UK to Australia Moving Checklist: 12 Months Out to Moving Day

13 July 2026

UK passport and boarding pass on wooden table with black luggage and airport terminal in background

A move this size falls apart when it's tackled reactively. Here's a realistic timeline for what to sort when, working backward from moving day.

12-9 months out

Start your skills assessment if pursuing a skilled visa. This is the longest lead-time item and everything else depends on it. Begin researching target cities against your job market and lifestyle priorities, and start a dedicated moving savings fund, since shipping, visa fees and initial setup costs add up fast.

9-6 months out

Lodge your Expression of Interest once your skills assessment is through, and if you have pets, this is the latest realistic point to start the import process given the multi-month timeline involved. Start decluttering seriously. Decide what's genuinely worth shipping versus selling, and get shipping quotes early even if you're not booking yet.

6-3 months out

With a visa outcome hopefully in hand, book shipping, give notice on your UK tenancy or list your property, and start the Australian bank account setup process online. Research schools if you have children and start enquiries. Popular schools fill up, especially for a specific term start. Begin researching health insurance options alongside your Medicare/RHCA eligibility.

3 months to moving day

Book flights, confirm shipping collection dates, cancel or transfer UK subscriptions and services, notify HMRC of your departure for tax purposes, and organise mail redirection. In the final weeks: close out UK utility accounts, do the final clean and handover on your UK property, and make sure critical documents (passports, visa grant letters, birth certificates, medical and school records) are in hand luggage, not shipped cargo.

Key Takeaways

Start your skills assessment 9-12 months out, as it's the longest lead-time item in the whole process.
If bringing a pet, begin the import process at least six months before travel.
Book shipping and set up an Australian bank account 3-6 months out, once your visa outcome is confirmed.
Keep critical documents in hand luggage, never in shipped cargo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the single most commonly forgotten task?

Notifying HMRC of your departure date for UK tax purposes. It affects your UK tax residency status and is easy to overlook amid the bigger visible tasks.

Should I sell my UK property before or after I move?

Many migrants sell before departure to simplify tax residency and avoid managing a property remotely, though renting it out is a valid option too. Get advice specific to your situation.

Planning your move from the UK to Australia?

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