avatarNomad Mills

Summary

The UK's post-Brexit trade deal with Australia offers increased freedom of movement, potentially making it easier for Brits to leave the UK for opportunities in Australia, including extended working holiday visas and the possibility of permanent residency.

Abstract

The recent UK trade deals with Australia and New Zealand have significant implications for British citizens considering emigration. The agreements include provisions that enhance freedom of movement between the UK and Australia, such as extending the age limit for working holiday visas to 35 and allowing stays of up to three years. This is particularly appealing given the current state of the UK economy and the perceived lack of improvement in pay and working conditions. The article suggests that these changes, coupled with the potential for permanent residency and citizenship in Australia, may lead to an increase in British migration to Australia. The author notes that while the UK passport has diminished in power since Brexit, it still holds significant global value, and Brits must adapt to these new realities. The article also criticizes the UK's trade negotiation stance, indicating that Australia has more leverage, which could lead to further socioeconomic benefits for Australia at the expense of the UK.

Opinions

  • The author believes the trade deal is particularly beneficial for young Brits seeking better opportunities abroad, given the UK's economic situation and the failure of the government and unions to improve domestic conditions.
  • There is a critical view of the Tory government and trade unions for not addressing the needs of the British workforce, leading to emigration as a more attractive option.
  • The author suggests that Australia's recruitment of NHS nurses and other public servants, offering better pay and conditions, is indicative of the country's power in trade negotiations and its ability to attract skilled workers from the UK.
  • The increased freedom of movement is seen as a "silver lining" to Brexit, providing a viable pathway for Brits to live and work abroad, particularly in Australia.
  • The author expresses a preference for European integration over reliance on distant countries like Australia, reflecting on the implications of Britain's colonial past.
  • Despite the challenges, the author advises globally-minded Brits to accept the reality of Brexit and to take advantage of the new opportunities presented by the Australia trade deal.

Could The Post Brexit Trade Deal with Australia Make it Easier to Leave the UK?

How one aspect of the Australia trade deal may help those who want to leave the UK do so

Photo by Jay on Unsplash

Yesterday, the UK’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand came into force. Yep, this is the biggest thing that the Tory Brexiteers have been selling as the best thing since sliced bread.

I won’t discuss the whole deal at length as I’m not an expert on trade deals. Others will discuss it much better than me. However, from what I can tell, overall, it’s bad for the UK economy especially as the nature of trade deals means the stronger countries (in this case, Australia and New Zealand) will get what they want.

However, as a British person looking to leave the UK, one detail stuck out that I can discuss — the increased freedom of movement between the UK and Australia. Here is what’s been announced so far (according to the i paper):

“The Government says the deal will also see red tape slashed for digital trade and work visas.

Ministers say that alongside the new trade deals, young Brits will also benefit from opportunities thanks to the expansion of the shared Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Maker visa schemes.

Britain has agreed with Australia and New Zealand to increase the age of eligibility for working holiday visas to 35 from 30, letting people stay for up to three years at a time.

On 1 July, 2023, the age limit for UK applicants going to Australia will go from 30 to 35 years old, and from July 1, 2024, Brits will be able to stay in Australia for up to three years without having to meet specified work requirements.”

Of course, there’s much to discuss here, so I will group my thoughts into a few broad points.

These restrictions further enhance already generous offers

The youth mobility scheme the UK shares with Australia is already one of the most generous available to UK passport holders. Going to Australia on a youth mobility visa for up to two years around such a massive country is a life-changing experience already.

Additionally, Australia has a track record of trying to recruit NHS nurses and other public servants; specifically citing the improved pay and working conditions. In many cases the pay is around double what you’d get in the UK. Many Brits take up these offers and frankly, I don’t blame them.

The Tories failed the British people by refusing to improve pay and working conditions. Additionally, the UK left and trade unions failed Brits too. These bodies took too long to organise an effective fightback. As it is, the fightback that exists now is too late for many Brits who might have stayed — they’ve already left.

They also see first-hand how better life is abroad and won’t return. Why would they? With these offers from Australia being increasingly more generous, more people will migrate, despite the increased fightback for improved pay and working conditions in their current workplaces.

These reasons, among others, are why Australia continues to be a popular destination for British people looking to leave the UK. It’s in their interests.

Three years is a lot of time

A lot can change in three years. Three years is enough time to go down to Australia, build a successful business, develop a relationship with the love of your life, and integrate into the local community.

If you wanted to, after those three years, there are multiple visa pathways you could try to follow to get permanent residency — and then citizenship — in Australia. You will need to research this on your own, but here’s a good starting point.

Additionally, if you do want to move on to another nearby country, you can do so — especially if you want to live long term in that part of the world. It’s literally on your doorstep.

This reflects the dynamics that come when negotiating trade deals

I touched on this earlier. If two countries or organisations negotiate a trade deal, the more powerful country usually gets what it wants. This is something that a lot of people do not understand. In the case of Australia vs the UK, Australia is more powerful as the UK has little to offer Australia. Hence, Australia can extract more from a UK government desperate to replace the trade deals it chose to give up. The power imbalance exists with UK / EU renegotiations that will happen as time goes on.

In the world of trade negotiations, countries must prioritize their own interests above all else. That said, the various consequences of these Australia / NZ trade deals such as with farming are something to be concerned about. This is also another reason Brexit was a terrible idea as international trade deals are huge deals. A lot of Brits do not grasp this reality.

Going back to Australia poaching Brits as mentioned earlier, Australia will benefit from all the socioeconomic investment these young Brits will bring with them. Many will settle down in Australia permanently and become regular taxpayers, thus strengthening the Australian state at the expense of the UK.

Europe would’ve been better

Yes, the UK should have remained in the EU or at least the EFTA. You shouldn’t have to rely on a country halfway across the world to lower its barriers to entry. It’s much better to stay on your continent when you can (especially if you’re from a coloniser country, and all the implications that come with that).

However, one of the most important pieces of advice about migrating is that you must play with the cards you’re dealt. Leaving the UK is still possible; you must reconsider your options. Yes, the UK passport is less powerful than it was 5 years ago, but it’s still powerful.

Rejoining the EU will not happen for at least a couple of decades, nor the EFTA. Brexit is set in stone for the foreseeable future. Globally-minded Brits must accept this and plan accordingly.

Weirdly, this loosening of entry requirements to Australia is somewhat of a silver lining to Brexit. If Brexit didn’t happen, these negotiations wouldn’t have happened as there was no need for a trade deal.

This is also happening to a similar extent in New Zealand, fingers are crossed we get more details there too (and not just for the youth mobility visa scheme).

So, is Australia a viable way out for Brits looking to leave?

Of course, we’ll have to wait for further details from the Australian government nearer these dates. However, what little has been revealed so far is enough to conclude that it might be.

It’s not ideal compared to staying in Europe, but if you’re a British citizen and a young person or someone without the income and skills for conventional income pathways, this might be what you need to kickstart your life abroad and out of the UK. Definitely keep an eye on this.

Milla

June 2023

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Brexit
Brexit Britain
Australia
Migration
International Relations
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