Living in Australia
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-22)

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Australia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in Australia

Help from the Australian government

For any questions on moving to or living in Australia, you may be able to get help from the:
- Australian High Commission in London (https://uk.embassy.gov.au/)
- Australian Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/)
The UK government, the British High Commission in Canberra and Consulates General cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Australia.

Professional help in Australia

You can also get help from professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in Australia, including:
- lawyers
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Australia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia) to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Australia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Australia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas

Check the visa you need to live in Australia (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder).

You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- live permanently
- join a partner or family
If you want to extend your visa, read guidance on staying longer in Australia (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-about-to-expire/stay-longer) or contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).

For more information, read guidance on visas and citizenship from the Australian High Commission in London (https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/Visas_and_Migration.html).

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Australia if your visa allows it.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on permanent residency (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/visa-options).

Citizenship

Australia recognises dual citizenship. This means you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Australian citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Australian citizenship:
- read guidance on becoming an Australian citizen (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen)
- contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/)
- contact the Australian High Commission in London (https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/home.html)
Help with visa and residency applications

The British High Commission in Canberra and Consulates General cannot help with Australian visa and residency applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Australian Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/)
- the Australian High Commission in London (https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/home.html)
- a lawyer in Australia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/australia-list-of-lawyers)
Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Healthcare in Australia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-reciprocal-healthcare-agreements-with-non-eu-countries) that will cover some but not all your healthcare costs if you’re:
- visiting Australia, including if you’re a student
- resident in the UK
- have a valid visa
If you’re resident in Australia, Medicare (https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/medicare-services) covers some healthcare. The government uses tax rebates to encourage everyone to buy private health insurance (https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/).

To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on getting healthcare through Medicare (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/health-care-and-medicare?context=60092)
- read guidance on health and wellbeing (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/settle-in-australia/key-settlement-topics/health-and-wellbeing)
- read travel advice guidance on health in Australia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/health)
Planning for later life

The Australian government My Aged Care website (https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/) has information to help you plan for later life.

Working in Australia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Australia, you need a visa.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs explains the different work visas (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia) available to you.

To apply for a job, you may need a criminal records check (https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record) (known as a DBS check).

Recognition of skills and qualifications

If you want to work in Australia, you may need to get your skills assessed and foreign qualifications recognised (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skills-assessment).

Driving in Australia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
For more information on road rules, including licensing, read the ‘road travel’ section of safety and security in Australia (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/safety-and-security).

Road rules and the process for exchanging a UK licence vary by state. Check rules on driving with an overseas licence in:
- Australian Capital Territory (https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/driving-transport-and-parking/licences/drivers-with-licences-from-overseas#Visiting-the-ACT-and-driving-with-an-overseas-licence)
- New South Wales (https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-and-rider-licences/visiting-or-moving-to-nsw/visiting-from-overseas-or-interstate)
- Northern Territory (https://nt.gov.au/driving/licence/new-nt-residents-and-visitors/driver-licence-rules-for-new-nt-residents-and-visiting-drivers)
- Queensland (https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/overseas/driving)
- South Australia (https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/licences/interstate-and-overseas/driving-with-an-overseas-licence)
- Tasmania (https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licensing/interstate_or_overseas_licences/driving_in_tasmania_on_an_interstate_or_overseas_licence)
- Victoria (https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/new-to-victoria)
- Western Australia (https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/visiting-from-overseas.asp)
Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for an Australian Disability Parking Permit (https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-support-services/disability-parking-scheme).

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Australia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Australia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/australia-tax-treaties), so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Read guidance on paying tax if you’re coming to Australia (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/coming-to-australia-or-going-overseas/coming-to-australia). You will need to get a tax file number (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/tax-file-number).

Contact the Australian Taxation Office (https://www.ato.gov.au/) or HM Revenue and Customs (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs) for any questions about tax.

Consider getting professional advice from a lawyer in Australia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=australia).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming an Australian pension

Check if you’re eligible for the Age Pension (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension) in Australia.

All employers in Australia must pay part of your wages into a superannuation fund (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/super/) for your retirement. This payment is made pre-tax and can only be withdrawn in specific circumstances.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Australian benefits

If you’re a permanent resident of Australia, you may be eligible for some benefits. Contact Services Australia (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/) for more information.

Buying and renting property in Australia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Rules on buying, selling or renting property in Australia (https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/foreign-resident-investments/foreign-investment-in-australia) vary by state.

Contact a lawyer in Australia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=australia) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in Australia

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections
- register as an overseas voter
Australian elections

You cannot vote in Australian elections unless you’re an Australian citizen or you enrolled, as a British subject, before 1984 (https://www.aec.gov.au/enrolling_to_vote/british_subjects.htm).

Studying in Australia

If you plan to study in Australia, you must meet all visa requirements for studying (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study) before you travel.

For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Australia
- contact the Australian Department of Education (https://www.education.gov.au/)
Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education

The Australian Department of Education (https://www.education.gov.au/) provides information about the schooling system in Australia.

The rules vary slightly between states, but children aged 6 to 16 must attend school in Australia. It’s also possible to home school your children.

For more information, read the Australian government’s guidance on school years (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/school-years?context=60007).

Childcare

Services Australia has information about early education and childcare (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/early-education?context=60007). This includes support you may be able to get.

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Australia, register the birth with the Australian authorities (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/register-birth-your-baby?context=60001).

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Australia, read guidance on:
- what to do after a British person dies in Australia (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-information)
- funeral directors in Australia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=australia)
Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

Read guidance on divorcing in Australia (https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/separation/divorce).

Consider getting legal advice from a lawyer in Australia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=australia).

Documents for British people in Australia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad) This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers and notaries

To find a lawyer or notary in Australia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Australia, read guidance on:
- bringing pets to Australia (https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/goods/live-animals)
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country)
Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Australian authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).