foibles

Not correct. And with respect to the OP's question - yes, I have direct experience. As I type, the missus is running a video conference for her client back in Aus. We've been in the UK for 3 months, and she's been working solidly for her client (5AM starts!) each work day. She is an employee of my company, and her agency pays my company, Aussie dollars into an Aussie bank account. The ATO will try to keep you on its books as long as possible, so you need to be cautious of double taxation issues (which really just means that you'd be subject to the worst case tax interpretation of the two countries). The ATO has no hard and fast rules on this (as always, this is deliberate ambiguity, not accidental) - and it is as much a matter of 'interpretation'. Factors include whether you sold up your house in Australia, or do you retain an abode there? Likewise, have you moved into a 'permanent' abode in the UK? Did you de-enrol from the Aus electoral role? Have you enrolled on the UK one? Have you shut Aussie bank accounts, and opened UK ones? What did you put on your entry card when you came into the UK - did you tick the box that said you'd be returning to Australia. If done properly, you can not only avoid the double tax trap, but actually engineer some pretty flexible taxation arrangements, which are quite beneficial, especially if you are able to utilise either a Pty Ltd or a Trust in Australia, and a Ltd in the UK. All the best with the move.

Hi all, Ok, sorry this is not entirely within the bounds of this chat area, but I'm hoping most here may know the answer to my question. Currently, I take blood pressure meds in Australia. I go to my local gp, which costs me about 100 bucks / 50 quid, and then my prescription is 37 bucks / 18 quid. I have tier 1 visa for the UK. Upon arrival; 1. Can I visit a local gp purely to get a script? What would be a reasonable cost for me to attend such a clinic? I presume NHS does not cover this, and may not cover me. 2. Do I have reciprocal rights, such that I can fill my script at the flat rate of 8 quid when there? Or is it likely to cost more than this? In my conversations with Brits here in oz, they tell me most meds are charged on a flat rate....whereas I don't think this holds true in aus. Rgds Foibles

Thank you all. Lady Rainicorn - I completely appreciate what you've said in relation to the motivations of recruiters...for it is the same here in Oz (and likely other countries too). As for where we are hoping to live - well, in part that can be determined by where she gets the right role....we'll travel all the way up north if need be, however her preference is London, and my preference is Southern UK, and closer to the coast if possible (from SW to South to SE - basically running a latitudinal line no more than 5 miles north of London and anywhere below). From what I am told, roles pay much more in London, but this is commensurate with the costs of living there too. So if it ends up being a zero sum gain, we're largely impartial to where we live. (In fact, it is more 'in what' we live, rather than where. She wants to live in a secure apartment complex with 24-hour concierge, gym + pool, I would prefer to live on a sprawling estate with 10 car garage. Given we'll be after something fully furnished, I suspect we'll have far more options in terms of inner city apartments, than we will in beachside manors. In reality though, we don't need a large abode, and we often get by in 1 or 2BR apartment complexes in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney) Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

OK - so the missus and I have Visa approval for the UK. She's allowed to work, I'm not - but I find that notion quite palatable really.....but it is not without it's T's and C's. Such as....I am now at her back and call for a range of admin and heavy lifting tasks....one of which is to determine which websites are the most 'reliable' for those seeking work in the IT sector. She's a Test Manager with a reputable university here in Australia, and is looking for work as either a Test Manager or Test Lead. Can anyone recommend any websites that are particularly useful (I presume Indeed and Reed are good examples?) in terms of starting the work search? (We have LinkedIn covered already.....and this will be her primary networking platform). Feedback appreciated. Now I am off to learn how to make toast. Rgds, Foibles

Bear in mind you may be up for around 750 GBP per vehicle in taxes and duties - which adds an extra 1500 GBP or so to your decision....

If it is a near-trivial cost...it may be worthwhile...like a stocking filler for your CV. But in reality (I'm an IT contractor in Oz, have been for a considerable time), this is unlikely to be anything other than a mere curiosity for most recruiters or potential employers. Obviously each recruiter, employer (etc) will have different requirements and different 'buttons' - but I would think that role-specific certification (SCRUM, PRINCE2, MCSE, TOGAF, etc etc) would hold you in greater stead than an ACS membership. That is not to say that such membership may not have other benefits as well....which may be of particular value to you if and when you get to Aus. For mine...I have done lots of reading CV's and hiring IT staff...I can't recall ever seeing any reference to this but - if I have - it certainly did not have a resounding impact upon me. I hope it all works out well - whichever course you decide upon...

Shopping can't be that exciting can it? Even at an IGA? (unless you have the roller disco 24 x 7 supermarkets like we have here in Melbourne. I prefer it on nights when the bumpers are up.......falling through the fridge is never fun).

OK, so after some truly worthless and meaningless banter from moi (for which I apologise)...a slightly more serious question. Having done a bit of reading into the demographics of many southern and SW towns, from memory....I thought that Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Southampton were a bit...err...on the dodgier side of the ledger. Am I misreading these stats (or is it my memory that is faltering)? I am not trying to offend anyone.....not my intent at all.....I am just trying to get a better appreciation of the demographics. Demographics aside....looks like a very desirable climate down there....and with beach nearby.....!!!

:wideeyed: sounds like global warming is taking hold faster than I realised! Run for the hills! (or swim...as the case may be).

:err:...Perth? Quite a bit going on? I thought they closed the petrol stations at 4PM, and rolled up the footpath at the same time?.....I believe it may even be illegal for any money to change hands anywhere in the city at any time over the weekend...if it is the name of commerce! Lol, I may be being a bit harsh...Melbourne is a tad more dynamic that our Great Western Frontier, however....

Errrr...typing on mobile...meant to say natural Australiana.....damn auto correct

Philip island is a lovely place, but generally over-populated on weekends and holidays, so can feel a but crammed. Make sure you do the seal island tour just past the penguin parade, and also head to the north of the island, a town named cowes, for a walk along the jetty. There are some trails for koala watching but the koala population is pretty sparse now. Melbourne has 3 zoos....the city zoo is quite good, healesville sanctuary is a little more tame but great for those who prefer birds, butterflies and plants, etc. I find the werribee open range zoo the best....do the open top drive out with rhinos etc...a lot of fun. Melbourne city itself has some interesting museums and cultural centres speckled around the place. Eureka tower is probably worth the entrance fee for the view out in all directions. a great way to spend a sunny day is to do the eureka trip, then walk down 200 metres to Southbank, where you can catch the ferry out to Williamstown, a lovely little bayside town with great gelato shops and all types of restaurants. another great day out is to do werribee zoo, then werribee park mansion, then shadowfax winery in the one day. highly recommended is a weekend jaunt along the great ocean road, stopping off at seaside towns like Torquay, anglesea and port fairy. You can see the twelve apostles as you drive. further to the north, but under appreciated and under utilised....take a 2 hour drive to the north to the township of echuca. It is lovely. Spend a day meandering through town, and have lunch at a pub named Oscar w. Make sure you get a seat out by the Murray river side....overlooking magnificent gumtrees and the finest natural Australians you will see

{QUOTE} The pic above is of one of the beaches on Harris in The Hebrides. My grandfather was born there. Seas are a bit cold though {QUOTE} How do they compare to Boat Harbour and Penguin (from your neck of the woods) - some of the loveliest beaches on earth to be found in Northern Tas (regrettably, they are absolutely Antarctic.....even in January!)

I know that theories of global warming include rising sea levels.....but divers catching wild venison.......I think we need an awareness campaign for this! What next...ewe boats? sorry....I may have been drinking....

GGS - many thanks for your kind explanation. At the risk of taking a liberty here, may I ask if you would test my assumptions and calculations here (using the GF as an example)? If she were to work 225 days in a calendar year, at the rate of 400 pounds per day, this is equivalent to 90K GBP. I presume that she would be eligible for the personal allowance, and that this 10K allowance would be applied to the 90K, hence reducing the taxable amount to 80K? I gather the 11% contribution to 'the pot' (NIC, etc) is a flat rate on the entire amount (of 80K taxable income) - so 8800GBP From the Gov.UK website I see there is a 20% rate up to 31,865 - so 6373 GBP in tax on this amount. And for the balance (80,000 - 31,865 = 48,135) I see there is a rate of 40% on this, which is 19,254. So, as a generalisation, on earnings of 90K, one would expect to pay approximately 8800 + 6373 + 19254 = 34,427. If this is correct (and of course one or more of my assumptions could be very very wrong) - it seems as though she'd be paying 34,427 in income tax and 'other contributions' on her 90K income....which I calculate as around 38-39%? I'm not quibbling over tax rates nor am I complaining about these rates being too high or too low - I am just trying to become 'more learned' in these general taxation rules before we head on over. Again, my thanks for the time you have taken to assist me on this. Cheers, Jeremy

Hey - thanks very much for this - greatly appreciated. I am trying to prepare myself for the (as you refer to it as) horizontal rain and also the glorious greyshine....the closest one can come to preparedness is to spend some time in Tasmania (which I have plenty of times) or Southern NZ (on rare occasions). I do know that Scots moving down under have a particular affinity for these places (some pretty good whisky coming out of Tassie now too!). I presume by 'radically different' you mean getting warmer (oh I hope so....)? I'll do a bit more research into Brighton and Cornwall / Devon. Whilst I can be pretty relaxed in my choice of local, my partner is likely to seek work with a larger corporate type, so if either of these cities have any semblance of corporate presence, that would be great too (but then, corporate presence can detract from what would otherwise be an idyllic 'retreat'). Thanks again for the help!

As an Aussie due to move to the UK shortly, I am faced with the following predicament; 1. I very much prize sunshine and warm weather. Now, before anyone questions my sanity in the first place, let's just presume I have the proverbial gun at my head. So - where in the UK should I move that will provide this in better measure? Is it as simple as saying ' move southwards!'. If so, what about coastal areas - are they a bit too breezy? 2. So as to complicate matters, my partner will be looking for a contract role in software development (more accurately as a Test / QA lead or manager), whilst I myself will be looking to hire some developers (Java / PHP / iOS developers). Are our aspirations for hiring and being hired...somewhat incompatible with my desire to earn a golden tan and surf with great white sharks? OK, that's a bit extreme....but I presume one is much harder pressed finding lucrative IT contract work in (say) Torquay or Southampton than in London, Manchester etc? If indeed the south may address my first requirement better than the north, how do the cities of Bristol, Southampton, Brighton or Cardiff (yes, I know where it is..) fit the bill? Ill-informed, heavily biased or even outright scornful responses more than welcome on this question! Thanks, Jeremy

hi there - I wasn't sure where to post this thread - hopefully this is the right ....what do you call this?...section? anyway - my girlfriend and I are in the process of moving to the UK. She has her Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa. I am a just over this age threshold, so going for the Entrepreneur Visa. What I am hoping to clarify are the following; 1. If she contracts in IT (she is currently a Test / QA Manager) - what taxes should she pay? I presume she'll be classified as a PAYE, so she pays 20% on earnings up to 31,865, and then 40% on earnings over and above? Are there additional levies or taxes to be paid (for instance, in Australia, you don't just pay income tax...you also pay Medicare Levy of 2%, and you can be subjected to an array of other charges...Medicare surcharge, our recent 'flood levy', our new 'high income earner' tax, etc) 2. If I establish a business, and can only be self-employed, I presume this works much as it does in Australia....whereby my own 'wage' is deemed PAYE and would be subject to the 20%/40%, but whatever the company earns would be subject to a company tax rate? However (as with Australia), presuming I pull down all company income as a wage anyway...ultimately I would be basically a PAYE anyway? 3. In Australia, my company develops software, and I use my own leased apartment as a part-time office when I am not on customer sites. As a result, I can claim a portion of my weekly rent / lease costs as a business expense (I claim 10% by floor space, hence by value of the weekly lease). I presume this would be permissible in the UK as well? Would appreciate anyone who has experience or expertise in these matters, sharing some pearls of wisdom for my benefit. Thanks in advance, Jeremy

my understanding is....if you have not owned the car for at least 6 months in Australia....and you do not then keep it a further 12 months in the UK, it will be eligible for both duty (10% of its deemed value) and VAT (which I thought to be 20%, not the 17.5% someone else mentioned). For those who do not meet both sides of this equation (such as the person sending via a 3rd party), your 40K AUD car, will then be potentially liable for a further 7K GBP in VAT and duty, before considering the not insignificant costs of transport from Southampton or Newcastle ports (it is illegal to drive the car) - which at a cost of around 3GBP per mile (you could easily be up for a further 1000 GBP just there) plus MOT, plus engineering the car back to UK standards (speedometer...technically you need not worry about odometer according to DVA), plus customs charges at both Australian and UK ports, plus you'll often want insurance lest your car get damaged. HOWEVER - in having said that - if you wish to bring lots of personal effects back with you, and you do meet the 6/12 month criteria - then sending via container (not via RORO) is actually a pretty wise thing to do. I can provide more detailed customs charge breakdown for you later if you wish...

Hi there, Can anyone bring specific knowledge or experience to the table here please? I would like to move BOTH of my car and (a limited amount of) personal effects to the UK within the one shipping container. is this both legal and practical? If anyone has recent experience, what is the cost of such a move?

I lived in Ringwood for probably 20 years...so can help (curious that your work is there? not a big suburb in terms of industry or employment?) Ringwood is easily accessible by public transport - check how far from place of work is from ringwood station, or east ringwood station. Ringwood is also easily accessible by car - it is serviced by major highways (Eastern Freeway - running all the way from Melbourne CBD, 30 klms east to Ringwood), or Eastlink (a toll road for which you must pay to use) - whereby you could live all the way down south of Melbourne, towards suburbs like Safety Beach, and drive along the toll road, which would take about half an hour. If you want to avoid driving if possible, then Ringwood is not hard to get to. Your budget of $400/500 per week is ample - should get you a nice 3/4BR house in the area. Gets you more for your money if you move away from the city, towards suburbs like Boronia or Croydon or Mooroolbark, or gets you a smaller house in a nicer suburb if you move towards the city, and travel AWAY from most traffic flows. For example...Surrey Hills. Good luck!