Thinking of swapping the UK for a new life under the Australian sun? You are in good company — Australia remains the number-one destination for British families relocating abroad, drawn by the climate, the schools, the space and the lifestyle.
The good news is that the right visa takes your whole family with you on a single application. This guide sets out the visa options for UK families in 2026, what the move actually costs, and the practical steps from skills assessment to touchdown in Australia.
“The right visa takes your whole family — partner and children included — on a single application.”
Most British families move to Australia on one of three types of visa, and in each case your partner and dependent children are included as secondary applicants on the same application.
If you work in an occupation on Australia’s skilled lists, the points-tested skilled visas are the most common family route. The Skilled Independent visa (189), Skilled Nominated visa (190) and Skilled Work Regional visa (491) each require a positive skills assessment and a points score. The pass mark is 65 points, but in practice most occupations need 80 or more to receive an invitation, and the main applicant generally needs to be under 45.
If you secure a job offer from an approved Australian employer, the Skills in Demand visa (482) provides a sponsored route with support during the transition and a clear pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 186. This is often the fastest option for families with an in-demand skill set.
If you have a partner or close family member who is already an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a partner or family-stream visa may be the right route. These are powerful but processing can be lengthy, so plan well ahead.
Budgeting realistically is half the battle. As a guide, a UK family should plan for:
All told, most families budget somewhere between £5,000 and £20,000+ for the whole move, depending on visa type, shipping and family size.
Permanent residents have access to Australia’s public schools and to Medicare, the public healthcare system. Many families also choose private schooling, so it is worth researching school catchments before deciding where to live. Processing times for the visa itself typically run from six months to two years, so the earlier you start, the smoother the move.
We have helped British families emigrate to Australia since 1996 and will guide you from choosing the right visa through to your skills assessment, the application and the practicalities of the move. We win cases others can’t, and we sequence every step so nothing is left to chance.
Complete our free, no-obligation eligibility assessment below and we will send you our e-brochure. Even if a particular route is not right for you, a short conversation is the surest way to confirm your family’s options.
This article is general information about Australian migration as at 2026 and is not personal migration, legal, financial or tax advice. Visa rules, fees and processing times change frequently — always check the latest position with the Department of Home Affairs and obtain advice tailored to your circumstances.
