Maisey Relph, 23, from Swindon, Wiltshire, has seen her annual earnings jump by £19,605 after relocating to Australia. She now works as an end-of-life support worker in Perth, earning £44,605 a year, compared to her previous £21,000 as a wedding and events coordinator in the UK.
A leap of faith
Relph, who left college and worked full-time in events, felt stuck in a routine. "Every day felt the same and I had no excitement," she said. After two summers as a sailing instructor in Greece, she began exploring opportunities abroad. In September 2023, she flew to Sydney for a trial shift at Balmoral Water Sports Centre, despite never having visited Australia or knowing anyone there.
She secured the sailing instructor role, earning £27,000 a year, and later took on additional work as a café supervisor, nanny, and UberEats driver to manage her fluctuating hours. Her lifestyle outside work, however, convinced her to stay. "On a Monday morning I'd get up and go for a walk along the beach at sunrise," she said.
Work-life balance shift
Relph noticed a cultural difference: "In England you live to work and in Australia you work to live." She explained that Australians prioritise leisure and socialising, unlike the UK's work-centric mindset. This perspective shift, along with the higher pay, solidified her decision to remain.
In May 2024, she bought a semi-converted campervan for £6,550 (AUD $12,500), renovated it for AUD $2,000, and lived in it full-time. She later completed a 17-day solo drive across southern Australia to Perth, where she now rents a beachside apartment for £1,507 a month.
New career path
After settling in Perth, a friend introduced her to support work. She now cares for patients with terminal brain cancer, earning AUD $37 an hour (around £19.36), which she notes is the "lower end" for her field as she is new to it. Despite the emotional demands, she finds it rewarding: "It can be very upsetting and very emotional... But I love my job."
Relph credits Australia with changing her outlook: "Australia has changed me as a person. Seeing everyone live their life to the full has completely shifted my mindset." She is now applying for a partner visa with her Australian boyfriend, Sam, and continues to work for UberEats to save for the AUD $12,000 fee.
Expat trend
Her story aligns with official figures showing that the number of 16 to 34-year-old expats returning to the UK fell by 15,000 last year. Australia remains a popular destination for young Brits seeking better pay and lifestyle. In the UK, the average starting palliative care assistant earns around £25,000, according to the Government's National Careers Service, making Relph's Australian salary notably higher.
Despite the higher cost of living and demanding work schedule, Relph says her work-life balance is "100% better" in Australia. "It's easier said than done with the cost of living but my quality of life is just completely different. I can't imagine moving back to England," she said.
