Moving to Australia from the UK

Make Your Dream of Moving to Australia from the UK a Reality

Moving to Australia from the UK involves various steps and considerations, including age, occupation, and other personal factors. Despite Australia's reputation for strict immigration policies, it remains a popular destination for its excellent weather, strong economy, lifestyle and strong historical links to the UK. Here’s a guide on how to make a move to Australia from the UK.

Popular Visa Categories for Moving to Australia from the UK

Australia offers a range of visa options, each with specific requirements and benefits. Here are some of the most common Australian 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

Australian Emigrant Visas Overview

The main routes for emigrating to Australia include work visas, family visas, business development visas, and humanitarian protection visas.

Australia Working and Skilled Visas

Australia Business Innovation and Investment Visa: This visa allows businesspeople to move from the UK to Australia and continue their investment activities in Australia permanently.

Australia Global Talent Visa: This visa is for individuals with internationally recognised achievements in various fields, including academia, research, sport, the arts or a profession.

Australia Employer Nomination Scheme: A visa for individuals nominated by an employer for permanent residency and work in Australia. Subcategories of this visa include the Direct Entry stream, the Labour Agreement stream, and the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

Australia Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa: This visa is suitable for people who have previously lived, worked, or studied in a designated region in Australia.

Australia Temporary Activity Visa: This visa is perfect for short-term, temporary work in Australia and for participating in certain events endorsed by the Australian government.

Australia Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: A visa allowing foreign workers to fill roles Australians cannot typically fill.

Family and Partner Visas – Most Popular from the UK

Australia Child Visa: This visa allows children to live in Australia indefinitely, with rights to work, study, and apply for citizenship.

Australia Dependent Child Visa: This visa allows a child to stay in Australia until their parent's Partner Visa application is approved.

Australia Parent Visa: This visa lets eligible parents live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely and apply for citizenship.

Australia Partner Visa: This popular visa has temporary and permanent categories for foreign partners of Australian citizens or residents to join and live with them in Australia.
Australia Prospective Marriage Visa lets individuals join their Australian-based fiancé or prospective spouse.

Guide to Australian Work Visas for UK Citizens

Several work visa options are available for UK citizens, including:

Australia Skilled Workers
Australia Specific Activity Workers

Australia Highly Specialised Workers

Australia Short-term Trainees

Australia experienced Businesspeople

Australia Investors

Popular Australian Employment Visas

Popular Australian employment visa for those seeking to move to Australia from the UK include:

Australia Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Direct Entry Stream):
- Necessary skills and eligible occupation
- Nominated by an Australian employer
- Meet health, character, and English language requirements
- Under 45 years old
- Understanding of Australian values as per the Life in Australia booklet

Australia Skilled Independent Visa:
- Nominated by an Australian state or territory government
- Under 45 years old
- Role on the eligible skilled occupations list
- Relevant skills and 65 points on the immigration points system
- Competent English and meet health and character requirements
- Understanding of Australian values as per the Life in Australia booklet

Australia Temporary Skill Shortage Visa:
- Hold a substantive visa or a Bridging Visa (A, B, or C)
- Nominated by an approved sponsor for an eligible role
- Two years of work experience in the field
- Meet other health, skill, character, language, and value requirements

Australia Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa:
- Nominated by an Australian state, government agency, or eligible relative. sked to apply by submitting an expression of interest
- Under 45 years old
- Meet other skills, language, occupational, health, and value requirements

Australia Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist Visa):
- Highly specialised skills, knowledge, or experience to undertake work in an Australian business
- Adequate funds to maintain yourself
- Meet health and character requirements

Australia Distinguished Talent Visa:
- Nominated and recognised for contributions to Australian society economically, socially, culturally, artistically, or in the areas of academia or sports
- Internationally recognised with a record of achievement
- Meet other language, health, character, and value requirements

Do UK Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Australia?

UK citizens do not need a visa but must apply for an Australian Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. This allows for short stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

The Australia ETA issued to British citizens is typically valid for 12 months.

Requirements for Visiting Australia from the UK

To apply for an Australian ETA as a visitor, British citizens need a valid passport (preferably with at least six months' validity), a credit or debit card or Paypal account to make the payment, and a valid email address.

The processing time is typically immediate, and the cost is AUD 20.

Australian Family Visa Eligibility

Australia has several visa categories suitable UK nationals seeking a move to Australia with an Australian family visa. Eligibility will depend on the visa and immigration status held.

Potential visa options for family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents:

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

Potential visa options for family members of Australian visa holders

To effectively plan for Australian visa holders bringing a family member to Australia, it's essential to consider the type of visa being issued—whether it’s temporary or permanent.

Additionally, whether the family member intends to enter the country once or multiple times is essential, as this will directly impact the potential visa options available.

Returning Australians with Family

For Australian citizens living abroad who wish to return to Australia with their overseas-born, non-Australian family members, it may be necessary to first apply for citizenship by descent for those family members.

Once citizenship is granted, they or you can then apply for an Australian passport.

Costs of Moving to Australia from the UK

Relocating to Australia involves substantial expenses, both before and after your arrival. It's important to be financially prepared, as some visas require you to have a certain amount of money in your bank account. If you're moving with a family, these costs will likely increase significantly.

If you're planning to immigrate to Australia from the UK, you'll need to cover specific visa costs and other expenses.

Keep in mind that the currency conversions provided here are approximate estimates.

Migration skills assessment: £350

Notary fees: £80

Medical check: £340

Police certificate application: £55

Visa application fee: £2,300

Visa application preparation fee: £4,500

One-way flight: £800

Shipping belongings: £5,000

Rental property deposit: £1,200

Rent paid in advance: £600

Monthly health insurance: £90

How to Become a Permanent Australian Resident

Moving from the UK and achieving permanent residency in Australia requires an individual to meet strict eligibility criteria. A popular way to do this is to spend the time needed in Australia as a resident on one of the skilled work or family visas, which leads to permanent residence in Australia.

Once Australian permanent residence has been held for the required time, it may be possible to apply for Australian citizenship and a passport.

Benefits of Permanent Residency in Australia

Right to live and work in any part of the country

Eligibility for family members to join you

Access to free education for children (up to a certain level)

Ability to apply for permanent residency for family members

Eligibility to apply for citizenship after several years

Freedom to travel to and from Australia for the first five years

Emigrating to Australia with a Criminal Record

A criminal record can complicate the process, but it may still be possible. The Australian Department for Home Affairs will assess your criminal history through a police clearance certificate. Decisions are based on the nature and seriousness of prior convictions.