TheVet

I returned permanently to the UK a year ago after nearly 30 years in Oz. Dual citizen. My Oz house that I bought 20 years ago has been rented out for the last 5 years while I worked here and there. Right now I'm faced with the dilemma of going back to Oz to renovate and sell before CGT for non residents comes in on 1st July 2020 OR continuing to lease it knowing I would have to go back to live for at least 6 months in the future to sell when I have tax residency back! Can anyone confirm my understanding that as a non tax resident of Oz I won't have to pay CGT provided it sells before July 1st 2020. It's my first home and I paid a heap extra stamp duty on my UK flat declaring it an investment second home. Also I understand OZ withholding tax of 12.5% would be payable. When would this be returned? TV

Austaff, (I'm writing from the point of view of a never married 50+ Englishman in Australia) I'd say your relationship should be your upmost concern. If you are fully settled in Oz then you must be the nomadic type and thus you are also able to accommodate living back in the UK. I migrated to Oz 25 years ago and have been back to the UK at least 30 times, even to work for a year or so. Ive lived in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Neither country is better than the other - they are just different in so many ways. But Ive found the things that niggled me about Australiain the beginning (heat, humidity, culture, lousy tv, distance, Australians ;) get worse with time/age and I for one cant see myself getting much older here and end up in some old persons home with people I have little in common with. Your main focus should be on your relationship - if its the most important thing for you then the solution is follow him home. If its not THAT important to you - try being single here asap with a trial period apart. You both need to weigh up your priorities fast. Either way one solution could be to let him go back alone so you can both weigh things up at the same time) Andy

Hi Tracey, When I migrated I thought it best to try integrate with Ozzies and not search out poms. Now I am sure that was the wrong decision for me. Poms understand you, know your difficulties and can be very good friends in your new country. Seek them out. meetup.com is a good start. We are orphans in this country - find other people like yourself Andy

Sarahrob198, If you the suffered the same workplace/working hours situation in the UK I suspect you'd clearly see the job was the problem! Let the job go and find another - it's too soon to write off Australia. Make your goal your citizenship with a planned return to the UK at that stage. OOW

I have a house in chapel hill available for rental to the right people

My lovely house in Chapel Hill Brisbane is available immediately. 4bedrooms,pool,aircon,double garage, furnished. Just bring sheets. Short or long term.

For long term rent I would accept a little less than market rates knowing it's in good hands - around $750 per week. For short stayers I would ask for a higher rate and bond. There are cheaper places but sometimes they can be depressing. My place is like a luxurious, inspiring designer home. Like a mini resort. Lovely pool, decks, split level lounge and ducted aircon throughout. I've rented it out occasionally before and had guests wanting to buy the place. That would now be an option given I have moved to Melbourne. TV

I have a lovely 4bed home with pool, ducted aircon, double garage sitting vacant right now. It's mine but I am working in Melbourne. Semi furnished - 2queen beds, sofa, plasma, dining table. 2 bathrooms. Lots of room for more furniture. Nice area - indooroopilly. Ideal stopgap for new migrants. Short or long term rental. TV

To be brutally honest I think your chances of getting permanent residency in Australia with a criminal record like that are nil.

Hi Ilona, I have just got back to Brisbane 5 days ago after a long period in the UK. I'd be happy to meet for lunch or even a beer after work on Fri. PM me if you like. Andy

I'll pop out for a few beers.

If you found Melbourne dull I'd recommend avoiding Australia completely as I find it more lively than all the other cities put together (although I havent lived in Perth)

Just take them as carry-on. They are saying NO because it easier for them to just say no than to interpret the regulations for you - to avoid them hassle examining/identifying it- and to avoid them having to handle them in the case they cant allow them in your baggage. Australian aviation regulations say ok to batteries as carry on but only up to a certain power (100Wh). The regulation tlk about Lithium Ion batteries as these are the current type and the most volatile. Nickel Cadmium are old and more inert. http://HTTP://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90372 Here's a section...... Lithium or lithium ion batteries (Low Power) - eg. Spare batteries on their own – must be individually protected to prevent short circuits. Lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries must not have a lithium content exceeding 2 grams; or Lithium ion batteries must not have a Watt Hour rating of more than 100Wh. Spare batteries must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch). TheVet (commercial pilot)

The capital cities usually have a certain road where backpackers go on a certain day to try sell their vehicles. Sydney certainly has one but I cant recall the name. However, when I used to look they were all absolute wrecks - and mostly just vans with a mattress slung in. I ended up spending $6k on a beaut VW Kombi with full factory camper fitout from a private seller. Extending roof, 3way fridge but within 200k the engine seized and needed a replacement motor fitted for $1500 from VW King in Sydney but it came with a warranty which gave good piece of mind for the big trip. Got $5k back for it so given the time i used it it was a bargain. I wouldnt dream of paying less. TV

Some second hand dealers sell campervans with a promise of buying back after you have finished with it. Should work out lots cheaper but ofcourse you take more risk. e.g. if it breaks down - you pay!

If you are entering on a visitor visa i would certainly not mention you are looking for a sponsor when you go through customs. They might decide you are unlikely to return and might force you on the next flight back. TV