How to Migrate to Australia from the UK: Complete 2026 Guide

Skilled Migration - Subclass 189/190 — Points-tested skilled visas. British citizens automatically score 20 points for superior English. - Subclass 491 — Regional skilled visa with pathway to PR

Employer Sponsored - Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage (most common route for Brits already working in Australia) - Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (direct to PR)

Working Holiday - Subclass 417 — Working Holiday visa for ages 18-35. Up to 3 years if you complete regional work. Many Brits use this as a trial run before committing to permanent migration.

Family - Partner visa if your partner is Australian - Child visa if parents are Australian citizens

As a native English speaker with a British passport, you automatically qualify for the highest English language points (20 points for superior English) without taking an IELTS or PTE test.

This is a significant advantage — many applicants from non-English speaking countries struggle to reach this level, and the 20 points can be the difference between getting an invitation or waiting months.

Note: You still need to provide evidence of your English proficiency (British passport is usually sufficient), but you do not need to sit a test.

Many British migrants follow this route:

1. Working Holiday Visa (417) — Arrive in Australia, explore, work casually
2. Find an employer who values your skills
3. Employer sponsorship (482) — Your employer sponsors you for a TSS visa
4. Transition to PR (186) — After 2-3 years, transition to permanent residency

Alternatively: 1. Working Holiday → identify your occupation on the skilled list 2. Skills assessment while in Australia 3. Apply for 189/190 from within Australia

Being in Australia during the process is advantageous — you can attend interviews, build your network, and demonstrate your commitment to living here.

UK migrants should budget for:

• - Housing: Sydney and Melbourne are comparable to London. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are significantly cheaper.
• - Salaries: Generally 10-20% higher than equivalent UK roles, especially in IT, engineering, and healthcare
• - Tax: Australia has no council tax equivalent. Medicare levy (2%) replaces National Insurance for healthcare.
• - Superannuation: Employers contribute 11.5% to your pension (higher than UK minimum)

Many Brits find their quality of life improves significantly despite similar costs, due to better weather, outdoor lifestyle, and work-life balance.

Approximate costs:

• - Skills assessment: AUD $500-1,500
• - Visa application: AUD $4,640 (subclass 189)
• - Migration agent: AUD $2,000-5,000 (typically lower for straightforward UK applications)
• - Health exam: AUD $300-500 (approved physicians in the UK)
• - Police clearance (ACRO): GBP £55
• - No English test cost (passport sufficient)

Total: approximately AUD $7,500-12,000 — generally lower than non-English speaking applicants due to no language test costs.

Visit our dedicated Uk migration page for links to agents who speak your language, relevant visa types, and community resources.

You can also use our Cost Estimator to get a personalised cost breakdown, or our Points Calculator to check your skilled migration score.