Australia sets its sights on Yorkshire's young professionals

For decades, many Brits have travelled Down Under in search of sunnier climes and a more laid-back lifestyle. But how does Western Australia really compare to West Yorkshire, and could the East Coast ever truly top the East Riding?

As a new marketing campaign encouraging migration to Australia's Northern Territory targets young people in Yorkshire, we hear from those who have already made the move and others considering it.

It's a midweek evening and many of Leeds' young professionals have finished their 9-5 days.

But instead of heading to the city centre's beer gardens to soak up the spring sunshine, several dozen of them have come along to an information evening on how they can "accelerate" their careers in Australia's Outback.

Among those curious to find out more is Chloe Rhodes, a 24-year-old who works in medical sales.

"It's been in my head since I was quite a young age," she says of moving Down Under.

"Here I'm happy, I'm alright, but I just want to strive for more.

"It's the whole idea of the slower-paced lifestyle - and I grew up by the beach, so I like to be by the beach a lot."

Chloe says a lot will depend on her gaining permission to work in the country, as her job is not on the "skilled list" of occupations.

But she is hopeful.

"I currently work for a global company, so I've asked them to transfer me over.

"It's obviously a big ask, but it's in the works."

For some, like Caitlin Murphy, living in Australia goes beyond just a temptation to rip up the script on a cold winter's morning.

She previously resided in Western Australia for two years and feels now is the time to return with her partner.

"We've looked at the top end, the less-known places and the NT [Northern Territory] is kind of on our radar right now," she says.

The 26-year-old says the "chilled and laid-back" lifestyle is what appeals to her.

But Caitlin, who is originally from Scotland, knows work could pose a challenge - and is hoping her partner's job in IT can get them a permanent visa.

"My background is law and it's a kind of difficult transition.

"It's probably going to be a bit of a slog over there to get back in."

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 39,580 people arrived in Australia from across the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man in 2024 - the highest figure for a decade.

The country also welcomed 10,661 Irish migrants.

That trend would appear to be continuing upwards, according to Geoff Totham, a workforce development officer in the Northern Territory government who is hosting the event.

He says they previously came to Leeds in 2024, but this year has been busier.

Similar events have also been held in Liverpool, Belfast and Cork.

"The people we meet rarely know anything about our part of Australia," Geoff admits.

Unlike in other more popular and populated parts of the country, Geoff says the Northern Territory can offer migrant workers skilled employment opportunities.

The reason for its charm offensive is because the sparsely populated area, known for its wildlife and vast, mixed landscape, needs 30,000 more workers over the next five years.

"The more we market into this place, hopefully more people will realise that there are opportunities in the territory and, of course, that's going to help us solve our workforce issues," says Geoff ahead of making a sales pitch to those in attendance.

Pop-up information sessions have been been held in late April in Belfast, Cork, Liverpool and Leeds, with skilled workers needed in construction, healthcare, education, hospitality, business and technology.

While some here have yet to make up their minds, others have already taken the plunge and set up home in some of Australia's most-coveted locations.

They include Ben Cartwright, who moved from Leeds to Sydney about 18 months ago.

"I always thought I was far too young and didn't have enough finances, but it actually is possible," he says.

Once Ben arrived, however, the reality of life Down Under proved more difficult than he imagined.

"I kind of was a bit naïve about job opportunities," he admits.

"I worked in media and communications back in the UK and thought it would be relatively easy to get a job.

"That was absolutely not the case."

Ben initially moved on a working-holiday visa, which limited him to working for a maximum of six months for one employer.

"It really is a case of tempering your expectations, and almost lowering your expectations."

He spent a lot of time doing "odd jobs", but eventually managed to secure a role as a magazine editor.

"Now, I'm earning a lot more than I was in the UK - probably more than double what I was earning for almost the same job in the UK."

Adam Laver, 27, swapped his job in Bradford to move to Adelaide at the end of last year.

"I absolutely love the city and everything it has to offer," he says six months after leaving his job as a BBC journalist in Yorkshire.

"I live in a suburb which is a few minutes' walk from the beach, which is not something I ever thought I'd be able to afford."

But things have not worked out exactly as he had hoped.

"The most difficult part is getting any work outside of the hospitality sector," he admits.

"In Adelaide, a lot of the coastal areas really quieten down once the weather starts to cool, so the work tends to dry up too."

The challenge of finding work means he has decided to move to Vietnam next month to teach English.

"If I did it again I would make sure I saved up enough money to buy a car to open up more job opportunities," he says.

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