Recruitment and immigration for employers and job seekers.
GRIA is now part of Hire Australia.
Last updated 29 October 2026
GRIA has merged with Hire Australia. Hire Australia now handles recruitment, registration and enquiries. Australian Immigration Agency (AIA) is our immigration partner.
Country guide
Hiring talent from the United Kingdom
This guide outlines occupation areas and practical checks when considering candidates from the United Kingdom. Availability and suitability depend on the individual and the role.
Hire Australia now handles recruitment following the GRIA merger. Its recruiters run the search and send employers a shortlist. AIA advises on immigration requirements where sponsorship is needed.
15%one fixed recruitment fee, excluding super, plus GST
15+years of migration experience at AIA
MARAregistered migration agents handle the visa
Experience and skills
Occupation areas to discuss
Healthcare and care
Registered nurses, allied health professionals and experienced care and support workers.
Engineering and trades
Civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, project managers, electricians, welders and fitters.
ICT and business
Developers, cloud and cybersecurity specialists, accountants, procurement and project professionals.
Other occupations
Teachers, vocational trainers, agricultural workers, designers and multimedia professionals.
Before a shortlist becomes a hire
Check English and qualifications
English-language education and work experience can be relevant to the candidate's background. Check each person's communication skills and any evidence required for professional registration. UK passport holders are exempt from the 482 visa English test, but registration bodies set their own English standards.
UK university and apprenticeship qualifications provide useful evidence of training. Australian recognition, licensing and professional registration depend on the occupation and individual record. They are not automatic.
Evidence worth reviewing
- Qualifications, transcripts and relevant training
- Employment history and role-specific experience
- Professional registration or trade licences, where needed
- English communication and any required test evidence
- Current work rights and proposed work location
What it takes
Recognition and registration for UK candidates
Skills assessment, if needed
UK passport holders are not on TRA’s 482 trade assessment list, but Home Affairs can still ask for a skills assessment. Most occupations have their own assessing authority, and only that authority’s assessment is accepted.
Nursing registration
Nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), assessed by Ahpra. Registration and the visa are separate applications, and success in one does not guarantee the other. See our healthcare hiring guide.
Licences where the person works
Where the role needs registration or a licence, the 482 application needs evidence from the authority in the state or territory where the person will work. Our construction hiring guide covers trade licensing.
English for the visa and for registration
UK passport holders are exempt from the English test for the 482 visa. The NMBA’s English language skills standard still applies to every nurse and midwife applying for initial registration, wherever they qualified.
How it works
Plan the match, visa and start
Brief the recruiter
Explain the duties, location, qualifications and practical skills needed. Discuss what the role offers and the candidate's preferences without assuming relocation or long-term intent. Our guide to eligible occupations and roles covers what to prepare.
Check immigration options
After a job match, AIA checks visa eligibility. Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186) or a regional pathway may be relevant, subject to the requirements. See the overview of visa pathways and Home Affairs’ current processing times.
Prepare for the workplace
Agree the onboarding needed for local systems, safety, communication and role expectations. Confirm qualifications, registration and work rights before the person starts.
Your questions
Country-specific planning
General information is a starting point. AIA can check the requirements for your circumstances.
What should we check early?
Some candidates may already be in Australia on a working holiday or another visa. Check current conditions and work rights, and ask AIA to assess any later sponsorship options before making employment plans.
What will the visa work cost?
Migration fees are quoted case by case by AIA, in writing. Government fees are charged separately by the Australian Government. Ask AIA for a current eligibility check and written quote for the proposed case.
Can candidates register from this country?
Candidates can register free with Hire Australia, then apply for jobs or join the talent pool. Registration does not guarantee a job, sponsorship or a visa.
Where can I compare other country guides?
See the global talent countries overview for all seven guides.
Official sources
The rules on this page come from these official pages. Requirements change, so check the current version before you act.
- English proficiency (subclass 482) Department of Home Affairs
- Temporary Skills Shortage Program Nominated Occupations, Countries and SARs Trades Recognition Australia
- Skills assessment Department of Home Affairs
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): Core Skills stream Department of Home Affairs
- Immigration and employment in Australia Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
- English language skills (registration standard) Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Discuss the skills your team needs
Tell Hire Australia about the role and the work location. Its recruiters will help assess the available candidates.
