mrpnbe

Hi, sorry not been on for a while, so this may not reach you in time. I used money corp for my first transfer of a large lump sum and it was a fairly painless smooth process. They have decent rates, usually slightly better than the banks, it was very slightly better than HSBC so I went with it. However, they charge a fee per transfer, not big I think from memory, £15. Like I say this wasn't a lot, but it meant that I would have probably been better with doing a transfer from my UK HSBC account direct to my AUD HSBC account as the fee cancelled out the better rate saving. This only works if you're a premier HSBC customer, as you will not be charge any fees for the international transfer (standard bank accounts will get charged, check their website, the fees are listed). Now I'm here I just use HSBC to move all my money in/out of the uk, as there so charge, so just have to watch the exchange rates! hope that helps. Cheers

Hi, I'm just about to rent a house in Melbourne.... going round again for a second view today and will be discussing a few things with the agent..... the water rates/sewerage questions is top of my list so will let you know when i get back! Cheers

Hi, May be late, but thought I'd add my experience. I've been in Melbourne for 3 weeks now :biggrin: and bank with HSBC in the UK. I went through the same thinking before I came, do i need an 'australian' bank for my accounts out here. I choose to stick with HSBC as they sorted everything before I went (and I did it very last minute - two weeks before leaving). I had my new australian personal and joint accounts set up in a week, i.e. before i left i had all the account numbers, branch codes etc, allowing me to set up money transfers. All cards etc were sent to the collins street branch in the city so all i had to do was go and collect them. Whilst i was there, they activated all my cards for me. They even gave me a new internet security device as the original had been sent to the UK (this just allowed wider access to all online services, you can log on using passwords as soon as you have your account details). So I'm fully up and running and have not had to go back since. True, branches are all city based, but you can use their cards in any ATM (I live in Upwey, way out in the eastern suburbs) and for me, who does all my banking via the internet, I don't need a local branch. Also you can link all your accounts online via their global view, so you can maintain your GBP and AUD accounts all in the one place.... a godsend for me being a UK landlord. Each to their own, but I have had no problems with HSBC and see no need for a specific NAB, ANZ etc account unless you need to be popping into branches all the time? Good luck with your move!

Hi, Do seven seas ship large items, beds, sofa etc. I can through to them on the phone, but their quote system online only seems to be for two standard box sizes and some unique stuff like bike boxes, surf board etc.? do they off a full house removal service, as they do look competitively priced. cheers

Hi all, i just had Anglo pacific round this morning (my first of 3 companies coming round). We have a 4 bed house, but not that much stuff, even the salesman said we would only fill 90% of a 20ft container so if we need to take more we could..! anyway.... > Removal cost £4,000 > insurance 3% of total to be insured, this is done by inventory, I.e. you select what items to insure and for how much, so basically insure the high end stuff, tv, large items, my bikes!! And set the value. Leave things like clothing, bed linen, cutlery etc. unless you want to insure them (but I won't be!). He mentioned on average the figure people come to is around £10-15,000 so £300 to £450 at 3%. > then the AQUIS cost which is Australian customers charge at the other end, paid when the goods are checked prior to release direct to them, this is currently $450 (he told me), so about £300. taking the lower insurance, total came to £4,600 this is not cheap, but they do all the packing, which as I'm going first and the wife and kids coming a month later is a bonus. They dismantle all beds, wardrobes etc. Delivery door2door and even reassemble stuff when the deliver it! Like I say this is my first quote of 3, so may get the same for cheaper elsewhere, but the salesman was nice, not pushy etc. And they seemed like a slick, professional company. will let you know what PSS and Excess International come back with later. (ps. Also looked at seven seas as they seem to be cheap and recommended, but I don't think they do the full house move, I.e. big items. Just seem to send standard boxes and unique items, bikes, gold clubs etc., no sofas, large items of furniture? And I can't get though on the phone to them to find out!)

Thanks for the quick reply.

Hi All, My OH is the primary applicant on our skilled immigrant (175) visa. We have been over the Australia to activate the visas on a short break. The aim is now for me to return permanently on my own first to find work prior to the rest of the clan (OH & kids) joining me. As we have now activated the visas can we do this or does my OH still have to enter the country first as the primary applicant? Cheers P

Will do, thanks Mary

Hi, I'm an experience IT PM (SDLC, Agile, RBPM) mostly working in the finance sector. We have our Visas and are ready to go. Looking to move to Melbourne towards the end of the year and just wanted to see what the job market is like there at the moment in this line of work? Also, we will be over in May to activate Visas, so has anyone got any decent contacts for recruitment agencies in Melbourne etc. Thanks

Hi All, We made the decision to change our lives and make the move to Melbourne some time ago and finally we're nearly there. 175 Visas are sorted and now its a case of tidying up a few things here and lining up some work out there. I'm an experienced IT Project Manager and ideally would like to line something up prior to moving, but from what I know to date I realise this may not be achievable. Any PM's out there managed to get work before making the move? We are traveling to Melbourne in May (long holiday) to activate the Visas and (the plan is) line up some job interviews, check out schools etc. Hoping to use this time for me to try and secure a job for a future date (enabling me to return to the UK help sort a few things out then return, start work and 'settle in' before the rest of the family join me later). So also asking for any contacts for recruitment agencies in the IT industry etc. Basically any contacts, help and advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

Thanks for the reply, i'm just going from what it says in the paper work that accompanied our visa confirmation. Like you I believe everything i handled electronically, but just wanted to check. Cheers

The good news...... we got our 175 VisasGranted last year in double quick time..... quicker than we thought and as such we are off to Melbourne in May to activate them and recce jobs, schools and all that jazz...... very exciting times!! I know I'm leaving it late, but I have been reading through all the Visa paperwork again to make sure we have everything sorted and spotted the question of evidencing the Visa on our passports. The accompanying letter states this may be be a requirement. Does anyone know if the UK requires us to have a visa label...... would had to get there in May and have a problem and I can't find it anywhere on the internet, australian or UK gov sites? Thanks. P