How to move from the UK to Australia with a family (2026)
The visa charges, schooling and Medicare questions that change once kids are involved.
Australia is the number-one destination for British emigrants, and a huge share go as families. Moving with a partner and children changes the cost, the paperwork and the timeline — here's what's different.
Visa charges scale with the family
Skilled visas charge a base fee for the primary applicant plus an additional charge for each adult dependant and each child. For a family of four that's the primary fee plus three additional charges — the single biggest line item of the move.
Model the full family in the cost estimator and verify the current charges on the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator — the per-person additions add up fast.
English test exemption helps
As UK citizens you and your partner are exempt from the English test for skilled visas, which removes a cost and a step many other nationalities face. You still complete medicals and police checks (a UK ACRO certificate) for each applicant.
Medicare and healthcare
The UK and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, which can give some Medicare access, but it isn't a substitute for full cover — plan health insurance for the family, especially in the gap before you're enrolled.
Schooling and settling
- Public schooling is available, but some states charge fees for temporary-visa holders' children — check your visa subclass and state.
- Enrol early; popular catchments fill up.
- Budget a family-sized landing fund: a larger rental bond, furniture, and a car are usually unavoidable.
The pension question
Transferring a UK pension to Australia is heavily restricted (few QROPS-registered super funds, and HMRC blocks most transfers before 55), so most families leave the pension in a UK SIPP. Read our full guide on transferring a UK pension abroad before deciding.
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to move to Australia from the UK with a family?
The biggest driver is the skilled-visa charge: a base fee for the primary applicant plus an additional charge for each adult dependant and child. Add medicals and police checks per person, flights, and a family landing fund. UK citizens are exempt from the English test, which saves a step. Use the estimator with your exact family size.
Can my children get schooling and healthcare in Australia?
Public schooling is available, though some states charge fees for temporary-visa holders' children. The UK-Australia Reciprocal Health Care Agreement gives some Medicare access, but plan private health cover for the family, particularly in the early settling period.
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Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice.