Moving to Australia from the US, the UK or the EU is popular, but the visa system is complex and living costs in the big cities are high. This guide covers the visa routes for each group, current government fees, realistic rents, the tax rules you must know, and a step-by-step checklist.
Reading time: approx. 15 minutes · Figures checked in October 2026
1. Quick self-assessment
2. Visa options by passport
3. Visa fees and setup costs
4. Five relocation scenarios
5. City rents and European comparison
6. Healthcare and Medicare
7. Taxes
8. Common mistakes
9. Four-phase checklist
10. Glossary
1. Quick self-assessment
- Do you have a job offer from an Australian employer, or a skill on the government’s occupation list?
- Are you within the age limit for the Working Holiday visa (usually 18 to 30, for some countries up to 35)?
- Do you have an Australian partner, or a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
- Do you have savings for at least six months of living costs plus visa fees?
- Are you prepared to keep filing US tax returns after you leave, if you are a US citizen?
2. Visa options by passport
Visa names and fees change often. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website before you apply.
| Visa | Who it suits | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Workers with an approved Australian employer sponsor | Eligible job, income above the Core Skills threshold (AUD 79,423 from 1 July 2026), skills assessment where needed |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Skilled people without a sponsor, aiming for permanent residency | Points test, occupation on the list, skills assessment, English test |
| Working Holiday (subclass 417) | Young people from partner countries, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Malta, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland and several other EU states | Valid passport from an eligible country, age limit (usually 30, some countries 35), apply from outside Australia |
| Partner visa (subclass 820/801) | Spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens or residents | Genuine relationship, usually a two-stage process |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | Students at an Australian institution | Enrolment, proof of funds, health cover |
Important for EU citizens: Most EU citizens do not need a visa for a short visit, but they still need an ETA or electronic visa to enter Australia. Working needs a work or working holiday visa. The 417 eligibility list is the most important check. Several EU countries are on it, including Malta, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Cyprus. Check the current list before you apply, because it changes.
3. Visa fees and setup costs
Government fees rose by about 25% on 1 July 2026. These are the base charges for the main applicant, in AUD, with approximate USD values at about 0.65 USD per AUD.
| Visa (main applicant) | Fee from 1 July 2026 (AUD) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482) | 4,015 | about 2,600 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | 6,135 | about 4,000 |
| Student (500) | 2,500 | about 1,600 |
| Partner (820/801) | 11,710 | about 7,600 |
| Working Holiday (417), first application | about 840 | about 550 |
- Skills assessment and English test: often USD 300 to 1,000.
- Flights and shipping: from Europe or the US, flights often cost several hundred to over USD 1,500 one way. Sea freight is usually cheaper for a full household.
- Setup money: plan for at least USD 3,000 to 5,000 for the bond, first rent, furniture and a phone plan.
- Emergency fund: keep at least six months of living costs.
4. Five relocation scenarios
Planning examples for a single person. AUD figures with USD in brackets at about 0.65.
Salary about AUD 110,000 per year, about AUD 7,000 per month after tax and Medicare levy. Rent for a central one-bedroom about AUD 2,800 (USD 1,800). Food, transport and utilities about AUD 2,500 (USD 1,600). Savings potential roughly AUD 1,500 per month.
Casual income varies. A room in an inner suburb costs about AUD 1,200 to 1,900 per month (USD 800 to 1,250). Food, transport and phone about AUD 1,500 (USD 1,000). Tight, so bring a larger deposit.
Salary paid in euros or US dollars from abroad. Median asking rent across all property types in Brisbane is about AUD 670 per week, so a one-bedroom usually costs less. Remember your home-country tax obligations.
One partner works, the other is on a partner visa. Median asking rent across all property types in Perth is about AUD 700 per week. The partner visa fee alone is AUD 11,710, so plan for an income gap.
Same budget logic as scenario A. The main difference is tax: Malta and Australia have a tax treaty, but you must still check how your Maltese tax residence ends and what remains taxable.
5. City rents and European comparison
Median asking rents for all property types in Australia, rounded, in AUD per week:
| City | Median weekly rent (AUD) | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | about 760 to 825 | Finance, tech, big-city lifestyle; the most expensive |
| Perth | about 700 | Resources sector, more space for the money |
| Brisbane | about 670 | Warm climate, growing job market |
| Melbourne | about 575 to 630 | Culture, food, creative jobs; the cheapest of the big four |
Compared with Europe: Rents in central Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin or Valletta are high too, but the comparison depends on the district and on whether you rent or buy. For a clear comparison, check current listings on the same platform for both cities. Sydney and Melbourne are generally more expensive than Lisbon, Valencia or Valletta, and salaries in Australia are usually higher as well. Use this as a direction, not as exact numbers.
6. Healthcare and Medicare
Australia has reciprocal health care agreements (RHCA) with 11 countries. Under these, visitors from those countries can access some Medicare services for medically necessary care. Coverage varies by country and is often limited in time.
| Country | RHCA with Australia | Note |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | Within 6 months of arrival for some access |
| Malta | Yes | Covered for 6 months from arrival or until the visa expires, whichever is earlier |
| Italy | Yes | Subsidised care, maximum 6 months |
| Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden | Yes | Coverage depends on the country and the document (for example an EHIC card) |
| Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | Yes | Ireland and Norway are on the list, New Zealand is not in the EU |
| United States | No | Private health insurance needed from day one |
| Germany, France, Spain, Austria and most other EU states | No | Private health insurance needed from day one |
Some visas require you to hold health insurance as a condition of the visa. Check the conditions for your visa before you arrive. Even under an RHCA, travel insurance is recommended, because coverage is partial.
7. Taxes
Australian tax: Residents pay tax from the first dollar above a tax-free threshold of AUD 18,200, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Employers must also pay superannuation (retirement savings) on top of salary, at 12% from 1 July 2025. Working holiday makers have their own tax rate.
US tax: US citizens are taxed on worldwide income wherever they live. You must still file a US return. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the US-Australia tax treaty can reduce double taxation. If your foreign bank accounts total more than USD 10,000 at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR.
EU tax: Most EU countries, including Germany and Malta, have a tax treaty with Australia. The treaty decides which country taxes which income, for example pensions and employment income. Your tax residence in the EU country usually ends only when you formally deregister and move your main home. Confirm this with a tax adviser before you leave.
8. Common mistakes
- Arriving on a visitor visa and expecting to work. Apply for the right visa from home.
- Checking the 417 list from memory. The list changes. Check the official list.
- Assuming Medicare covers you. Only RHCA countries get partial cover, and only for a limited time.
- Forgetting tax obligations at home. Deregistering in your home country needs care.
- Skipping the skills assessment. Many skilled visas need it before you apply.
- Underestimating upfront costs. Budget for bond and advance rent on top of the first month.
- Shipping too much. Sell or store the bulky items.
- Not planning the bank account. Some banks ask for an Australian address first.
9. Four-phase checklist
Phase 1: Research (3 to 6 months before)
☐ Confirm your visa route and check the 417 country list if you are eligible
☐ Check whether your occupation is on the list and book a skills assessment if needed
☐ Build a budget with six months of living costs
☐ Talk to a tax adviser about your home-country and Australian obligations
Phase 2: Applications (2 to 4 months before)
☐ Get passports valid for the whole stay
☐ Book the English test and police checks
☐ Arrange certified copies and translations
☐ Submit the visa application and keep copies
Phase 3: Preparing the move (1 month before)
☐ Book flights and temporary accommodation for the first weeks
☐ Arrange health insurance that starts on arrival
☐ Get shipping quotes and decide what to sell or store
☐ Tell your bank and tax contacts about the move
Phase 4: First 90 days in Australia
☐ Open an Australian bank account and apply for a tax file number (TFN)
☐ Get a local SIM card
☐ Find a long-term rental and set up utilities
☐ Register with a GP and learn how the healthcare system works
10. Glossary
- ETA: Electronic Travel Authority, a short-stay permit for eligible passport holders, applied for online.
- 417 / Working Holiday: A visa for young people from partner countries to work and travel for up to 12 months.
- RHCA: Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, gives some Medicare access to visitors from certain countries.
- Superannuation: Mandatory employer retirement savings paid on top of salary.
- TFN: Tax File Number, needed to work and open many accounts.
- FEIE and FBAR: US tax benefit for expats, and a US report for foreign bank accounts.
This guide is general information and not legal, immigration or tax advice. Verify visa rules, fees and tax obligations with official sources or a qualified professional.
