Moving from United Kingdom to Australia
Moving from United Kingdom to Australia: United Kingdom passport holders get eta for short stays and need a residence permit to settle. Australia costs about $2,700/month for one person. Citizenship takes about 4 years of residence.
Last updated August 2026 · How we calculate this
Visa & entry
eTA for short visits. To settle you'll need a residence route:
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) — Score enough points on age, English, education and a skilled occupation — no employer needed.
Documents & apostille
Single apostille each end. Both countries are in the Hague Apostille Convention — one apostille from United Kingdom makes your documents valid in Australia.
Where in United Kingdom: FCDO Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) — official source
↳ Australia: Only DFAT issues apostilles (no per-state authorities, unlike the US); documents must be original Australian government-issued or notarised by a public notary first
Check each document →Cost, tax & salary
Cost of living in Australia: around $2,700/mo for one person.
Citizenship & residency
4 yrs lawful residence incl. 12 mo as PR; skilled independent (189) grants PR directly, employer temp→PR ~2 yrs.
Your path to a passport →Arrival checklist
- Get a tax number: TFN (Tax File Number)
- Residence permit: Visa grant (subclass) — no physical card; status checked online via VEVO
- Healthcare: Medicare enrolment (for eligible/PR visas)
No address registration. Visa usually granted offshore; after arrival apply for TFN online, then enrol in Medicare; bank can be opened before arrival.
Your move, step by step →Driving
Recognised (List A) countries exchange direct, no test: incl. UK, Ireland, most Western EU, Switzerland, Norway, USA, Canada, NZ, Japan, Singapore, Greece, Malta, Croatia. Non-recognised (incl. former EDR: HK, KR, TW, ZA, most CEE) must retest.
Licensing is state-based; verify your state. Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) ended 30 Apr 2025 (later in WA/QLD/NSW) — drivers from ex-EDR countries (HK, KR, TW, ZA, Poland etc.) now must sit full knowledge + practical test like any non-recognised country. Miss the resident window = drive illegally / retest.
Exchange your licence →Pets
- Microchip: Required; ISO 11784/11785 compliant (scanned at every step).
- Rabies: Required; must be vaccinated before RNATT blood sample and valid at export.
- Quarantine: Minimum 10 days at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility (Melbourne); non-compliance up to 30 days or re-export.
Australia — quick facts
Start your move from United Kingdom to Australia
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