Removals to Australia

The cost of moving from the UK to Australia greatly depends on your circumstances and is largely dependent on the final volume shipped. Moving to Australia does require a significant amount of upfront costs, however, the long-term benefits and better quality of life often make the move very worthwhile.

Australia is a geographically vast country with a rich and diverse climate that ranges from the hot and dry Northern Territory and tropical climate in Queensland, to the somewhat erratic rainfall and sunshine of Victoria. Where you choose to live will very much depend on your preferences and what your circumstances are. Most families and young professionals live close to the coastal cities dotted along the edges of Australia where most workplaces and schools are.

Australia consists of the following states and territories: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Tasmania.

Sydney, located in New South Wales, is perhaps Australia’s most notable city, with its famous opera house and harbour. It’s renowned for its high rise apartments close to the city’s many beaches and its eclectic nightlife and multicultural communities. South of Sydney is its fierce rival, Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria. The city has long held a reputation as the trendy ‘hipster’ destination, full of artisan coffee bars and a sporting prowess that includes many of Australia’s most treasured cricket and Aussie rules football teams.

For somewhere more relaxed, Perth on the west side is seen as a clean, friendly and forward -looking alternative to the east coast. The city has benefited hugely from the mining booms of yesteryear and there is a slower pace of life with more emphasis placed on BBQs on the beach and late night hangouts with friends.

If you want to live in Australia you will need to obtain a visa. There are many different types of visas but the most common are work-sponsored visas where an employer ‘sponsors’ you to come and work in the country (commonly known as a TSS Visa Subclass 482). There are also work-stream permanent residence visas offered to those who have skills that Australia values or are in short supply of. The Australian Government provides more information on short- and long-term visa options and the path to permanent residency on its Home Affairs website.

As a general rule of thumb, the cost of living in Australia is considerably higher than the UK. However, Australia does boast one of the best education systems, healthcare, higher living standards and annual salaries to compensate.

Australia has some very strict quarantine laws, particularly around food, plant and animal material. All shipments into Australia are subject to inspection by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS). There are lots of restrictions on what you can bring into the country and in some cases permits may be required, which can take time and are costly. To be on the safe side, it’s important that you do your research ahead of time and check with customs before deciding what to bring with you when you move to Australia. For more information and a list of items you can and can’t take with you when entering and leaving Australia, see guidance issued by the Australia Border Force.

Australia has a very unique ecosystem, so every effort is taken to ensure that pets and other animals introduced to the country do not harm the existing environment. All pets entering Australia, regardless of length of time, will be subject to at least ten nights in quarantine prior to arrival in Australia. In addition to planning and preparing for this, you will also need to work with your vet to ensure all the necessary paperwork and health checks are carried out for your pet as required by Australian law. This includes microchipping, inoculations and import permits.

Permanent skills-based visas to live in Australia have a limit of 44 years of age. Once you turn 45 years of age, permanent visa options end. There are however some very limited circumstances where permanent residence might be an option.