Hi, not UK but from France. A French (but worldwide) company hired me in France almost 2 years ago with all interviews done in Paris. I worked 2 months over there as a 'trial' then I came over here (in Sydney) within the local office.
It's a local contract, local visa (482) and they covered the flight tickets (both me and my partner).
I never applied for anything, Ive set on Linkedin that I was keen for an opportunity in Australia and they contacted me since they couldn't source my skill locally (database engineering)