Executive summary: Moving from Australia to Dubai entails a range of one-off costs that most relocation guides do not clearly account for. These include international flights, international shipping or storage of possessions, UAE company setup and visa fees, rental deposit (typically three months paid upfront in Dubai), furnishing a new apartment, international school enrolment fees for families, private health insurance setup, and Australian tax adviser fees for the ATO exit. This guide breaks down every cost in Australian dollars so founders can plan realistically before committing.
Most articles about moving from Australia to Dubai focus on the tax savings. This one focuses on something equally important: what you actually spend to get there.
Moving from Australia to Dubai is not free. There are one-off relocation costs that many founders underestimate before making the decision, and arriving in a new city financially unprepared is not a good start. This guide covers every cost category involved in the move itself, expressed in Australian dollars, so the full picture is clear before any commitment is made.
This article covers the one-off costs of the move. For the ongoing monthly cost of living in Dubai once you are settled, the cost of living comparison between Dubai and Australian cities covers rent, groceries, transport, schooling, and healthcare in detail.
Lucas Aoun, the biohacker and founder of Boost Your Biology, who relocated from Australia to Dubai with GenZone, combined the setup process into a single, efficient trip to Dubai. Understanding the full cost picture upfront is exactly the kind of planning that makes that efficiency possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Dubai from Australia?
Every one-off cost in AUD, from flights and shipping to company setup, rent deposit, schools, and your Australian tax exit.
Flights: AUD 1,500 to AUD 4,500 per Person One-Way
Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth to Dubai are available through Emirates, Qantas codeshare, and Etihad. One-way business class runs AUD 3,500 to AUD 4,500 per person. The economy runs AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,200 per person.
Most founders make at least one return trip before committing to the permanent move, to view apartments, meet with banking contacts, and assess neighbourhoods. Budget for two return trips during the planning phase and one final one-way move, approximately AUD 6,000 to AUD 12,000 in flights per person depending on class and timing.
For families, multiply accordingly. A family of four in economy would budget AUD 6,000 to AUD 9,000 for the final one-way move alone.
International Shipping or Storage: AUD 3,000 to AUD 12,000
The decision of what to do with possessions in Australia is one of the most personal and variable cost items. Options range from shipping everything to Dubai, putting everything in Australian storage, or starting fresh in Dubai and selling or gifting possessions before departure.
International shipping of a full household from Sydney or Melbourne to Dubai typically runs AUD 8,000 to AUD 12,000 for a full 20-foot container. A smaller shipment of personal items, clothing, and essential technology runs AUD 3,000 to AUD 6,000. Long-term storage in Australia if you are not yet selling everything typically runs AUD 150 to AUD 400 per month depending on volume.
Many founders starting fresh in Dubai choose to sell furniture and large items in Australia, often recovering AUD 2,000 to AUD 5,000 from marketplace sales, and buy new or second-hand furniture in Dubai, which is widely available at all price points.
UAE Company Setup and Visa: AUD 13,000 to AUD 15,000
GenZone’s all-inclusive free zone company setup package for Australian founders with one visa starts at approximately USD 8,500 (approximately AUD 13,000 to AUD 14,000, depending on the exchange rate). This covers the trade license, residency visa, Emirates ID, medical examination, and corporate bank account.
The exact cost depends on the free zone, business activity, and number of visa allocations required. The full cost breakdown for the UAE company setup covers every line item, so there are no surprises.
Annual renewal costs (trade license and visa) typically run AUD 15,000 to AUD 23,000 per year. The annual maintenance cost guide covers this in full.
Rental Deposit and First Year Rent: AUD 20,000 to AUD 80,000
This is typically the single largest upfront cost of the move and the one most Australian founders underestimate.
In Dubai, rent is most commonly paid annually or semi-annually by post-dated cheque. Monthly rent arrangements exist but are uncommon and more expensive. This means that when you sign a lease, you typically need to have the full year’s rent, or at least 6 months, available in your bank account on day one.
What Rent Costs by Area
A one-bedroom apartment in Business Bay or Dubai Marina runs AED 80,000 to AED 120,000 per year (approximately AUD 32,000 to AUD 48,000). A one-bedroom in an affordable area such as JVC runs AED 45,000 to AED 75,000 per year (approximately AUD 18,000 to AUD 30,000). Downtown Dubai rents range from AED 100,000 to AED 150,000 per year for a one-bedroom (approximately AUD 40,000 to AUD 60,000).
For families needing a two or three bedroom apartment, add 50 to 100% to these figures. The rental deposit (typically 5% of the annual rent) is an additional upfront cost on top of the first year’s payment.
Budget AUD 20,000 to AUD 80,000 to have available on arrival for rental costs depending on your neighbourhood and family size preference.
Furnishing a New Apartment: AUD 5,000 to AUD 20,000
If you are renting an unfurnished apartment in Dubai, which is common and typically 15 to 25% cheaper per year than furnished equivalents, furnishing it is a one-off cost. Dubai has a wide range of furniture options from IKEA through to premium furniture stores and second-hand options on Dubizzle.
A basic, functional setup for a one-bedroom apartment costs AUD 5,000 to AUD 8,000. A full quality furnished setup runs AUD 12,000 to AUD 20,000. Many founders ship personal items from Australia and buy furniture locally.
Health Insurance: AUD 3,000 to AUD 18,000 per Year
Health insurance is mandatory for all UAE residents and must be arranged before the residency visa is issued. There is no public healthcare system for expatriates in Dubai.
Health Insurance Costs by Coverage Level
For a single adult in good health, basic compliance coverage runs approximately AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 per year (approximately AUD 1,200 to AUD 2,000). Comprehensive coverage runs AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 per year (approximately AUD 3,200 to AUD 6,000). Family coverage for two adults and two children runs AED 20,000 to AED 45,000 per year (approximately AUD 8,000 to AUD 18,000).
Many free zone company setup packages include basic health insurance as part of the first-year bundle. Confirm what is included before purchasing a separate policy.
International School Enrolment Fees for Families: AUD 10,000 to AUD 38,000 per Child per Year
For founders relocating with school-age children, international school fees are a significant and ongoing cost. Dubai has an excellent range of international schools offering British, American, IB, and other curricula. Australian families typically choose British curriculum schools for continuity, or IB schools for university pathway flexibility.
Annual fees run from AED 25,000 per year (approximately AUD 10,000) at entry-level international schools to AED 95,000 per year (approximately AUD 38,000) at premium institutions. Registration fees of AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 apply per child at most schools.
Waiting lists at popular schools can be significant. Applying 3 to 6 months before the intended start date is the minimum.
Australian Tax Exit Adviser Fees: AUD 3,000 to AUD 10,000+
This cost is almost never mentioned in Dubai relocation guides and it is one of the most important to budget for.
A proper Australian tax exit requires a specialist Australian tax professional with expertise in international relocation. The work involves assessing the CGT departure event across all capital assets; advising on the timing of the Australian property sale, if applicable; structuring any final Australian business dealings; preparing the final Australian tax return; and advising on superannuation positioning.
The cost of this advice varies based on complexity. A founder with straightforward circumstances might pay AUD 3,000 to AUD 5,000. A founder with a valuable private business, significant share or crypto holdings, and complex property decisions might pay AUD 8,000 to AUD 15,000 or more.
Summary: Total One-Off Relocation Budget
The figures below give a realistic budget range for the one-off costs of moving from Australia to Dubai, before ongoing monthly living expenses.
Flights per person one-way: AUD 1,500 to AUD 4,500 Shipping or storage: AUD 3,000 to AUD 12,000 UAE company setup and visa: AUD 13,000 to AUD 15,000 First year rental deposit and annual rent: AUD 20,000 to AUD 80,000 Furnishing new apartment: AUD 5,000 to AUD 20,000 Health insurance setup first year: AUD 1,200 to AUD 18,000 School enrolment fees per child: AUD 10,000 to AUD 38,000 Australian tax exit adviser: AUD 3,000 to AUD 10,000+ Total range solo founder: AUD 47,000 to AUD 160,000 Total range family of four: AUD 90,000 to AUD 250,000+
These are one-off or first-year costs. They are not recurring. And they are costs being incurred by someone who is typically also saving AUD 100,000 to AUD 215,000 or more per year in income tax from the moment the UAE structure is live and the Australian exit is complete.
The maths work at almost any income level above AUD 200,000 per year. The Dubai vs Sydney and Melbourne cost-of-living comparison shows the ongoing monthly picture once these one-off costs are behind you.
Book a free strategy call with GenZone to get a specific cost breakdown for your situation.
This article provides general estimates for informational purposes. Actual costs vary based on lifestyle choices, family size, property decisions, and individual tax circumstances. Consult a qualified Australian tax professional for advice specific to your situation.