How long can I stay in Australia as a British citizen?

As a British citizen, you can typically stay in Australia for up to 3 months with a free eVisitor (Subclass 651) or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for tourism/business, but longer stays (up to 12 months) are possible with a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), while Working Holiday visas (Subclass 417) offer up to three years if you qualify and apply for subsequent visas. Your exact duration depends on the visa type, with longer stays requiring applications from outside Australia and meeting specific conditions like sufficient funds.

Can I live in Australia with a British passport?

Despite the two countries' shared pasts, Australia's entry requirements from the UK are broadly the same as for citizens of most other countries. To gain entry to Australia to live permanently, you'll need to successfully apply for a valid visa.

Do Brits have to do 88 days in Australia?

Changes come into effect on 1 July 2024

British Backpackers are no longer required to complete 88 days of specified rural or regional work to be eligible for a second or third WHV. British backpackers are therefore permitted to work or holiday wherever they prefer in Australia, rather than undertaking rural farmwork.

What is the 7 year rule for British citizenship?

“You can apply to register your child as a British citizen if they were born in the UK and one parent becomes settled in the UK or becomes a British citizen.” For the 7 year rule to apply, the child must have lived in the UK continuously since birth. That means: No absences of more than 6 months at a time.

Can I stay in Australia for 6 months as a tourist?

The visa allows for multiple visits, i.e. you will be permitted to leave and re-enter Australia as frequently as you like during this 12 month period. You may only stay for up to 6 months on each visit. You will not be able to re-enter after the anniversary of the date the visa was issued.

I moved from the UK to Australia! | Here’s what I learned..

How many times can you visit Australia in one year?

Visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period. Stay up to 3 months each time you enter Australia. Find out what you can do to help us process your application faster. Australian citizens are ineligible to apply for an eVisitor visa, refer to Entering Australia.

Can you retire to Australia from the UK without a?

In order to retire to Australia, you must initially apply for a visa. If you have family ties to Australia, you could potentially apply for a Parent Visa, Age Dependent Resident Visa, Remaining Relative Visa, or a Carer Relative Visa.

How many days can I stay outside the UK for British citizenship?

You need to prove you were: living in the UK for the 5 years before you apply. outside the UK for no more than 450 days in those 5 years. outside the UK for no more than 90 days in the past 12 months.

What is the new law for British citizenship in 2025?

Understanding the New Rules on Good Character for British Citizens. Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.

Can I lose my citizenship if I live outside the UK?

British citizens can stay outside of the UK for as long as they wish without worrying about it affecting their citizenship status. This is because British citizens are under no obligation to live in, or even visit, the UK in order to retain their citizenship and their UK passport.

Can I move to Australia from the UK without a job?

Can British citizens get a visa without a prior job offer? Yes! The Skilled Independent Visa (189) lets you apply based on your skills and no prior job offer is required. But if you want to have a job there eventually, you will need to check if your skillset is on Australia's Skilled Occupation List.

Can I have dual citizenship with a British passport?

Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries. You do not need to apply for dual citizenship.

How many times can you fit the UK into Australia?

Great Britain fits into Australia approximately 31 times. This comparison gives a sense of just how vast Australia is compared to the island of Great Britain, which includes England, Scotland, and Wales (but not Northern Ireland).

Do UK citizens get free healthcare in Australia?

Find out more about healthcare for UK citizens in Australia. Essential and urgent hospital treatment is free. There is a charge to visit GPs and receive prescriptions. You can recover some costs through Medicare, Australia's universal health insurance scheme.

Is it better to rent or buy in Australia?

Renting offers flexibility and room to grow, while buying provides long-term stability and potential financial benefits. Consider your personal circumstances and financial goals to make the best decision for you. You can also visit the CommBank Buy a home for helpful articles, information and tools to get you started.

How easy is it for Brits to move to Australia?

Yes. UK citizens need a visa to live, work or stay long term in Australia. Australia offers several migration pathways, depending on your circumstances.

What is the 10 year rule for British citizenship?

You need to have already been in the UK legally for 10 years without gaps (known as your 'continuous residence').

What is the 90 day rule for British citizens?

How is the 90/180-day rule applied in practice? In order to be able to access or reside within the Schengen territory without a visa type D or a local residence permit, a British citizen must ensure that their stay on the territory of the Schengen Area never exceeds 90 days in a rolling period of 180 days.

How hard is the citizenship test?

The U.S. citizenship test's difficulty varies: it's challenging due to its civics content, which even many U.S.-born citizens struggle with, and a recent update (effective late 2025) made it longer with more nuanced questions, requiring more study time, though with high pass rates when prepared. Key factors are mastering English (speaking, reading, writing) and U.S. history/government, with the updated test demanding more than rote memorization, focusing on deeper understanding and contributions. 

What if I stay more than 6 months outside the UK?

You might not be able to get settled status if you spent more than 6 months outside the UK within any 12-month period. There are some exceptions to this. You might still be able to get settled status if you were outside the UK for up to 12 months for: an 'important reason' - for example, pregnancy or study.

What is the 5-year rule in the UK?

If you're in the UK on a family visa, you need to live in the UK for 5 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain. We don't expect this to change to 10 years after the rules change. You can check the rules for applying for indefinite leave to remain.

What is the 90 day rule for citizenship?

90-Day Early Filing Provision (INA 334) An alien filing under the general naturalization provision may file his or her application up to 90 days before he or she would first meet the required 5-year period of continuous residence as an LPR.

What happens to my UK State Pension if I move to Australia?

Receiving your state pension shouldn't cause any difficulties if you retire to Australia. You can either keep your UK account and have your state payments paid into it, or have it paid into an Australian bank account.

What disqualifies you from moving to Australia?

You have a substantial criminal record. Convicted of, had a charge proven for, or found guilty of a sexually based crime involving a child. Convicted of escaping from immigration detention, or convicted for an offence that you committed while you were in immigration detention, during an escape from immigration ...

Can I collect social security if I move to Australia?

If you have Social Security work credits in the United States and periods of residence in Australia, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.