Lexi Webster
Australia and the United Kingdom have a substantial relationship underpinned by shared heritage, common values, and closely aligned strategic interests. The British Empire's colonisation of Australia led to a huge outnumbering of Indigenous Australians. Today, up to 76% of Australians have ancestry from the British Isles, and there are around 1.2 million British-born people living in Australia, although this number may be higher if dual citizens are included.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total population of Australia as of June 2024 | 27.2 million |
| Percentage of Australia's population born outside Australia as of June 2024 | 31.5% |
| Number of people born outside Australia as of June 2024 | 8.6 million |
| Number of British people living in Australia | 1.2 million |
| Percentage of Australians with British ancestry | Up to 76% |
| Median age of people born outside Australia as of June 2024 | 43 years |
| Age group with the largest population for people born outside Australia as of June 2024 | 35-39 year olds (3.2%) |
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What You'll Learn
British people in Australia: historical context
The history of British people in Australia is deeply rooted in the colonial era, when Britain established New South Wales as a penal colony in 1788. Between 1788 and 1852, around 100,000 convicts, mostly British, were transported to Eastern Australia, with 80,000 of them arriving in New South Wales between 1788 and 1840. The founding of Australia by the British is evident in various aspects of Australian society even today, including place names, the common law legal system, popular dishes like fish and chips, and English as the national language.
During the colonial period, the British population in Australia continued to grow. By 1861, the United Kingdom census estimated around 2.5 million British people were living overseas, with many residing in Australia. By 1890, there were over 1.5 million British-born people living in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. This period also witnessed a significant influx of free British settlers to Australia during the gold rush in the 1850s. The population of British-born people in Australia peaked at 825,000 in 1891, and they outnumbered Australia-born people until 1861.
The cultural and social makeup of Australia was profoundly influenced by British migration. English Australians, or Anglo-Australians, form a significant subset of the population, with 8,385,928 people (33%) in the 2021 census claiming English ancestry, whether sole or partial. This group has been the largest to migrate to Australia since the establishment of New South Wales in 1788. The high degree of intermixture over the centuries has resulted in a collective identification of ancestries, including Irish Australians, Scottish Australians, and Welsh Australians, all of whom fall under the broader category of Anglo-Celtic Australians.
The historical relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom has been described as a shared heritage. This shared history has resulted in cultural similarities that make it easier for British migrants to adapt to Australian society. Even today, Australia remains the top destination for British emigrants, who are attracted by employment opportunities, lifestyle, and climate. The 2021 census recorded 967,390 UK-born permanent residents in Australia, with many having gained citizenship since their arrival prior to 2001.
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British expats in Australia: numbers
The British Empire's expansion saw British people migrate across the globe, and as a result, Britain has a large diaspora, with around 200 million people of British ancestry living worldwide. Australia, in particular, has a substantial relationship with the United Kingdom, with a shared heritage and closely aligned strategic outlook and interests.
In 2016, it was estimated that 1.2 million UK citizens lived in Australia, and this number has likely increased since then. In 2024, Australia's population included 8.6 million people born overseas, making up 31.5% of the total population. While this data does not specify how many of these people are British, England was listed as one of the countries of birth with the largest populations in Australia.
Historically, Australia has been a popular destination for British emigrants, with the British Empire's colonisation of the continent resulting in a high birth rate among British settlers and a huge outnumbering of indigenous Australians. By 1890, there were over 1.5 million British-born people living in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. This trend continued into the 20th century, with thousands of Britons still heading to Australia for a new life every year.
However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the number of British-born people in Australia, with proportionally fewer Australian residents being of British origin. This is partly due to UK citizens returning home, with around 7,000 British people per year going back to the UK permanently. This phenomenon has been termed "Boomerang Poms," referring to British emigrants who return home after a period of time in Australia.
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Why do British people move to Australia?
There are several reasons why British people move to Australia. Firstly, Australia has a substantial relationship with the United Kingdom, with a shared heritage, common values, and closely aligned strategic outlooks and interests. This shared history and culture may make Australia a more attractive destination for British people looking to relocate.
Another pull factor is the strong economy and job market in Australia. In the past, Australia had a massive program to attract Brits, and many families emigrated as a result. In recent years, some British people have been offered lucrative job opportunities in Australia, especially in the higher education sector. The skilled migration visa is one of the most common visa pathways for British people moving to Australia, and it requires applicants to be under 45 years old, possess a skill from Australia's list, and pass a skills assessment.
For some British people, the decision to move to Australia may be influenced by family ties or a desire to reunite with family members who have already settled there. Family and partner visas are also common pathways to Australian residence. Additionally, British people with children may be attracted to Australia due to the entitlement to free education for permanent residents.
Australia's pleasant climate and outdoor lifestyle may also be appealing to British expatriates. Perth, for example, has suburbs jokingly referred to as "Little England" or "Britain-by-the-Sea" due to the high concentration of British expatriates. However, it is important to note that the cost of living in Australia, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, can be very high, and relocating there requires a significant amount of money.
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Returning to the UK from Australia
According to the 2018 census, 76% of Australians have ancestry from the British Isles. In terms of citizens, it is estimated that 1.2 million people living in Australia were born in the UK.
If you are one of these people and are considering returning to the UK from Australia, there are several things you should keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to plan and prepare as far in advance as possible. This includes considering your housing situation and any financial assets you may have in Australia. If you own property in Australia, you may want to sell it, in which case you should be aware of the potential tax implications, such as UK Capital Gains Tax. Alternatively, if you are not planning to sell, you should consider renting out your property and ensure that you understand the taxation of rental income.
In terms of your finances, it is crucial to seek specialist advice to ensure that you are managing your assets as tax-efficiently as possible, especially if you need to transfer a lot of money from Australia to the UK. You may also need to take action to ensure you can pay UK taxes, such as registering for Self-Assessment. Additionally, if you have been contributing to a super fund while working in Australia, be aware that you cannot transfer this to a UK fund.
If you are bringing a vehicle to the UK, there are specific requirements you must meet, such as obtaining a motor insurance Green Card. You will also need to notify HMRC about any vehicles brought into the UK using the Notification of Vehicle Arrival Procedures (NOVA) system to ensure VAT is correctly paid.
Finally, don't forget to consider any family members who may be moving with you, as they will likely need to apply for a family visa to live in the UK.
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British-born Australians
The United Kingdom and Australia have a substantial relationship underpinned by shared heritage, common values, and closely aligned strategic outlooks and interests. This has resulted in a large number of British-born Australians.
The United Kingdom census of 1861 estimated the number of overseas British to be around 2.5 million, but most of these were "not conventional settlers". By 1890, there were over 1.5 million British-born people living in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. A 2006 publication estimated that 5.5 million British-born people lived outside the United Kingdom. Up to 76% of Australians have ancestry from the British Isles, and in 2016, it was estimated that 1.2 million UK citizens lived in Australia. However, the number of British-born Australians has declined steadily for a decade, from 5.6% to 5.1% in 2015, partly because UK citizens are returning home.
The "Ten Pound Poms" term dates back to the 1950s when Australia's government offered cut-price ship fares to attract British workers. Many UK emigrants stayed just long enough to pay for their return trip, leading to the "Boomerang Poms" nickname. Many British-born Australians assume the countries share a similar culture, but new arrivals "really notice the differences". For example, the lack of public transport and the poor-quality housing in dormitory suburbs.
The median age of those born overseas in Australia has fluctuated over time, peaking at 46 years in 2002 and decreasing to 43 years in 2024. The population born overseas tends to be older, influenced by factors such as most people migrating as adults. In 2024, the largest population groups for people born overseas were 35-39 and 30-34-year-olds (3.2% and 3.1% respectively).
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2016, 1.2 million UK citizens lived in Australia.
In 2024, 8.6 million people living in Australia were born overseas, with the countries of birth with the largest populations being England, India, China, and New Zealand.
Up to 76% of Australians have ancestry from the British Isles.
Many British people are attracted by the idea of a more relaxed lifestyle and better weather.
Yes, "Boomerang Poms" is a term used to describe British emigrants who return home, often because they find it hard to adjust to life in Australia.
