Is the Australian Dream move still alive?

"Who isn't in Australia?" has become a running joke in my hometown as more and more young people decide to brave the move, seeking a "better" life.

One of those is my sister, Chanel.

A move which I thought may last a few months has turned into three years and the reality that she might not come home.

For those who try it and love it, staying in Australia is a no brainer as they argue the case for better weather, a superior work-life balance and - perhaps most crucially - better pay.

The Australian Dream lingers in front of our noses but as the nation grapples with its own cost of living crisis, is the move as glossy as it appears on people's Instagram posts?

The Australian Dream originated after World War Two and coincides with the "Ten Pound Poms" of the 1950s when Brits moved down under with the promise of a home, new job prospects and a greater quality of life.

More than a million Brits took up the offer over 25 years and UK migrants have continued to arrive on Australia's shores in the hope of a new life, sun-drenched with opportunity.

Migrant arrivals from the UK to Australia were at their highest in 10 years in 2024, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, with 39,580 people arriving from across the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, as well as 10,661 Irish migrants.

Australian migration agent Mark Welch said there was a pent up demand following Brexit, which was combined with those who weren't able to go because of Covid-19.

Jobs in construction, education and healthcare are some of the most sought after roles, he said, but visa eligibility varies depending on the location and it can be difficult to retain a role in unskilled labour.

Most applicants require either a trade qualification, diploma or degree, and must be under 45 to be considered for citizenship, but there are some exceptions for academics, scientists, regional medical practitioners and, in some cases, applicants with a salary more than A$183,000 (£90,402).

Wanting more than a "small town life", Chanel, 28, moved from Blackwood, Caerphilly county, to Richmond, Melbourne, in August 2022 at the age of 25.

As an additional learning needs teacher, many of Chanel's skills were easily transferable and the English speaking pull drew her down under.

"It's so easy to live here," said Chanel, adding: "My workload here is a lot better, employers don't want you to burn out.

"I never called in sick at home. I tried to go into work with tonsillitis here and they sent me home. It's not frowned upon to take time off for appointments."

Annual leave stands at about four weeks per year in Australia, and it also boasts 13-14 public bank holidays a year, compared to the UK's eight.

Initially torn between moving to Australia or London, a work experience stint in the big smoke made Chanel's mind up.

"People worked to survive in London and I like holidays - I wouldn't be able to afford to travel if I wanted to in London," said Chanel.

Owning a home in Australia is not in Chanel's interests and she pays A$310 (£149) a week for an en-suite room in a shared house with three other people in Richmond.

Average monthly rent prices are £1,500-£1,600 in central London, according to ONS figures from 2024-25, though costs vary depending on the borough.

But Chanel said people underestimate how hard the move is, as she had to start everything from scratch, from finding somewhere to live to opening a bank account and making new friends.

"I do find it hard to keep in touch with people back home," Chanel admitted.

"I'm usually tired in the evenings, so I try and catch up in the morning. Things aren't the same at home anymore. People have their own lives, everyone has a life without me.

"No-one knows the ins and outs of your life, if I left Aus, I would be leaving those people who do know the ins and outs."

But with hopes of one day raising a family of her own, Chanel can't imagine doing so on the other side of the world.

A decision which divides many, Rosie Scott, 34, moved back home to Kent from Perth, western Australia a year ago to "settle down" with her boyfriend.

Rosie spent five years in Australia and described it as the "best place in the world" - but said nothing quite compares to family and friends at home.

Working as a dental nurse, Rosie said she was paid almost double what she gets in the UK and could afford to pay off a mortgage in Kent, as well as cover her rent in Perth and have money left over for travel.

She described adjusting to life back in the UK as very difficult because of the poor work-life balance, but was trying to make the most of what the UK has to offer.

Amelia Sewell, 25, moved to Townsville, north Queensland, in 2023 and said she never sees herself moving back home to Cardiff.

Living regionally, Amelia said she's experienced the "real and authentic" Australia, including being able to work as a boarding house parent for teenagers of a Torres Strait islander ethnicity, something which she is very grateful for.

"Life up here is very far from any way of life I've ever experienced, it's extremely diverse in culture," Amelia said.

"I think Australia gives you the opportunity to connect with people whose path you would've never crossed if you hadn't taken the leap to come out here."

But for some, the reality doesn't always live up to the expectation.

Emily Southwell, 29, from London, spent two years in Bondi, Sydney, and described her first year as "unbelievably difficult".

After contemplating the leap since she was 18, Emily, who works in marketing, said she lived in "constant uncertainty" with her job and visa and struggled to find connections.

She described Australia as a great place, but said Bondi in particular felt "empty" and lacking in diversity and culture.

The strict immigration laws also meant "Australians often looked after Australians", Emily said, and she believes the UK to be more accepting and "more naturally diverse".

It was only when Emily returned back home did she realise she had spent two years "in fight or flight mode".

"I was always worried about if anything happened at home," said Emily, as she often woke up to missed calls from home dreading the "worst case scenario".

"The dream is at your fingertips... but you're torn between a life that you love and the people that you love."

Emily compared her move back home to a break up and took herself off Instagram to avoid being "triggered" by a life she no longer had access to.

Despite initially planning to return to Australia, Emily is now content rebuilding her life in London and describes the move as "invaluable life experience".

"Moving to Australia changed me more as a person than anything I've ever done," she added.

Whether the Australian Dream lives up to the hype or not, for those who have tried it for themselves, they all seemed to be of the same view.

They have no regrets either way.