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Last updated: 02 July 2024

Moving to Australia from UK: The Definitive Guide

Table of Contents

Relocating to Australia from the UK requires some factors, for sure. First thing first, it’s a long way to travel and a long list of things to do before moving. So, maybe think again: why did you decide to move to Australia, and what are the reasons for leaving the UK, your home country?

When it gets serious, let’s consider these factors;

Your age
Your job occupation
Your country of origin
And many many more details taken into account.

Well, for UK residents, the weather in Australia especially sounds appealing. The reasons for moving to Australia don’t end up here. The possible visa options are Australian Skilled Visas, Australian Business Visas, or Australian Student Visas; there are many suitable options for different kinds of needs. Whether you plan to study there or plan to keep on your career in the Australian business world, you can find a suitable option.

Emigrating to Australia from the UK: Overview

When you move to Australia from the UK, you can find yourself in a community of many British newcomers who share similar experiences together. As Australia and the UK both have a shared culture and, of course, the language, you can feel the similarities and get closer to the Australian culture. When it comes to the political aspects, you can rely on Australia’s close relationship with the UK.

Another good news is that Australia is a popular destination for UK expats, with almost 1.2 million of them living there.

How to Emigrate to Australia

You can find ways to move to Australia, but the first step is to decide on a long-stay visa and then obtain a residence permit.

There is some specific and interesting data about UK citizens living in Australia. For example, at the end of June 2022, over 1.1 million people who were born in the UK were living in Australia. Australia has a huge migrant community.

Once you have a good reason to move to Australia, you can look for the best place to settle for expats.

Moving to Australia from UK Requirements

The shared culture doesn’t change many things about the requirements, as the UK and most other countries generally have the same ones.

What requirements do you need to move to Australia from the UK?

As a British citizen, you need a visa to enter Australia. The type of visa you need depends on your purpose of moving, which may be work, study, or retirement.
You need a positive skills assessment when applying for a work visa in Australia. The assessment will be made by a relevant authority.
You can show your English proficiency in one more document that is beneficial to your application.
It is possible to bring advantages when you’re between 25 and 33 years old.
Try to understand the healthcare system in Australia, as you may need to do different kinds of healthcare checks.
You’ll need to find an accommodation. The cost of living in Australia is not that different from the UK. However, you may check a few key areas for lower costs.

Moving to Australia from UK as a Nurse

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) set specific criteria for UK nurses and midwives. In order to work in Australia as a nurse or midwife from the UK, you are required to meet these criteria. You will be expected to prove an assessment of qualifications, experience, and language proficiency.

How does the process work?

First, you need an initial assessment. Your qualifications will be assessed for Australian equivalency. This means that you will need to submit your academic and professional credentials to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA).

The second one is the registration with NMBA and the eligibility requirements you need to meet. It’s mandatory to practice as a midwife in Australia, so you need to ensure your qualifications align with NMBA standards.

These two are followed by skills assessment and language proficiency plus English language competency, tests like IELTS or OET as standard measures.

You need to be aware of the bridging programs, professional development, and continuing education to maintain your registration.

As a Nurse or Midwife from the UK, do you need a visa?

Skilled Independent Visas, Employer Nomination Scheme, and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme are some of the visa options available for nurses and midwives.

Moving to Australia from UK for a Year

As a British citizen, you’re able to apply for a First Working Holiday Visa, which is subclass 417. You must be between the ages of 18 to 30 years old. If you successfully get your visa, you can travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. Moving to Australia from the UK for a year is possible with this visa option, which costs AU$ 495 (£255.82).

Moving to Australia from UK with Family

Before going into details about how are the legal requirements for you and your family to move to Australia from the UK, we want to check a few points for you.

Choosing where you will call home as a family is a critical topic. You’ll decide the geographic area for your job or your children’s schools’ locations. Anyhow, as a family, you’ll feel at home when you find the right place, but it’ll affect many things in your life.

The local activities, the costs of the property market, and the weather are among the research topics for you before you land at your next destination, Australia. Let’s start searching!

Further, climate, bringing your belongings, insurance, bringing your pet, and the local customs are among the checklist matters in your case of moving to Australia from the UK as a family.

Overview of Australian Emigrant Visas

Here are some of the visa options available for emigrating to Australia from UK:

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

Let’s take a some of them.

Family and Partner Visas

Also called an Australian Partner Visa, it is a permanent residency visa that becomes permanent after 2 years. You can get this visa if you’ve been in a relationship with your Australian partner for at least 3 years. If you have a child, the period of waiting for permanent residency becomes 2 years.

Working and Skilled Visas (General Skilled Migration Program Visas)

It’s for skilled individuals and families who are looking to migrate permanently from the UK to Australia. This visa type aims to fill Australia’s skill shortages. The eligibility is determined according to the Skilled Occupation List.

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Direct Entry Stream)

Here are some of the main requirements:

You’re expected to have the necessary skills for the job
Being nominated by an Australian employer is a must
You must meet health and character requirements

When you get this visa, you can live and work in Australia permanently as a skilled worker from the UK.

Skilled Independent Visa

If you’re an invited worker and you have the skills needed in Australia, this visa is for you. With a Skilled Independent Visa, you can live and work permanently in Australia, one of the best countries to live in.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

This visa type is partly different than the other one. It’s possible for you to apply for a temporary skill shortage visa if an employer can’t find an Australian to do the work and you have a relevant occupation to work in Australia.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa

Another alternative is a Skilled Regional Visa, letting skilled workers live and work in Australia under 45 years of age and pass the other eligibility criteria.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist Visa)

It’s a short-term visa for highly specialized work in Australia. If you have specialized skills, knowledge, or experience that are not generally available and needed in Australia, you can apply for this visa type.

Cost to Move to Australia from UK

You’ll need to spare some budget for moving your belongings, transportation, or accommodation when you arrive in Australia. The cost to move from the UK to Australia is calculated around £10,000-£20,000 for 2023. It may depend if you’re moving out as a family or alone and if you have more medical needs or any extra costs.

Living in Australia

Let’s discover what it’s like living in Australia.

Education in Australia

The Australian government has a funding role in the education system.

How’s the education system in Australia?

Early childhood education
Primary education
Secondary education
Higher education
Vocational education

Healthcare in Australia

Australia offers one of the best health systems in the world. Moreover, it’s safe and affordable for all Australians. You can also use a shared-public-private model that the Medicare system underpins.

Opening a Bank Account in Australia

In Australia, you have online or in person options to open a bank account. Bank options include ANZ and Westpac, which offer various features.

Transportation in Australia

Australia has a diverse transportation system. There are public transport options like trains, buses, ferries, and light rail.

Entertainment in Australia

Australia hosts some of the world’s biggest and best events, including sports events, arts, culture, and food festivals15. It also has a vibrant nightlife and a host of theaters, restaurants, and events16.

Are you bored in Australia? Doesn’t seem to happen. You’ll find some of the world’s biggest events, including sports events or arts and culture. Wait, we can’t forget the food!

Climate in Australia

It varies when you consider the large geographical area. You can experience the hot, sinking air of a subtropical high-pressure belt.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Australia from UK

Let’s explore the cons and pros of moving to Australia from the UK.

Pros of Moving to Australia from UK

The first language spoken in Australia is English.
Many Australian cities rank high in the quality of life surveys.
Expats can find suitable accommodation options for their budget.
Having a conducive climate makes it easier to practice outdoor activities.

Cons of Moving to Australia from UK

In some cities, cultural activities might be limited.
The cost of living is expensive, with Sydney and Melbourne ranking high.
As Australia is far away from the UK, it might not always be easy to visit home.
Property prices are not that affordable. Sellers have the advantage of the real estate law.

Conclusion

It seems like a long time to think about it. Especially when you’re moving to a country that’s far away from home, like moving to Australia from the UK. When you’re done with the life decisions part, it’s actually an understandable process for British citizens to prepare the necessary documents to get a visa or any other requirements.

We hope this guide helps you on your new journey in Australia!