STEVEPEACOCK

Has anyone used a parents visa to get to Australia. If so what type, how much did it cost and how difficult was it to get. We lived in Perth for over 4 years on a 457 visa but were unable to get PR as company lost the contract just as we were qualified to apply. One of our sons now has PR with another hoping to apply once he has completed his degree & trade. We are unsure if we would qualify for any category of parents visa and also if/when such a visa would qualify for resident status. The reason for this 2nd question is I still have AUD 100,000 in Aussie Super' now taken over by the ATO. If I access it as a non resident I believe it is taxed at 51% but if I could access as a resident it would go someway to paying the visa. Trying to get info' out of the ATO is as easy as dealing with migration !!

We used PSS moving to Australia in 2012, they were not too bad. 10 weeks We moved back this year and as we dumped most of our furniture we did not have a full container so Chose MoveCube Load your own MoveCube (Ply wood crate). Goods did not leave Australia for over seven weeks after collection. 71 - 87 days is quoted as expected delivery time but read the small print, this is from full payment which we made 4 days after collection and other exclusions. Our goods were collected on 27th May and eventually delivered on 6th Sept. Overall time of 104 days which was a long time to live out of a suitcase (91 days by Seven seas calculations!). We've had a belongings for 2 weeks now although the house still looks like a bombs hit it. Have fun guys!!

We used PSS moving to Australia in 2012, they were not too bad. We did have a couple of breakages (approx. $300 worth) but had used Insureyourmove and they paid out without much bother. We moved back this year and as we dumped most of our furniture we did not have a full container so Chose MoveCube (Seven Seas) & were not happy with performance see following. Prices were similar to other removals firms & grace brothers quote was similar with them packing. Plus points Load your own MoveCube (Ply wood crate). -Peace of mind although this will not suit every one Hopefully belongings do not need to be opened & examined before they are received at destination. (This is maybe debatable as customs may access but ours seemed untouched from us packing). Similar price to a removals firm whom complete packing and supply packing materials Negative points Move cube was supplied for 90 min (not 3 hrs) as had other jobs on the day, (although this was sufficient it was rushed and we did not have time to check through the property before trailer departed, later found quite a few things which should have been packed & so had to be disposed of). Goods did not leave Australia for over seven weeks after collection. 71 - 87 days is quoted as expected delivery time but read the small print, this is from full payment which we made 4 days after collection and other exclusions. Our goods were collected on 27th May and eventually delivered on 6th Sept. Overall time of 104 days which was a long time to live out of a suitcase (91 days by Seven seas calculations!). This cost us a considerable amount as items such as clothing for a wedding which we had expected to have arrived had to be replaced. Poor communication, information not updated unless asked for. Call backs not made after regular inquiries over the period of delivery. (Excluding one assistant _Wendy in the UK). more poor communication on site inspection, not made on time - call backs not made following enquiries & eventually told we did not even need to be present after we had stayed in all morning ! Overall service was pretty poor and not really needed on top of the stress of moving around the World again.

We used PSS moving to Australia in 2012, they were not too bad. We did have a couple of breakages (approx. $300 worth) but had used Insureyourmove and they paid out without much bother. We moved back this year and as we dumped most of our furniture we did not have a full container so Chose MoveCube & were not happy with performance see following. I would also say MoveCube is for small moves, if you put furniture in you soon fill it up. Measure out in your house & see the size. Maybe also consider whats worth selling & replacing ! Plus points Load your own MoveCube (Ply wood crate). -Peace of mind although this will not suit every one Hopefully belongings do not need to be opened & examined before they are received at destination. (This is maybe debatable as customs may access but ours seemed untouched from us packing). Similar price to a removals firm whom complete packing and supply packing materials Negative points Move cube was supplied for 90 min (not 3 hrs) as had other jobs on the day, (although this was sufficient it was rushed and we did not have time to check through the property before trailer departed, later found quite a few things which should have been packed & so had to be disposed of). Goods did not leave Australia for over seven weeks after collection. 71 - 87 days is quoted as expected delivery time but read the small print, this is from full payment which we made 4 days after collection and other exclusions. Our goods were collected on 27th May and eventually delivered on 6th Sept. Overall time of 104 days which was a long time to live out of a suitcase (91 days by Seven seas calculations!). This cost us a considerable amount as items such as clothing for a wedding which we had expected to have arrived had to be replaced. Poor communication, information not updated unless asked for. Call backs not made after regular inquiries over the period of delivery. (Excluding one assistant _Wendy in the UK). more poor communication on site inspection, not made on time - call backs not made following enquiries & eventually told we did not even need to be present after we had stayed in all morning ! Overall service was pretty poor and not really needed on top of the stress of moving around the World again.

We've just done it - but things we did slip up on Change address + Telephone No on any bank accounts you keep open (I didn't & need text reference to complete but no longer have Aussie phone). Close all utility accounts etc & give forwarding address Get a Statement of No Claims for Car insurance in the UK ( some companies will not take but AVIVA did). Cannot claim jobseekers as need NI contributions for last 2 years. Overall - its as bad a moving that way but good luck. our gear took 104 days to arrive which was a long time to live out of a suitcase!

As the comments above, the benefits system is a minefield. We returned home in May. tried to sign on for jobseekers (as this is not means tested) but turned down as need to have paid NI for last 2 years. Applied for Child benefit and again turned down as need to have been in country for 3 months etc etc. Its the same as Aussie, you'd be better arriving by boat!

We were on a 457 visa with a Shi* company, job was made redundant with another 6 months or so needed to get residency ( I had just completed the 4 years needed over 50 yrs old). No help from the company & chance of securing another job to qualify for residence not good in the 90 days allowed to leave the country. Even then the 4 years restarts & nothing to say the same thing would not happen again in 2020 !!

Well its been a mad and frustrating few months and not over yet. We left Perth on the 29th May and although we thought we were reasonably prepared we could have done a lot more. Changing addresses - we had registered all out utilities, banks, ATO etc online so those where we didn't change addresses could be done when back in the UK. Mistake - ATO & Banks send a security SMS & as we no longer have Aussie phones these were no use. we should have done this in Auss' No Claims discount for car insurance, statements were obtained before leaving Auss', problem is that Auss' companies will only state the years NCD earned with them. British companies won't accept statement of 9 years from the UK & then add 3 years from Auss'. It needs to be on the same statement or they class the 9 years as lapsed. Actually getting a statement that my Auss' insurance company had initially accepted British NCD on same statement proved extremely Bl**dy difficult. By the way not all company's will accept Auss' NCD - ARIVA do. 1 thing we did do but cannot stipulate enough - make sure insurances are stopped from your superan' if not this will simply deplete your pot. We had experienced this before so were on top of it. Packing and other preparations could also have been better, things we rushed as we decided to have a weeks holiday in Bali just before we left, well it is expensive from the UK. But travel agents advice on luggage allowance was 20kg short, which coulkd have been put to good use considering it will be another 6 weeks before Movecube arrives. (Conceige business travel - crap). All in all, it was as bad moving back as moving there, we thought we knew what we were doing in the UK !!! but its still full of Bl**dy jobsworths. On the positive side, we were worried at how my sons year 10 schooling would be considered and opinions so far opinions have been quite favourable plus he went out 1st week and got a part time job in Sports direct while applying for apprenticeships & college etc.

I think you should be in a good position, we have just moved back with my son 5 months into year 11. UK school won't take him as too near end of year and pupils presently sitting exams. We have investigated other options (Some employers willing to consider Aussie education on support of PISA 2012 statement- search the web). Also colleges seem good and looks favourable to enrol on diploma course if he does not secure apprenticeship he is after. He had worked part time for last 3 years in Auss' (Red Rooster) & although we thought it would be difficult to get a part time job in Uk, he went around local shops & taken on by Sports Direct in the 1st week home. push for what you want - its out there.

Would costs to & from airport be included in this ?

That's good as its an un-nerving time at best. Large Move cube 6m3 is coming in at same price as 8m3 with other Co's. Still wavering but will need to pull finger out soon. Off to BAli next week to think about it! Hope all's well in UK.

6 - 8 m is my estimate but not packed yet. I am considering the large movecube (6.2m) as I like the idea of packing it myself. Most of our gear is tools, clothes & household items. Might throw 1 bed in that breaks down. Do you know if there is more than 1 company that does movecubes ? Cheers

Hi, how did you get on with shipping companies, I'm looking to move back at the end of this month but only taking 6 -8 m3 of gear. Move cube looks the most convenient but not cheap, still unsure on other part container removals as I think boxes may be swapped around a few times and I have quite a few tools in.

You need to look into this more but if you already have Aussie PR then 1st 195k is tax free. It can be accessed at preservation age (I think this is presently 55). Its if on temp' visa that 38% tax kicks in, as contributions also taxed at 15% unsure if 38% is in top of this but would expect so. As mentioned below - cancel all unnecessary payments such as insurances !

38% tax if not a resident for DASP!! Also anyone leaving Auss' or leaving an Aussie job in general should STOP their Superann' associated insurances immediately. We leaned this when my wife was in a job for 3 months then changed. It took another 6 months before she got around to transferring the 1st super account. By this time it was close to zero. Complaints to the company were useless but we did complain to the Auss' financial ombudsman and got all the money refunded. ( a main argument was that her new job supplied all the same benefits).

I have recently been made redundant and now making plans to return to the UK. I came across to Australia with this employer and they did pay all initial relocation costs although they are not prepared to do so for the return journey. The rules on return seem vague and I have seen various posts that employer obligations are simply to pay our fares home or "Employers are obliged to pay the reasonable repatriation costs of the employee and family members if requested to do so". Can anyone offer any clarity on this and links to legislation if it is available.

We are looking to move from Perth back to the North East and although intending to get rid of furniture we will have Clothes, Tools & other household gear to move back. I am estimating 8m3 at the moment but this is a complete guess until we start packing boxes. I have seen Movecube recommendations has anyone else experience with part containers or otherwise. Will have a 2012 Nissan Dualis with 72k on, up for sale in May at a bargain price I am looking for $12500 - $13500 dependent on how near to our move it is.

Reading this & with hindsight, I would advise anyone coming across on a 457 to get verification in writing that the company will sponsor after 4 years. I would also suggest again requesting in writing that they will pay repatriation expenses if you are made redundant through no fault of your own. My removal expenses were paid to come but refused for the return although company do have a responsibility to pay airfares and even for expenses to find and remove you if you take the Australian "Walkabout" route although this would probably do you no favours. We believe we have also exhausted all avenues to gain PR. & there is absolutely no assistance or flexibility in the immigration system. They are even determined to twist the knife by taxing superan' at 38% to withdraw as a "None Resident".

This sounds like me 3 years ago, hated the job but stuck out for residency (also 4 years as over 50) made 4 yrs on higher salary threshold on Apr 1st but was informed in October that job would be made redundant (Apr 12). Tried getting help & assistance off MPs, immigration minister & Immigration department without success. Basically get another job for 4 more years or go home. with nothing to guarantee this won't happen again I think we'll be going home. Good luck & hope you have better luck than we have !

Has anyone just booked capacity and got a good deal. i see the quotes for 12m3 above. we will be looking at selling or dumping most gear as it has seen better days. We will however have Clothes, Tooles & Electronics to ship and looking for the best option. These will be all packed by ourselves.

Hi Guys, It looks like we will be returning to the UK in the next few months as I have been made redundant & unable to apply for PR as company will not offer sponsorship which is required (Bl**dy 457 visa's) We are over 50 so needed 4 years in, which we have just reached but only option is to find a new 457 sponsor & restart the 4 years! Anyway we have a 16 year old son and now applying for UK apprenticeships. 1 college has advised that they would accept year 10 Aussie results as comparable to GCSEs. Others organisations not so helpful. I have made enquiries to NARIC for comparability report. Has anyone been in similar situation or experience of this.

cannot go for PR as need 4 years (over 50) also a statement of ongoing employment & company will not provide ! I have had a PM response today stating that if over 60, super can be accessed tax free for none residents but I do not know where to check this. ATO telephone line do not have a clue ! Has anyone been in (or are in similar situation). If above is true it would obviously be better leaving super' for another 2 1/2 years to save 38% tax.

I am being made redundant in the near future so option of gaining PR after 4 years on a 457 is now a none runner. I am over 55 and was under the impression that I could access 1st 180k of superannuation tax free (I must have read that in the financial pages) however I have been told today that is for residents & none residents are taxed at 35%. That's on to of 15% taken off contributions !! Does anyone have any advice on this, is it correct and if so is there is anyway to access tax free ?

I would agree that this is something that needs research, I am being made redundant in the near future so option of gaining PR after 4 years on a 457 now a none runner. I am over 55 and was under the impression that I could access 1st 180k tax free (I must have read that in the financial pages) however after consulting my fund today they advise that is for residents & none residents are taxed at 35%. That's on to of 15% taken off contributions !!

Sponsoring company of 457 visa holder also have to pay return airfare if you ask for it !