Moving to Alice Springs
The red centre
Nothing in Britain compares. Desert light, ancient ranges, and roles in health and education that are genuinely hard to fill.
26,000
8.5-9.5 hours ahead of the UK
$350
about £179
$92,000
about £47,179
$450,000
Would Alice Springs suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Alice sits in the middle of the continent, surrounded by the MacDonnell Ranges. Health, education, remote services and tourism are the employers, and packages often include housing or relocation. It is remote, close-knit and unlike anywhere else on earth.
"The biggest climate shock on this list — 40 degree days and frosty mornings in the same year."
On the weather.
"Cheap housing, often subsidised by employers."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
36°C
20°C
300
40
Desert. Blazing summers, cold clear winter nights, almost no rain.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Alice Springs rates
Suits you if
- You work in health, social work, education or remote services
- You want a genuine adventure and fast savings
- You are chasing maximum visa points
Think twice if
- You need shops, culture and choice
- You want easy access to the coast
- Isolation is hard for you
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Old Eastside
Established, leafy, walkable
UK equivalent: A small market town centre
Larapinta
Family homes, newer
UK equivalent: A 1990s housing estate
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Chronic shortages in nursing, allied health, teaching and social work; employers routinely sponsor and relocate.
Remote allowances and hard-to-fill loadings lift salaries well above the role's city rate.
Schools+
Limited choice; many families use boarding or distance education for later years.
Healthcare+
Alice Springs Hospital serves a vast remote catchment.
Getting around+
Car essential; flights to Adelaide and Darwin.
Brits here+
Small transient community, mostly health and education professionals.
Visas+
Among the strongest regional nomination prospects in Australia.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Alice Springs?
See how far your salary really stretches once rent, bills and tax are accounted for, then check which visa and job pathways fit your skills.