Introduction
Moving to Australia is a significant financial undertaking. This guide provides a realistic estimate of what you'll need to budget: from visa fees to flights, shipping your belongings, and covering your first few months. For a family of four from the UK or US, budget around AUD $30,000 — $50,000. For a single person, AUD $10,000 — $20,000.
1. Visa Fees
These are non-refundable Department of Home Affairs charges (from 1 July 2026 — fees rose by roughly 25% on that date):
- Skilled Independent (189/190): AUD $6,135 / $6,140 (primary applicant), plus additional charges for partner and dependent children
- Regional (491): AUD $6,140 primary, same family fees
- Student (500): AUD $2,500 primary
- Working Holiday (417/462): AUD $840
- Partner Visa (820/801): AUD $11,710 total
- Contributory Parent (143): first instalment from ~AUD $4,040 + AUD $43,600 second instalment
- Visitor (600): AUD $250 (offshore tourist stream)
Additional costs: Health examinations (~AUD $400 per person), police checks (~AUD $50 per country), skills assessment (AUD $800 — $2,500 depending on assessing body), English test (IELTS: AUD $410, PTE: AUD $410).
2. Flights
One-way flights to Australia (economy class):
- From London/UK: AUD $800 — $1,800 per person
- From New York/US East Coast: AUD $1,000 — $2,000 per person
- From Los Angeles/US West Coast: AUD $700 — $1,400 per person
- From Singapore/Southeast Asia: AUD $400 — $900 per person
- From India: AUD $600 — $1,200 per person
3. Shipping Belongings
Most immigrants ship some household goods. Options range from a few boxes to a full container:
- Shared container (LCL: Less than Container Load): AUD $1,500 — $4,000 for a few cubic metres. Suitable for most families.
- Full container (20ft): AUD $4,000 — $8,000 from Asia/Europe, AUD $6,000 — $12,000 from North America.
- Air freight (express): AUD $5 — $15 per kg. Cheaper for small shipments (5 — 50kg).
- Parcel/suitcase: AUD $100 — $300 for extra checked luggage on your flight.
- Included extras: Insurance (2 — 5% of item value), customs clearance fees, quarantine inspection.
4. Initial Accommodation
You'll need short-term accommodation while finding a rental. Budget for 2 — 4 weeks:
- Airbnb: AUD $100 — $250 per night (family of 4)
- Serviced apartment: AUD $150 — $300 per night
- Hostel/backpackers: AUD $30 — $60 per night per person
- Short-term rental (weekly): AUD $400 — $800 per week
5. Rental Costs (First Month)
When you sign a lease, you typically pay 4 — 6 weeks of rent upfront:
| Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bond (4 weeks rent) | AUD $1,600–$2,800 |
| First month rent in advance | AUD $1,600–$2,800 |
| Total upfront rental cost | AUD $3,200–$5,600 |
6. Essential Setup Costs
- Car (second-hand, reliable): AUD $8,000 — $20,000
- Basic furniture package (bed, sofa, table, whitegoods): AUD $3,000 — $6,000
- Mobile phone plan (first month): AUD $30 — $80
- Utilities connection (electricity, gas, internet bonds): AUD $100 — $300
- Public transport card + first week travel: AUD $50 — $100
- Groceries (first fortnight, family of 4): AUD $400 — $600
7. Other Essential Costs
- Private health insurance (if needed for visa): AUD $100 — $300 per month
- Driving licence transfer: AUD $50 — $200 depending on state
- TFN application: Free
- Medicare enrolment: Free
- Bank account opening: Free (usually)
Sample Budget: Single Professional (from UK)
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Visa 189 application | $4,640 |
| Skills assessment + English test | $1,500 |
| Flights (London → Sydney) | $1,200 |
| Shipping (5 boxes, shared container) | $2,000 |
| 2 weeks Airbnb | $2,100 |
| Rental bond + first month | $4,400 |
| Furniture + setup | $3,500 |
| Car (used, reliable) | $10,000 |
| Living expenses (first month) | $1,500 |
| Total | $30,840 |
Money-Saving Tips
- Bring funds for at least 3 months of living expenses: it can take time to secure a job and rental.
- Don't ship everything. Sell large items and buy second-hand in Australia (Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace).
- Use a Wise (formerly TransferWise) account for currency exchange rather than banks.
- Consider regional areas for lower rents and costs.
- Bring certified copies of documents with you rather than ordering new ones from abroad.
- Look for short-term rentals on Flatmates.com.au or Fairy Floss Real Estate (Facebook group).
Budget Buffer: Plan for the Unexpected
Every realistic budget needs a buffer on top of the itemised costs above. The most common surprises for newcomers: rent coming in higher than expected in a tight market, a car that needs repairs sooner than planned, and a job search that takes longer than the optimistic three weeks. A safe rule is to hold at least three months of living expenses in an accessible account — for a single person that is roughly AUD $4,500–$7,500, and for a family of four around AUD $10,000–$15,000. Also note that visa fees rose about 25% on 1 July 2026, so any older budget you have seen online will understate the government charges.