Moving to Australia From the UK in 2026: Visa Guide
British citizens can visit Australia for free on an eVisitor, and those aged 18 to 35 can live and work there on a Working Holiday visa. A longer stay runs through an employer, the points test, a university or a partner. Two countries' rules apply to the move: Australia's on visas, money and what you may ship, and the UK government's guidance on healthcare, tax and your passport. This guide brings them together from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and GOV.UK, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
British citizens can visit on an eVisitor, which is free, for up to 3 months at a time. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is open to UK passport holders aged 18 to 35, costs AUD840.00, lasts 12 months and needs about AUD5,000 in funds. A Skills in Demand visa costs AUD4,015.00 with a salary of at least AUD79,423, and a Skilled Independent visa AUD6,135.00. Australia and the UK have a reciprocal healthcare agreement and a double taxation agreement, and Australia recognises dual citizenship.
Step 1: Visiting
| eVisitor (subclass 651) | Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) | |
|---|---|---|
| Open to British citizens | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Free | A service charge of AUD20 to use the Australian ETA app |
| Stay | Up to 3 months at a time | Up to 3 months at a time |
Both are for visiting family or friends or having a holiday. Neither is a route to living in Australia.
Step 2: The Working Holiday visa
| Feature | Subclass 417, first visa |
|---|---|
| Age for UK passport holders | 18 to 35 years, including British National (Overseas) passport holders |
| Stay | 12 months |
| Cost | AUD840.00 |
| Funds | Usually about AUD5,000 for your initial stay, plus the fare onward |
| Where you apply | Online, from outside Australia, on your own |
| Children | You must not be accompanied by dependent children |
| Study | For up to 4 months |
| Processing | 50% of applications in 2 Days, 90% in 58 Days |
You must not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa. A second or third Working Holiday visa costs AUD1,000.00. Home Affairs says it is normalising processing times for the programme, with an average expected to be around three months, so do not book flights until the visa is granted.
Step 3: Longer-term routes
| Visa | Main condition | Charge, main applicant | Processing, 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Core Skills | An employer nominates you for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, with at least 1 year of relevant work experience | AUD4,015.00 | 4 Months | 9 Months |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Points tested stream | AUD6,135.00 | 61 Days | 8 Months |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | A suitable skills assessment, an invitation to apply and the points test | AUD6,140.00 | 4 Months | 16 Months |
| Student (subclass 500) | Enrolment in a course of study in Australia, and health cover | AUD2,500.00 | — |
| Partner (subclass 309/100 or 820/801) | The spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen | AUD11,710.00 | — |
In the Core Skills stream you must be paid the annual market salary rate and no less than AUD79,423, for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Adding a partner to a skilled visa application costs AUD3,070.00, and a child AUD1,535.00 or AUD1,540.00 depending on the visa.
Step 4: What the UK government tells Britons
| Topic | GOV.UK guidance |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK that covers some, but not all, of your healthcare costs if you are visiting or have a valid visa. If you are resident in Australia, Medicare covers some healthcare |
| Tax | The UK has a double taxation agreement with Australia, so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. You will need a tax file number |
| Qualifications | You may need to get your skills assessed and foreign qualifications recognised |
| Driving | Road rules and the process for exchanging a UK licence vary by state |
| Citizenship | Australia recognises dual citizenship. You do not have to give up British citizenship to become an Australian citizen |
| Consular help | The British High Commission in Canberra cannot help with Australian visa and residency applications |
For trips home, remember that British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK.
Step 5: Shipping your belongings
- Arrange the shipment before you arrive. Goods qualify for the unaccompanied personal effects concession only if transport was arranged before your arrival in Australia.
- 12 months of ownership and use is required for furniture, household goods and personal effects. Clothing and footwear have no such requirement.
- Lodge the B534 form with a packing list and shipping documents. The Border Force may ask for receipts, photographs or a statutory declaration as evidence of ownership.
- Biosecurity: every shipment is assessed. Wooden furniture, bike tyres, golf clubs and pet blankets are the kind of items inspectors look at, and cleaning or treatment is at your expense.
Step 6: Work and pay
| Benchmark | Amount in Australian dollars |
|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage, from 1 July 2026 | $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week |
| Average weekly ordinary time earnings, full-time adults, May 2026 | $2,083.70 |
| Median weekly rent, metropolitan Melbourne, September quarter 2025 | $580 |
Your employer will ask for your bank account details and your tax file number. Some occupations require registration or licensing with a government authority.
Frequently asked questions
Can a British citizen move to Australia?
Yes, with a visa. British citizens aged 18 to 35 can use the Working Holiday visa, and longer routes include employer sponsorship, points-tested skilled visas, study and partner visas.
What is the age limit for an Australian working holiday visa from the UK?
UK passport holders must be 18 to 35 years old at the time of application.
How much does the Australian working holiday visa cost?
AUD840.00 for a first visa, and you usually need about AUD5,000 in funds plus your onward fare.
Do British citizens need a visa to visit Australia?
They need an eVisitor, which is free, or an Electronic Travel Authority, which carries a AUD20 service charge. Both allow stays of up to 3 months at a time.
Can I use Medicare as a British citizen?
The reciprocal healthcare agreement covers some but not all costs if you are visiting or hold a valid visa. If you are resident in Australia, Medicare covers some healthcare.
Will I be taxed twice?
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Australia, so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Can I keep my British citizenship if I become Australian?
Yes. Australia recognises dual citizenship, and you do not have to give up British citizenship.
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — First Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
- Department of Home Affairs — eVisitor (subclass 651)
- Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Department of Home Affairs — Current visa pricing table
- Department of Home Affairs — Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
- Department of Home Affairs — Visa processing times
- GOV.UK, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Living in Australia
- Australian Border Force — Unaccompanied personal effects
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — Average weekly earnings
- Victorian Government — Rental report
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Processing times are readings from the Home Affairs tool on that date and are a guide only. Information, not legal or tax advice.