How to Move to Australia from UK Permanently
Moving to Australia from the UK permanently is one of the most rewarding and one of the most paperwork-heavy things you’ll ever do. Australia has one of the strictest immigration systems in the world. The rules change. The points thresholds creep up. And a single mistake on your application can cost you thousands of pounds in non-refundable visa fees. Still UK’s Citizen are moving to australia because you can hold both UK and Australia citizenship. Apart from it you get better pay, peaceful enironment, work life balance and excellent weather.
To move to Australia from UK Permanently, use these main visa routes:
- Skilled Independent Visa — Subclass 189
- Skilled Nominated Visa — Subclass 190
- Skilled Work Regional Visa — Subclass 491
- Employer Sponsored — Subclass 482 / 186
- Partner / Family Visa
Can British Citizens Move to Australia Permanently?
Yes, british Citizens can permanently move to australia but it requires strategy, the right visa choice, and staying updated with immigration trends. Skilled migration remains the fastest and most reliable pathway. Demand for skilled visas changes frequently. Occupation like nurses, engineers, teachers and IT professionals have higher chances due to Australia’s skill shortage.
Native English speakers earn the maximum English language points, and most UK qualifications are recognised by Australian assessing authorities. That puts British applicants in a genuinely strong position — as long as you understand the process.
What Is Aus PR — and What Does It Actually Give You?
Aus PR (permanent residency) lets you live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely — no visa renewals, no employer restrictions, no expiry date. You’re not yet an Australian citizen, but you enjoy almost all the same rights.
Here’s what holding Australian permanent residency means in practice:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia — no location or employer restrictions
- Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
- Sponsor eligible family members to join you
- Your children get access to subsidised education
- Travel freely in and out of Australia for the first five years of your PR
- Become eligible for Australian citizenship after four years (with at least one year as a permanent resident)
Note- Dual citizenship: you don’t have to choose
The Main Visa Routes to Australia PR from UK
There’s no single route to Australia permanent residency. The right path depends on your occupation, age, qualifications, and personal circumstances. You can Use Australia PR Point Calculator to check your points. Here’s an honest breakdown of every main option.
- Skilled Independent Visa — Subclass 189: This is the one most people want. No job offer needed, no state nomination, no family sponsor. You live and work anywhere in Australia from day one. It’s permanent from the moment it’s granted.
- Skilled Nominated Visa — Subclass 190: A permanent visa where an Australian state or territory nominates you. In return, you commit to living and working there for at least two years. The big benefit: state nomination adds 5 extra points to your score, which can make a huge difference at 70–80 points.
- Skilled Work Regional Visa — Subclass 491: The 491 is a provisional visa — not immediately permanent — but it gives you a whopping 15 extra points for regional nomination. You live in a regional area for three years, meet an income threshold (around AUD $53,900 per year), then apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.
- Employer Sponsored — Subclass 482 / 186:
If you have a job offer from an Australian employer, this can be the most reliable route — especially if your points score isn’t competitive. The Subclass 482 is a temporary work visa that leads to the permanent Subclass 186 after two to three years with the same employer.
Popular for: nurses, doctors, trade workers, hospitality managers, and many other occupations that may not feature on the independent skilled lists.
- Partner / Family Visa: If your partner, spouse, or close family member is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to come through the family stream. Partner visas are typically a two-stage process: a temporary visa first, then a permanent visa around two years later.
Best Cities in Australia
for UK Migrants
Where you settle matters as much as the visa you choose. Here's an honest, city-by-city breakdown — costs in GBP, job markets, and what each city genuinely feels like for a British migrant.
| City | Best For | Avg. Rent (1-bed) | UK Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney New South Wales | Finance, tech, media; iconic lifestyle | £1,400 – £2,000 per month | 🌐 Cosmopolitan |
| Melbourne Victoria | Arts, culture, coffee scene; varied industries | £1,100 – £1,700 per month | 🏙️ European feel |
| Perth Western Australia | Mining, engineering, healthcare; largest UK expat community | £900 – £1,400 per month | 🇬🇧 Most British |
| Brisbane Queensland | Outdoor lifestyle, growing tech; popular with families | £1,000 – £1,500 per month | 🌱 Relaxed & growing |
| Adelaide South Australia | Affordable lifestyle, great for families; accessible state nomination | £800 – £1,200 per month | 💰 Best value |
Perth has the highest concentration of UK-born residents of any Australian city and often feels most familiar to British migrants — many describe it as the easiest cultural transition of any city on this list.
Adelaide is increasingly popular for its affordability and quality of life — and South Australia's state nomination program has been relatively accessible for a range of occupations, making it a smart strategic choice as well as a genuinely great place to live.
UK Departure Checklist
Beyond the immigration paperwork, there’s a whole layer of UK admin that most Australia migration guides completely ignore. Don’t leave without sorting these:
- Notify HMRC that you’re leaving the UK permanently — complete form P85 to stop paying UK income tax on your Australian earnings. Failing to do this can create a serious tax headache.
- Contact the DWP about your UK State Pension — you may still be entitled to it at pension age, but your entitlement could be frozen (not uprated with inflation) once you’re in Australia. Get specialist financial advice on this before you go.
- Deregister from your NHS GP, dentist and optician — and set up Medicare in Australia as soon as you land.
- Sort your UK Student Loan — if you still have debt, you must notify the Student Loans Company. You’ll be assessed for overseas repayments based on your Australian income.
- Tell your UK bank — many banks allow non-resident accounts but may restrict access or close accounts if you don’t inform them. Consider keeping at least one UK account active for the first year.
- Exchange your UK driving licence — the process varies by Australian state. Most require you to exchange within a set period of arriving (usually 3 months), plus an eye test, and sometimes a knowledge test.
- Get advice on UK property — if you own property in the UK, get tax advice on your obligations as a non-resident landlord or on capital gains if you sell. The rules changed after you become non-UK resident.
- Sort currency transfer — if you’re moving a large amount from GBP to AUD, use a specialist currency transfer service rather than your bank. The rate difference can save you thousands of pounds.
Should You Use an Australia PR Agent?
Australian immigration law is complex and it changes regularly. A registered migration agent (RMA) understands the current rounds, knows which states are actively nominating doctors for the 190 visa, and can help you maximise your points score legally. They also handle paperwork that, if done incorrectly, can result in visa refusals and wasted application fees
When choosing an Australia PR agent look for someone who is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). This is a legal requirement to practise as a migration agent in Australia. You can verify any agent on the MARA website.
Meet Australia PR Consultant
At GIEC Global UK, our experienced immigration consultants guide engineers through every stage — from profile assessment to final submission. With the right strategy, you can avoid common errors and move closer to your goal of living and working in Australia.
👉 If you’re serious about your future, consider booking a consultation to understand your eligibility, estimated timeline, and the best pathway for your profile.
Suman Prem
Registered Migration Agent specializing in Australian immigration law. Providing expert guidance for visa applications, permanent residency, and citizenship matters.
MARN Certified 
MARA Registered Book Your Consultation
Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you shortly.
Thank You!
Your consultation request has been submitted successfully. We'll contact you soon.
Apply for Australia PR
FAQs
Yes – via skilled independent (189) or state-nominated (190/491) visas if you score enough points.
It’s competitive but realistic if you have in-demand skills and meet points. Many Brits succeed every year.
Under 45 for most skilled visas. WHV has its own age rules (usually under 35 for Brits).
From starting your skills assessment to receiving your visa grant, the process typically takes 12 to 36 months. The most variable part is waiting for an Invitation to Apply — which can be quick for high-demand occupations or lengthy for oversubscribed fields. The best thing you can do is start your skills assessment and English test as early as possible.
You can legally apply without one. But given the non-refundable visa fees, the documentation complexity, and the impact of errors on future applications, most people benefit significantly from using a MARA-registered Australia PR agent.
It depends on your job, budget, and lifestyle preferences. Perth has the most established British expat community and often feels most familiar to UK migrants. Adelaide is the most affordable capital city with excellent quality of life. Brisbane is popular with young families. Sydney and Melbourne offer the most career opportunities but at a higher cost of living.
You’ll still receive your UK State Pension at pension age — but there’s an important catch. Australia and the UK do not have a pension uprating agreement, which means your UK pension is likely to be frozen at the rate it was when you first claimed it, rather than increasing each year with inflation. Get independent financial advice on this before you leave.
No. Brexit had no impact on UK-Australia immigration. The process for British nationals applying for Australia PR is governed entirely by Australian law and is identical to what it was before Brexit.
Look for a MARA-registered migration agent — verify their registration at mara.gov.au. Check for independent client reviews (not just testimonials on their own website), ask specifically about their experience with UK applicants in your occupation, and ensure the fee structure is clear and in writing.
