TL;DR: Moving from the UK to Australia typically takes 12-24 months from initial decision to being fully settled. Visa processing alone takes 6-18 months for most routes, shipping takes 6-10 weeks, and you’ll need 2-3 months for practical preparation. Working holiday visas are fastest at 2-4 weeks, whilst partner visas can take 18-24 months.
Planning a move to Australia? The timeline is longer than most people expect. Between visa applications, skills assessments, shipping logistics, and actually getting settled, you’re looking at a significant waiting period before you’re sipping flat whites in Melbourne or catching waves at Bondi.
Understanding the realistic timeline for each stage helps you plan properly, avoid rushed decisions, and arrive in Australia without unnecessary stress. Here’s exactly how long each part of the process takes.
Key Takeaways
- Total timeline: 12-24 months from decision to settlement
- Visa processing: 6-18 months (varies by type)
- Skills assessment: 6-12 weeks for skilled migration
- Shipping transit: 6-12 weeks by sea freight
- Working holiday visa: 2-4 weeks (fastest option)
- Partner visa: 18-24 months (slowest route)
- Job hunting: 3-6 months if seeking sponsorship
The Complete Timeline: What Actually Happens When
Most people underestimate how long this process takes. If you decide today “we’re moving to Australia,” you won’t be settled in your new home for at least a year, and possibly two years, depending on your visa pathway.
Here’s the realistic breakdown:
12-18 Months Before Move: The Planning Phase
This is when everything begins. You’re researching visa options, starting your skills assessment if needed, and crucially, saving money. Moving to Australia isn’t cheap—most families need £10,000-£20,000 saved.
What happens during this phase:
- Visa research and selection: 2-4 weeks to understand your options
- Skills assessment application: 6-12 weeks processing time for skilled migration routes
- Visa application lodgement: Once your skills assessment is approved
- Initial visa processing begins: This is the longest wait
The skills assessment alone catches people out. If you’re applying for skilled migration, your occupation must be assessed by the relevant Australian authority. For engineers, that’s Engineers Australia. For nurses, it’s the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Each has different timelines and requirements, but count on 2-3 months minimum.
Most skilled migration visas (subclasses 189, 190, 491) take 6-12 months to process once lodged. During this time, you’re essentially waiting while the Department of Home Affairs reviews your application, requests additional documents, and conducts background checks.
Visa Processing Times by Type
Understanding which visa you’re applying for dramatically affects your timeline:
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Best For |
| Working Holiday (417) | 2-4 weeks | 18-35 year-olds testing Australia |
| Skilled Independent (189) | 6-12 months | Under 45 with in-demand skills |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | 6-12 months | State-sponsored skilled workers |
| Skilled Regional (491) | 6-12 months | Regional area relocation |
| Partner Visa (820/801) | 18-24 months | Joining Australian partner/spouse |
| eVisitor | 24 hours | Short visits up to 3 months |
The Working Holiday Visa is brilliant for younger Brits who aren’t quite ready to commit but want to experience Australian life.
For around £350, you get 12 months where you can work for any employer (up to 6 months per employer), study for 4 months, and travel in and out as you please. Many people use this opportunity to explore different cities, gain Australian work experience, and determine if permanent migration is right for them.
6-12 Months Before Move: Active Preparation
By this stage, your visa application is progressing (or hopefully approved), and you’re shifting into practical mode.
Key activities during this period:
- Job hunting: 3-6 months if you need employer sponsorship or want work lined up
- Reconnaissance trip: 1-2 weeks visiting Australia on an eVisitor visa to scope out cities, attend interviews, or view properties
- School research: If you have children, investigating state vs private schools and understanding the January-December school year
- Suburb research: Deciding specifically where you’ll live—Sydney vs Melbourne vs Brisbane makes a huge difference
Many families book a reconnaissance trip during this window. A free eVisitor visa gets you 3 months in Australia and processes within 24 hours. Even a week or two on the ground makes a massive difference—you’ll understand commutes, visit potential suburbs, and confirm that yes, Melbourne really does have four seasons in one day.
2-3 Months Before Departure: Logistics Kick In
Once your visa is approved (celebrate!), the real logistics begin. This is when your move becomes tangible.
Critical tasks in this window:
- Book flights: £500-£1,000 per person for one-way tickets; prices vary significantly by season
- Get removal quotes: Contact at least three international removal companies specialising in UK-Australia relocations
- Book shipping: Secure your shared container space or full container booking
- Arrange temporary accommodation: Book your first 2-4 weeks housing (Airbnb, serviced apartments, or short-term rentals)
- Begin sorting belongings: Decide what’s shipping, what’s being sold, what’s staying with family
Shipping bookings need to happen 6-8 weeks before your planned departure date. Removal companies need time to schedule your packing date, arrange customs documentation, and secure container space on vessels heading to Australia.
Don’t leave this until the last minute. Peak moving seasons (December-January for Australia’s summer, and June-August for UK summer holidays) book up months in advance.
4-6 Weeks Before Departure: The Final Push
Your last weeks in the UK are hectic. You’re tying up loose ends, saying goodbyes, and managing the practical details.
Essential tasks:
- Give notice on UK rental or list property for sale
- Apply for Tax File Number online: You can do this before arriving in Australia
- Cancel UK utilities, broadband, subscriptions
- Arrange Royal Mail redirection: £36.99 for 12 months
- Complete packing for shipping: Professional packers usually arrive 3-5 days before your container ships
- Pack suitcases: Remember, you’ll need 6-10 weeks of clothes and essentials while your shipment is in transit
- Notify banks, HMRC, and DVLA of your move
The Tax File Number application can be submitted online before you leave the UK, which saves valuable time when you arrive. You’ll need it to work legally in Australia, and processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Shipping Transit: 6-12 Weeks
Once your belongings are packed and collected from your UK home, they begin their journey to Australia. This is the longest single waiting period you’ll experience.
Typical shipping timeline:
- Collection from UK home: Day 1
- Transport to UK port (usually Felixstowe or Southampton): 1-3 days
- Port processing and container loading: 3-7 days
- Sea freight to Australia: 5-7 weeks depending on destination port
- Australian port clearance and biosecurity inspection: 3-7 days
- Transport to your Australian address: 2-5 days depending on location
- Total door-to-door: 6-10 weeks on average
Sydney and Melbourne are usually fastest (closer to 6-7 weeks) because they have the most frequent vessel services. Perth and Brisbane can add another 1-2 weeks. Adelaide and regional deliveries take longer still.
Australia’s biosecurity laws are notoriously strict, and for good reason. Inspectors check containers for prohibited items—fresh food, seeds, untreated timber, or anything with soil. One British family had their entire shipment held for three weeks because they’d packed garden tools with soil still on them. Clean everything thoroughly before it’s packed.
First Week in Australia: Hit the Ground Running
You’ve landed! Now the clock starts on getting yourself established quickly.
Essential tasks for your first 7 days:
- Get Australian SIM card: Buy one at the airport; you need an Australian number for everything
- Open bank account: Do this within 6 weeks of arrival for the easiest process
- Register for Medicare: If eligible, apply immediately for your healthcare card
- Tax File Number: If you didn’t apply before leaving UK, do it now (2-4 weeks processing)
- Temporary accommodation check-in: Settle into your Airbnb or serviced apartment
- Register children for school: If arriving mid-year, start this process immediately
The 6-week window for easy bank account opening is crucial. Australia’s “big four” banks (Commonwealth, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) all have accounts for new arrivals. Open within 6 weeks and the process is simple—just your passport and visa details. Wait longer and you’ll need 100 points of ID, which means getting an Australian driver’s licence first. Just do it early.
First Month: Settling In
Your first month is about transforming from tourist to resident.
Key milestones:
- Find permanent housing: 2-4 weeks of viewings, applications, and securing a lease
- Job hunting or starting work: If you haven’t secured employment before arriving
- Driver’s licence: Convert your UK licence to an Australian one (requirements vary by state)
- Private health insurance: If you’re purchasing it, arrange within the first month
- School enrollment finalised: Get children settled before term begins
- Social connections: Join expat groups, industry associations, or sports clubs
Finding permanent housing takes longer than you’d expect. The rental application process is competitive, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. You’ll need references, proof of income, and rental history. Many landlords prefer someone already in Australia, which is why temporary accommodation for your first few weeks is essential.
Even though it’s only for a few weeks, keeping the space clean and comfortable is important, both for your own well-being and to ensure you leave on good terms with the landlord. Small habits like wiping down surfaces, taking out rubbish regularly, and attending to spills immediately can make a big difference in maintaining a pleasant environment.
Treating temporary spaces with care not only makes your stay more comfortable but also helps you transition smoothly into your long-term accommodation.
Once it’s time to move out, leaving the property spotless is essential, and professional services can make the process much easier. Cleaners of London provides an efficient way to tackle deep cleaning tasks that might otherwise feel overwhelming, covering everything from carpets and windows to kitchens and bathrooms. Following a systematic approach ensures that no corner is overlooked and that the space is returned to its pristine state, ready for the next occupant.
Your shipment should arrive during weeks 6-10, so you’ll likely be in temporary accommodation when it does. Some people arrange for their goods to go into storage temporarily if they haven’t secured permanent housing yet. Storage costs £120-£200 per week for a 20ft container’s worth of goods.
2-3 Months: Fully Settled
By month three, you’re no longer “just moved”—you’re living in Australia.
By this point you should have:
- Permanent housing secured
- All belongings unpacked and arranged
- Bank accounts, Medicare, and tax sorted
- Children enrolled and attending school
- Job secured or actively working
- Local friendship groups forming
- Regular routines established
This is when Australia starts feeling like home rather than an extended holiday.
Getting Your Stuff There: The Shipping Reality
Once you’ve sorted your visa and chosen your city, you need to actually get your belongings to Once your visa is sorted, you need to physically move your belongings across the world. This is a major component of your overall timeline and deserves careful planning.
The physical movement of your belongings is another significant timeline consideration. Most people underestimate this—shipping to Australia takes longer than you think, and choosing between shared container or full container shipping affects both timing and cost.
Let’s break down the shipping timelines for both options:
For shipping, you’ve got three main options.
Shared Container Shipping: 8-12 Weeks
Best for: 1-2 bedroom flats, smaller households. Shared container (groupage) shipping pools your belongings with other families’ goods heading to Australia. It’s cost-effective but takes slightly longer due to consolidation.
Costs: £840-£2,490 depending on volume
Full Container Shipping: 6-9 Weeks
Best for: 3+ bedroom houses, larger families. Exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container means your goods aren’t consolidated with others, which can be faster and involves less handling.
Costs: £4,200-£4,800 for 20ft container, £7,600+ for 40ft container
- Air Freight: 7-10 Days
Best for: Sending few boxes or excess baggage that you need when you arrive. Useful if you don’t have much to send or can be combined with sea freight shipping for the majority of your belongings.
Costs: £300 or more depending on volume
What Affects Shipping Speed?
Several factors influence whether you’re at the 6-week or 10-week end of the timeline:
- Destination cities: Sydney and Melbourne are the fastest (most frequent vessel services). Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, and regional areas add time.
- Season: December-February is peak moving season to Australia. Vessels book up and containers can wait longer for departure.
- Biosecurity issues: If inspectors find prohibited items or require additional cleaning, your entire shipment can be held for 1-3 weeks.
- Port congestion: Occasionally, ports experience delays during peak periods or labour disputes.
- Documentation errors: Incorrect customs paperwork can cause costly delays. This is why choosing an experienced Australian specialist removal company matters.
Planning Your Timeline: Practical Advice
Now that you understand visa processing times and shipping durations, let’s talk about how to actually plan your move. This section covers the strategic planning considerations that will help you avoid common timeline mistakes and ensure a smooth relocation.
Start Earlier Than You Think
The single biggest mistake people make is underestimating the timeline. If you want to be living in Australia by a specific date—say, to start a new job or for children to begin the Australian school year in late January—you need to start the visa process 18-24 months before that date.
Work backwards from your target arrival date:
- Target arrival date: January 2026
- Minus 2-3 months shipping and settling: October 2025
- Minus 6-12 months visa processing: October 2024-April 2025
- Minus 3 months skills assessment: July 2024
- Start planning now: April-June 2024
That’s 18-20 months of lead time for a January 2026 arrival. Most people think they can do it in 6 months. They can’t.
Build Buffer Time Into Every Stage
Things take longer than expected. Skills assessments request additional documents. Visa processing hits unexpected delays. Your preferred removal company is booked out for the date you wanted. Build 2-4 weeks of buffer into every major milestone.
If your visa processing estimate is 8-10 months, plan for 12 months. If shipping is quoted at 6-8 weeks, plan for 10 weeks. Better to arrive early than stress about delays outside your control.
Align with Australia’s School Year If You Have Children
Australia’s school year runs from late January to December across four terms. Term 1 begins late January, which is the easiest time for children to start at a new school.
If you have school-age children, aim to arrive in December or early January so they can settle before term starts. Mid-year enrollment is possible but socially harder for kids—friendship groups are already established.
Work your entire timeline backwards from a January arrival if children are involved.
Consider a Reconnaissance Trip
If your visa pathway allows it, visit Australia 6-9 months before your planned move. A week or two on the ground helps you:
- Understand different cities and suburbs firsthand
- Attend job interviews in person (much more effective than video)
- View properties and understand the rental market
- Confirm your city choice rather than relying on internet research
- Meet potential employers or industry contacts
Book this trip on an eVisitor visa (free, 24-hour processing, allows 3-month stays). Even a reconnaissance trip adds to your overall timeline, but it’s worth it for peace of mind.
Fast-Track Options: Do They Exist?
There’s no official “fast-track” for Australian visas, despite what some migration agents might imply. Processing times are what they are. However, you can optimise:
For visas: Submit a complete, perfect application the first time. Every request for additional information adds 2-4 weeks. Use a registered migration agent (check MARA registration) if you’re unsure.
For shipping: Book early, especially for peak season moves. Pre-pack non-essential items yourself to speed up professional packing day. Have all documentation ready.
For settlement: Apply for your Tax File Number online before leaving the UK (saves 2-4 weeks on arrival). Open bank accounts within 6 weeks of landing. Have job applications sent before you arrive.
These optimisations might save 4-8 weeks total, but they won’t transform a 12-month process into a 6-month one.
Common Timeline Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others’ mistakes can save you months of delays and considerable stress. Here are the most frequent timeline errors UK citizens make when relocating to Australia, along with practical solutions to avoid them.
Underestimating visa processing: “I thought skilled visas took 3 months, not 12 months.”
Solution: Research current processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website and add 2-3 months buffer.
Not accounting for skills assessment: “I didn’t know I needed a skills assessment before applying for the visa.”
Solution: Skills assessment is a separate process that must be completed before most skilled visa applications. It takes 6-12 weeks minimum.
Booking flights before visa approval: “We booked flights for June, but our visa wasn’t approved until August.”
Solution: Never book non-refundable flights until you have visa approval in hand. You’ll only stress yourself out.
Leaving shipping until the last minute: “The removal company was booked out for 6 weeks.”
Solution: Contact removal companies 2-3 months before your planned departure date, especially during peak season (December-February).
Not planning around the school year: “Our kids started mid-year and struggled to settle.”
Solution: If you have school-age children, aim for a January arrival so they start with everyone else at the beginning of Term 1.
Expecting to find housing before arriving: “We thought we’d secure a rental from the UK.”
Solution: Australian landlords prefer tenants already in the country. Plan temporary accommodation for 2-4 weeks whilst you house hunt on the ground.
The Bottom Line: How Long Will Your Move Take?
The honest answer depends on your visa pathway:
Fastest route: Working holiday visa (18-35 year-olds) = 3-4 months from decision to arrival
Standard route: Skilled migration (under 45 with in-demand occupation) = 12-18 months from decision to arrival
Longest route: Partner visa = 18-24+ months from decision to permanent residency (but temporary visa often granted within 6-9 months)
Add another 2-3 months for settling in once you arrive. By month three in Australia, you should be fully established—working, living in permanent housing, and feeling like a resident rather than a tourist.
The timeline feels long when you’re eager to start your new life. But Australia’s visa system is thorough, shipping across the world takes time, and proper planning ensures you arrive ready to thrive rather than stressed and unprepared.
Start earlier than you think, build in buffer time, and work with professionals for both your visa and your shipping. The wait will be worth it when you’re enjoying your first Australian summer.
Ready to Start Your Move?
The first step is getting an accurate quote for your shipping costs. PSS International Removals has helped thousands of UK families relocate to Australia over 40 years. We handle everything from customs paperwork to biosecurity compliance, with our own depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
Start your journey: 📞 Call 0800 988 3711
💻 Visit www.pssremovals.com/removals-to-australia
📋 Book a free home survey (video or in-person)
Australia’s waiting. Let’s get your timeline started.
FAQ
Q: Can I speed up my Australian visa processing?
There’s no official fast-track option for Australian visas. The best way to avoid delays is submitting a complete, accurate application the first time. Every request for additional documents adds 2-4 weeks. Consider using a registered migration agent (check MARA registration) to ensure your application is perfect from the start.
Q: What’s the fastest visa for UK citizens moving to Australia?
The working holiday visa (subclass 417) is fastest at 2-4 weeks processing time. It’s available to UK citizens aged 18-35 and allows 12 months of work and travel in Australia. This is perfect for testing Australian life before committing to permanent migration.
Q:How long after visa approval can I travel to Australia?
Most Australian visas have an initial entry date by which you must first arrive in Australia—usually within 12 months of visa approval. After your first entry, you can travel in and out during the visa’s validity period. Check your visa grant notice for specific conditions.
Q: Can I start shipping my belongings before my visa is approved?
Technically yes, but this is not advised. If your visa is refused, you’ll have belongings in transit or storage in Australia that you can’t personally clear through customs. Most removal companies and migration agents strongly recommend waiting for visa approval before shipping. The exception is working holiday visas, which process so quickly that you can apply and ship almost simultaneously.
Q: How long does it take to find a job in Australia from the UK?
Job hunting from overseas typically takes 3-6 months. Australian employers prefer candidates already in the country, so you may get more interviews once you’ve arrived. If you need employer sponsorship for your visa, the process is longer—expect 6-12 months of job searching and visa processing combined.
Q: What if my shipment arrives before I find permanent housing?
Most removal companies offer storage services in Australia. Expect to pay £120-£200 per week for storing a 20ft container’s worth of goods. Alternatively, some people arrange for their shipment to arrive 4-6 weeks after they land, giving them time to find permanent housing first.
Q: Is January really the best time to arrive in Australia?
For families with school-age children, yes. The Australian school year starts in late January, so arriving in December or early January allows children to begin Term 1 with everyone else. For singles or couples without children, any time works—though December-February is peak moving season, so book shipping and temporary accommodation well in advance.
