Transfer to Australian Army - Sydney

[jacqus2504]

My husband is a British Army Officer and he has been offered a transfer, initially on a 3 year posting, to Sydney. They ship everything except pets and he would earn in the region of 95,000+ AUD. We get a 4 bed quarter in Paddington for about $600 per month. There are 5 of us - 16 and 13 year old daughters and a 6 year old son. The Australian Army do seem to be treated very well (probably better than the British Army) and we all get citizenship after a few months. We have until the end of October '12 to accept, for a posting October '13. It seems too good to turn down!! However, i've never even been to Australia before and I can't say it's something I've given a lot of thought before last week!! The kids are all up for it and we can come home after 3 years if it doesn't work out for us. I've asked for a pact that if one of us wants to come back we will (the 6 year olds opinion notwithstanding!) and we will hopefully have enough money to put by an emergency nest egg to get back to the UK if needed. Both our sets of parents are in their 70's and healthy at the moment but we're used to not seeing much of them as we move around so much anyway. We've lots of friends but they're all in fairly far flung corners of the world as well. Seems like a no brainer but i really have no idea what to expect other than a lovely temperate climate. Your thoughts would be appreciated?!!

[Longtime Lurker]

If the children are supportive of the move then I would go ahead! You and your family are obviously used to moving around and making friends so I don't think you would find the move too difficult. You will be earning Aus dollars and the exchange rate is very good at the moment to transfer money back to the UK if necessary.

Posters living in Sydney can tell you about the Paddingtonarea and whether they would recommend living there. The only issue might be education but again someone based in Australia will be better placed to give advice - they are probably still in bed at the moment though! Good luck with your decision.

[Rugby Lad]

I'd say go for it. 3 years adventure.

Paddington is right in the middle of Sydney - absolutely awesome place to be for 3 years. As for expenses, yes Australia is expensive but I've found that Sydney is cheaper than most of Aus for virtually everything except housing - rent / house prices, electricity bills and rates - and road tolls. As you'll be in Defence Housing you've saved a lot of most peoples' biggest expense.

The biggest thing is obviously what to do after the 3 years. You haven't said what Regiment or Corps your husband is in but if you decide you want to stay in Aus afterwards be aware that many Australian employers don't look on ex-military officers in as good a light as British employers do. Also careers in Australia tend to be very narrow with a lot of regulation covering licences, qualifications etc. and demanding a very narrow previous work history. Army officers are generally seen as too generalist for their tastes.

So tell your husband to be a bit selfish and look after number one in those 3 years - I know it doesn't come easily and I certainly didn't do it during my career. Get all his qualifications converted to civilian Australian ones and ensure he leaves with the ability to get the civilian job he wants.

Good luck with it all.