It is estimated that over 200 000 Australians live in the UK; many on 2 year UK working Holiday visas and others on a more permanent basis (with ancestery visas or perhaps a UK passport).

The UK is a perfect base for Australians to experience Europe. There is plenty of work available (especially in London where the majority of working holidaymakers end up), there is a commonality of language and culture, and Europe is just an hour away.

Your choice in airlines and itineraries in getting to the UK is immense. Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates are probably the best carriers; certainly the quickest, but there are scores of others, including some very cheap (and sometimes not so cheerful) 'exotic' options. See this section on choosing airlines for more on this.

Remember working holiday visas are valid for two years but airline tickets are valid 12 months at most, so you will have to take a one-way flight into the UK if you are not coming back for a couple of years. This is only an option by the way, if you have a working holiday visa for the UK; they are less keen on allowing travellers without work permits from entering the country on one-way tickets.

If you do intend to come back within a year, maybe for a quick holiday at home, then it is usually best to buy a return ticket as you can then use it at anytime such as Christmas when UK-Australia tickets are at their most expensive.

If you are entitled to an EU passport e.g. Italy, Greece, Ireland, Poland etc then make the effort to get it. With an EU passport you may work in any EU country, including the UK, without limitation and without obtaining any other kind of permit or visa. .

See here for information on:

Obtaining a UK working holiday visa

Finding a job

where to live

transport/travel

money information

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