Adjutant

We flew emirates a week ago and only got the 30kg limit. We were 6kg over and got charged for it, although only 4kg, but at £35 per kg it was another £140 cost I'd rather not have paid. ​

I think the recent state elections have made things a quieter recently, just in case there was a change in government that could have put off investment decisions - especially since the opposition are followers of Juliar. But now that is over investment decisions will start getting made again.

I'm doing my bikes in a few days (2 weeks to go) and I know that stuff stinks ... at least they should know its been done by the smell! Perhaps there is a market for an "anti-Jeyes smell deodouriser" for once you get your stuff back. (Dragons Den idea ??)

I would recommend contacting CPA (Certified Practising Accountant) Australia's London office who provide migration advise and skills assessment for accountants looking to move to Australia. The Strand, London United Kingdom WC2B 4LG P: +44 20 7240 8266. F: +44 20 7240 3452. E: europe@cpaaustralia.com.au. Good Luck

Same same. Lost £40k on the house sale from what we paid in 2008 and the exchange rates in that time exchange rates have dropped from over $2 per pound to now around $1.45 making the amount of AUD we exepected to have on arrival will be a lot less. Some offset with house prices falling in Perth, but not to the same extent, and mortgage payments reduced in the UK as interests fell.

Because the USD is worth less than AUD. So if your converting GBP to USD you will get more USD than you would if you are converting GBP to AUD. Traditionally 1 AUD would be worth around 0.75 USD. Nowadays its averaging 1.04 USD.

I agree, but the bonuses and pay rises are funded by the private sector, whereas the welfare is funded by the public sector. So as mentioned previously, unless society (which includes individuals and corporations) are willing to redistribute that wealth in the form of higher taxes, then the publis purse doesnt have enough to go around - yet society expects it to do so.

Is part of the problem that UK, Australian Federal and State government all face that our society is expecting a greater and greater role of government and provision of social safety nets, but are unwilling to fund this through higher levels of taxation. Nowadays it seems unpalletable that anyone in society is allowed to fall by the wayside and it is expected that the state should be there to provide a good standard of living to all. But this comes at a cost that governments can not sustain. I think I read that 25% of welfare spending is financed by borrowing in the UK. I think this is a greater indicator that we can not afford the safety nets that governments are pressured to provide. Its a very noble idea that we should be able to look after our own as a society. But what happens when can not longer afford to?

That is awesome. booking directly is £3086, buth through that site is is £2223 for the same flights. ... havent checked an hidden charges yet, but that is flights and taxes.

We move from Edinburgh to Perth two weeks after you.

Exactly my point . If they didn't turn up to vote their house would have been nationalised at make way for Land Rights for Gay Whales ... Then they would care, but only after its too late and their life style has been sold out from underneath them by self serving politicians who have pandered to the minority view. But all they can do is complain after that ... Much what people are doing here at the moment.

I agree with MaryRose2 that compulsory voting is an excellent thing to have. Not because Australia has awesome politicians that provide great leadership, choice and honesty to the electorate .. (I think that pretty clearly not the case) .. but it stops politicians pandering to minority views and those prevents views being over represented and against the wishes of the majority. Lets face it politicians interests are, to put it nicely, 'self serving'. Take the scenario, a pressure group repesenting, say, "Land rights for Gay Whales" represented 10% of the electorate support, but not supported by 90% a politician would be unlikely to support the pressure groups wishes, knowing it would pi$$ off everone else. But of voting was not compulsory and the politician knew that only 20% of the electorate ever bothered turning up to vote, but knows that the campaigners for "Land rights for Gay Whales" would all turn up to vote .. what do you think is going to happen ? The politician will support something he/she knows people dont want, but since most will never turn up vote anyway (just sit at home and whinge about politicians). Sorry but if you dont turn up vote, or deliberately spoil your ballot, you are contributing to the demise of your own society as unwanted minority views replace your way of life. Sounds a bit heavy, but its true. I think we can all point to examples of this in the UK.

We have made the journey from the UK to Australia a couple of time with Emirates, and always booked directly with them via their website. Does anyone know of any other website or a travel agent in the UK who can offer the same Emirates flights cheaper? I know there are lots of websites that promise the cheapest flights, but on comparing the exact flights and times I've never found one that is actually cheaper. The flight we are taking is Glasgow - Dubai - Perth. Any suggestions welcome.

I dont think the RBA are planning to intervene. It would help me out a lot if they did, but I'm not counting on it. Something is only over valued if no one is willing to pay the price .. and at the moment lots of countries and companies willing to pay the price.

Finally got an offer on the house on Friday which we've accepted. So all going well we should arrive around the 12th April. Staying with family in Mandurah for a while and already started the job hunt having established some contacts over the last year. Here's hoping it all falls into place.

Public schools in Australia are non-denominational so I wouldnt expect to find a school supporting any specific religious needs unless, as stated above, you enroll them in a private Catholic school. Most schools still provide pastoral care of some description with religious education subjects being focussed more on education about different religions, rather than promoting a specific faith.

I've resigned myself to the fact that if our moves comes about in the next few months I'll be lucky to get 1.4 . Hard to know whether to keep what we dont need immediately in the UK in the hope of an improvement .. but I dont have years to wait.

Lets hope the Shade Oil reserves found in the UK, US and Aus get developed and increase the supply of oil in the future and bring the prices down. (I won't raise the Geopolitical implications of not having to rely on the Middle East for oil any more, as that is a whole new discussion) As the price drops I'm sure all the governments will add on a bit more tax so we dont get the full benefit of falling prices, but its got to help.

Yes there have been some local improvements in a few metrics, but these are starting from such a low basis they have no strength at an international level. A 2% rise in Sod All is still. ... Sod all.

There is just nothing positive in the UK economy and the Bank of England chief was up for printing more money at the last meeting.

The useless excuse of a currency we have here is a big problem. It keeps on going down, so imports such as oil cost more and in the fuel market especially these cost are passed on very quickly. The Tesco I normally buy from Unleaded has gone from £1.30.9 to £135.9 in the last 7 days.

Its not recommend to bring your Fridge / Freezer.

Only really any good for long term savings when saving for a deposit will take a long time. I did read an article that the take up rate on these accounts have been extremely low. Now I know why.

Bummer - there is a minimum of a 4 years before you get your money back, so this is only suitable for those looking ahead to buy in several years time. "You have to save at least $1,000 each year over at least 4 financial years before you can withdraw the money." "If you buy your first home before the 4 year period is up, you can withdraw the money in your account at the end of the 4 year period to put towards your mortgage. You will not be able to make any more deposits once you have built or bought a property."

Just found this weblink which may help ... I'll be reading it myself. https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-my-money/banking/savings-accounts/first-home-saver-accounts