When we started, it was our mission to make Aussies in London a community-led group that made moving, working and living in London simpler and more enjoyable for Australians.
Two decades later, we’re still bringing together practical resources, recommendations, job opportunities and social events to one accessible hub.
Socials, sports, Gigs & more
Whether it’s Aussie Rules, Cricket, Rugby, Netball, Dodgeball, Golf, or you just want to meet new people and get out of the house, there’s always something happening.
Check our event guide here.
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Whether you’ve been in London for one year or ten, it’s our job to make the adventure as easy as possible.
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job referral portal
Career change,
or just seeing
what’s
out
there?
Upcoming Events
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AFL Grand Final 2026
The Garden Vauxhall
5:30am kick off. VBs over the bar. All Aussies DJ set afterwards, the best day of the year -
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NRL Grand Final 2026
The Garden Vauxhall
Kick off October in style with the NRL GF. 9am start, one of the all time Sunday sessions! -
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All Aussie Comedy Night
Big Belly Comedy Club
8 Aussie comics. One Epic night!
Frequently Asked Questions
Visas & Arrival
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Australians aged 18–35 can apply for a Youth Mobility Visa (Tier 5) — it's a 2-year visa that lets you live and work freely in the UK. Apply from Australia (or in some cases from a third country like Albania or Ireland). You cannot apply from inside the UK. Apply on the official UK Gov site →
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Yes — you can extend for a third year for about £1095. Your options to stay longer are: employer sponsorship (Skilled Worker visa), UK ancestry, or a relationship visa. Do not overstay — it can affect future travel to many countries
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Once your visa ends, you can leave the UK and apply for a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to return as a tourist. You can use e-gates at the airport on re-entry. Apply for an ETA →
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You now need an e-Visa — a digital immigration status linked to your passport. Register for yours at gov.uk →
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Priority checklist on arrival: open a bank account, get a SIM card, apply for your National Insurance number (online, takes ~10 mins), and register with a GP. Don't leave NIN too long — you'll pay emergency tax until it's linked.
Work & Career
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Yes — but you can start without one, but you'll be taxed at a higher emergency rate. Apply online as soon as you're in the UK (not before). It takes about 10 minutes and arrives by post in ~16 working days. Apply here → It's free — don't pay third-party sites.
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Most employees are on PAYE — tax deducted automatically. Contractors can operate via an umbrella company or limited company for tax efficiency. If you have a second job, you won't automatically pay "emergency" secondary tax — your NIN links both jobs. Speak to an accountant if contracting.
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Keep it to 2 pages max. No photo. Tailor it to each role — don't blanket-send. Lead with a short personal statement, then reverse-chronological work history. Focus on achievements, not just duties. A cover letter can set you apart for professional roles.
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LinkedIn is essential. Also try Reed, Totaljobs, and Indeed. For Aussie-friendly leads, expat community Facebook groups often post jobs directly. Recruiters are very active in London — connecting with a few in your sector is worth doing early.
Travel & Adventure
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Australians can travel in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. From 2025, you'll need an ETIAS authorisation (an online pre-travel check, similar to US ESTA). The UK is not in the Schengen zone, so UK time doesn't count.
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Monzo, Revolut, and Wise are the standout cards for travelling Europe — real exchange rates with low or no fees. Avoid using your Australian debit card abroad; the fees add up fast. Get at least one of these before your first European trip.
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Once you've lived in the UK for 6+ months and registered with a GP, you can access UK-based domestic travel insurance through comparison sites (Compare the Market, MoneySupermarket). For flexible or nomadic coverage earlier on, SafetyWing is popular — you can turn it on/off as needed.
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Ryanair and easyJet connect London to dozens of European cities for under £50 return if you book ahead. Search on Google Flights or Skyscanner with flexible dates. Flying from Stansted or Luton is often cheaper than Heathrow. Note: Ryanair requires non-EU passport holders to complete an online passport verification via their app before flying.
Housing & Property
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SpareRoom.co.uk is the go-to. Also check expat Facebook groups — there's usually a weekly pinned flat post with 200+ rooms. Popular areas for Aussies/Antipodeans: Clapham, Balham, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith. Living one stop further out saves meaningful rent.
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Typically: gas & electricity, water, broadband, and council tax (a local government charge — usually £100–200/month depending on borough). Some rooms are "bills included" — always clarify. Council tax doesn't apply if all flatmates are full-time students.
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Never pay a deposit or any money before viewing a property in person. Don't trust virtual-only viewings. If a deal looks too good for the area, it almost certainly is. Always ask to meet the landlord or agent face to face before signing anything
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Legally, UK landlords must protect your deposit in a government-backed scheme (TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits). If there's a dispute, these schemes offer free adjudication. Check your tenancy agreement — if your deposit wasn't protected, you may be owed compensation.
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For utilities, comparison sites like MoneySupermarket or USwitch can find you the best deals on energy and broadband. Council tax — register with your local council as soon as you move in. Consider renting furniture initially rather than buying (rental services like Homebound deliver and collect).
Banking & Finance
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The easiest option is a digital bank: Monzo, Revolut, or Wise — all open with just a passport and selfie, no proof of address needed. For a high street account (Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays), policies vary by branch — Lloyds currently doesn't require proof of address, but this can change. Try multiple branches if refused.
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Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the most popular for transparent low fees. Revolut and OFX are also well-regarded. For large transfers, a currency specialist can often beat the online apps — compare rates before sending significant amounts.
Here’s a referral link for Wise - https://wise.com/invite/ecac/97d99d5b. -
Your Aussie super stays in Australia while you're abroad — you can't access it until retirement age (or under specific conditions like permanent departure). If you contributed to a UK pension while here, you may be able to transfer it to Australia later under QROPS rules. Seek financial advice before doing anything.
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If you're a non-resident for tax purposes, you may still need to lodge a return if you have Australian income (rental, investments, etc). Your residency status for tax can differ from visa status. The ATO website has a residency tool, but an accountant familiar with expat tax is well worth the cost.
Social Life
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London can feel massive and isolating at first. The Aussie/Antipodean expat community is huge — join our Facebook group, join sports leagues (AFL, touch footy, cricket, netball are popular). Most people in the community are very welcoming to newcomers.
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South-West London — Clapham, Balham, Tooting, Battersea — has a strong Aussie presence. The "Antipodean triangle" around Clapham High Street and Northcote Road is well-known. Traditionally West London has been a hot spot (Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith, Chiswick), but more people are moving East recently
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As a UK resident, you're entitled to free NHS healthcare. Find your nearest GP practice at nhs.uk and register — you'll need proof of address and your visa/e-Visa details. Do this early: it takes a few weeks to be fully registered, and you'll need it to access ongoing healthcare and qualify for UK travel insurance.