Moving to Australia as a UK electrician or plumber (2026)

If you're a UK electrician or plumber, Australia genuinely wants you. Both trades sit among the country's most in-demand skilled occupations, the pay is strong, and a 2024 rule change made the assessment process simpler and cheaper for British tradespeople specifically. Here's the honest path — including the licensing catch that trips people up after they arrive.

The demand (and the money)

Electricians and plumbers are routinely in Australia's top-tier skill-shortage occupations, with construction trades especially prioritised in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Indicative earnings run roughly A$90,000–A$130,000 for electricians and A$75,000–A$110,000 for plumbers — verify against current job ads for your state and experience.

Step 1: your TRA skills assessment

Trades are assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). The big win for Brits: since July 2024, applicants from low-risk countries including the UK can use the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) rather than the more costly, time-consuming Offshore Skills Assessment Program — a meaningful saving in money and months.

TRA assessments typically take ~10–16 weeks. Confirm your occupation's exact pathway and current fees on the TRA site (tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au) before you start — it's the longest-lead item, so begin here.

Step 2: the visa

• Points-tested skilled visas (Skilled Independent 189, Skilled Nominated 190, regional 491) are the usual routes; employer sponsorship is also possible.
• You'll generally need a positive TRA assessment, a competitive points score, to be under 45, and to meet health/character requirements.
• As a UK citizen you're exempt from sitting the English test for the visa — one less cost and step.
• State nomination (190/491) often has lower points cut-offs and targets exactly these trades — worth pursuing if your points are borderline.

Step 3: the catch — state licensing

A visa lets you live and work in Australia; it does not automatically let you work unsupervised in your trade. Licensing is state-based. Plumbers must register with the relevant state authority before working. Electricians usually can't work unsupervised straight away — most states require gap training and/or a provisional/restricted licence, sometimes including a period of supervised work under a licensed electrician. Budget time and money for this, and research your target state's rules early.

What it costs

Beyond the TRA assessment and licensing, budget the visa charge (and the additional charges if family come too), medicals, a UK ACRO police certificate, and flights. Use the cost-to-leave estimator for the UK → Australia corridor to model your exact household, then add your state's licensing/gap-training costs on top.

Don't forget the money admin

Sort your UK tax residence position (the Statutory Residence Test) and decide what happens to your pension before you go — Australia heavily restricts UK pension transfers, so most leave it in a UK SIPP. See our guides on UK tax residency and transferring a UK pension abroad.