rammygirl

Many are franchised too so they vary even within the brand. Be aware that the quote will be based on specific perimeters as well as location. A longer driveway, poor access or more floors will all cost more.

You must have completed the full four years before you apply. If you try too early the application will not let you proceed. Some people who came and validated their visa and returned home before moving permanently can count the absence as the one year allowed outside Australia so may be able to apply after three years. No idea how long is is taking these days. Ours took about 9 months from application to ceremony but that was a few years ago now. You are not actually citizens until you attend a ceremony, after which you will need an Australian passport to re enter Australia as you no longer have a visa.

We brought an Audi TT over. Yes it can be expensive but you can find garages that specialise in German cars everywhere. We “sold” it to my son a couple of years back and it took a while to find someone in Canberra who understood the whole folding roof thing, we knew exactly what it was (the part) so just rand around till we hit on a guy who “got” it. Son said it was a backstreet place and was a bit nervous….until he saw the cars in the yard. All expensive Mercs and Audi plus a few Italian performance cars and not old bangers either. Must have been a few million dollars worth. One thing to remember is DO NOT use the standard unleaded petrol here it is very poor you need at least 95 (standard in UK) and the more expensive oil too. Our old lady will be sold again soon as not really practical (even as a second car) with a new baby and teenager. Should still get a good price for her as in great condition and low mileage even at 16 years old. For insurance you may find issues, we classed ours as a second hobby car (it wasn’t a lie) and insured through Shannon’s at a good rate.

When I did mine it was really easy just took a picture on my mobile waist up, they sort the size. You just upload a digital picture.

Is that a new thing? We entered on our Aus passports as visitors no issues.

Yes there are one or two advantages. It was much easier for us to get a visa for India last year than our Uk mates who we met there. It is cheaper than the Australian one and easy to renew online. If you let it lapse too long you can’t just renew it and it is a more expensive and difficult process.

This sounds like the medical you have to do for the visa, is it part of an employer sponsored visa application? If so you must have it done at a migration panel approved clinic.

And I bet insurance companies do too. You might find yourself uninsured, which apart from not getting cover is also an offence in the UK.

We have a zoom meeting with our UK adviser soon. I will ask specifically about this, we are not planning to drawdown yet but having decided not to transfer the pension to Oz because of tax and costs I don’t want to be forced to take it out and lose most to tax either! The pot has grown substantially since we moved here in 2014. Do we know why there is suddenly a problem with non residents? My local gov pension doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Mm. husbands SIPP was moved to AJ Bell by our UK advisor about then. No problem with us being non resident.

Well we took tax advice and our accountant (dual Uk/Oz) knows about the SIPP. They do not require any information for either tax return as the SIPP is not in drawdown nor getting any new contributions. My local Gov pension, however is in payment and the income is fully taxed in Aus (not in the UK) at my marginal rate.

They will, however be unable to advise on any UK tax implications.

I think Alan means that the SIPP isn’t compatible with a non resident. We have a UK SIPP not yet accessed but do not need to declare anything to ATO regarding any growth. Not all SIPPS allow non resident holders. You might consider transferring them to Australia if you are sure you are staying here. There are pros and cons to this and you will need to pay for advice.

If you have room bring them. Make sure the washer drum is secured. Many kitchens do have a space for a fridge so it may not fit exactly but a second fridge in the garage is always a good thing. Make sure there is NO water in any of them. It takes weeks to ship and the containers can get hot. You will end up with mould.

We forage too but in the Adelaide Hills it is for quince and wild plums! We also check out the share stalls or boxes at the bottom of people’s drives where they put extra produce for people to take. recently we have had rhubarb, Jerusalem artichokes, and lots of citrus (our trees are yet to produce any excess,).

Too right! Been bitten/stung here through gloves I am more careful now. I did have an incident with fire ants in Florida a few years back. Sitting on a bank admiring the view on a cycle ride. Yes ants in my shorts. I have never stripped off in public before but no option to remove the buggers. Fortunately a lovely lady from a house nearby saw me and husband and realised what had happened. Ice and painkillers helped me get home on that bike but I was crying with pain.

Do be aware that asbestos was used here until quite late in the seventies. It can be a very expensive issue if you want to extend or alter a house later. Trees are lovely to see, not close to house though, gums are notorious for dropping limbs! Get a proper survey, not a requirement in most states or from lenders but……she may not “be right” Check the bushfire and flood ratings insurance can be almost impossible for some places Check the internet connection and mobile signal it can vary……a lot!

Not exactly true. Good insulation can keep heat out of your home in summer, that and good shading can allow sun in in winter and keep it out in summer. Our sons rental is two storey and upstairs is very hot in summer as the sun simply boils it as pitiful insulation. English houses have more carpet traditionally and little overhang on roof. If it gets hot it stays hot, so closing curtains and letting in cool air at night is important.

Correct. You can, however hire a car in the UK with a foreign licence. Local car hire is usually cheaper than anything you collect from the airport. Depending where you are one of the e hire companies may be available (where you hire on line and open the car with an app). We hired one for a fraction of the price of anything else we could find a couple of years back. Lovely new car, no issues at all.

I’m sorry to hear this. Not the first time someone has simply hoped things would work out and not checked the rules or taken action to make certain. As far as I know he must leave within the time given. This won’t stop him lodging another visa from offshore, but overstaying will. I don’t think he can lodge onshore and get a bridging visa as he doesn’t now have a substantive visa A good registered migration agent not a lawyer can set out options if any are open. The ones who post on here are all worth contacting.

You need to seek professional advice on this. For the visa he may be able to substitute experience for qualification for the assessment (possible with some trades). Depending on how many year’s experience he can prove then he might have enough left for points to be scored. If he does an AQF now then he can only claim for any experience after he has qualified. Of course he may still need to do further qualifications to work in his trade once in Australia. A bit chicken and egg but ……..

And you want to know what?

No it won’t be a problem, only if you has a charge for dangerous driving or something like that. If they excluded people with demerit points we would all be stuffed!

That would depend on the visa. A skilled independent visa like 190 or 189 does not have any limitations on the work you do after arrival. So choose the skill you can prove the easiest. Employer sponsored visas require you to work in the specific post on the nomination. Mind you it isn’t always easy to step straight into a senior role as a new migrant…….

I check two fx companies, wise and my bank (who don’t guarantee the rate) when transferring large amounts. So far despite fees wise gets me more dollars in the bank here. On bigger transfers from pounds to dollars it was hundreds of dollars difference from worse to best. My bank usually at the bottom. the actual cost to transfer is immaterial it is the final result that matters.