Guidance

Living in Australia

Official information British people moving to and living in Australia need to know, including residency, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
3 January 2014
Last updated
26 April 2024 — See all updates

Introduction

This guide sets out essential information for British nationals living in Australia, including advice on health, benefits, residence requirements and more. We are unable to provide any guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below. See our information on what consulates can and cannot do for British nationals.

If you can’t find what you need below, and you need urgent help, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Before you go

See our travel advice for Australia for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

See moving or retiring abroad.

For information on planning a visit see Tourism Australia.

Visas and residency

British citizens need a visa to enter Australia – see entry requirements for Australia in our travel advice and Visa Finder.

If you also have Australian citizenship, you should enter and leave the country on your Australian passport.

You can hold both Australian and British citizenship. Learn about being an Australian citizen and see information on eligibility and how to apply.

Healthcare

See our travel advice for Australia.

Australia and the UK have reciprocal healthcare agreements, however the agreement will not cover all healthcare needs. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.

Under the reciprocal healthcare agreement, British citizens resident in the UK and travelling on a British passport are entitled to limited, subsidised health services, for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia.

If you’re resident in Australia, Medicare covers some healthcare. The government uses tax rebates to encourage everyone to buy private health insurance. The NHS has information for people moving abroad.

Australian residents should also make sure you have travel insurance when travelling to the UK or you could be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.

See bringing medicine into Australia – you should also check your prescriptions are legal in Australia.

Read more about medical facilities/practitioners in Australia, or find doctors in Australia.

Working in Australia

You need a visa to work in Australia – see working in Australia.

Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check).

For information on your rights and obligations in the Australian workforce, or to make a complaint about workplace practices, see the Fair Work Ombudsman

Tax

See tax if you leave the UK to live abroad and tax on your UK income if you live abroad.

We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Australia.

See Coming to Australia for information on working and paying taxes in Australia. You need to get a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office

See tax if you return to the UK.

Pensions

See State Pension if you retire abroad and new State Pension.

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you have worked in Australia, see age pension for how to claim your pension.

All employers in Australia are required to pay a portion of your wages into a superannuation fund for your retirement. This payment is made pre-tax and can only be withdrawn in specific circumstances.

Benefits

See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.

Find out which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can’t be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

If you’re a permanent resident of Australia, you may be eligible for some Australian state benefits – see Services Australia.

See our List of Lawyers

Driving in Australia

See driving abroad and road travel in Australia. Road rules, and the process of exchanging a UK license for an Australian one vary from state to state.

See taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Voting

See voting when you’re abroad.

British citizens living abroad can vote in some UK elections – you’ll need to register as an overseas voter.

Births

See register a birth abroad.

Deaths

See what to do after someone dies.

See also:

Getting married

See getting married abroad.

Renewing passports

See overseas British passports applications and get an emergency travel document (sometimes called an emergency passport).

Pets

Australia has strict customs rules. See bringing pets to Australia or if you are travelling with pets back to the UK.

See travelling with pets.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Rules on buying, selling or renting property in Australia vary from state to state.

Emergencies

Australia uses the emergency number 000.

If you need urgent help, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

To speak to the police in non-life threatening situations, call 131 444.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Australian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Updates to this page

Published 3 January 2014
Last updated 26 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Annual review - the page is up-to-date.

  2. Added sections: Introduction, Coronavirus; updated sections: Visas and Residency, Working in Australia, Tax, Pensions

  3. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  4. First published.

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