Can Australians and New Zealanders get a Youth Mobility visa for the UK?

Yes. Both Australia and New Zealand are part of the UK Youth Mobility Scheme. Citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply for a 2-year visa that allows unrestricted work. This is one of the most popular routes for Australians and New Zealanders moving to the UK, particularly in their twenties.

Are Australians eligible for the UK Ancestry visa?

Yes, if they meet the requirements. Australia is a Commonwealth country, so Australian citizens with a grandparent born in the UK (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man) can apply for the Ancestry visa. This gives 5 years of unrestricted work with no sponsor requirement. It is particularly popular among Australians whose grandparents emigrated from the UK after World War II.

Do Australians or New Zealanders need a TB test?

No. Neither Australia nor New Zealand is on the UK's mandatory TB testing list. You do not need a TB test certificate when applying for a UK visa.

Are Australians and New Zealanders exempt from English language testing?

Yes. Both Australia and New Zealand are classified as majority English-speaking countries. Nationals of these countries are exempt from the Secure English Language Test (SELT) requirement for all UK visa routes.

How much does the Immigration Health Surcharge cost for Australians?

The IHS is 1,035 GBP per person per year for most visa categories (776 GBP for Youth Mobility and student visas). For a 5-year Skilled Worker or Ancestry visa, the IHS costs 5,175 GBP per person, paid upfront. This gives you access to NHS healthcare. Many Australians find this surprising given Australia's reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, but the IHS is a visa condition separate from Medicare reciprocity.

Can I use my Australian or New Zealand driving licence in the UK?

You can drive on your Australian or New Zealand licence for 12 months after becoming resident in the UK. After 12 months, you must exchange it for a UK driving licence. The exchange process is straightforward for Australian and New Zealand licences — you do not need to take a UK driving test.

Is the quality of life in the UK comparable to Australia or New Zealand?

The UK offers different advantages and trade-offs. Salaries in London can be competitive, and the UK provides access to Europe for travel. However, housing costs in London are high, the climate is significantly colder and darker, and outdoor lifestyle opportunities are different. Many Australians and New Zealanders settle happily in the UK but find the adjustment takes 6 to 12 months.

Moving to the UK from Australasia: Complete Guide 2026

Updated 4 March 202612 min read

What you need to know

•Both Australia and New Zealand participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme (ages 18-35).
•The Ancestry visa is extremely popular for Australians with UK-born grandparents.
•No TB test required. English language exempt.
•Visa approval rates are among the highest in the world.
•The Immigration Health Surcharge is the largest hidden cost at 1,035 GBP per year.
•Both countries are Commonwealth members with voting rights once UK-resident.
•Driving licence exchange is straightforward with no UK test required.

Australians and New Zealanders enjoy the most favourable immigration position of almost any nationality. Youth Mobility, Ancestry visas, Skilled Worker visas, English exemption, no TB test, and high approval rates. The main challenges are cost (the IHS adds up) and the practical adjustment to UK life. This guide covers it all.

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The Australasian Route to the UK

Australians and New Zealanders have a long tradition of spending time in the UK. The "big OE" (overseas experience) is a rite of passage for many young Kiwis, and London has one of the largest Australian expat communities in the world. The cultural similarities, shared language, and Commonwealth connections make the UK a natural destination.

In immigration terms, Australasians are among the most privileged nationalities. Multiple visa routes are available, approval rates are extremely high, and several requirements that apply to other nationalities (TB testing, English language testing) simply do not apply. The main barriers are cost and the practical realities of relocating to the other side of the world.

Visa Routes

Youth Mobility Scheme

The Youth Mobility Scheme is the most popular starting point for Australians and New Zealanders under 36. Key features:

Available to citizens aged 18 to 35
Allows 2 years of living and working in the UK
No sponsor required — work in any job
Must have at least 2,530 GBP in savings
Cannot be extended, but you can switch to another visa from within the UK

Many Australians and New Zealanders use the Youth Mobility Scheme as their first step, then transition to a Skilled Worker visa or Ancestry visa if they decide to stay longer.

Ancestry Visa

The Ancestry visa is particularly relevant for Australians. A large proportion of the Australian population has British heritage through post-war migration, and many Australians have grandparents who were born in the UK.

Key features:

Available to Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent
Granted for 5 years with full work rights
No sponsor required, no minimum salary
Leads directly to ILR after 5 years
Must show ability and intention to work

New Zealanders also qualify if they have a UK-born grandparent, though the proportion is somewhat lower than for Australians. See our dedicated guides for Australians and New Zealanders.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for professionals who do not qualify for the Ancestry visa or have aged out of Youth Mobility. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. Australian and New Zealand professionals are in demand across finance, technology, law, healthcare, engineering, and creative industries.

The salary threshold and skill level requirements apply. The English language requirement is automatically met.

Spouse and Partner Visa

If your partner is a British citizen or has settled status, the Spouse visa route is available. The financial requirement applies, but the English language requirement is waived.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa suits exceptional individuals in science, digital technology, arts, and academia. No job offer needed. This route can lead to ILR in as little as 3 years for those endorsed as exceptional talent.

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What You Do Not Need

It is worth being explicit about what Australians and New Zealanders do not need:

No TB test. Neither country is on the testing list.
No English language test. Both countries are exempt.
No document translation. Australian and New Zealand documents are in English.
No document legalisation. Both countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. A simple apostille is sufficient if document authentication is needed.

The Costs

Despite the procedural simplicity, moving to the UK from Australasia is expensive. The main costs are:

Youth Mobility visa: 298 GBP + IHS (776 GBP/year = 1,552 GBP for 2 years). Total approximately 1,850 GBP.
Ancestry visa: 637 GBP + IHS (1,035 GBP/year = 5,175 GBP for 5 years). Total approximately 5,812 GBP.
Skilled Worker visa: 719 GBP to 1,500 GBP + IHS. Total varies by length.
ILR: 2,885 GBP per person
Citizenship: 1,344 GBP per person

For a complete breakdown, see our UK visa fees guide and our guide to the hidden costs of UK immigration.

Commonwealth Advantages

Both Australia and New Zealand are Commonwealth countries. Once resident in the UK, Commonwealth citizens have:

The right to vote in general and local elections
The right to stand for election to Parliament
Eligibility for certain public sector roles

For a full explanation, see our guide to Commonwealth citizens' rights in the UK.

Practical Adjustment Tips

Moving from Australasia to the UK involves real lifestyle adjustments:

Climate. UK winters are cold, dark, and wet. Daylight hours in December can be as few as 7 to 8 hours in London. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is common among new arrivals. Invest in good winter clothing and a daylight lamp.
Housing. London housing is expensive and smaller than what most Australians and New Zealanders are used to. Flatsharing is common well into your thirties. Consider outer London zones or other cities for better value.
Banking. Open a UK bank account as soon as possible. See our bank account guide. Some banks accept new visa holders immediately; others require proof of address.
Driving. You can drive on your Australian or New Zealand licence for 12 months. After that, exchange it for a UK licence — no test required. See our driving licence guide.
Healthcare. Register with a GP as soon as you arrive. The NHS works differently from Australian Medicare or the New Zealand public health system — you access almost everything through your GP.
National Insurance. Get your National Insurance number to work legally.

The Path to Settlement and Citizenship

Most visa routes lead to ILR after 5 years. After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

Both Australia and the UK allow dual citizenship. New Zealand also allows dual citizenship. You do not need to give up your existing passport.

Next Steps

For official information, visit the GOV.UK visa checker the GOV.UK Youth Mobility Scheme page, and the GOV.UK Ancestry visa page.

This guide is general immigration information, not immigration advice under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an IAA-authorised adviser or an SRA-regulated immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.