Moving to the UK from Australia

The world is opening up again, and many Aussies are eyeing the UK as a potential destination. Whether it’s for work opportunities in London, family connections in Scotland, or to try and glimpse the Royals at Buckingham Palace, thousands of Australians make the move overseas every year.

If you’re thinking about Moving to the UK from Australia soon, here are a few things you need to know for a smooth transition.

Moving to the UK from Australia

The UK, England and Great Britain are not the same

Even Brits get confused by this one because people tend to use the terms interchangeably. But England, the UK and Great Britain all mean different things:

• The United Kingdom (UK): A sovereign state made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Great Britain: The UK without Northern Ireland
• England: A country in the UK bordering Wales on the west and Scotland to the north

Then there are the British Isles, which includes the UK, Ireland (a separate country from Northern Ireland), plus thousands of other small islands like Jersey and Isle of Man.

Visas and work

If you plan on Moving to the UK from Australia for longer than 6 months, you will need a visa (and a valid passport). The type of visa you get will depend on your reason for relocating and how long you plan to stay. For example:

• Eighteen to 30-year-olds can access the 2-year Youth Mobility Visa to live and work in the UK
• Study visas allow Australian students to attend UK universities
• Skilled worker visas permit Australians to work long term with sponsorship from a UK company

Of the estimated 140,000 Australians living in the UK, more than 50,000 live in London. While the cost of living is up to 15% higher than Sydney and 40% higher than Perth, the opportunities for work and travel lure a lot of people over.

Housing

That higher cost of living comes with some concessions. For example, people in the UK (especially London) tend to live in smaller apartments or shared flats. So if you’re working with an international removals company, you might want to downsize or think about long-term storage options before moving to the UK. 

Moving your belongings to the UK

Great news if you want to take your favourite classic car: the entire UK drives on the same side of the road as Australia. As a Perth removal company with strong international ties, we can relocate your vehicle, furniture, fragile possessions and everything else you need to set up your life in the UK. We can even help with customs and organise delivery to your new home.

KEYS The Moving Solution regularly handles international removals from Perth to the UK. With our global network of trusted logistics partners, your belongings will move safely and swiftly across the pond.

And if you need to put some of your belongings in storage to send later or collect when you return, we’ve got you covered.

Get in touch to request a quote for international removals. We would be happy to talk about your requirements and answer any questions you have about relocating to the UK.