John Mason International, a UK relocation firm, is reporting a surge in Australia relocations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Director, Simon Hood, explains this increase as partly being driven by recently launched recruitment campaigns by Australian public sector bodies – tempting Brits with comprehensive packages and career opportunities.
For instance, the South Australia Police international recruitment drive targets experienced officers, from across the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a desire to move down under. Open to officers under the age of 45 with sufficient experience, the effort sees constables, transfer their experience and policing career to South Australia. With comprehensive packages and support – to date, the campaign has proven a massive hit.
Constables of varied experience can transfer to South Australia, followed by a short period of retraining to become embedded officers within states policing service. Campaigns like this have fuelled John Mason International’s surge of relocations down under as the organisation reports a 196 per cent increase in relocations to the country since the COVID-19 pandemic.
External factors have also contributed to this picture. Post-COVID, Australia saw an economic bounce while the UK has continued to lag behind. According to Georank, Australia saw a cumulative GDP growth of 8.75 per cent– a rate 3.5 times higher than the UK.
Growth of household income isn’t faring much better either. Five years on from Britain’s spate of national lockdowns and economic contractions, the ‘cost-of-living crisis’ remains Brits’ top concern, highlighted in recent data from More in Common.
This uncertainty is what’s leading many working-age Brits to ponder whether the grass really is greener abroad. A survey from the British Council found 72 per cent of 18–32-year-olds are considering leaving the UK in the coming years, as schemes like SAPOL’s expand.
“Now more than ever, Brits are realising their potential and the feasibility of relocating abroad,” says Simon Hood.
“As someone who’s made the move from the UK myself, I know firsthand how life-changing the decision can be,” said Chief Inspector Scott Collins of South Australia Police, “and how important it is to feel supported through the process. South Australia Police’s (SAPOL) international recruitment drive goes beyond an offer to move a policing career to South Australia; SAPOL also covers the cost of a permanent visa for both the officer and their family, supports a smooth transition into our policing environment, and provides a genuinely rewarding work-life balance. All of this is set against the backdrop of South Australia’s stunning landscapes, warm climate and relaxed lifestyle — it’s a move that truly pays off, professionally and personally.”
Simon Hood concludes: “Moving abroad to start a new life is certainly exciting but not new. What’s new here is the ease of transferring a previously very contained career halfway across the world. Schemes like this are becoming increasingly common globally, for Brits looking for a fresh start and career opportunities – this is an obvious choice.”
