Alaska

Our kids were 4 and (just) 2 when we moved. We just showed them some pictures and videos on youtube really. Also just talked to them about the animals here and the beaches and other things that they were interested in - well the 4 year old as the 2 year old was pretty clueless about it. I kept the 4 year old in the loop and showed him schools on the internet we were going to have a look around. He was allowed a say in the school too (as we went around 5 we were interested in on arrival).

Is it a UK passport? I thought I'd read on here that it doesn't have to be 6 months going to your home country. ETA: Are you stopping in Bangkok? I'm not sure if that might be an issue.

Strewth!

Do you have any options to apply for a PR visa as this will obviously give you more options if you are on a lowish income.

No, it's not true unfortunately because you don't live there anymore. There is very strict criteria and we had it stopped immediately when we left - definitely weren't entitled to carry it on.

Gumtree seems to get better prices compared with some of the other methods especially for larger items. For smaller items, especially if you are south of the city, try Brisbane's Someone's Trash is Someone's Treasure (facebook group).

I have been wondering this for ages. Also wondered if that is why I don't see many places selling jacket potatoes. How are Costco going to cope when they open up in Brisbane next year?!

Yes sounds like White Coat Syndrome! I get this too. I went in to the Dr about something else I was concerned about and they took my BP which was very high. They started talking about medication etc etc. Anyway the GP surgery gave me a monitor to take home for a week and take my BP 3 or 4 times a day and it was completely normal. Yes, it's just probably a case of trying to feel relaxed before going which is easier said than done.

Whilst it's true about the shops etc, I wouldn't agree about the houses. Some ours but ours certainly isn't (it's only about 14 years old). If it's 30C outside then it's 37C inside. We have some air con units but you have to stand right underneath them. We have a temperature thing and it dropped 1C after an hour of air-con and it's around 8ft from the unit. House isn't built for the cold either - gets down to single figures in the house on cold winter mornings. The way a lot of the houses are designed and built is bizarre given the climate here.

We do it. We do a self assessment every year. Definitely get the form mentioned filled out so you can take the expenses out before the tax is worked out. We then file using "Tax calc" online which is pretty simple.

I am not sure what you are getting at here - I have no intention of not doing the tax return to the best of my abilities. Why is doing the right thing "having to pay others to help"? I have no intention of doing the wrong thing but would like to do it myself. I am fully intending on using Go Matilda for tax returns when we (hopefully) get PR and sell our property next year. Until that point I need to save up $6000 so I can pay for our PR application since DIAC kindly doubled it

I might have gathered that :laugh: I am highly reluctant to spend money on a tax return when I know how to fill in every section (having done it for many years) except this one new one. I will have to call HMRC and suck up that cost as I am pretty sure it will still be cheaper :biggrin:

In some ways I am surprised no one can answer this, but in others I'm not. The people I know in real life who are in the same situation just don't even do a tax return for the UK. I wouldn't do that but it's obviously a cheaper and easier option so I can understand it. Doing the "right thing" is a pain.

If you find out let me know! Seriously though, they are everywhere especially in summer. We just find making sure you vacuum and properly clean up after meals helps a lot - even a small crumb they will find otherwise. We don't get them up on kitchen tops etc as wipe down all the time. You may find that when the property is lived in and cleaned regularly that you don't get them in places like that - hopefully. We do use an ant powder around the house sometimes which helps a bit. I don't think that any pest control would guarantee against ants anyway as I think it's pretty difficult to control.

Thanks Alan. We are planning on doing this when we sell our UK property if we obtain our PR next year due to all the capital gains stuff. I have always done our taxes myself and was hoping to do it this year as there is just this one thing I don't know. If necessary I can phone the HMRC but the rate for it was pretty high as I remember so was just hoping that someone could advise me here.

Thanks. Parleycross - yes we are a resident of Australia for tax purposes so will declare it. Alan - thanks for the link but I don't really understand much of it so will do the declaring thing and go from there :biggrin:.

Hello I am currently getting all the paperwork together to lodge our UK tax returns as we have a small rental income. It is well within the tax free allowance. So my question is that I think my husband will need to declare his Australian income on the UK tax return - is that correct? If so will we possibly end up paying tax as I hear that the Oz tax rates are a bit lower than the UK ones? We are on a 457 visa if that makes any difference (I assume it doesn't although it does the other way around I believe!). Thanks for any help.

Mine was quite some time ago but I was prepared to do most stuff and didn't struggle to find work at all - some of the things I did were bar and event work (signed up with the caterers of sporting events for example), telesales and call centres, also hostel work. I would man reception some evenings in return for free accommodation. I didn't come over with much (£300 I think!) and so signed up with the agencies straight away. I think being flexible is the key.

The precedent was set a long time ago unfortunately. It's not great but it is the way cricket is played now. I really think it's time to move on to the next match now. Shaping up to be a really good series.

Well yeah, it gets to 9C in our house in the winter mornings so pack all the warm stuff.

Good luck. I would also look into seeing what the criteria would be if you apply for PR down the line just to see if it is a potential problem if the rules are even stricter. I know you say about being ok if it doesn't work out but it is tough in the interim waiting. We are over on a 457 and knew the risks, but we are really happy here and will be devastated if we had to leave. It is the uncertainty that is really difficult too - redundancies have come through DH's company a couple of times and it's a very stressful time. Anyway just make sure you have really thought about it and I really would get some advice about the longer term options so you have the full picture. xx

Bumping up as would be good to know.

Is it on Foxtel? Is getting this an option (expensive I know!)?

The things I miss are more than just family and friends. I miss my job and my son's school and how well my life was "set up" in the UK. I don't regret coming as I love Australia. We knew it would be at least 2 years before we could start to think about getting back to what we left financially (we are on a 457 so restricted) and also I miss having the security of life there as the 457 is so insecure. We knew these 2 years would be a bit difficult so I'm not complaining but sometimes it's easy to look back instead of forward.