Life After Landing: Settling in Australia from the United Kingdom

First week essentials

Your first few days set the foundation for everything else. Three tasks should be at the top of your list.

### Tax File Number

Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Taxation Office as soon as you arrive. You can apply online if you arrived on a visa that allows you to work. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate. Processing typically takes 10 to 28 business days, so apply early.

### Bank account

Open an Australian bank account within your first six weeks. During this window, one form of photo ID (your passport) is enough. After six weeks, you'll need to pass a 100-point identity check, which requires multiple documents and is more involved.

Australia's four major banks are Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, and NAB. All offer accounts with low or no monthly fees. Some let you start the application from the UK before you arrive. You'll need your TFN to avoid withholding tax on interest earned.

At current exchange rates (approximately 1 GBP = 1.88 AUD as of mid-2026), keep this in mind when comparing costs. An AUD 2,000 balance is roughly GBP 1,060.

### Mobile phone

Pick up a prepaid SIM from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone at the airport or any convenience store. You'll need an Australian mobile number for bank verification, Medicare enrolment, and job applications.

Healthcare: NHS to Medicare

One of the biggest advantages for British migrants is the Australia-UK reciprocal healthcare agreement. If you hold an eligible visa, you can enrol in Medicare and access subsidised healthcare.

What the reciprocal agreement covers: GP visits that bulk-bill, treatment as a public patient in public hospitals, and subsidised prescriptions under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

What it does not cover: ambulance transport, dental treatment, optical services, physiotherapy, or treatment as a private patient. This is a significant difference from the NHS, where ambulance and dental (at least partially) are covered.

If your visa requires private health insurance as a condition, you'll need it regardless of the reciprocal agreement. Even if it's not required, many UK migrants find that private cover fills the gaps — especially for dental, optical, and shorter specialist wait times.

To enrol, visit a Services Australia centre with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address. You'll receive a Medicare card, usually within a few weeks.

Housing and suburbs: where British migrants settle

Where you land in Australia depends on your work, budget, and lifestyle preferences. Certain cities and suburbs have long-established British communities, which can make the transition easier.

### Brisbane and Queensland

Queensland is the most popular state for UK migrants. This traces back to the post-war Ten Pound Poms assisted-passage scheme (1945 to 1972), which brought over a million British citizens to Australia — many to Queensland. That legacy endures. Brisbane's northern suburbs, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast all have large British communities. Relative to Sydney and Melbourne, housing costs are lower, and the subtropical climate draws people who've had enough of grey English winters.

### Sydney

Sydney's Northern Beaches (Manly, Dee Why, Curl Curl) and North Shore (Chatswood, Mosman, Neutral Bay) are popular with UK finance professionals and families. Rents are high — expect to pay significantly more than Brisbane — but proximity to the CBD and harbour lifestyle are the trade-off. Budget for a rental bond of four weeks' rent plus two weeks in advance before you move in.

### Melbourne

Melbourne's inner-east suburbs of Hawthorn, Camberwell, and Kew attract a younger UK cohort. The food scene, arts culture, and lower rents than Sydney draw people in. Richmond and Fitzroy are popular with UK hospitality workers.

### Perth

Perth's western suburbs — Cottesloe, Claremont, Subiaco — have a well-established British community, partly driven by employment in Western Australia's mining and resources sector. If your move is linked to a FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) mining role, Perth is the base city for most operations.

For a breakdown of what each city costs, see our UK-to-Australia cost guide.

Working in Australia

### Workplace culture

Australian workplaces are less formal than their UK counterparts. First names are the norm from day one, including with senior management. Hierarchy exists but sits flatter than in most British offices. Many workplaces are flexible about start and finish times.

The biggest shift Brits report is the directness. Australians tend to say what they mean without the layered politeness common in British communication. This isn't rudeness — it's a different style.

### Superannuation

Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must pay 12% (as of the 2024-25 financial year) of your ordinary earnings into a super fund from day one. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it.

You can choose your own super fund or be placed in your employer's default fund. Compare fees and performance — they vary between funds.

UK pension transfers. Some UK pension schemes can be transferred to an eligible Australian super fund that holds Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) status. This is a complex decision with tax implications in both countries. Seek advice from a financial adviser qualified in both jurisdictions before making any moves. This article provides general information, not financial advice.

### Tax

The Australian financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June — different from the UK's 6 April to 5 April cycle. Most UK migrants on work visas are treated as Australian tax residents and taxed on worldwide income. Lodge your tax return through the ATO's myTax portal by 31 October each year (or later if you use a registered tax agent).

Driving and transport

Australia drives on the left, same as the UK. Steering wheel position, roundabout direction, gear stick — all the same.

Each state sets its own rules for overseas licence holders. Most allow you to drive on a valid UK licence for three to six months after arrival. After that, you'll need a local licence. In some states, a full UK licence converts directly without a test. In others, you may need a knowledge test, a driving test, or both. Check with your state's road authority before your UK licence window expires.

Public transport varies by city. Sydney and Melbourne have extensive train, bus, and ferry networks. Most cities use a tap-on, tap-off card (Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, go card in Brisbane).

Schools and education

If you're moving with children, the school system will need some translation. Australian schools operate on a calendar-year schedule (late January to mid-December), divided into four terms of roughly 10 weeks each. This is different from the UK's three-term, September-to-July structure.

Year levels don't map directly to the UK system. Starting ages and Prep/Reception terminology differ by state. Year 12 is the final year of secondary school, equivalent to UK Year 13 (Upper Sixth).

Government schools are free for permanent residents and citizens. Temporary visa holders may need to pay fees, which vary by state. Independent and Catholic schools charge tuition but are often less expensive than UK private schools at current exchange rates. Uniforms are standard at nearly all Australian schools.

Community and social life

British migrants are one of the largest overseas-born groups in Australia. You won't struggle to find other Brits.

Formal networks include the British Australian Community, expat groups on Facebook and Meetup, and sporting clubs. Cricket, rugby, and football (soccer) clubs attract UK players and supporters. Most major cities have at least one British-themed pub or social club.

Beyond the expat bubble, Australians are welcoming and social. Weekend barbecues, beach culture, and outdoor sport are central to social life. Joining a local sporting club, surf lifesaving club, or community group is one of the fastest ways to build a network outside work.

Pub culture exists but operates differently. Pubs close earlier than in the UK, and RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) laws are stricter. The trend toward outdoor dining and smaller bars has changed the scene from what you might expect.

Cultural adjustment

Most British migrants describe the adjustment as moderate. The shared language removes the biggest barrier, and many institutions — the legal system, parliamentary democracy, even the grocery chains — feel familiar.

The surprises tend to be practical. The sun is stronger than you expect (slip, slop, slap is real advice, not a slogan). Distances are vast — a drive that would cross England barely gets you between Australian cities. Wildlife is genuinely different, and you should learn which spiders and snakes matter.

Homesickness often hits around the three-to-six-month mark, when the novelty fades and the distance from family becomes real. Time zone differences (8 to 11 hours ahead of the UK) make casual phone calls harder. Building a local routine and social circle is the best remedy.

Next steps

Your first month sets the tone. Get your TFN, bank account, and Medicare sorted in week one. Start exploring suburbs that match your work and lifestyle. Join at least one local group or club — it pays off faster than you'd expect.

If you're still working through the visa process, our visa options guide for UK citizens covers every subclass in detail. For document preparation, see the UK document authentication guide.

Need help with your application? Find a MARA-registered migration agent through Migratio's directory, or browse agents who specialise in skilled visas or partner visas. You can also check your points score with our points calculator or estimate your total costs with the cost calculator.

For guidance on choosing the right professional, see how to choose a migration agent. If your occupation requires a skills assessment, our guide on what a skills assessment involves explains the process step by step.

Related Migratio resources

- Moving to Australia from the UK — 2026 guide
- Visa options for UK citizens moving to Australia
- Cost of moving to Australia from the UK
- UK document authentication for Australian immigration
- How to choose a migration agent
- What is a skills assessment?
- Find a skilled visa agent

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Can UK citizens get Medicare in Australia?

UK citizens on certain visa types can enrol in Medicare through the Australia-UK reciprocal healthcare agreement. This covers GP visits, public hospital treatment, and subsidised prescriptions under the PBS. It does not cover ambulance, dental, optical, or private hospital treatment.

Can I drive in Australia with a UK licence?

Yes, temporarily. Each state sets its own rules, but most allow you to drive on a valid UK licence for three to six months after arrival. After that, you need to obtain an Australian licence. Since both countries drive on the left, the transition is straightforward.

Where do most British people live in Australia?

Queensland is the most popular state for UK migrants, particularly Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Sydney's Northern Beaches and North Shore, Melbourne's inner-east, and Perth's western suburbs also have large British communities.

How do I transfer my UK pension to Australia?

Some UK pension schemes can be transferred to eligible Australian superannuation funds. This is a complex financial decision with tax implications in both countries. Seek advice from a financial adviser qualified in both UK and Australian pension systems before making any transfers.

Do I need private health insurance in Australia as a UK citizen?

It depends on your visa type. Some visa subclasses require private health insurance as a condition. Even with Medicare access through the reciprocal agreement, private cover can provide faster specialist access and cover services Medicare excludes like dental and optical.