How Much Does It Cost to Move to Australia from the United Kingdom?

Visa application charges

The single biggest upfront cost is the visa application charge paid to the Department of Home Affairs. These fees index annually on 1 July, so always check the current schedule before you lodge.

Here are the base application charges for the most common visa subclasses used by UK migrants:

| Visa subclass | Base charge (AUD) | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday (417) | 670 | 356 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | 4,910 | 2,611 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 4,910 | 2,611 |
| Skilled Work Regional (491) | 4,910 | 2,611 |
| Skills in Demand (482) | 3,210 | 1,707 |
| Partner — offshore (309/100) | 9,365 | 4,981 |

Adding family members increases the bill. On skilled visas, additional applicant charges are AUD 2,455 (GBP 1,306) per adult and AUD 1,230 (GBP 654) per child under 18. Use Migratio's visa cost calculator for a quick estimate based on your visa type and family size.

Skills assessment fees

If you are applying through a skilled migration pathway (subclass 189, 190, 491, or 482), you need a positive skills assessment before you can lodge. The assessing body and its fees depend on your occupation.

| Assessing body | Typical occupations | Fee range (AUD) | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers Australia | Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) | 1,050–1,575 | 559–838 |
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | IT professionals, software engineers, data analysts | ~550 | ~293 |
| VETASSESS | Trade and non-trade occupations across 350+ roles | ~1,240 | ~660 |
| ANMAC | Nurses and midwives | ~600 | ~319 |
| CPA / CA ANZ | Accountants | ~580 | ~309 |

UK engineering degrees accredited by the Engineering Council often qualify for Engineers Australia's streamlined Washington Accord route, which can reduce both cost and processing time. For a full explanation, see our skills assessment guide.

Health and police checks

### Health examination

All visa applicants must attend a panel-approved clinic. In the UK, this is typically a Bupa Medical Visa Services clinic in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh.

Expect to pay AUD 350 to AUD 500 (GBP 186 to GBP 266) per person for a general medical exam and chest X-ray. Results go directly to Home Affairs. See our UK document authentication guide for details.

### Police clearance

You need a UK police check issued by ACRO (the national police records office). As of 2026, the standard ACRO certificate costs approximately GBP 18 (AUD 34). Apply online; processing takes 10 to 15 business days for UK-based applicants, longer if you are already overseas. If you have lived in other countries for 12 months or more during the past 10 years, you will also need police certificates from those countries.

### HEDD degree verification

If your skills assessment requires degree verification, HEDD (Higher Education Degree Datacheck) can confirm your UK university qualifications. The cost is modest — typically GBP 12 to GBP 15 (AUD 23 to AUD 28) per verification. Some assessing bodies accept HEDD confirmation directly; others require certified copies.

English language testing

UK passport holders are exempt from English language testing for most Australian visa subclasses. Your passport alone proves English proficiency. This saves approximately AUD 410 (GBP 218) in IELTS or PTE fees, plus weeks of preparation time.

One exception: if you want extra points for Superior or Proficient English on a skilled visa, you can sit a test voluntarily. UK passports grant Competent English automatically, but higher bands require a score. British National (Overseas) passport holders may not qualify for the exemption — check the Home Affairs website for your visa subclass.

Travel costs

A one-way flight from the UK to Australia typically costs GBP 500 to GBP 1,200 (AUD 940 to AUD 2,256). Direct flights from London are at the premium end; one-stop routes via Singapore, Dubai, or Doha cost less. Book three to six months ahead and avoid school holidays for the best fares. A family of four could spend GBP 2,000 to GBP 4,800 on flights alone.

Budget GBP 30 to GBP 100 per person for one-way travel insurance to cover the journey and your first weeks before Australian health cover starts.

Shipping and freight

How much you bring determines this cost. Most UK movers choose one of three options.

Excess baggage only. If you are packing light (Working Holiday movers, typically), you might get away with checked luggage and a shipped box or two. Sending a 30 kg box via international parcel post costs roughly GBP 80 to GBP 150 (AUD 150 to AUD 282).

Shared container (groupage). A popular middle option. You share a shipping container with other customers. Expect to pay GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,000 (AUD 2,820 to AUD 5,640) for 100 to 200 cubic feet. Transit time is 8 to 12 weeks door to door.

Full container. For a full household, a 20-foot container runs GBP 3,500 to GBP 6,000 (AUD 6,580 to AUD 11,280). A 40-foot container is GBP 5,000 to GBP 9,000 (AUD 9,400 to AUD 16,920). Transit time is similar.

Personal and household effects you have owned and used for 12 months or more are generally exempt from Australian customs duty and GST under the unaccompanied personal effects concession. New or recently purchased items may attract duty. Keep receipts and an inventory list.

Initial settlement costs

Your first month in Australia requires a cash buffer for bond, rent, and living expenses. Costs vary significantly by city.

| Expense | Sydney (AUD) | Melbourne (AUD) | Brisbane (AUD) | Perth (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rental bond (4 weeks) | 2,400–3,600 | 1,800–2,800 | 1,600–2,400 | 1,600–2,600 |
| Rent in advance (2 weeks) | 1,200–1,800 | 900–1,400 | 800–1,200 | 800–1,300 |
| Groceries (first month) | 400–600 | 350–550 | 350–500 | 350–500 |
| Public transport (monthly) | 200–250 | 170–220 | 150–200 | 150–200 |
| Mobile plan (monthly) | 30–60 | 30–60 | 30–60 | 30–60 |
| Subtotal | 4,230–6,310 | 3,250–5,030 | 2,930–4,360 | 2,930–4,660 |
| Approx. GBP | 2,250–3,356 | 1,729–2,676 | 1,559–2,319 | 1,559–2,479 |

Bond amounts are based on median rents for a two-bedroom apartment. Your actual cost depends on location, property type, and whether you share.

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

Ongoing costs to know about

Beyond the initial outlay, two recurring costs catch UK migrants off guard.

Private health insurance. Some visa subclasses require Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Even if your visa does not require it, many UK migrants on temporary visas carry private cover. Singles policies start around AUD 100 to AUD 150 per month (GBP 53 to GBP 80). If you hold a visa that makes you eligible for Medicare through the reciprocal healthcare agreement, your out-of-pocket healthcare costs drop significantly.

Superannuation. Your employer pays 12% of your ordinary earnings into a superannuation fund from day one. This is on top of your salary — it does not come out of your pay. When you leave Australia permanently, you may be able to claim some of your super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP), though tax applies.

Hidden costs and saving tips

Migration agent fees. If you use a MARA-registered migration agent, expect to pay GBP 1,500 to GBP 5,000+ (AUD 2,820 to AUD 9,400+) depending on visa complexity. Working Holiday applications are at the low end; skilled and partner visa cases are higher. You can compare agent quotes through Migratio's agent directory — it is free for applicants.

State nomination fees. Some states charge a nomination fee for subclass 190 or 491 sponsorship. These vary by state and can add AUD 200 to AUD 400 (GBP 106 to GBP 213) to your total.

Biometrics. UK applicants may need to provide biometrics at an Australian Visa Application Centre. There is typically no separate charge for this, but check for any centre service fees.

Saving tips:
- Use Migratio's points calculator to check your points score before paying for a skills assessment — there is no refund if your occupation is not on the list.
- Apply for your ACRO certificate early. Rush processing costs more.
- Book flights midweek and outside school holidays for the lowest fares.
- Open an Australian bank account from the UK before you leave. Several major banks allow this, and it avoids the six-week identity-check deadline.
- Ship only what you genuinely need. Selling furniture in the UK and buying secondhand in Australia is often cheaper than a full container.

Total budget summary

| Pathway | Estimated total (GBP) | Estimated total (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday (single, minimal shipping) | 3,000–5,000 | 5,640–9,400 |
| Skilled visa (single, no agent) | 5,500–9,000 | 10,340–16,920 |
| Skilled visa (single, with agent) | 8,000–15,000 | 15,040–28,200 |
| Skilled visa (couple, with agent) | 12,000–22,000 | 22,560–41,360 |
| Partner visa (couple, with agent) | 10,000–18,000 | 18,800–33,840 |

These ranges include visa charges, assessments, health and police checks, flights, modest shipping, and first-month settlement costs. They do not include ongoing rent or living expenses after month one.

Next steps

1. Review the visa options available to UK citizens and identify which subclass fits your situation.
2. Use Migratio's points calculator to estimate your skilled-migration score.
3. Get your UK documents ready — ACRO certificate, HEDD verification, certified copies.
4. Read our guide to choosing a migration agent and decide whether professional help is right for your case.
5. Browse MARA-registered agents on Migratio and request quotes — free for applicants.
6. Start your settlement planning so you hit the ground running.

Related resources

- UK to Australia — 2026 Overview
- Visa Options for UK Citizens Moving to Australia
- UK Document Authentication for Australian Visas
- Settling in Australia from the UK
- How to Choose a Migration Agent
- Find a Skilled Visa Agent

How much is a Working Holiday visa to Australia from the UK?

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) application charge is set by Home Affairs and indexes annually on 1 July. Check the Home Affairs fees and charges page for the current amount. Add health checks, police clearances, flights, and initial living costs for the full picture.

Do I need to pay for an English test as a UK citizen?

No. UK passport holders are exempt from English language testing for most Australian visa subclasses. This saves approximately AUD 400 (around GBP 210) compared to applicants who need IELTS or PTE Academic.

How much should I budget for the first month in Australia?

Plan for AUD 4,000 to AUD 8,000 (roughly GBP 2,100 to GBP 4,250) for your first month. This covers a rental bond (typically four weeks' rent), two weeks' rent in advance, groceries, transport, and a basic mobile plan. Costs vary significantly by city — Sydney is the most expensive.

Is healthcare free in Australia for UK citizens?

UK citizens on certain visa types can access Medicare through the Australia-UK reciprocal healthcare agreement. This covers GP visits and public hospital treatment. You still need private health insurance for visa compliance on some subclasses and for services Medicare doesn't cover.

Can I bring my belongings from the UK tax-free?

Personal and household effects you've owned and used for 12 months or more are generally exempt from customs duty and GST under the unaccompanied personal effects concession. New or recently purchased items may attract duty.