Marisawright

Thank you all for the replies.

 

I really is is scary how it can all add up!

 

We we are hoping we can do it as cheap as possible obviously.

 

Visas for a family of 4 roughly £6k?

 

are medicals about £600 each?

The biggest costs can be things you don't think about, like temp accommodation while you find a place to live, and living expenses while you're looking for a job (which in the current job market could be months for some people). Also losses you didn't expect to make - for instance, we realised we really needed our car till the last minute, so we had to settle for selling it to a dealer instead of private sale. And you never get as much as you hope when selling furniture etc.

I do my own UK tax on line but I've got an accountant here in Surry Hills for my ATO return. Maybe I should investigate getting a UK accountant. I'd hate to think I'm missing out on something.

 

The best thing is to get one accountant to do both. Because you've got to declare your British income on your Aussie tax return, it gets complicated if you have two separate people.

Thanks suzukiscottie - that's good to know.

 

 

Just to be clear - if she doesn't move to Australia before her travel entitlements expire, then she WILL lose the right to move to Oz. So you are right about the 5 year limit.

I think the Smith Clan are about right. You will get varying answers - especially from people who are very "pro-Australia" and anxious not to put people off - but in my experience, those who say it cost less have either forgotten, or aren't thinking it through.

For instance, you can avoid shipping costs by selling/giving away all your stuff and replacing it when you arrive in Oz - but then you have to consider the cost of replacement. You can save by buying your replacement furniture from charity shops and cheap places. You can buy an old banger to get you started. BUT the point is, you'll end up with furniture you don't really like and a car that won't last so eventually you'll have to buy the proper stuff - so you'll spend the money in the end.

How much should I be paying for what are straightforward tax returns. Thanks

Nothing. Do them yourself. All you have to do is, when you declare your British income on the Australian tax return, also declare how much British tax you paid.

That's assuming your income is just from employment. If you've got shares, property etc then it can get complicated and you should get an accountant who knows BOTH systems. Most accountants don't. I pay $500 for my tax return.

Why is this the case? I understand having to make the move within a certain time frame after being granted the visa - but why does the travel part expire after 5 years??

It's because a lot of Europeans were coming to Australia to establish their PR, then heading back to Greece or Italy to live - they were using Australia as a kind of insurance policy in case things turned bad. Some of them were also returning in retirement to claim their Aussie pension in spite of having lived in the country for only a few years. That's why the rules on pensions are so strict now.

Midwife so pretty well paid over there yes, and from what I hear and have researched there is much better job satisfaction there in the role.

 

I have literally no support here minus a childminder, which is easily replaced in another country. My son goes everywhere with me, when he is not at childminders and I have been out 4 times in the last 5 years so don't think it will be a big jump for me with having no support. When I am sick I have to get on with it, no help. When my son is sick, I have to take time off, you should see my university absense list - crazy as anytime he was sick and didnt want the childminders I had nobody else to help.

 

What I do have here though is friends, but I dont even see them much they are into going on nights out etc so I spend more time texting them than seeing them. I would like to get the same kind of support when I move after some time as its really useful to have friends for a wee rant sometimes even if just on the phone. x

It sounds like moving to Oz won't make much difference to your support level so that makes a big difference to our concerns. Your existing friends will still be accessible on Facebook/mobile/Skype anyway, though the time difference may mean you get delayed reactions!

The only thing I'd be concerned about is that word Sydney in your username. Forget Sydney - you can't afford it. With a small child, you couldn't manage a long commute - and living close to any of the big hospitals will cost you a fortune in rent. I would be looking at Brisbane or Adelaide which are both much lower-cost. Even better, consider going to a smaller city like Newcastle or Cairns.

We are looking to buy our first home in Australia after living here two years (Melbourne) My wife can drawdown on her UK pension in a couple of months at 55, looking to put into property as the pensions she has are quite low values but would help increase out deposit, however if any more thatn 25% of our pension we have to pay 20% basic rate tax in UK.

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to recover this 20% tax as we are not living there and earnings for the full year in UK would be well below the minimum tax threshold or do you have to pay the tax irrelevant of earnings.

 

Also is there any tax implication in Australia bringing the money in.

 

I hope someone has better news but I'm not optimistic. Australia will tax all your earnings irrespective of where they come from, so yes you'll have to pay Australian tax on it as well. The double taxation agreement means they'll take the British tax into account, but if the Australian tax is more, then they'll want the extra.

I've seen others transfer money from pensions and lose over 30% in tax. Of course their situation may have been different, but do be careful!

 

Very few people in the UK do have private insurance so, like us, you may decide you don't need it.

Actually I was going to say that too

Marisa, in fairness one of the reasons we left Australia was because it had changed so much and not for the better but we digress

And your point is...? I am not saying one country is better than the other, just that they shouldn't simply assume they will settle back in the UK. Many do, but some don't - so it's silly to burn bridges you don't have to, just in case.

I am thinking of doing a WHV later this year. Currently, I work in an office with a good job that is very well paid. So I would be giving up a lot to do my WHV but it's an opportunity I cannot pass up on.

 

My question is, how likely am I to secure an office type customer service / call centre role? Are companies in the bigger cities willing to take on WHV candidates?

 

Yes, definitely. If you've got good experience you will definitely find jobs. Bear in mind that you can't work with the same employer for more than six months, so you'll have to work through temp agencies.

The big obstacle is convincing the temp agencies that you're not the stereotypical "unwashed backpacker" who spends most of his evenings boozing, and is liable to take off in a campervan at any moment (most of the WHV'ers of my acquaintance are nothing like that, but agencies are prejudiced!).

So, make sure you have a professional-looking resume, sign up with several agencies and try if you can to actually meet the consultant so he/she can see how smartly dressed you are.

We are going home in July after fifteen years in Oz. I've been paying for top Medibank cover for all that time. Has anyone managed to transfer cover with Medibank to a UK health insurer with no waiting periods etc?

Thanms in advance for any advice!

I'm with HCF and was told they had an agreement with a UK insurer to waive the waiting period. However when I looked into it, that insurer was quite a bit dearer than other funds. So I was really better to go with a cheaper fund and put up with the waiting period.

As it happens, we've decided we're not staying so it's not an issue. What I suggest is that you tell Medibank you're leaving temporarily: you'll be able to suspend your membership for up to two years, then if you come back you can resume it with full benefits.

I'm sure you're not even contemplating returning to Australia at this point, but never say never - the UK has changed a lot in fifteen years and so have you! It costs nothing to leave your Medibank account in suspension.

That's true but it's the same whether you are single or not. If you are happy in your own company and don't crave to be around friends and family then yes it can be possible.

Yes of course that's true, but when you're moving with a partner, at least you have one adult to keep you company!

And it's also the case that a UK birth certificate doesn't give any right to UK citizenship so where the birth certificate is from is somewhat irrelevant. It's who it says your parents are that is the important bit.

This.

Please tell me it's doable on one income. Did you find it hard the whole process alone? Was it harder to make friends once there as less of/ no social life outside of the park etc with kids

Yes, of course it's going to be a bit harder to make friends if you can't get out of the house to meet them, you will have to work harder at it - perhaps join an organisation for single parents. The big thing you have to consider is that most people's closest friends are people they met at school or college - you can make lots of acquaintances when you're older, but it's more difficult to make a real bff.

i prefer to live outside of the area where I practice so I am interested in towns within 30-40 mins away from Port Macquarie for my job search. With good enough transport links too.

Transport links will be your problem anywhere you live in Australia, unless you're in a capital city. Public transport between towns is poor, and sometimes non-existent. Even where it does exist, buses are often infrequent.

For instance I used to live in Warracknabeal (Victoria). It's about 40 minutes drive from Horsham (the main regional centre) but there is no local bus between the two.

When we first arrived (my oh got a job in the local school) we had to be met by one of the staff in Ballarat - two hours away - and driven to Warracknabeal. The next day we had to get someone to drive us back to Horsham so we could buy a car, as there was no other way to get around. That won't be the case in Port, of course, but it gives you an idea how difficult it can be to get around in the country. You will need to drive!

The reason I'm interested is I never used to think it was important but now I don't like to 'dip in' I guess it stems from having nothing then slowly becoming more financially independent. Fear of being broke again.

I'm pretty much the same, and frankly it's doing my head in now! My oh retired early and persuaded me to do the same. Before we left Oz, I was doing part-time work and that paid for things I would call essentials but aren't really - things like facials, shoes (got more than a wardrobeful already), etc. Now I'm not working, everything has to be paid from savings - and those savings are the proceeds of our house sale!

Even though we've calculated (over and over again) that we can afford it, (because we'll be able to take money out of our super to buy a place when we return), I find I'm just terrified to spend money! After a lifetime of saving, it just seems so wrong to take money out without putting money in.

Randwick is going to be close to work ... but doesnt have alot of atmosphere / not very pretty. I'd suggest Coogee or Bronte if your looking for something close to the hospital (both closer to beach).

 

You should also think about other areas in the Eastern Suburbs like: Paddington, Rushcutters Bay, Darlinghurst, Elizabeth Bay ... these have heaps of things to see and do (much nicer than Randwick) ... and not too far from Prince of Wales hospital by bus.

....although it's worth pointing out that because Randwick is "not very pretty", rental accommodation there is noticeably cheaper than any of the other suburbs you mention, so she'll get a much nicer flat for her money. As the OP is someone moving permanently, I'd say spending the first six months in a nice flat that's close to work is a good way to start, she can then take her time to look for the right long-term rental in other suburbs if she likes them better.

I agree, first things first! Sad to say, for some people it's simply not possible to migrate to Oz. For instance, I was able to migrate because my husband was eligible - if I hadn't been married to him, I'd have had absolutely no chance on my own, ever.

So, before you do anything else, establish whether his occupation is on one of the lists of occupations on the link provided by Skani. If it is, then also check whether he has the required qualifications and experience. If he does, then you can take the next steps.

Let's assume he is eligible and move on to your other questions. A lift engineer has the best chance of getting work in a big city, so I'd say you'd need to focus on Brisbane - and I'd say you'd be better off in holiday accommodation with a rental car. It could be difficult to drive around the suburbs looking at houses for sale, etc, in a campervan.

Better life and better prospects? When I arrived in Australia over 30 years ago, that was definitely the case. Having returned about 9 months ago, I'd say it's far less clear-cut now. IMO life is not better or worse in either country, it's just different. Australia is not Britain with sunshine - migrants from many other countries have influenced the culture. Whether the Australian lifestyle suits you is very much down to personal preference - what your hobbies and interests are, what kind of lifestyle you like to lead, what your personality is like. So the idea of visiting for four weeks is a good one, so you can experience it personally an make up your own mind.

Lots of work in weddings because there is a huge population of second- and third-generation Italians, Maltese, Greeks, etc, who all have a strong tradition of huge weddings with all the trimmings.

As for film and TV and fashion - both worlds are a lot smaller in Australia than in the UK, simply because the population is so much smaller. So there aren't as many film-makers or TV channels, or as many fashion designers.

If you put the herbs and spices in your shipped container, you will have to declare them and then it's possible your container will have to be opened and unpacked so they can check them. That will mean a delay in getting delivery, and possibly extra cost, plus the risk of damage while everything is unpacked and packed again.

Another potential issue - your container isn't climate controlled, so there's a risk your herbs and spices will be spoiled anyway by extreme heat as the ship goes through hot climates.

If you really want to take them, I'd carry them in your luggage with you, and declare them when you arrive.

Hi All,

 

I'm new in Sydney, having recently arrived on a working holiday visa.

 

I'm an Electrician looking for work. Can anywhere point me in the right direction where best to find work in the construction industry?

 

You can't work as an electrician because your UK licence isn't valid. Get your White Card and then you can work on building sites as a labourer.

If they decide to reject citizenship application they may refuse to grant RRV as well. In addition its a matter of four years living in Australia. If i dont get civizenship and leave the country i will have to live in Australia for another for years to satisfy citizenship requirements.

Why on earth would you imagine they'll refuse the RRV? It is a completely different thing. And the clock does not start again so you will not have to wait another four years.

I'm guessing that what you actually want to do is get your citizenship and then go back to your home country, you don't really intend to make Australia your permanent home?

Just a thought, the other thing to look into is whether the father of your children will agree. If he doesn't give his written consent, the children can't go. If he won't agree, you'll have to go to court.

I'm not a single mother but I would caution you to research the move very thoroughly. If you've got no family support, you're going to need some kind of child care or after school care and it's very expensive in Australia. You probably won't be entitled to any benefits for months or even years after you arrive, either. I would be worried about your ability to survive financially unless you're in an occupation that's very well-paid in Australia.