Can Brits move to Australia? All visa routes for UK citizens explained (2026)

If you are thinking about making the move from the UK to Australia, you are in brilliant company. Thousands of British citizens head down under every year, and there is a visa route to suit almost every situation.

Whether you are a nurse, a plumber, a recent graduate, a partner of an Australian, or a parent hoping to be closer to your children, there is likely a pathway designed with you in mind. The tricky part is knowing which one fits you best.

To help you get your bearings, here is a friendly guide to every main visa route available to British citizens in 2026.

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa

Best for: Skilled professionals with strong points scores who want full flexibility.

The Subclass 189 is one of the most popular routes for British professionals, and for good reason. It gives you permanent residency from day one, you do not need an employer to sponsor you, and you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia.

It does come with a few requirements. Your occupation needs to be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and you will want a competitive points score. Most successful applicants in 2026 are scoring around 85 or above.

Age limit: Under 45
Type: Permanent

Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa

Best for: Skilled workers happy to settle in a particular state.

If your points score is sitting just below the 189 threshold, the 190 is a wonderful alternative. An Australian state or territory nominates you, which gives your score an extra five points. In return, you agree to live and work in that state for at least two years.

Victoria, Queensland and South Australia are all popular choices with British applicants, each with their own unique lifestyle and job markets.

Age limit: Under 45
Type: Permanent

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional Visa

Best for: Skilled workers open to life in a designated regional area.

Regional Australia covers a wonderful variety of places, including cities like Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, Newcastle and the Gold Coast. If you are drawn to a slightly slower pace, more space and often more affordable housing, this route is well worth a look.

The 491 is a provisional visa that runs for five years. After three years of living and working in a designated regional area, you can apply for full permanent residency through the Subclass 191.

Age limit: Under 45
Type: Provisional (5 years)

Subclass 482: Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

Best for: Workers who already have an Australian job offer lined up.

If an Australian employer is keen to hire you, the 482 is often the quickest way to get across. There is no upper age limit, and the visa runs for up to four years. Many people use it as a stepping stone towards permanent residency through the Subclass 186 further down the line.

Age limit: None
Type: Temporary (up to 4 years)

Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme

Best for: Experienced workers whose employer wants to keep them for the long term.
Think of the 186 as the permanent cousin of the 482. Your employer nominates you directly for permanent residency, usually after you have already worked with them on a 482. It is one of the most common routes from a temporary work visa to full PR.

Age limit: Under 45 (with some exemptions)
Type: Permanent

Subclass 417: Working Holiday Visa

Best for: Younger Brits who want to experience Australia before committing.

If you are between 18 and 35, the Working Holiday Visa lets you live, work and travel in Australia for up to three years, with second and third-year extensions available. It is a lovely way to explore the country, meet people and figure out whether a longer-term move feels right.

While the 417 does not lead directly to permanent residency, time spent on it can count towards points on a later skilled visa application, which is a nice bonus.

Age limit: 18 to 35
Type: Temporary

Subclass 500: Student Visa

Best for: Students enrolled at an Australian university, college or school.

If you have a place on a registered Australian course, the Student Visa lets you study full-time and work part-time (up to 48 hours per fortnight during term). For many younger Brits, it becomes the first chapter of a longer Australian story, with a skilled visa often following once they graduate.

Age limit: None (but tied to your course)
Type: Temporary

Subclass 820 and 801: Partner Visa

Best for: Brits in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

If you are married to, engaged to, or in a de facto relationship with an Australian, the Partner Visa is your pathway. It begins as a temporary visa (820) and moves across to permanent (801) after around two years together. You will need to show strong evidence of your relationship, so it is a good idea to keep records of shared finances, travel and communication from early on.

Age limit: None
Type: Temporary to permanent

Subclass 143: Contributory Parent Visa

Best for: Parents hoping to join their Australian-resident children.

If your children are Australian citizens or permanent residents, the 143 lets you join them on a permanent basis. It is one of the more expensive visa routes and processing times can be lengthy, but there is no upper age limit, which makes it one of the few options available to older applicants.

Age limit: None
Type: Permanent

Which visa might suit you best?

Every situation is different, but here is a quick way to narrow things down:

• If you have in-demand skills and strong English, The Subclass 189 is usually the first place to look.
• If your points score is a little short, consider 190 or 491.
• If you have an Australian job offer, the 482 and 186 are often the fastest routes.
• If you are under 35 and want to experience Australia first, the 417 is a lovely way to start.
• If you are heading to an Australian university, the 500 may be the right fit.
• If you are in a relationship with an Australian, the Partner Visa (820 and 801) is the route for you.
• And if you are hoping to join your children, the Contributory Parent Visa (143) is worth exploring.

When you are ready to take the next step, we would always recommend speaking to a MARA-registered migration agent. They can look at your circumstances in detail and help you choose the best route.

Ready to start planning your move?

Once your visa is on its way, the next big step is getting your belongings across the world. At Anglo Pacific, we have been helping British families move to Australia for over 40 years, and we take care of everything from packing and shipping to customs clearance and delivery in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide.

For a full walk-through of the whole journey, have a read of our complete guide: How to move to Australia from the UK: The complete 2026 guide.