How to move to Australia from the UK
| 320,000+ | 12 to 18 months | 65 points |
|---|---|---|
| UK-born people living in Australia right now | Typical timeline from application to arrival | Minimum points score for a skilled visa |
So, you are thinking about swapping the British drizzle for Bondi Beach. You are in very good company.
Australia is the number one destination for Brits packing up and heading overseas, and honestly, the appeal is pretty obvious. Same language, a legal system that will feel familiar, brilliant healthcare and sunshine that actually shows up. Every year, tens of thousands of us make the move, and more than 320,000 UK-born people now call Australia home.
Here is the catch though: you cannot just book a one-way flight and wing it. Brits do not get an automatic right to live in Australia, and the visa process takes proper planning, the right paperwork and in most cases, a points score you will need months to build up. Rush it and you could lose thousands in fees. Get it right and you will be sorted.
This guide walks you through every stage of the process, from picking the right visa, to shipping your stuff, to finding your feet once you land. We put it together with a registered migration agent, so the information is current, accurate and written with British applicants in 2026 in mind.
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Can British people move to Australia?
Yes, but not automatically. As a British citizen, you will need to apply for a visa through the same immigration process as everyone else.
The good news? Australia actively wants skilled migrants, and Brits usually do well in the process. English is your first language (tick, that earns you points), your qualifications tend to be well-recognised, and loads of UK professions sit on Australia’s skills shortage lists.
The right route for you depends on a few things:
- Your age
- Your occupation
- Whether you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you
- Whether you are up for living in a regional part of Australia
The sections below walk you through each pathway.
Visa options for UK citizens
There are several visa routes open to British citizens, each designed for different situations. Here is a quick overview of the most common ones. For a full deep dive on each visa type, check out our companion guide: Can Brits move to Australia? All visa routes for UK citizens explained.
| Visa | Type | Age Limit | Employer? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | Permanent | Under 45 | No | Skilled workers with high points scores |
| Subclass 190 | Permanent | Under 45 | No | Skilled workers open to state nomination |
| Subclass 491 | Provisional | Under 45 | No | Workers happy in regional Australia |
| Subclass 482 | Temporary | None | Yes | Employer-sponsored workers |
| Subclass 417 | Working Holiday | Under 35 | No | Younger applicants testing the waters |
| Subclass 186 | Permanent | Under 45 | Yes | Experienced workers sponsored for PR |
| Subclass 143 | Permanent | None | No | Parents joining Australian-resident children |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, March 2026
Subclass 189: The one most Brits are after
For most British professionals, the 189 is the dream ticket. You get permanent residency from day one, you do not need an employer to sponsor you, and you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
The catch? It is competitive. You have to score points on Australia’s points test, submit an Expression of Interest and wait to be invited. In 2026, most people getting invited are scoring 85 to 90 points or above.
Subclass 190: The solid backup plan
If your points score is not quite enough for the 189, the 190 is a genuinely practical alternative. Individual Australian states and territories nominate skilled workers they need, which bumps your score up by 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 with British applicants.
Subclass 417: The Working Holiday visa
If you are aged 18 to 35, this one is worth knowing about. It lets you live, work and travel in Australia for up to three years (with second and third-year extensions available).
It does not lead directly to permanent residency, but loads of British migrants use it to try Australia on for size before committing to a permanent move. Handy to know: time spent on a Working Holiday Visa can actually count towards points on a later skilled visa application.
Got a job offer? Sponsorship can fast-track you
If an Australian employer wants to hire you, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa or the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa can get you to Australia quicker than the points route.
Sponsorship is especially useful if your points score is sitting on the edge, or if your job is in high demand at a specific company.
Understanding the points test
Most skilled visa routes use a points-based system. Here is how it works:
- You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal.
- You get a points score.
- You wait to be invited to apply.
Invitations go out every fortnight to the highest-scoring applicants in each occupation.
The minimum score to submit an EOI is 65 points. But that is just the entry ticket, it does not guarantee you an invitation. In 2026, most successful Subclass 189 applicants are scoring between 85 and 100 points, so knowing how to squeeze every point out of your application really matters.
Your strongest points categories as a Brit
- English language: Score 8.0 or above in IELTS and you earn 20 points straight away.
- Age: If you are between 25 and 32, you get the full 30 points.
- Work experience: Up to 15 points if you have eight or more years in your nominated occupation.
| 💡 The easiest way to boost your score
Going from IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 adds 10 points. Going from 7.0 to 8.0 adds another 10. For most Brits, your English result is the quickest and most predictable way to improve your chances. |
What you need to apply: The full checklist
Requirements shift slightly depending on which visa you are going for, but the checklist below covers the core stuff for most skilled migration routes.
A tip from us: start gathering these documents in parallel where you can. The skills assessment alone takes up to 12 weeks, so if you wait for one thing to come back before starting the next, you will add months to your timeline.
| Requirement | What It Involves | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Assessment | Your occupation gets assessed by the relevant Australian authority (Engineers Australia, AHPRA for healthcare, TRA for trades, and so on). | 8 to 12 weeks |
| English Language Test | IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT. Aim for IELTS 7.0 or higher per band. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Expression of Interest | Submit through the SkillSelect online portal. You get a score and join the invitation pool. | Same day |
| Invitation to Apply | Issued by the Department of Home Affairs. You have 60 days to lodge the full application. | Varies |
| Health Examination | Done through an approved panel physician. Results go straight to Home Affairs. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Police Clearance | Required from every country you have lived in for 12 or more months in the last decade. | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Character Declaration | A statutory declaration about your criminal history. Any convictions must be disclosed. | Same day |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, March 2026
One thing worth flagging: as a British applicant, you will need a police clearance certificate from the UK (via the ACPO Criminal Records Office), plus one from any other country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past ten years. Get the UK application going early, because processing times can vary.
| A criminal record is not an automatic no
Australia has a character requirement for every visa applicant, but having a criminal record does not automatically mean your application gets refused. The decision depends on the nature and recency of the offence. For a proper breakdown of how the character test works, see our guide: Can You Move to Australia with a Criminal Record? |
How to move to Australia from the UK: Step by step
These steps are for the most common pathway: the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa. If you are going down the employer sponsorship or regional visa route, some bits will look different, but the overall order is pretty much the same.
- Check your occupation is on the MLTSSL. Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and search for your occupation. If it is on the list, you can press on. If not, employer sponsorship (Subclass 482) might still be an option.
- Calculate your points score. Use the Department of Home Affairs points calculator. Be honest about your English level and work experience. If your score is below 80, figure out which categories you can realistically push up before submitting your EOI.
- Book and sit your English language test. IELTS Academic is the most widely used. Book at a registered test centre. Aim for at least 7.0 per band. If you are close to 8.0, consider sitting it again, because those extra 10 points are worth chasing.
- Submit your skills assessment. Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. Allow 8 to 12 weeks. Do not submit your EOI until you have your positive skills assessment in hand.
- Lodge your Expression of Interest. Create an account at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/SkillSelect. Complete your EOI and submit. You will get your score and enter the invitation pool. Rounds run every fortnight.
- Receive your Invitation to Apply. If you get invited, you have 60 days to lodge the full visa application and pay the fee. Use this window to gather your supporting documents so you can move fast.
- Complete health and character checks. Book your medical with an approved panel physician (the list is on the Home Affairs website). Sort out your police clearance certificates from the UK and anywhere else that applies.
- Lodge your application and pay the fee. Submit everything through ImmiAccount. The Subclass 189 visa fee in 2026 is around AUD 4,640 (roughly £2,300 to £2,500 depending on the exchange rate) for the main applicant, with extra fees for family members.
- Await a decision. Processing times for the Subclass 189 usually range from three to twelve months, though some take longer. You will be notified via ImmiAccount. Use the wait to plan your move and get your removals quote from Anglo Pacific.
- Book your removals and plan your arrival. Once your visa is granted, get in touch with Anglo Pacific to start planning your shipment. We recommend booking at least eight weeks before your departure date to lock in your preferred shipping window. Sea freight from the UK to Australia takes around eight to twelve weeks.
The real cost of moving to Australia from the UK
Most people seriously underestimate how much the whole move costs. The visa fees on their own run into several thousand pounds, and that is before you have bought a single packing box.
Here is a realistic breakdown so you can budget properly:
| Cost | GBP | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 Visa (main applicant) | £2,300 to £2,500 | AUD 4,640 at current rates |
| Partner or dependent visa fees | £800 to £1,200 | Varies by age and visa type |
| Skills assessment fee | £200 to £500 | Depends on assessing authority |
| IELTS test fee | £220 | Per sitting, you may need to resit |
| Health examinations (couple) | £450 to £550 | Per approved panel physician |
| Police clearance certificates | £80 to £150 | UK plus any extras |
| Migration agent (recommended) | £1,800 to £2,800 | Reduces errors and delays |
| Flights (couple, one-way) | £1,200 to £4,000 | Depending on airline and season |
| Estimated total | £11,000 to £15,000 | Not including rental deposit or shipping |
Source: Department of Home Affairs fee schedule, March 2026. All figures indicative.
On top of these upfront costs, you will also need to budget for:
- Your rental deposit in Australia (usually four to six weeks’ rent in advance)
- Initial living costs before your first Australian payslip lands
- Any furniture or appliances you need to pick up once your shipment arrives
For a proper deep-dive on handling and transferring your money during the move, see our guide: Moving money from the UK to Australia.
| Is a migration agent worth the money?
A MARA-registered migration agent usually charges £1,800 to £2,800 for a full-service skilled visa application. Given that one missed document or a form error can mean a refusal and the loss of your application fees, |
Shipping your belongings: What you need to know
Once your visa is sorted, the next big job is getting all your stuff to Australia. For families and couples, sea freight is the standard option. It takes longer than air freight, but if you are shipping a full household, it is the only option that makes sense.
Here is what to expect.
How long it takes
Sea freight from the UK to Australia usually takes eight to twelve weeks in transit, depending on which port your goods are going to (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide) and the shipping line’s schedule.
You will also need to factor in an extra one to two weeks for packing, collection and port handling at the UK end, plus another one to three weeks for customs clearance, delivery and unpacking at the other end. In total, plan to live out of suitcases for three to four months.
How your shipment is priced
International removals are priced by volume in cubic metres (m³), not by weight. A typical three-bedroom household ships at around 20 to 30 m³.
Before your survey, make a list of everything you are not taking. Selling or donating furniture and big appliances you do not need can seriously reduce your volume, and your cost with it.
Australian biosecurity rules
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world. Some items are banned outright, and others have to be declared and may be inspected, treated or destroyed on arrival.
The main things to watch out for are:
- All wooden items, including furniture with bark
- Soil (yes, on garden tools and shoes too)
- Most fresh and dried plant material
- Untreated animal products
The good news: Anglo Pacific handles all the customs and biosecurity documentation as part of the service, so your shipment clears Australian Customs and Border Force without unnecessary hold-ups.
| ⚠️ Do not pack these items
Australian biosecurity is not a formality. Items commonly seized from UK shipments include: Wooden fruit bowls with bark, wicker furniture, camping and garden gear with soil traces, Your Anglo Pacific move manager will give you a full list of prohibited items before packing begins. |
| Household Size | Volume | Cost | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 bed flat (part load) | 5 to 15 m³ | £1,800 to £3,200 | 10 to 14 weeks (shared) |
| 3 bed house | 20 to 28 m³ | £4,200 to £5,200 | 8 to 12 weeks (part or full) |
| 4+ bed house | 30 to 50 m³ | £5,500 to £8,000+ | 8 to 12 weeks (full container) |
Source: Anglo Pacific pricing schedule, March 2026. All figures indicative. Prices include packing, shipping and customs clearance.
Is it worth moving to Australia? An honest take
Tens of thousands of Brits move to Australia every year, and most never look back. But it is worth going in with your eyes open. Australia is a genuinely different country, not just a sunnier version of Britain.
Here is an honest look at both sides:
Why Brits love it
- Higher average salaries across most professions
- Universal healthcare through Medicare (similar feel to the NHS)
- Work-life balance that is actually valued, not just talked about
- Around 300 days of sunshine a year in most major cities
- More affordable housing relative to income, once you step outside Sydney and Melbourne
- Superannuation: employers must contribute 11% of your salary towards your pension
- Low crime rates in residential areas compared to UK cities
- A brilliant base for travel to South-East Asia, Japan and the Pacific
What to be ready for
- No automatic right to live and work: the visa process takes 12 to 18 months
- Sea freight for your belongings takes 8 to 12 weeks
- A 9 to 11-hour time difference makes staying close to family back home tricky
- Sydney and Melbourne housing costs rival London
- The rental market is competitive, and securing a place as a newcomer is tough
- Medicare does not cover dental, so private insurance is strongly recommended
- The wildlife is exactly as lively as you have heard
- Cultural differences are subtler than you might expect, so give yourself time to adjust
For most Brits, the adjustment period is six to twelve months. Months three to six can be harder as the novelty wears off and homesickness kicks in. By the end of year one, most British migrants say they feel settled and would not want to come back.
Settling in: Your first three months
Landing in Australia is just the start. Here is a practical checklist for your first three months to make the transition as smooth as possible.
| When | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Register for Medicare | UK citizens are eligible under the Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement. Register at a Medicare service centre with your passport and visa. |
| Week 1 | Open an Australian bank account | The Big Four (ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB, Westpac) all let you open accounts online before you arrive. |
| Week 1 to 2 | Get a Tax File Number (TFN) | Apply online at ato.gov.au. You will need it before you can start work. Takes 1 to 2 weeks. |
| Week 2 to 4 | Sort your driving licence | Your UK licence is valid temporarily. Convert to an Australian one within three months at your state’s transport authority. |
| Month 1 | Register for Superannuation | Your employer sets up your super fund, but you can choose your own. Shop around for fees and investment options. |
| Month 1 to 2 | Arrange private health insurance | Medicare does not cover dental, optical or physio. Private health insurance is affordable in Australia and well worth it. |
| Month 2 to 3 | Receive and unpack your shipment | Anglo Pacific will give you a delivery date. Make sure someone is at the property to receive it. We offer full unpacking services. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to move to Australia from the UK?
From kicking off your skills assessment to actually landing in Australia, the typical timeline is 12 to 18 months. The skills assessment alone takes 8 to 12 weeks, and processing time after lodging your full application can be anywhere from three to twelve months. Once your visa is granted, sea freight adds another eight to twelve weeks.
All in, from first bit of research to unpacking boxes in your new home, you are usually looking at 18 to 24 months. The best way to shorten this is to start early and run as many steps as you can in parallel.
How much does it cost to move to Australia from the UK?
For a couple with a full household, total costs usually land between £11,000 and £15,000. That covers the visa application fee (around £2,300 to £2,500 for the main applicant), partner or dependent fees, the skills assessment, your English test, health checks, migration agent fees and door-to-door international removals with Anglo Pacific.
On top of that, budget for flights, a rental deposit in Australia (usually four to six weeks’ rent) and initial living costs. Single applicants moving with minimal belongings can expect to spend £5,000 to £8,000.
What qualifications do I need to move to Australia from the UK?
There is no one-size-fits-all qualification requirement. What matters is whether your occupation is on Australia’s skills shortage list and whether your skills get a positive assessment from the relevant Australian authority.
Trades workers are assessed by TRA (Trades Recognition Australia), engineers by Engineers Australia, healthcare professionals by AHPRA or the relevant medical board, and so on. Your UK qualifications will generally be recognised, but the assessing authority may ask for extra evidence of work experience or, in some cases, further study.
Is it easy to move to Australia from the UK?
The process is manageable, but it is not quick. Most people find the individual steps (English test, skills assessment, EOI) straightforward once they understand the system. The main challenge is patience: the pipeline from first application to visa grant typically takes 12 to 18 months.
The most common headaches are a points score that is too low to get invited, an occupation that is no longer on the skills list, and paperwork mistakes that cause delays. Working with a registered migration agent seriously reduces the risk of that last one.
Can I move to Australia from the UK at 50?
Most skilled visas require you to be under 45, but there are exceptions. The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa has no upper age limit if you are employer-sponsored. The Subclass 143 Contributory Parent visa is open at any age if your children are already Australian residents or citizens. Some state nomination programmes also have slightly more flexible age criteria depending on occupation.
Being 50 does not close the door, but it does narrow the options.
Do I need a job offer to move to Australia from the UK?
No. The Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 skilled visas do not need a job offer or employer sponsorship. You apply based on your skills assessment, points score and EOI. However, a job offer is required for employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 and Subclass 186). Having one lined up can also make the process a lot easier if your points score is borderline.
