pommekate

Thanks for all your replies. I just thought car hire may be really expensive, will look into it. Don't know how my aussie kids will cope with the temperature, they are use to living in their shorts and thongs. They don't even own any long pants yet so will definitely need to do some clothes shopping. They are so excited about going to the UK, they want to see the Christmas lights, visit Hamleys. Just got their British passports and was very impressed with the speed I received them exactly 2 weeks from the date I sent them, so that time included postage. Shame we will miss fireworks night as that is the date we leave Australia. Two of my kids are hoping to come back with British accents lol. I have always ensured that they are proud of their british heritage, however they can't quite support England over Australia in the cricket.

I have now been living in Australia for 13 years and it has been 9 years since I have been back. I have booked a 3 week holiday to the UK in November. Not the best time of year but that is the only time of year I could get annual leave. I am taking my 3 children ages 7,10 & 11. Aussie other half is scared of flying so will stay here and mind the pets. I have no idea how much money I will need, or how much things cost over there anymore. I have booked one week at a hotel which is already paid for, and will spend the next 2 weeks staying with family and friends. So the money I take will be needed for food, travel and doing the tourist things. My kids are keen to do a couple of day trips to London, initially they wanted to go to legoland but I have seen this is closed in November. I was thinking about taking 3000 pounds. I notice public transport like trains cost alot. I have booked a coach from heathrow to basingstoke (I don't want my elderly parents travelling to heathrow) then to Aylesbury and then to Cambridge. How much money do people think is enough? It will be a holiday of a lifetime for the kids so i want to have enough to do the tourist things.

Not too sure about the working holiday visa, the website just says a valid visa, that does include temporary visas. Their is a calculator on the department of immigration website that can calculate if you fit the criteria. You have to put in all your visas that you have held and the dates you have been overseas

You must have been living in Australia on a valid Australian visa for 4 years immediately before applying, including 1 year as a permanent resident, and You must not have been absent from Australia for more than 1 year during the 4 year period, including no more than 90 days in the year immediately before applying. So my understanding is that you are allowed up to 90 days in the year as a permanent resident. However have your previous holidays to UK add up to over a year? I see it as even though you are going on holiday to the UK you are still a permanent resident, but make sure it is under the 90 days.

I don't understand the part that when you land in australia your children are automatically residents in australia. I am a british trained midwife, and moved here in 2002. When I deliver babies to british parents who are not permanant residence, even though those babies are born in australia they are not considered as residents, They are british nationals. So what makes it possible that if children move here they automatically are considered residents.