How Much Does It Cost to Move to Australia from China?

Capital transfer considerations

Under SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) rules, each Chinese citizen can convert and transfer up to USD 50,000 equivalent per calendar year through banks. At mid-2026 rates, that is roughly AUD 77,000.

For a single skilled migrant, one year's quota covers visa fees, settlement costs, and flights. A family can pool individual quotas. For larger amounts — business or investor pathways especially — start transfers well before your move date. Keep bank records. Australian banks may ask for source-of-funds evidence.

Visa application charges

The biggest upfront cost is the visa application charge. Fees index annually on 1 July, so check the schedule before you lodge.

| Visa subclass | Base charge (AUD) | Approx. CNY |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189) | 4,910 | 23,570 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4,910 | 23,570 |
| Student (500) | 2,000 | 9,600 |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | 4,600 | 22,080 |
| Global Talent (858) | 4,910 | 23,570 |
| Business Innovation (188) | 6,990 | 33,550 |
| Partner — offshore (309/100) | 9,365 | 44,950 |

Adding family members increases the bill. On skilled visas, expect AUD 2,455 (CNY 11,784) per additional adult and AUD 1,230 (CNY 5,904) per child under 18. Use Migratio's visa cost calculator for a quick estimate.

Skills assessment fees

Skilled migration pathways require a positive skills assessment before you can lodge. Fees depend on your occupation.

| Assessing body | Typical occupations | Fee range (AUD) | Approx. CNY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers Australia (CDR) | Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) | 1,050–1,575 | 5,040–7,560 |
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | IT professionals, software engineers, data analysts | ~550 | ~2,640 |
| VETASSESS | Trade and non-trade occupations across 350+ roles | ~1,240 | ~5,952 |
| ANMAC | Nurses and midwives | ~600 | ~2,880 |
| CPA / CA ANZ | Accountants | ~580 | ~2,784 |

Chinese engineers typically use the CDR pathway through Engineers Australia. IT professionals go through ACS. Processing takes 6 to 16 weeks.

English testing costs

Chinese citizens must sit an approved English language test for most visa subclasses. No passport exemption applies.

| Test | Fee (approx. CNY) | Fee (approx. AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 2,270 | 473 |
| PTE Academic | 1,800–2,100 | 375–438 |
| TOEFL iBT | 2,100 | 438 |

PTE Academic results arrive within 48 hours, making it popular with applicants on tight timelines. Most skilled visas require Competent English (IELTS 6.0 per band). Higher scores add points — 7.0 adds 10 and 8.0 adds 20. Budget for two attempts.

Health exams and police clearances

### Health examination

All visa applicants must attend a panel-approved clinic. In China, Bupa Medical Visa Services operates panel clinics in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, and other cities.

Expect AUD 350 to AUD 500 (CNY 1,680 to CNY 2,400) per person for a medical exam and chest X-ray. Results go directly to Home Affairs.

### Police Clearance Certificate

You need a Police Clearance Certificate from the local Public Security Bureau (PSB). Which PSB office handles your application depends on your hukou registration — apply in your hukou city, not necessarily where you currently live. The fee is typically CNY 50 to CNY 200 (AUD 10 to AUD 42). Allow two to four weeks.

Document costs — apostille and translation

### Apostille

China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023. Documents can now be apostilled through designated authorities, replacing the older consular authentication chain. Budget CNY 100 to CNY 500 (AUD 21 to AUD 104) per document. See our China document authentication guide for details.

### Certified translation

All Chinese-language documents need NAATI-certified English translation. Expect AUD 100 to AUD 250 (CNY 480 to CNY 1,200) per document. A typical application involves four to six documents. Total translation costs run CNY 2,000 to CNY 7,000 (AUD 417 to AUD 1,458).

Travel costs

A one-way flight from China to Australia typically costs CNY 3,000 to CNY 8,000 (AUD 625 to AUD 1,667). Direct flights from Shanghai and Guangzhou are available. One-stop routes via Singapore or Hong Kong cost less. Book three to six months ahead and avoid Chinese New Year and Golden Week for the best fares. Budget CNY 300 to CNY 800 per person for one-way travel insurance.

Shipping and freight

Excess baggage only. Sending a 30 kg box via international parcel post costs roughly CNY 800 to CNY 1,500 (AUD 167 to AUD 313).

Shared container (groupage). You share a container with other customers. Expect CNY 15,000 to CNY 30,000 (AUD 3,125 to AUD 6,250) for 100 to 200 cubic feet. Transit time is 4 to 8 weeks from Shanghai or Shenzhen.

Full container. A 20-foot container runs CNY 30,000 to CNY 55,000 (AUD 6,250 to AUD 11,458).

Personal effects owned and used for 12+ months are generally exempt from customs duty and GST. New items may attract duty.

Initial settlement costs

Your first month requires a cash buffer. The suburbs below are popular Chinese settlement areas.

| Expense | Sydney / Chatswood (AUD) | Melbourne / Box Hill (AUD) | Brisbane / Sunnybank (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental bond (4 weeks) | 2,400–3,200 | 1,800–2,400 | 1,600–2,200 |
| Rent in advance (2 weeks) | 1,200–1,600 | 900–1,200 | 800–1,100 |
| Groceries (first month) | 400–600 | 350–500 | 350–500 |
| Public transport (monthly) | 200–250 | 170–220 | 150–200 |
| Mobile plan (monthly) | 30–60 | 30–60 | 30–60 |
| Subtotal (AUD) | 4,230–5,710 | 3,250–4,380 | 2,930–4,060 |
| Subtotal (CNY) | 20,304–27,408 | 15,600–21,024 | 14,064–19,488 |

Bond amounts are based on median rents for a two-bedroom apartment. Chinese supermarkets in these suburbs stock familiar ingredients at competitive prices.

No Medicare reciprocal agreement. China does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Until you hold a permanent visa, you need private health insurance. OVHC for a single person starts around AUD 100 to AUD 150 (CNY 480 to CNY 720) per month.

For a full guide to housing, banking, and everyday life, see our settling in Australia guide.

Student pathway costs

A subclass 500 student visa can lead to a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa, giving you time to gain work experience and build points. For more on this pathway, see our student-to-485 guide.

| Course type | Annual tuition (AUD) | Approx. CNY per year |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational / TAFE diploma | 8,000–15,000 | 38,400–72,000 |
| Bachelor's degree | 25,000–45,000 | 120,000–216,000 |
| Master's degree (coursework) | 30,000–55,000 | 144,000–264,000 |

Home Affairs requires students to show at least AUD 29,710 (CNY 142,608) per year for living costs, plus return airfare. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory — expect AUD 500 to AUD 700 (CNY 2,400 to CNY 3,360) per year.

Capital transfer note. A two-year master's plus living costs totals roughly AUD 100,000 to AUD 140,000 (CNY 480,000 to CNY 672,000). This exceeds one person's annual SAFE quota, so start transfers early or combine family quotas. Most universities accept direct tuition payments from Chinese bank accounts outside the personal quota.

Business and investor pathway costs

The subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa costs far more than skilled pathways. See our business investor guide for full details.

| Stream | Minimum investment / assets |
|---|---|
| Business Innovation | AUD 1.25 million in net business and personal assets |
| Investor | AUD 2.5 million designated investment |
| Significant Investor | AUD 5 million compliant investment |

Moving these amounts from China requires qualified cross-border financial and legal advisers. Business investment transfers have separate SAFE approval channels, but the process takes months.

Migration agent fees

If you use a MARA-registered migration agent, expect AUD 2,000 to AUD 8,000 (CNY 9,600 to CNY 38,400) depending on visa complexity. Many Chinese applicants prefer bilingual agents who communicate in Mandarin. Compare quotes through Migratio's agent directory — free for applicants. Read our guide to choosing an agent before you commit.

Total budget summary

| Pathway | Estimated total (CNY) | Estimated total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled visa (single, no agent) | 50,000–85,000 | 10,400–17,700 |
| Skilled visa (single, with agent) | 60,000–120,000 | 12,500–25,000 |
| Skilled visa (couple, with agent) | 90,000–170,000 | 18,750–35,400 |
| Partner visa (couple, with agent) | 80,000–150,000 | 16,700–31,250 |
| Student pathway (2-year master's, single) | 480,000–672,000 | 100,000–140,000 |
| Business Innovation (188, single) | 55,000+ visa costs, plus capital requirement | 11,500+ visa costs, plus capital requirement |

These ranges include visa charges, assessments, health and police checks, English testing, document costs, flights, modest shipping, and first-month settlement. The student total includes tuition and two years of living expenses. Business totals exclude the investment capital itself.

Saving tips:

- Use Migratio's points calculator before paying for a skills assessment — no refund if your occupation is not on the list.
- Start capital transfers early. Moving money in stages avoids last-minute pressure on the SAFE quota.
- Book English tests early. Retakes cost CNY 1,800 to CNY 2,270 each.
- Book flights midweek and outside Chinese New Year and Golden Week.
- Ship light. Selling furniture in China and buying secondhand in Australia is often cheaper than a container.

Next steps

1. Review the visa options available to Chinese citizens.
2. Use Migratio's points calculator to estimate your skilled-migration score.
3. Plan your capital transfers — check your SAFE quota and timeline.
4. Get your Chinese documents ready — apostille, PSB clearance, NAATI translations.
5. Book your IELTS or PTE test early.
6. Read our guide to choosing a migration agent.
7. Browse MARA-registered agents on Migratio and request quotes — free for applicants.
8. Start settlement planning.

Related resources

- China to Australia — 2026 Overview
- Visa Options for Chinese Citizens
- China Document Authentication
- Settling in Australia from China
- Chinese Students: The 485 Pathway
- Chinese Business and Investor Migration
- How to Choose a Migration Agent
- What Is a Skills Assessment?
- Find a Skilled Visa Agent

How do I transfer money from China to Australia with the $50,000 limit?

Each Chinese citizen can transfer up to $50,000 USD equivalent per year through banks. Family members can each use their individual quota. For larger amounts, plan transfers across multiple years before your move. Some applicants use compliant channels for business investment — consult a cross-border financial adviser.

How much does a Business Innovation visa cost?

The subclass 188 visa application charge is set by Home Affairs. Beyond the visa fee, you need to demonstrate significant business or investment assets and turnover — thresholds vary by stream. The Investor stream requires a designated investment of AUD 2.5 million. The Significant Investor stream requires AUD 5 million.

What are the living costs in Chinese-Australian suburbs?

Chatswood (Sydney) has median weekly rents of approximately AUD 600-800 for a two-bedroom apartment. Box Hill (Melbourne) is slightly lower at AUD 450-600. Sunnybank (Brisbane) offers AUD 400-550. Chinese supermarkets in these areas keep grocery costs competitive with familiar ingredients.