How much does it cost to move to Australia?

How much money do you need to move to Australia?

The amount of money you need to move to Australia as of Feb. 2026 is between AU$12,000 (US$8,535/€7,190) and AU$50,000 (US$35,562/€29,958). The total cost depends on your circumstances, including whether you need to move pets or a vehicle, your preferred visa, flights from your origin country, and shipping personal effects. 

Relocating a dog alone ranges from AU$8,000 (US$5,657/€4,793) to AU$15,000 (US$10,606/€8,987), while visas range from AU$670 (US$467/€401) to AU$9,365 (US$6,535/€5,611). Flights typically cost AU$950 (US$672/€569) to AU$2,800 (US$1,983/€1,678), and shipping household belongings runs from AU$2,708 (US$1,915/€1,623) to AU$7,608 (US$5,380/€4,558). If bringing a car, expect to pay AU$4,000 (US$2,845/€2,397) to AU$50,000 (US$35,562/€29,958), with additional fees for cleaning, insurance, customs, and registration. 

How much is a visa for Australia?

A visa for Australia costs between AU$670 (US$467/€401) and AU$9,365 (US$6,535/€5,611), depending on personal circumstances. As of 2026, the most common visas for those moving to Australia are: 

Study visas:

There were 157,000 student arrivals to Australia in 2024-25 alone. The current cost of a Student visa (subclass 500) is AU$2,000 (US$1,396/€1,198). Eligibility includes enrolment in a course of study with evidence, and meeting age, health and English language requirements. 

Permanent Migration program:

• Skilled: 58,220 people permanently moved to Australia in 2024-25 on a skilled visa. Employer Sponsored (Subclass 186) currently cost AU$4,910 (US$3,426/€2,942) and includes three streams: Direct Entry (for workers nominated by an Australian employer), Labour Agreement (for workers sponsored by employers under a formal labour agreement with the Australian Government), and Temporary Residence Transition (for holders of eligible temporary visas who have worked for their sponsoring employer in Australia for at least 2 years).
• Family: 29,990 arrivals joined their family in Australia in 2024-25. The most common family visa is the Partner visa, which has different subclasses depending on where you make the application: in Australia (Subclasses 820/801) or overseas (Subclasses 309/100). Costs for both initial visas (820 and 309) are AU$9,365 (US$6,535/€5,611). 

Working Holiday Maker program: 

78,000 people arrived in Australia via the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) or the Working Holiday visa (subclass 462) in 2024-25. Both visas (and their second- and third-year extensions) cost AU$670 (US$467/€401). Working Holiday Visas allow young people, usually aged 18 to 30, to explore Australia for one year per visa and fund their trip by working for an Australian employer. They can reapply for additional visas. 

Extra visa application costs to look out for include fees for partners and children, skills assessments, English tests, and medical checks. Visa fees change regularly, so check the visa pricing table for the most up-to-date information. 

If you need help with your application, consider hiring an Australian migration agent who can expertly guide you through the entire process. You can find a registered migration agent via the official Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website. 

The graph below shows the distribution of the most popular Australian visas for 2024-25:

How much does it cost to ship a car to Australia?

The cost to ship a car to Australia in 2026 ranges from AU$4,000 (US$2,845/€2,397) to AU$50,000 (around US$35,562/€29,958), depending on the shipping method, origin port, vehicle make and size, service level (basic or premium), and insurance options. 

The two main ways to ship a car to Australia are roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping. RoRo involves driving the vehicle directly onto a specialised ship, where it is secured on the deck. Although this is the most budget-friendly method of transporting a car overseas, it is more exposed to bad weather. Container shipping, on the other hand, places the car in a sealed container, offering greater protection against damage. However, as it generally costs more, it’s most suited to high-value vehicles.

Importing older vehicles into Australia is generally easier because they are treated as classic or enthusiast vehicles, so they don’t have to meet the same strict modern safety and emissions standards as newer cars. To qualify, the car must be at least 25 years old, roadworthy, and free of asbestos.

Before shipping a car to Australia, consider the following potential additional costs: 

• Cleaning to pass Australian biosecurity*: est. AU$500 (US$355/€300) 
• Transport insurance: 1% to 2% of the total value of the car plus the shipping cost 
• Customs duties, goods and services tax (GST): 5% import duty and 10% GST 
• Delivery: est. AU$450 (US$320/€270) 
• Storage: est. AUD60 (US$43/€36) per day 
• Customs brokers' charges: est. AU$700 (US$498/€419) 
• State registration and insurance: est. AU$1,000 (US$711/€599) 

*if the car fails the initial quarantine inspection, you could face substantial charges for high-level fumigation or intensive cleaning. 

How much does it cost to move a dog to Australia?

The cost to move a dog to Australia is roughly AU$8,000 (US$5,657/€4,793) to AU$15,000 (US$10,606/€8,987), depending on your location and destination, the dog's size and breed, the airline, and quarantine and veterinary requirements. 

Australia requires all pets to arrive as manifest cargo (not in the cabin or as excess baggage). Airlines calculate the cost based on the crate's volume rather than the animal's weight. A small terrier in a standard plastic carrier* is relatively affordable to fly. On the other hand, a large breed like a Golden Retriever or a Great Dane often requires a custom-built wooden crate to meet international safety standards. In addition, certain breeds, particularly bulldogs or pugs, may face further restrictions or need specialised care during travel due to the risk of health complications, which can raise the overall cost. 

Airlines differ in handling fees, crate requirements, and flight availability. In 2026, most major carriers strongly advise using an IATA-certified pet relocation agent to help manage the booking. While these agents can significantly increase your total expenditure, they handle the complex customs paperwork and ensure the airline doesn't reject your dog due to errors. 

Australia has strict biosecurity laws, requiring dogs to meet extensive vaccination, microchipping, and health certification standards before entry, most notably the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre test for dogs from group 3 countries (which includes the US, most European nations, UAE, Hong Kong, and Argentina). On arrival, dogs must be quarantined in government-approved facilities for up to 30 days. The associated fees for boarding, feeding, and veterinary monitoring can be substantial. Pre-export veterinary checks, blood tests, and import permits also add to the overall cost. 

*Seven Seas Worldwide does not endorse these products