Removals to Brisbane and Queensland

Average removal time to Brisbane and Queensland from the UK

Sea freight times from the UK to Brisbane and Queensland are around 6-9 weeks for a full container load (FCL) or 8-12 weeks for a shared container/groupage service (Sometimes called less than container load – LCL). In addition, you will also need to allow added time for Queensland customs.

Usually, it will take our professional packers 2-4 days to pack and load a container.

What is the cost of international removals to Brisbane and Queensland?

The cost of removals to Brisbane and Queensland will depend on many factors such as the volume of goods you are sending, and whether you use an air freight or sea freight service.

To receive a guideline price for moving to Brisbane and Queensland, you can use our international removals cost calculator, or you can book a home or video survey for a more accurate quotation.

How to buy a property in Brisbane and Queensland?

Brisbane housing options include the famous Queenslander or stilt house. You can buy a property in Brisbane and Queensland either by private treaty or auction. Your finances, requirements with respect to amenities, and lifestyle preferences will determine where you buy as Brisbane house prices and rentals range from expensive to very affordable. View our moving guide to Australia for property tips.

The Brisbane housing market experienced significant growth during Covid as people moved to the relatively Covid-free state to avoid ongoing lockdowns in other states. This pushed house prices up, although they are still significantly cheaper than either Sydney or Melbourne. However, property prices in the city are predicted to fall by up to 12% over the next 12 months. The median house price is expected to be around $720,000.

Pros and cons of living in Brisbane and Queensland

You won’t ever be stuck thinking of things to do and see in Brisbane and Queensland. Some of the top attractions are:

• Great Barrier Reef
• Daintree Rainforest
• Australia Zoo
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout and Botanic Gardens
• Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
• South Bank Parklands
• Visit the many museums and art galleries: Queensland Museum, Archer Park Rail Museum, Mareeba Heritage Museum, Queensland Maritime Museum, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Historic Village Herberton and more
• Gold Coast theme parks
• Sunshine Coast family attractions

Brisbane is also just a few hours flying time from Sydney and Melbourne and is flanked by the Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

From a professional or career perspective, Brisbane may not offer the same opportunities in some professions as Sydney or Melbourne. It’s also a smaller city, with a ‘large village’ feel to it, which again is a con for some but a pro for others.

Where to live in Brisbane?

Many UK expats live in and around Victoria Point with its greenery, amenities, good schools, and family-friendly atmosphere. Other popular lifestyle suburbs include South Brisbane, Dutton Park, Spring Hill, Corinda, and Kangaroo Point. At the higher end of the market, Indooroopilly, Fortitude Valley, Petrie Terrace, West End, and New Farm are also popular.

For families, consider Coorparoo, South Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Victoria Point, Holland Park, Sandgate, Wilston, Bulimba, Tarragindi, and Graceville. Beachgoers should head to Cleveland, Redland Bay, Birkdale, Ormiston, Thorneside, Wellington Point, Thornlands, Lota, Manly, Wynnum, Manly West, and Wynnum West.

Where to live in Queensland?

Ipswich to the west of Brisbane offers a range of affordable housing options along with a great rural lifestyle within driving distance of Brisbane. Alternatively, you can head north to the Sunshine Coast or south to the Gold Coast.

Toowoomba is a major regional centre on the Darling Downs inland from Brisbane. The hinterland areas around Brisbane also have many agricultural towns and regional centres (Tamborine Mountain, Maleny etc) scattered throughout if you’re looking for a bit of country acreage.  Alternatively, consider Central, North and Far North Queensland – towns like Mackay, Townsville and Cairns offer proximity to the Daintree, Great Barrier Reef and fabulous Whitsundays. Inland you have Emerald, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Longreach et al.

What are the jobs in demand in Brisbane and Queensland?

In-demand jobs across Brisbane and Queensland are predominantly in:

• Health care and social assistance (nurses, community services workers, aged/disabled / child carers)
• Education and training (education aides, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Workers)
• Trades (air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, bricklayers, stonemasons, carpenters, joiners, electricians, floor finishers, glaziers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, tillers (roof, wall and floor), construction managers)
• IT Professionals (software developers, database developers and designers, cyber security professionals)
• Engineers (civil)

Check if you qualify for the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa

There are many excellent public and private schools in Brisbane and Queensland. Some of the most accredited based on State Overall Scores and Better Education Percentiles include:

• Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics, and Technology
• Brisbane Grammar School
• Brisbane State High School
• Brisbane Girls Grammar School
• Somerset College
• Somerville House

Queensland universities also offer world-class training and certifications. Many operate in conjunction with industry and are producing highly skilled professionals across a diverse range of professions and industries. Top-ranking institutions include:

• University of Queensland
• Queensland University of Technology
• James Cook University
• Griffith University