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Thanks Alan, that's what I was hoping. Best wishes Ross

Hi Hope perhaps you can answer this Alan. We arrived in Perth a couple of weeks ago and have now been charged 46.5% withholding tax for this month. I applied for TFNs for my wife and I last week. Will the tax be reduced when I supply them with TFNs? Will I see the tax already deducted again, or should I wave goodbye to it? We are on a 163 visa. Appreciate your help Cheers Ross

Like some others on here I also used Moneycorp, very efficient and I got a competitive rate. As others have also said you need to make a direct comparison on how many $ you will get for your £ (taking into account any charges). I phoned HIFX and Moneycorp as well as checking other companies online. Companies aren't keen on telling you their margin (spread), which varies depending on the rate. This means you won't necessarily be able to work out an actual rate based on the mid-rate you see online, this is why it's important to phone in order to get the best rate. Ross

Could be caused by any number of factors including stress, eyes problems, diet etc. Depends where the pain is, what type of pain. Can you describe it? As has been said taking the recommended dose of paracetamol per day (two tabs four times daily) won't screw up your liver. Cheers Ross

Hope it works out for you. The property market as you know is very difficult, but at least the exchange rate is heading the right way. All the best Ross

Good luck. What sort of timescale are you working to? We had ours on the market for a year and lots of time wasters later we've still go it. Renting it out now, but would have been nice to have the house money. Valuations these days seem to be meaningless, ours was on for 15k below valuation. Ross

I've been watching the rate for about a year now -- getting all sorts of financial updates via twitter. Decided to wait until visa granted before exchanging. Unfortunately as soon as it was granted the rate went into freefall. I exchanged last Friday at 1.52 (rate at which I'd set my budgets) after weeks of willing it back from the precipice and was grateful it wasn't 1.46. Despite thinking I would never look at the rate again (until we sell our house in a year or two) I am slightly disappointed that I missed out on today's higher rate, but the alternative could have been much worse. As someone said earlier, "it is what it is". No point in "regretting it for the rest of your life" as someone else said (how dramatic!). We arrive in Perth in two weeks and so glad we have finally sent the dosh. Cheers Ross

This should help: http://www.redbook.com.au/ Cheers Ross

I'm replying just for the sake of clarity (not to disagree). I think we all agree that activated charcoal has a use, BUT if taken orally it will not remove a poison from the bloodstream as it does not enter the bloodstream. It's fine to believe in a remedy (I'm not going near homeopathy) but I prefer published scientific data to support claims. Alternatively, you could undergo an experiment and let us know how it goes ;-)) All the best Ross

Activated charcoal isn't absorbed into the bloodstream, so not sure where you're getting your info. Cheers Ross

Hi Congrats! Well, like some other people here, I told mine before we got the visas, a week or so after we applied. I told my dad first and he said he would tell my mum when the time was right. I didn't feel that was a cop out, as he would be able to break it to her more gently, rather than me go down and make a big announcement. At that stage we didn't know whether we would get visas or not. My dad was shocked, but said we had to go for it, in fact he said he nearly emigrated to Canada about 40 years ago but didn't because of his mum. He advised us not to make the same mistake. He told my mum a week or so later and while she was upset she could see it could be a very good move for us. I still feel guilty though as while they have a lot of friends, I worry about their health as they get older. We told them last September and got the visas (163) at beginning of June, so heading out in 3 weeks. Good luck, you may find that while they may well be emotional, they will understand and support you. All the best Ross

Hi I found some info about taking controlled drugs to Oz here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2593.aspx?CategoryID=70&SubCategoryID=175 Sorry, not sure what the protocol is for getting it prescribed in Oz. Cheers Ross

Link to thread on Bridgewater: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/health/152191-medicals-bridgwater-hospital-manchester.html Ross

Here you go: http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Manchester/Our-Facilities-Treatments-and-Consultants/Our-Treatments/Australian-migrant-medicals/ £290 for an adult at Spire Manchester. Ross

I'm pretty sure if it specifies 'notary' then it'll need to be a solicitor who is a notary public. My local solicitor did it for copies of documents I had to submit. It costs, but not much at all. Better to get it done by the correct person than mess about. Look for a local solicitor and check their website. Cheers Ross

Indeed, in fact it's not covered on the NHS either, so no idea how you got it previously in the UK. Some of them are fairly cheap, so might not break the bank. Cheers Ross

Hi Katerina Just for the sake of clarification, I know you said Ireland -- my point was that as the UK Government had an agreement with Oz, the Irish Govt might have too, so paying double tax wasn't likely to happen if you had to declare it. Good news tho ;-) Cheers Ross

Hi I know the UK and Oz tax people have an agreement that you won't pay tax twice for the same income. And it is my understanding that they share information to ensure this doesn't happen -- so your answer to the Q will help verify things I guess. In my (unprofessional) opinion it would be unlikely that you'd have to pay tax if already paid in Ireland. Cheers Ross

Well, you are optimistic! ;-) I based our budgets on ex rate of 1.52, so anything over that is a bonus. We didn't have our visas granted when it was at 1.61, but would have loved that. Now it's been languishing round 1.52 for quite some time I'm keeping an eye on it and maybe change around 1.56. I have serious doubts it'll improve much over that in short term. Really hope I'm wrong. Maybe interest rates will come down next month. Cheers Ross

Once I get to Oz I won't worry about it. The problem is I (like others) have got cash to exchange and the rate determines the amount of Oz dollars I get, so at this stage it's significant. I'd rather not buy dollars at the bottom of the market.

We are heading to Perth in September, so a turnaround in the £ before then would be nice please. I'm hoping for an Oz interest rate cut, the Euro to implode, UK economy to improve and the Chinese economy to slow down (oh and Piers Morgan to be exiled to the surface of the moon with Cameron and Clegg). Not much to ask is it? Ross

Thanks Freckleface, I posted here as thought there would be better chance of a 163er responding as generally there don't seem to be that many around -- even fewer in Perth. I'll post in Perth Poms and see if any joy. All the best Ross

Hi My family and I move out to Perth on a 163 visa in September, so need to get involved in a business. My preferred option now is to buy an existing business. I'd be interested to hear about anyone who has done this and how you found the business. I've been looking at a few websites to get an idea of what is available, but there is severe lack of info on the businesses for sale (I don't expect to see detailed accounts online) and so I'm beginning to wonder if it's only those businesses that are unprofitable/dodgy/failing that are listed. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good website or broker? Are there companies I can register with in Perth who will contact me when suitable businesses become available? My fall back position is to start the business I outlined in my business plan (or one of the other ideas I've had) sent with my visa application, but I'd much rather have an income from the start. Thanks for your help Ross

My brother and his family live in Burns Beach and so I've visited the area, so probably looking at Kinross, Currambine, Connolly type of area to start with. Will see how that goes, but hopefully it'll be quite handy for access to an as yet unknown business venture. Just need to sort out some temporary accommodation. Hopefully your process will be quick -- you might be surprised, but I suppose it's useful to think it may take longer so you aren't disappointed. Cheers Ross

Hi Thanks. Yeah, I reckon we'd have had it granted back in November if my wife hadn't become pregnant. Was very surprised how quickly CO appointed, as expected it to take 13 months in total. Plan is to start a health related business. But I think it may be more sensible to buy an existing business with known turnover and income then be ready to apply for PR after running it for two years. I would then be in a better position to commit money to a new venture -- perhaps my original business plan. No idea what business that would be at this stage, but currently searching the internet. Hopefully once we get there opportunities may arise. We didn't use an agent as thought we'd have had to gather all the info anyway and that passing it thru a middle man was just an extra step. All the best with your plans, hope it happens quickly for you. Cheers Ross