Why So Many UK Residents Are Moving to Melbourne Right Now

40,000 people moved from the UK to Australia in 2024 — the highest number in a decade. Sydney still draws more British arrivals overall, but Melbourne’s population is growing faster, and the gap between the two cities is narrowing.

So why Melbourne? The short answer is that it tends to deliver what people leaving the UK want, including decent pay, more breathing room, and a fun, youthful city.

Here’s why people are moving from the UK to Melbourne, what people discover when they make the move, and whether it’s actually worth the long flight.

The Weather (Obviously)

Melbourne is known for having unpredictable weather and four seasons in one day. But compared to a British winter that drags on for months, Melbourne’s version feels much better. You still get proper cold, but you also get 40-degree summer days and a beautiful, sunny spring.

The Job Market Feels More Open

Australia’s job market runs a bit differently. The cultural expectation is that if you can do the job, the job is yours. In other words, there’s less focus on where you went to university or whether you know the right people. That’s not universally true, but it’s true enough that British migrants notice the difference.

Melbourne has a strong tech sector, a solid finance industry, and a lot of creative work. Wages tend to be higher than comparable UK roles, even after cost of living is factored in. The minimum wage in Australia is also higher, which matters if you’re arriving without a job lined up.

The other thing people mention is the rhythm of work. Australians take their four weeks of leave. They leave at 5 pm. Burnout culture exists here too, but it doesn’t get the same quiet respect it sometimes does in other global cities like London.

The Housing Market: Different, Not Impossible

Melbourne’s rental market is tight. Really tight. Inspections can have 40 people turning up for a two-bedroom flat. You need references, payslips, and rental history to show why you’d be a good tenant.

Even so, it can still be more accessible than UK cities like London. The median rent in Melbourne for a two-bedroom apartment is around $470–$580 per week, depending on the suburb. Sharehouses are common, and suburbs 30 minutes out by train are more affordable than staying close to the city.

Buying property is a different conversation. Prices are high and competition is fierce, but outer suburbs offer more options than inner-city areas.

When people do move house locally after arriving, many use Melbourne removalists rather than doing it themselves. The distances between suburbs are bigger than people expect.

The Lifestyle Sells Itself

Melbourne has good coffee. Absurdly good coffee. The food scene is extremely diverse, but still authentic. You can get excellent Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Thai, and Lebanese food without travelling far.

The city is flat and bikeable. The tram system works and is relied on by many. There are parks everywhere, and the beach is 20 minutes away by train.

There’s also something cultural that’s harder to put into words. Australians are direct in a way that can read as blunt at first. But once you adjust, there’s less of the low-level social anxiety that comes from constantly reading between the lines. Strangers make conversation. It’s normal.

The Downsides

Australia is far. A flight home to the UK is 24 hours minimum and costs upward of £1,000. You will miss weddings, birthdays, and family emergencies.

Melbourne also has a small-city vibe despite being huge. The population is around 5 million, but it doesn’t feel like it. There are fewer big cultural events, less of that constant hum of things happening. It’s up to personal taste.

The cost of living is high in different ways. Groceries and eating out are expensive. A pint can set you back $12–15. A meal at a mid-range restaurant could cost $25–35. You adjust, but it’s a real shift if you’re used to UK prices.

Is The Move Worth It?

That depends on what you want out of it.

If you’re leaving because you’re worn down by the weather, a job market that rewards the wrong things, and a city that feels like it’s working against you, then Melbourne will feel like a relief. Not perfect, but better in the ways that matter day to day.

If staying close to family is the priority, or you want to keep hopping around Europe on cheap weekend flights, the distance becomes a hard problem that no amount of good coffee fixes.

The people who settle in well tend to be the ones who went in clear-eyed. They knew they’d be rebuilding friendships from scratch. They knew they’d miss things they couldn’t plan for. They made peace with that before they landed, not after.

If you want space to breathe, decent pay, and a city that doesn’t feel like it’s constantly on the brink, then Melbourne is a good place to land.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.