lauradarlin

Are you not missing the point entirely here? Are the ads not aimed at small minded UKIP and EDL supporters not actual illegal immigrants in a bid to win more votes by looking like they are doing something about the amount of people here illegally?

As long as you're connecting straight through and not having an actual stopover that involves leaving the airport I've never had anything re-weighed. Think we should all go on crash diets and travel Samoa Air???! http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/04/02/samoa-air-charges-passengers-by-their-weight/

Emirates ground staff at Newcastle nearly made me cry over this earlier this year. They didn't seem bothered about the size but were very strict on the weight - even though I was way under on my hold luggage allowance. This really annoyed me as I've regularly seen people with much more than me for hand luggage checking in. Also, there's nothing stopping you buying heavy items once you're through security. I might only have 7kg at check in but once I've spent a couple of hours buying shoes, clothes, toiletries and duty free vodka...grrrrrrrr

where did you manage to get that awesome baggage allowance?!! I missed my shoes sooooo much and am desperate to take as much back with me as poss!!

I'm with NAB and they've been great. Get the attached savings account and keep everything you don't need in there - you'll get a bit of interest on it, not huge but it all helps! Really helpful staff too. Just about everyone pays bank transfer, maybe a bit of cash here and there, don't think I even saw a cheque the whole time i was there!

take your laptop, you'll miss it if you don't have it. Loads of places have free wifi and if you're planning to apply for jobs it's so much easier with a proper keyboard (imo). Security was never a huge issue for me, obviously don't be blasé about it but just about everyone in hostels has gadgets so it's not like you'll be flashy. If you're concerned check that the places you stay have lockers and buy a decent quality padlock.

Thanks Nickynook, that was my gut feeling. It was all pretty straight forward except for the Medicare/health insurance bit. My travel insurance included comprehensive healthcare cover but was purchased in £ not $ so doesn't quite match up. Think I'll just send them a copy of it with the printed tax return

$1000 for 6 of you?! That's amazing! I just paid $800 for one of me!

Hi all, Newly back in the UK after a fabulous year in Oz Unemployed and keen to get tax return lodged asap - every little helps! Have been through the online system on ATO but it won't let me lodge online as they can't verify my identity. Can anyone advise what I should do now? There's an option to print and post the form, or would I be better off just employing an agent to sort it out for me? Any advice appreciated! Cheers L

I'm intrigued! So visiting certain countries upsets immigration? As in you can't get a visa for oz or they'll grill you as to why you were there? I have to say this has never even crossed my mind before, but I'm very interested to know more if anyone has anything to add?

Why would the other countries you've travelled to bother Oz immigration?

Good plan, I know a lot of people who have left their farm work til the last minute and struggled to get enough days. WA is good tho cos everywhere outside of Perth is eligible and it's huge! Perth is a great city, plenty of casual work if you have good English, people skills and are willing to get stuck in. Don't come right now tho, it's bloody freezing!!

Don't worry too much about finding a job before you get here, just get out there and talk to people once you're here. Aside from sponsorship there's no way to work for the same employer for more than 6 months. You can go back and work for the same employer for a further 6 months if you do your farm work and are successful in gaining a second whv though. where are you heading to?

That sounds like a good place to start! Hospitality is my fallback really, I've done it on and off since I was 15 but in all honesty don't really fancy a career in it, I value my social life! Hopeful that UK quals and experience in careers and employability guidance will be transferable to Australia. I do have a degree too, forgot all about it! Haha! Will get googling the codes and see how I get on. Cheers!

Hi all Apologies if you've seen this post on PerthPoms, just looking for guidance so thought I'd ask on here too... I'm planning to head back to Perth on a second WHV in September 2013 with a view to finding a 'proper' job and getting sponsored to stay for a couple of years. So I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience of this or any suggestions on where to start? Have had a look through the SOL and CSOL lists and there are a couple of job titles that I can legitimately do: -Careers Counsellor/Welfare Worker - 7 years working in welfare to work in the UK -Training & Development Professional - UK qualifications in delivering adult training -Restaurant Manager - What I've mainly been doing while in Australia on my first WHV I also have a PRINCE2 project management qualification and a lot of experience in customer facing roles - many of the job titles listed on the CSOL I have experience in but the ones above are what I feel I can legitimately call myself a specialist in - albeit in the UK. Any initial guidance or suggestions on extra training that may be useful would be very much appreciated thanks L

the easiest way to get a WHV is online, as long as he doesn't have any criminal convictions, major health conditions or dependant children. I believe he will have to be outside of Australia to apply - nice little weekend in Bali should do it! Usually comes through in just a few hours if nothing untoward that upsets immigration!

Hi all Just wondering if anyone has applied for a second WHV recently and what the turn around time is likely to be? I'm nearing the end of my first year in Oz and heading back to the UK for a couple of months before hopefully starting a second year in September. I know immigration are tightening up on checking out your rural work etc so just thought I'd ask if anyone has had any recent dealings with them? Really hoping to get my flight back to Australia booked pretty much as soon as I land in the UK as I'll need something to get me through 2 months living with the family! Cheers Lx

Thanks so much guys, this really makes things much clearer! Definitely a weight off my mind, Cheers x

Maybe I'm being particularly stupid but I'm having real trouble getting my head around the non resident landlord tax implication in the UK and would really appreciate some help! My UK property is let and when I move to Australia in September I understand that I will be expected to pay UK tax on the income from this. The property is managed by a letting agent and they have advised they can look after this for me but said most people just register with HMRC and do it themselves. So my question is, what's the taxable amount? I receive £575 in rent, £80 fee goes to the letting agent, the mortgage is £250, I have to pay building fees of £70 and insurance of about £10. There's also the possibility of repairs that are required periodically so I'm not exactly making a profit here! It seems to me that if the tax man wants a chunk too I'm gonna be well skint!! Any guidance? Please don't direct me back to HMRC!!:arghh: ​thanks guys

Bank accounts are easy to open, just walk into a branch with some ID. I went with NAB as they offered a savings account attached to my current account so I could keep my savings separate and monitor my spending more easily. Their online and iphone banking are really easy to use too. This is how to apply for your Tax File Number: http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/to-do-first/apply-for-tfn.htm And make sure you register with medicare too (take a printed copy of your visa with you): http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements/health-care-for-visitors-to-australia For hostels I just googled where I was heading then checked them out on Trip Advisor - haven't gone too far wrong! You can always just pay for one night to start with if you're unsure, there's usually plenty of competition and standards are pretty high Enjoy every minute - that 6 month career break might rapidly extend - mine has!!

Thanks guys, some useful things to think about here. Of the two agents i'm deciding between, one is with UKALA and the Property Ombudsman and the other is in the process of qualifying to be able to join ARLA. Meeting them both this week so ill be bombarding them with all your questions! cheers x

Just out of interest (and as I'm too lazy to get quotes myself) what sort of prices are you looking at for a few boxes? I'm leaving all my furniture behind but would like to take personal items such as books, kitchen ware, shoes (very important!) etc Cheers

how long are each of your flights? Story books on MP3? Will they watch the films? There are usually quite a few kids ones. Night time flights and hope they sleep?!

thanks, always the big things that slip my mind!

Hi all I'm in the process of preparing my UK home for rental while I'm in Australia. I'm comparing a couple of letting agents, is there anything in particular I should look out for or questions I should be asking them before I commit? thanks!