportion of expatriate and foreign-born residents, sitting at around 31% as opposed to the UK’s 16%. This may mean that British expats may find it easier to settle in and find communities of other foreign-born nationals than some other similar countries.

Australia is a relatively isolated country, however, and travel to other parts of the world are often difficult and require long plane journeys. The weather can also be quire extreme at times compared to the UK’s mild climate, with temperatures being known to reach highs of around 38 degrees Celsius in some parts. Bushfires and flash floods can be common in some areas.

Australia is also very sparsely populated, with its major cities being located very far apart from each other. The two biggest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, are situated 711km apart, which is approximately the same distance between London and Inverness. Sydney and Brisbane are around 733km apart, with an even greater distance of 3,288km between Sydney and Perth. This can make travel within Australia challenging, with flights being the primary option for travelling between large cities.

How to Move to Australia from the UK?

To move to Australia and obtain your visa will depend on many factors, including your age, occupation and country of origin, although all applications for Australian visas are considered and processed using the same method and are assessed on similar criteria.

Although Australia is fast gaining a reputation for its strict stance on immigration, it still has one of the highest immigrant populations of any country in the world.

Many migrants each year emigrate to the country for its fantastic year-round weather, consistently growing economy and laid-back way of life.

The following are some of the most common visa categories:

• Australian Skilled Visas
• Australian Working Holiday Visas
• Australian Business Visas
• Australian Family and Spouse Visas
• Australian Employer-Sponsored Visas
• Australian Partner Visas
• Australian Student Visas
• Australian Investor Visas

Overview of Australian Immigrant Visas

As with many countries, some of the primary routes to emigrating to Australia are based on work visas, family visas, investment/ business development visas, and refugee and humanitarian protection immigration routes.

Family and Partner Visas

Some of the most popular visas under this category include the following:

Child Visa: The purpose of the child visa is to allow children who are not Australian nationals to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, and apply for citizenship if eligible.

Dependent Child Visa: This visa allows the child to move to or reside in Australia until their parent’s Partner Visa application is approved.

Parent Visa: This visa category is designed to allow eligible parents to stay in Australia indefinitely, work, study, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

Partner Visa: These visas come in temporary and permanent categories, and allow partners of eligible partners of Australian citizens or residents to join them.

Prospective Marriage Visa: The visa allows individuals to come to Australia to join their Australian-based fiancé or prospective spouse.

Working and Skilled Visas

Business Innovation and Investment Visa: The purpose of this visa is to allow eligible businesspeople to come to Australia to continue their investment activities on a permanent basis.

Global Talent Visa: This visa is for eligible individuals who have an internationally recognised record of achievement in the area of a profession, sport, the arts, academia or research.

Employer Nomination Scheme: The visa allows eligible individuals who are nominated by an employer to come to Australia for permanent residency and work purposes. The subcategories include the Direct Entry stream, the Labour Agreement stream, and the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa: This visa has been designed for individuals who have lived, worked, or studied in a designated region in Australia on an appropriate visa in the past.

Temporary Activity Visa: This temporary visa allows eligible individuals to come to Australia for the purpose of short-term, temporary work and to participate in events endorsed by the Australian government.

Temporary Skill Shortage visa: This visa allows foreign workers to fill positions that cannot normally be filled by an Australian worker.

How to become a permanent Australian resident?

It may be possible to become a permanent resident of Australia if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Some of the most common ways to obtain permanent residency are via skilled work visas and family visas.

There are strict eligibility requirements for each permanent visa, meaning that you must demonstrate to the Australian border authorities the reasons why you qualify for the visa.

You may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after you hold permanent residence for a qualifying period of time.

What are the benefits of permanent residence in Australia?

Some of the most common reasons people apply for permanent residence include the following:

• You are entitled to live and work in any area of the country
• Your family members are eligible to move in with you
• Your children are entitled to free education (up to a certain level)
• You can apply for permanent residence on behalf of your family members
• You may be eligible to apply for citizenship following a number of years of holding permanent residence
• You can travel freely to and from Australia in the first five years

There is no single route to apply for Australian residence because there are a number of potential options available.

Guide to Australian work visas for UK citizens

There are Australian work visas available for the following categories of workers:

• Skilled workers
• Individuals who undertake specific activities
• Highly specialised workers
• Trainees on short-term visas
• Experienced businesspeople
• Individuals who are investors

Some of the most popular employment visas include the following:

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Direct Entry Stream) requirements

• Individuals must have the necessary skills to undertake the job
• Individuals should be on the list of eligible skilled occupations
• Applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer
• They must meet the health and character requirements
• They must have a competent standard of English
• They must be under the age of 45
• They must read or understand the Life in Australia booklet and agree to sign the Australian Values Statement

Skilled Independent Visa requirements

• Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency and to apply
• Aged under 45 years old
• The role is on the list of eligible skilled occupations
• Individuals have the relevant skills to undertake the role
• You have obtained at least 65 points on the immigrations points system
• Have a competent level of English
• Meet health and character requirements
• Read or understand the Life in Australia booklet and agree to the Australian Values Statement

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa requirements

• Hold a substantive visa or a Bridging Visa (A, B, or C) and have a history of complying with previous conditions of visas
• Nominated by an approved sponsor to fill a role on the eligible short-term skilled occupation list or the medium and long-term strategic skills list
• Have worked in your field of expertise for at least two years
• Other health, skill, character, language, and value requirements

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa requirements

• Nominated by an Australian state, government agency, or eligible relative. Asked to apply by submitting an expression of interest
• Aged under 45 years old
• Other skills, language, occupational, health, and value requirements

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist Visa) requirements

• Must have highly specialized skills, knowledge, or experience to undertake work in an Australian business
• Hold adequate funds to maintain yourself
• Other health and character requirements

Distinguished Talent Visa requirements

• Applicants must be nominated
• Must contribute to Australian society economically, socially, culturally, artistically, or in the areas of academia or sports
• Are internationally recognised with a demonstrable record of achievement in their area of expertise
• Other language, health, character, and value requirements

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Australia?

Depending on where you are from, you may be required to apply for a visa to visit Australia.

If you are a UK citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa. You will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in advance of travel.

This allows you to come to Australia for short periods of time for tourist or business visitor reasons.

UK citizens are entitled to stay for 90 days on the ETA without a visa. Once issued, the ETA is typically valid for 12 months following date of issue.

What do I need to visit Australia?

As a UK citizen, you need to use a valid passport in order to enter the country.

It is recommended that your passport is in date for at least six months when you travel, owing to restrictions by some airlines and countries.

You will also need a credit or debit card (or valid online Paypal account) as well as a valid email address.

How long does it take to process the Australian ETA?

In most cases, the standard processing time is fairly immediate.

There is a cost of $20 AUD to use the ETA app.

What information is needed for the ETA form?

The ETA will ask you for the following information:

• Complete the personal detail and general information section
• Choose how fast you want your application to be processed
• Complete the questionnaire based on your individual circumstances

Who can apply for an Australian family visa?

Depending on the visa and immigration status you hold, you may be eligible to apply for an Australian family visa.

The following categories of individuals may be eligible to apply for Australian family visas:

Australian citizens or permanent residents

There are a number of visa options that are available for eligible individuals.

These include:

• Partner Visa
• Prospective Marriage Visa
• Tourist Stream
• New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa
• Sponsored Family Stream
• Frequent Traveller Stream
• Aged Dependent Relative Visa
• Carer Visa
• Parent Visa
• Aged Parent Visa
• Dependent Child Visa
• Child Visa
• Adoption Visa

Visa holders inviting family members

In order to apply to bring a family member to Australia, it is important to first identify if the visa will be issued on a temporary or permanent basis.

It is also advisable to check whether the individual wants to enter the country once or multiple times, and this will influence the type of visa that can be applied for.

Returning Australian with overseas-born family

If citizens living abroad wish to bring their non-Australian national family, it may be necessary to apply for citizenship by descent.

You may then be able to apply for a passport on their behalf if the citizenship application is approved.

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Australia From the UK?

Moving to Australia is costly, and you’ll need a significant amount of money before and after your arrival. Some visas also require a specific amount in your bank account, and prices will double if you are travelling with a family.

If you plan to immigrate to Australia from UK on any visa, there are certain base costs you will be required to pay (note that these currency conversions are estimates):

• Migration skills assessment: £350
• Notary fees: £80
• Medical check: £340
• Police certificate application: £55
• Visa application fee (to the Australian government): £2,300
• Visa application preparation fee: £4,500
• Total visa application costs: £7,625
• One-way flight: £800
• Shipping your belongings: £5,000
• Rental property deposit (bond): £1,200
• Rent paid in advance: £600
• Monthly health insurance: £90

Australian Entry Requirements

If you plan to migrate to Australia from UK, you will have to meet certain requirements for any visa option you choose. The most common visa pathways are the skilled migration visa, family or partner visas.

For instance, if you were to choose the Skilled Migration visa for work, you must be:

• Be under 45 years old.
• Have a skill from Australia’s list.
• Pass a skills assessment by the right authority.
• Get an invitation to apply.
• Score enough points based on age, qualifications, and English skills.
• Sometimes, have a valid sponsor, but not always.
• Be aware that some visas might not be open for applications, like the Skilled Regional visa.

For most skilled migration visas, the Australian government charges at least £2,300 for one person and £6,300 for a family of four, including two kids under 18.

Processing times vary from 6 months to 2 years, so it’s vital to submit an accurate visa application to avoid wasting time and money.

Is it possible to emigrate to Australia with a criminal record?

Having a criminal record can make moving from the UK to Australia more complex, but it may still be feasible depending on the nature of your offense. The Australian Department for Home Affairs will assess your criminal history by obtaining a police clearance certificate from the UK.

Based on the seriousness of your prior convictions and various other considerations, they will determine whether you meet the requirements of this assessment.