Moving to Australia with Family from the UK 2026 -- Visas, Schools and Healthcare

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026

Moving to Australia with family from the UK is a structured process that requires each family member -- including spouse, partner, and dependent children -- to have a valid visa or to be included as a secondary applicant on the primary visa. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs manages all visa pathways; the most common routes for UK families are the skilled migration pathways (subclass 189 and 190), the employer-sponsored pathway (subclass 186/482), and the partner visa (subclass 820/801 for onshore and 309/100 for offshore applicants). Each pathway has its own family inclusion rules, processing times, and associated government fees. The broader relocation context -- including tax, banking, and settling-in practicalities -- is covered in our moving to Australia from the UK guide. For healthcare planning as part of the family move, see our UK expat health insurance guide.

Moving to Australia with family from the UK also involves decisions about schooling, healthcare, superannuation, and financial planning that differ substantially from the UK equivalents. Australia’s education system is state-based; each state and territory has its own curriculum, school enrolment rules, and secondary education pathway. Australia’s Medicare system provides universal healthcare to permanent residents and UK nationals under the reciprocal healthcare agreement. Superannuation (Australia’s compulsory employer pension contribution at 11.5% of salary from July 2023, rising to 12% from July 2025 per ATO guidance) begins accumulating immediately for working family members. The full financial, visa, and lifestyle planning process for UK families moving to Australia is substantial; this guide covers the key practical steps and numbers.

Visa pathways for UK families moving to Australia

The primary visa pathways for UK families relocating to Australia are: the General Skilled Migration programme (subclass 189 -- points-tested, no sponsorship required; subclass 190 -- state-sponsored, 5 additional points); the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) employer-sponsored pathways; and the family stream (partner visas subclass 309/100 and 820/801, parent visas, and child visas). For skilled migration, all dependent family members listed in the primary application at the time of visa grant receive the same visa subclass and conditions as the primary applicant; there is no separate visa charge for dependent children in the skilled migration stream (beyond the secondary applicant government fee of AUD 2,645 per adult secondary applicant and AUD 665 per child, per Department of Home Affairs schedule April 2026). Skilled migration requires a minimum of 65 points on the SkillSelect points test; 80+ points is competitive in most invitations rounds as of 2026 based on IRCC’s invitation data.

The partner visa (subclass 309 offshore / 820 onshore) is for UK nationals whose Australian citizen or permanent resident partner sponsors them. The government fee is AUD 8,085 (approximately £4,290) for the combined stage 1 temporary and stage 2 permanent partner visa application, per the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing schedule (April 2026). Processing times for partner visas were 12-24 months in 2025/26. Children under 18 can be included in the partner visa application at no additional child government fee. The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa (subclass 417) allows UK nationals aged 18-35 to live and work in Australia for up to 3 years (with appropriate second and third-year extensions); it does not provide a direct family inclusion option, making it unsuitable for family relocation.

Education in Australia: state schools, private and international

Australia’s school system is divided into government (state) schools and non-government (private and Catholic) schools. Government school education is free for permanent residents and Australian citizens from Kindergarten through Year 12. International students (those on temporary visas such as the subclass 482 or WHM) are not entitled to free government schooling and must pay international student tuition fees, which typically range from AUD 3,000 to AUD 7,000 per year per child in government schools, or enrol in private schools. Non-government private schools charge fees ranging from AUD 5,000 (low-cost Catholic schools) to AUD 40,000+ per year (top independent schools such as Geelong Grammar School and Sydney Grammar), according to the MySchool data published by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) for 2025.

The Australian school calendar runs from late January or early February to mid-December, with four terms and school holidays in April, July, and September-October. Year groups are named differently from the UK: UK Year 7 (11-12 year olds) corresponds to Australian Year 7 (in most states); UK Year 13 (18 year olds) corresponds to Australian Year 12. The final year of Australian secondary education leads to state-based examinations: the HSC (NSW), VCE (Victoria), ATAR score, WACE (WA), and equivalents. UK A-Level results are recognised by Australian universities for entry purposes, though specific ATAR score equivalents vary by institution and course. The Department of Education (education.gov.au) publishes national school enrolment and curriculum guidance; state education departments manage enrolment directly.

Medicare for UK families in Australia

UK nationals moving to Australia access Medicare -- Australia’s universal healthcare system -- from day one of arrival under the UK-Australia Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). The RHCA was most recently renewed in 2015 and provides UK nationals (including family members who hold UK passports) with access to Medicare-subsidised GP consultations, specialist consultations, public hospital treatment, and pharmaceutical benefits under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), on the same basis as Australian citizens. The RHCA covers UK nationals who are Australian permanent residents or who hold eligible temporary visas, as well as tourists on short visits for emergency and medically necessary treatment. Registration for Medicare under the RHCA is done at a Medicare Australia service centre or online using the Medicare Australia website (humanservices.gov.au/medicare); the Medicare card is issued within 2-4 weeks of registration.

Medicare does not cover dental care (other than selected Child Dental Benefits Schedule items for eligible children), optical, physiotherapy, or ambulance services (except in Queensland and Tasmania, where ambulance is subsidised). Private health insurance is widely used by UK families in Australia to cover these gaps, and the Australian Private Health Insurance Premium rebate (income-tested, reducing as family income rises above AUD 93,000 in 2025/26 per ATO guidance) reduces the net cost of private cover. The Medicare Levy of 2% of taxable income applies to Australian tax residents; family members who are Medicare Levy surcharge-exempt (because they hold private hospital cover) avoid the additional 1-1.5% surcharge for high-income earners without private hospital cover. According to the Australian Private Health Insurance Ombudsman’s 2025 annual report, approximately 44% of Australians hold private hospital cover.

Schooling choices: state vs private for UK expat families

The choice between state and private schooling in Australia for UK expat families depends on the family’s visa status, the quality of local state schools, and budget. State schools in Australia’s affluent suburbs (North Sydney, Mosman, Brighton in Melbourne, Cottesloe in Perth) deliver academic outcomes comparable to leading UK grammar schools; selective state high schools (Sydney Grammar’s competitors, Melbourne High, Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School) are selective-entry state schools producing strong university entry results at zero tuition cost for residents. For UK families on permanent resident visas, enrolling children in selective state schools is frequently more cost-effective than UK-comparable private schools. For UK families on temporary employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482) who are not yet permanent residents, international student fees apply at government schools; private schools are often the preferred option to avoid the international fee structure and to maintain continuity regardless of visa changes.

International Baccalaureate (IB) schools are available in all major Australian cities and provide curriculum continuity for UK families who may return to the UK or move to another country; IB schools charge AUD 15,000-35,000 per year in tuition. The British curriculum is not widely taught in mainstream Australian schools; the few British curriculum schools in Australia are specialist international schools primarily catering to corporate relocatees. Most UK families settle into the Australian curriculum without difficulty, particularly for primary-age children (up to Year 6); secondary transitions require more careful planning around examination year compatibility, particularly for Year 10-12 students where interrupting the GCSE/A-Level or VCE/HSC cycle is disruptive.

Superannuation: UK family members and Australian compulsory contributions

Working family members who move to Australia become entitled to employer superannuation contributions (the Superannuation Guarantee) from their first day of eligible Australian employment. The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 11.5% of ordinary time earnings for the 2024/25 financial year, rising to 12% from 1 July 2025 per ATO published schedule. Employers must make super contributions to the employee’s nominated super fund or the employer’s default fund. Family members who are permanent residents accumulate superannuation alongside their regular employment; UK family members on temporary skilled visas (subclass 482) also accumulate super, which can be claimed as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) if they leave Australia permanently on visa expiry -- taxed at 65% if it includes a taxed element (a significant departure tax that reduces the DASP materially).

The preservation age for accessing Australian superannuation is 60 for individuals born after 30 June 1964. Super contributions made by UK nationals while working in Australia become subject to Australian super fund rules on investment, insurance, and benefit payments; contributions cannot be withdrawn before preservation age except under specific grounds of hardship or disability. UK pension funds cannot be directly merged into Australian super; a QROPS transfer from a UK pension to an Australian super fund is required (subject to HMRC ROPS list verification). Superannuation contributions are not deductible against Australian income tax for employees (only employers get the deduction for employer SG contributions); voluntary concessional (before-tax) contributions are allowed up to the concessional contributions cap of AUD 30,000 per year (2025/26 per ATO) and reduce taxable income at 15% super fund tax.

Financial preparation: banking, tax file numbers, and UK accounts

UK families moving to Australia should open Australian bank accounts before or immediately on arrival. The major Australian banks (ANZ, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, NAB) all allow non-resident account opening online or in branch for new arrivals with a passport and visa evidence. A Tax File Number (TFN) must be obtained from the ATO (ato.gov.au) within the first weeks of arrival; without a TFN, employers withhold tax at the top marginal rate of 45% on all employment income. An Australian business number (ABN) is required for self-employed family members. The ATO foreign resident tax withholding rate (for individuals who have not yet become Australian tax residents under the SRT equivalent in Australia -- the resides test) is 32.5% on income up to AUD 135,000 and 37% on AUD 135,000-190,000; Australian tax residency is typically acquired immediately on arrival for those intending to remain permanently.

UK bank accounts should be maintained after relocation for ongoing UK income (pension, rental, investment dividends), UK payments (HMRC self-assessment if required, UK mortgage if applicable), and return visits. UK banks increasingly close accounts for non-UK residents; UK expat families should review their banking arrangements before departure and, if necessary, open an offshore account (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) for continued UK banking access. Currency transfers between the UK and Australia are most cost-efficiently managed through specialist FX providers (Wise, OFX, TorFX), which typically charge 0.25-0.75% versus 2-3% for high-street bank international transfers. For full expatriate banking strategy, see our UK expat banking guide.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute tax, legal, financial or immigration advice. Rules and rates change; verify with the primary sources cited or consult a qualified adviser before acting.

FAQ

Can UK family members be included on an Australian skilled migration visa?

Yes. All immediate dependent family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) listed in the primary subclass 189 or 190 skilled migration application at the time of lodgement are included in the visa grant. Secondary adult applicants pay an additional government fee (AUD 2,645 per adult, AUD 665 per child under 18 as of April 2026 per Department of Home Affairs). Family members included in the visa grant receive identical visa conditions and permanent residency on the same date as the primary applicant.

Do UK children get free schooling in Australia?

UK children on permanent resident visas are entitled to free government (state) schooling from Kindergarten through Year 12. UK children on temporary visas (subclass 482 employer-sponsored, student, or tourist visas) are not entitled to free government schooling and must pay international student tuition fees (typically AUD 3,000-7,000 per year per child at government schools) or enrol in private schools at AUD 5,000-40,000+ per year.

Is Medicare available to UK families arriving in Australia?

Yes, from day one of arrival. The UK-Australia Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA, most recently renewed 2015) provides UK nationals with access to Medicare-subsidised GP consultations, specialist referrals, public hospital treatment, and PBS pharmaceuticals on the same basis as Australian citizens. Register at a Medicare Australia service centre or online; the Medicare card is issued within 2-4 weeks. The RHCA covers UK passport holders; non-UK family members on the same visa may need to check individual eligibility.

What is the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)?

When a temporary visa holder (such as a subclass 482 worker) leaves Australia permanently, they can claim their accumulated Australian superannuation as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). The DASP is taxed at 65% on the taxed element of super accumulated after 1 July 1983, which significantly reduces the amount received. The ATO manages DASP claims at ato.gov.au; DASP cannot be claimed while any valid Australian visa remains in force.

When should UK families open Australian bank accounts?

As early as possible, ideally before departure or on arrival day. Major Australian banks (ANZ, CBA, Westpac, NAB) allow account opening online or in-branch with a passport and visa; no Australian address is required for online pre-arrival applications. A Tax File Number (TFN) from the ATO is required within the first few weeks; without it, employers withhold 45% on salary. Keep UK bank accounts active for ongoing UK financial obligations and for currency management during the transition period.

How does Australian superannuation interact with a UK pension?

They are separate systems. Australian superannuation accumulates from Australian employer contributions (11.5% of salary from July 2023, rising to 12% from July 2025 per ATO). A UK pension cannot be directly merged into Australian super; a QROPS transfer (via an HMRC ROPS-listed Australian fund) is required, subject to HMRC overseas transfer charge rules. Australian super cannot be accessed before preservation age (60 for those born after 30 June 1964). Australian super and UK pension entitlements coexist independently.

Sources

1. Department of Home Affairs -- Australian visa listing and fees (verified 26 April 2026)
2. Services Australia -- Medicare enrolment (UK reciprocal agreement) (verified 26 April 2026)
3. ATO -- Superannuation Guarantee rate schedule (verified 26 April 2026)
4. ACARA -- MySchool school data and fees (verified 26 April 2026)
5. GOV.UK -- Healthcare in Australia (reciprocal agreement) (verified 26 April 2026)