How to move to Australia from England (UK): step-by-step guide for 2026

The short answer: to move to Australia from England (or anywhere in the UK) you need a visa — usually a skilled visa (subclass 189 or 190), an employer-sponsored visa (482 or 186), a Working Holiday visa (417) if you're 18–35, or a Partner visa. Most people find the whole move takes 12–24 months from first research to landing, and a family typically budgets £20,000–£35,000.

Moving from the UK to Australia is one of the most popular international relocations in the world — better weather, a strong economy, a relaxed lifestyle and a familiar language. But visas, shipping, finances, healthcare and schools all need coordinating, and most people have no idea where to start. This guide walks you through it step by step.

Start earlier than you think

Timeline we recommend: 12–18 months before your move date. Visa processing alone can take 6–12 months depending on your pathway. Add in gathering documents, police checks, medical exams, selling property and shipping logistics — it all compounds.

Quick timeline breakdown

• 12–18 months out: Research visa types, start saving
• 9–12 months out: Submit visa application
• 6–9 months out: Organise finances, start decluttering
• 3–6 months out: Book flights, arrange shipping, sort housing
• 1–3 months out: Final documents, goodbyes, last-minute prep

Step 1: Choose the right visa

Your visa is the single most important decision you'll make. Get it wrong and everything else falls apart. The main options for UK citizens are:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) — for skilled workers who don't need employer sponsorship. Apply through the points-based SkillSelect system. Application charge: A$6,135. Processing: approximately 6 months (median for UK applicants).
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) — similar to the 189 but requires nomination from an Australian state or territory. In return you get extra points and often a faster pathway. Processing: approximately 3 months (median for UK applicants — faster due to state nomination).
• Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) — the employer-sponsored route that replaced the TSS visa. Application charge: A$4,015.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) — permanent employer-sponsored visa. Application charge: A$6,140.
• Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) — for UK citizens aged 18–35 who want to live and work in Australia for up to a year (extendable to three years with regional work). Application charge: A$840.
• Partner Visa (subclass 820/801 or 309/100) — if your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Application charge: A$11,710.
• Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) — allows you to leave and re-enter Australia while a substantive visa is being processed. Application charge: A$575.

The right visa depends on your age, occupation, qualifications and circumstances. Always verify current requirements at the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Step 2: Get your documents in order

Once you know your visa route, you'll need to gather a significant amount of documentation. This typically includes:

• Valid UK passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your planned move date)
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificate from the UK
• Skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing body for your occupation
• English language test results (IELTS or PTE) if required
• Employment references and payslips
• Qualifications and transcripts
• Health examination from an approved panel physician (typically £300–£500)
• Marriage certificate, if applicable
• Bank statements (3–6 months), tax returns (2 years) and proof of funds
• Rental references and a credit report for finding a home
• Vaccination records and prescription details

You'll need certified copies of almost everything, and police checks from every country you've lived in for 12+ months. Start gathering these as early as possible — police clearances and skills assessments can take weeks or months. Keep everything in one place; you'll reference these documents many times.

Step 3: Create an ImmiAccount

All Australian visa applications are submitted through the Department of Home Affairs' online portal called ImmiAccount. You'll need to create an account at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect if applying for a points-based visa.

Once your EOI is submitted you'll receive an invitation to apply when your points score is competitive. Processing times vary significantly by visa type — from a few months to several years for some categories.

Step 4: Plan your finances

Moving to Australia is expensive. The average cost for a UK family relocating to Australia is £20,000–£35,000 when you factor in:

• Visa application fees (£3,000–£5,000 depending on visa type)
• Shipping costs for household goods (£3,000–£8,000)
• Flights (£800–£2,000 per person)
• Temporary accommodation on arrival (£1,500–£3,000)
• Initial living costs before first paycheque (£3,000–£5,000)
• Car purchase or rental
• School enrolment fees if applicable
• Health insurance until Medicare is sorted (£150–£300/month)
• Pet quarantine (£3,000+ if bringing animals)
• New furniture and setup (£2,000–£5,000)

Add a 30% buffer for the unexpected. For a full breakdown by household size, see our guide to the cost of moving to Australia from the UK.

When transferring large sums from GBP to AUD, avoid high street banks — the fees and poor exchange rates can cost you hundreds. We recommend Wise for international money transfers — real exchange rates, low transparent fees, trusted by millions of expats.

You'll also need to think about what to do with your UK finances — pension transfers, property, bank accounts and tax obligations in both countries.

Step 5: Sort out shipping

Unless you're travelling light, you'll need to ship your belongings. Most families use a sea freight container which takes 6–10 weeks to arrive.

If you're moving light or want to send boxes ahead of your main shipment, Send My Bag is a cost-effective alternative to full container shipping — ideal for single movers or anyone sending items in advance.

Key decisions include:

• Full container load (FCL) vs shared container (LCL) — FCL is faster and more secure but more expensive
• What to bring vs what to sell or store
• Insurance for your shipment
• Australian customs requirements (strict biosecurity rules — no wood, certain foods, or untreated items)

Get quotes from at least three removal companies and check they're FIDI or BAR accredited.

Step 6: Find somewhere to live

Most UK expats rent initially while they get their bearings. Popular destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide — each with very different lifestyles and costs.

Research suburbs carefully. Proximity to work, schools, public transport and lifestyle factors all matter. Join local Facebook groups and expat forums before you arrive to get a feel for different areas.

Step 7: Set up essentials on arrival

Once you arrive, you'll need to move quickly on:

• Opening an Australian bank account (you can often do this before you arrive)
• Getting a Tax File Number (TFN) from the ATO
• Enrolling in Medicare (the Australian healthcare system — free for UK citizens under the reciprocal agreement)
• Enrolling children in school
• Getting an Australian driving licence (UK licence valid for 3 months)
• Updating your address for all UK accounts and HMRC

Your final month before you fly

4 weeks out

• Final visa checks
• Book shipping collection
• Notify utilities / council tax
• Close or transfer bank accounts

2 weeks out

• Pack essentials in your suitcase
• Back up important documents (digital + physical)
• Say goodbyes
• Final medical prescriptions

1 week out

• Confirm flights
• Double-check your visa grant notice
• Print all important documents
• Currency exchange

Biggest mistakes to avoid

• Waiting too long to start — everything takes longer than expected
• Underestimating costs — add a 30% buffer to your budget
• Not certifying documents properly — use approved certifiers only
• Forgetting about pets early — the quarantine process takes months to arrange
• Not researching suburbs — where you live matters massively for lifestyle
• Selling everything — compare shipping costs against buying new first

How long does it take to move to Australia from England?

From starting your visa application to actually arriving in Australia, most people find the process takes 12–24 months. Points-based skilled visas can take 6–18 months to process once invited to apply. Employer sponsored visas can be faster — sometimes 3–6 months.

The logistics — shipping, finding a home, sorting finances — typically take 3–6 months once your visa is approved. If you're already past the research stage and ready to execute, our guide on what to do once you've decided to move to Australia walks through the order things actually need to happen in. If you're moving with children or bringing pets, both add significant lead time and specific paperwork worth reading up on early.

Why I built Life Planned

After months of juggling spreadsheets, bookmarks and email threads while planning my own move to Australia, I built Life Planned to keep everything in one place — visa documents and deadlines, budget and expenses, and tasks organised by stage. I hope it helps you too.