How Much Does It Cost to Move to Australia from the UK?
Moving to Australia from the UK costs between £2,000 and £5,000 to get started on a Working Holiday Visa, covering your visa fee, a one-way flight, and enough to land and get set up before your first paycheck arrives. For those shipping belongings or relocating on a longer-term skilled migration visa, the total can rise to £10,000 to £20,000. This includes all visa applications and legal costs. The exact figure depends on your visa type, which city you land in, and how long it takes to find work after arrival.
This guide breaks down every major cost involved in moving from the UK to Australia in 2026, from the Working Holiday Visa fee and flights to rent in each major city, the cost of living comparison with the UK, and how Australian wages affect your financial position once you are there.
Working Holiday Visa Cost and What It Covers
The Working Holiday Visa subclass 417 costs AUD $650, roughly £330 at current exchange rates. For UK nationals aged 18 to 35 it is the fastest and most flexible route into Australia. No job offer required, no skills assessment, and most applications are processed instantly to within days.
The Working Holiday Visa gives you 12 months to live and work anywhere in Australia. Eligible nationals can now apply for up to three separate one-year Working Holiday Visas, giving access to up to three years without needing to meet additional work requirements between applications. The subclass 462 covers eligible nationals aged 18 to 30 under similar conditions, but these visas are limited to a certain number per year depending on the country. UK nationals no longer need to fulfil the regional work requirement, whereas the other countries still have to complete 88 days regional work in order to reapply for the next WHV.
Both visas give you full work rights throughout your stay. Check your eligibility directly on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
How Much Are Flights from the UK to Australia?
A one-way economy flight from the UK to Australia costs between £500 and £1,000 for most routes. Budget £700 as your working figure. Three factors move that number significantly:
Booking at least three months in advance keeps costs at the lower end. Last-minute fares to Australia are significantly higher.
June to August is Australian winter and consistently the cheapest period to fly. December to February is peak pricing across all major airlines.
Flying into Melbourne or Brisbane is often cheaper than Sydney. If your destination gives you flexibility, use it.
There is no shortcut here. Book sensibly and early and you come in at the lower end of that range.
Accommodation Costs When You First Arrive in Australia
The first month is the most expensive accommodation period of the entire move. Before you have a rental contract signed you are paying short-term rates while you find your feet in an unfamiliar city.
Typical costs for that initial period:
- Hostel in a major city: AUD $200 to $350 per week
- Short-term shared rental or Airbnb: AUD $400 to $700 per week
- Shared house rental once secured: AUD $800 to $1,500 per month depending on the house and city.
The cost that consistently catches people off guard is the rental bond. In Australia that is typically two-four weeks of rent paid upfront, on top of your first month. You need that money in your account before you can sign anything.
Perth is the most affordable of the major cities and has a strong NPL football competition through Football West. Brisbane and Melbourne are manageable. Sydney is the most expensive by a significant margin and is rarely the right first landing point for someone arriving without a job or club already arranged. If you are weighing up which city makes the most sense for your football and lifestyle goals, our guide to where to move in Australia as a footballer covers each city in detail.
Cost of Living in Australia vs the UK
Australia’s overall cost of living is broadly comparable to the UK, but the distribution across categories is different.
Where you will spend more than in the UK: groceries run 10 to 15% higher than UK supermarket prices, alcohol is significantly more expensive due to Australian excise duties, and eating out costs more across most cities with a typical café lunch or pub meal running AUD $20 to $30.
Where costs are comparable or lower: utilities, public transport across major cities, and gym and sports facilities.
A realistic monthly budget for a single person in a shared house in Melbourne or Brisbane, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure, sits at AUD $2,300 to $3,500. In Sydney, add AUD $400 to $600 on top of that.
Are Australian Wages Higher Than UK Wages?
Yes, meaningfully so. Average salaries across most sectors run 20 to 30% higher than equivalent roles in the UK. The national minimum wage sits at AUD $24.95 per hour compared to £12.71 in the UK. After adjusting for cost of living, the average Australian salary covers more living expenses per month than the average UK salary.
For anyone taking on part-time or casual work alongside other commitments, hospitality, construction, and coaching work all carry higher base rates in Australia than the equivalent work in England. The higher wage floor is one of the primary reasons the financial picture in Australia improves quickly once you are earning, even with the higher cost of groceries and eating out.
How Playing Football in Australia Reduces Your Living Costs
For UK footballers specifically, there is a financial dimension to the move that does not apply to most other people making it.
NPL and State League clubs across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth pay match fees to registered players. At this level those fees range from AUD $100 to AUD $1,000+ per game depending on the club, the state competition, and the player’s profile. Some clubs offer accommodation support or access to coaching roles within their setup. Football Australia sanctions the NPL as the second tier of Australian football, sitting directly below the professional A-League.
Arthur Lomax-Jones from Bury FC signed for Altona East Phoenix in Victoria, and within 3 weeks of landing in Melbourne. He was working and playing, with his accommodation paid for. It enabled him to start up his own business in Australia coaching youth football.
The players who find the first few months financially difficult are almost always the ones who arrive without a club and spend weeks covering costs while searching for one. Arriving with a placement confirmed removes that uncertainty entirely. You can read more about how the Australia placement process works and what to expect from first enquiry to landing with a club confirmed.
Full Cost Breakdown for Moving to Australia from the UK
Before you leave the UK:
| Cost | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Working Holiday Visa 417 or 462 | £330 (AUD $650) |
| One-way flight | £500 to £1,000 |
| Travel insurance (12 months) | £300 to £500 (optional) |
| Total before departure | £830 to £1,830 |
A realistic total to move to Australia and cover your first three months comfortably is £5,000 to £7,500. It’s much less if you land a football contract and/or a job quickly and it contributes to rent. More if you are based in Sydney or take time finding the right club. This is without earning money from work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need to move to Australia from the UK?
Budget between £2,000 and £5,000 for a Working Holiday Visa move travelling light. This covers your visa, flight, temporary accommodation, and enough to get set up while you find work. Having at least £5,000 accessible before you land is a sensible minimum. Arriving with a job or football placement already confirmed significantly reduces financial pressure in those first weeks.
Is it cheaper to live in Australia than the UK?
Overall costs are broadly comparable, but Australian wages run 20 to 30% higher across most sectors. Once you are earning, your purchasing power is generally better than in the UK. The first month before you are fully set up is the most expensive period and is where underfunded movers run into the most difficulty.
Can I work in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa?
Yes. The subclass 417 and 462 Working Holiday Visas allow you to work throughout your stay. The only restriction is on working for a single employer for more than six months, which rarely affects people taking on casual or part-time work.
Do Australian football clubs pay their players?
At NPL and State League level, yes. Match fees range from AUD $100 to AUD $1,000+ per game depending on the club, state, and competition level. Some clubs also offer accommodation support or coaching roles. State League clubs vary more, with some paying modest match fees and others operating as fully amateur. The specific financial contribution from football depends on your playing level and the club you sign for.
How long does it take to get a Working Holiday Visa for Australia?
Most straightforward applications from UK nationals are processed within days. Apply through ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Are You a Football Player Interested in Moving to Australia?
NextStep has already placed 13 footballers from the UK alone into NPL and State League clubs across Australia, every one of them arriving with a club confirmed before they boarded the plane. Cameron Salmon landed in the Sunshine Coast and covered 40% of his monthly costs through football alone within his first season. You can read more stories like his on our success stories page.
Most players who enquire are not sure whether their level is good enough for Australian football. That is the first thing we address. If you are ready to take the next step, apply now — or if you still have questions, get in touch first.