Marisawright

Correct. I have no issues with Perth or Australia the reasons I left were nothing to do with that.

I think that comment was referring to the OP, or are you the same person with two different usernames?

From my own experience I wouldn't head off there without your wife and child. If this is going to be a new life and adventure for the family then you all need to go and experience it together. ...

 

In 2004 my ex (notice he's now an ex!) travelled out to Oz 3 months ahead of me and our young son. He had a job offer and wanted to take it up straight away. ... He chose the new house and the furniture to go in it, bought a car, and then when we followed 3 months later I had to fit in with what he'd already made. He already had a group of friends to go out with and I was then left to find my own friends by myself.

 

... Within a very short period of time I realised I didn't actually want to be there after all as it was all about me and our son having to fit in with what he'd put in place.

If the OP had a job offer in place, none of us would be suggesting he go alone! We're suggesting it because there is no job offer, so he may take several weeks to find a job - or he may find he can't get one at a level he's happy with, or he may have to move states to get one. Obviously while all that is going on, he'd be staying in hostels or boarding houses, not buying houses!

I would also not expect him to go buying a house before the family arrived - the sensible next step would be to arrange a six-month lease somewhere to give the family time to arrive, learn about the areas and choose the right house for their long-term future.

I understand what you mean by it feeling like "his" house and you just had to fit in - I got very stressed when my oh and I moved into our first home together - not because he'd chosen it, but because he had loads of existing furniture, books etc and I had virtually none, so I felt as if he'd taken over the whole house! I think that will always be an issue between us because he's a bit of a hoarder and I'm a minimalist, but we've found strategies to cope with it!

I think that's the key really - our relationship has a lot of challenges but we care about each other enough to give and take. Your oh could've made an effort to help you settle in (not "leaving you to find your own friends" for instance - and not refusing to leave Oz when you were so desperate you couldn't stay!), but he didn't: that speaks volumes to me about his regard for you. Maybe it's just as well you found out early in your marriage as I suspect that lack of consideration would've caused a breakup eventually anyway.

I found this thread which might offer some information:

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/77462-gas-fitters-watch-out-3.html

As I read this I recall all the times on holiday when ive wished it to rain and the heat has been unbearable

The medical side is a concern and something I have not looked at yet.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the medical side. Yes, you do pay upfront then claim it back for some services - but the point is, you DO claim it back (in some cases all of it, in other cases part). So although it can be a drain on the purse at first, it's just a case of managing the cash flow.

Where were you on holiday when you found the heat unbearable? People react differently to heat. My sister loves it, it can't get hot enough for her, and she's dragging out her winter duvet at the first hint of cooler weather - whereas I have sweat dripping off the end of my nose when the thermometer hits 30 degrees - and feel positively ill by the time it gets to 35, which is very limiting when you live in a hot country!

Hi,

 

I am hoping someone could help me as I'm new to all this.

 

My Mum & Sister live in Brisbane and have done for 7 years, they are now permanent residents. I would love to move out there and be with them but I have no clue which visa I have to apply for. I'm 27 with good health and a full time job in a solicitors. My partner of 9 years is 30 years old, fully qualified electrician but has Crohn's disease. Please can anyone advise what we would have to do to live and work in Oz?

 

Your partner should be OK, the bigger question is whether one of you could qualify for a visa in the first place. A consultation with a MARA registered agent would be a sensible first step.

Even though my heart says take her....my head says it's for our not her benefit. Hmmmmm.....

That's the right attitude I think. I see owners posting that they couldn't possibly leave their pet behind because the PET would be devastated, but in many cases the pet would adapt if there is a loving home that would take them. If you truly love someone then you do what's best for them, not what's best for you.

I substitute "missing the UK" for "lack of suitable work", most ensure they have work before emigrating.

Absolutely not true! For many occupations, it's difficult if not impossible to secure work before you leave the UK. You can do the research and find out about job prospects, but that's not the same as knowing you have a job.

Besides, unfortunately some people don't realise how much research is necessary - they assume because they've got their visa that their qualifications will automatically be recognised by Australian employers , or they assume that because an occupation is on the SOL or CSOL, there must be heaps of jobs - and then find out that's not the case when they arrive.

Thanks for your comments. I am not sure what causes the feeling of fear if I'm honest, maybe just the thought of going through it all again? I don't see how my post is odd however, I am contemplating a move to the other side of the world and I am just feeling a bit unsure nothing odd in that! I am after all only human!!

I think people would see it as odd because most people have the opposite problem - they find it hard to settle in Australia because their parents are back in the UK.

You seem to be saying that you couldn't settle in Perth in spite of your parents being there with you. If that's the case, then why on earth would you think it'll be different this time?

One thing I've learned from these forums - and from my own recent experience - is that you can't always base your decision on logical considerations. Sometimes no matter how much "better" a life you can have elsewhere, you will never be happy if you feel you don't belong.

One thing to check carefully with plumbers is what kind of work you could do. I recall seeing some posts somewhere here about the kind of work being different in Australia, and I do recall someone who was a specialist plumber being told, forget it because plumbers don't do that kind of work in Oz, some other trade does it.

Sorry I know that doesn't quite make sense but I hope someone is able to clarify!

I would say stick with Brisbane because housing in Melbourne will be much more expensive, so it'll be harder to keep afloat if you're not working.

I know the visa itself is a cost, but have you thought about getting the visa and then coming out on your own to find a job before you bring the family?

You sound very fortunate, it is the risk financially that concerns me. If money was not an issue I would go tomorrow as I know if it wasn't for us I could financially afford to come back and take the financially loss. What would you say the main difference are. Is it that you have a bigger home/pool that has improved your lifestyle, the time you spend outdoors because of the weather? The work ethic is this different?

 

I'd say it's very difficult to answer that question for Australia as a whole, because each state has its differences. If what you want is to be able to afford a bigger house with a pool, then do your research very carefully and check both job prospects and house prices - because in many parts of Australia, houses in desirable areas are very expensive. The house on the big block with a pool used to be the classic Australian house - now, Australians in some cities will never own anything close to that.

As for work ethic - there's an image of Australians as being more "laid back" but that doesn't mean they work any less. If you have to work long hours to live comfortably in the UK, the likelihood is you'll have to do the same in Australia. What's different is what you can do outside your working hours, and that can make it all worthwhile for some people.

Sorry if i was not clear, you do have to hold £2500 in the account for it to be fee free

Yes you said that, but I checked all the information on fees and charges and I cant find any mention of that on the bank website. Which makes me think they've changed the rule and new customers won't get it.

To be perfectly honest I think people in general actually work more hours here but it certainly is more of an outdoor lifestyle and the weather is much more reliable and warm ( even Melbourne!) You can nearly always have a BBQ in the Summer without fear of rain. It is easy to get out of the cities and spend time in the glorious bush and the shops are good, too. So you have the best of both worlds in a way.

Yes, I agree, people definitely work longer hours in Sydney and Melbourne, and for no overtime pay either! The standard working day in most offices is not 9 to 5, it's 8.30 to 5.30, and you'll be expected to arrive earlier and leave later.

My impressions (from visiting offices in other states) is that it's not like that in Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth - but perhaps people from there could confirm. And of course we only get 4 weeks' holiday a year and a limited number of sick days - but I think there are more public holidays?

Thanks Marisa, I have a superfund as does my wife.

So do we, but we don't have confidence that our super balance is going to last for the rest of our lives, so we'd like to have a government pension as a backstop! If you've got a comfortable balance and have done the projections, good luck to you. If you ever paid NI contributions in the UK, you'll be able to use your Australian work record up to 2001 to gain extra credits and improve your British pension.

The fact that you're over 30 doesn't make any difference. If you were under 30 you could get a cheap visa, but it's just for a 1-year working holiday and gives you no right to live and work in Australia long-term. ALL other visas are expensive so it's just a case of finding the one that's most appropriate for your situation.

If you are talking about the need to cover up in QLD/have insect repellent strategies, we have lived on the Sunshine Coast for 13 years, and certainly don't have a problem sitting outside without fly screens at night.

 

ps. winter is a lovely time of year here, might get dark early, but days average 20+ clear blue skies and no humidity just perfect

I seem to be a mozzie magnet wherever I go! I agree about the winter, although it does get dark early it's not gloomy all day like it can be in the UK. In fact it's my favourite time of year in Oz, mild with clear skies.

This forum can be excellent for advice but also at times feels like the happiness wolves are just prowling waiting for someone to stumble and say the wrong thing. Heaven forbid if they say they think they might have a better life! Lol! ( even if they MIGHT!)

I have no problems with people saying they might have a better life provided it's based on reality not pipe dreams. If someone says something that's factually inaccurate then I think it's unkind not to point out the error just in case it would make a difference to their decision. Who are we to judge what's an important part of the "better life" and what's not?

I didn't know that about it getting dark is this in summer too?

It's summer we're talking about! If you're in Queensland it will be dark in winter about 5pm and in summer by 7.30pm.

Of course even though it's dark, the weather can be mild or even hot, so there's nothing to stop you relaxing with a chardonnay out on the veranda, (though you'll need to cover up against the mosquitos and/or use insect repellent strategies if you don't have fly screens).

I just knew someone would " pounce" on the light thing.! Couldn't let it lie.....Sigh....

Maybe she meant she looks forward to those long nights here as generally the weather/warmth is more unreliable. It might go darker earlier in Aus but when you have more sunshine overall, it might not matter.

She (he?) may not have meant exactly what she said, but on the other hand maybe she did - so worth mentioning just in case.

It's little points like that, which can take you by surprise because you never think to look them up or ask questions about them. And while little things may not matter, they can also add up!

As I've said before on here you can open a sterling offshore bank account with Lloyds international, you have to provide proofs of residence and tell them you need it to receive overseas payments and hold 2.5k pounds in it for it to be free banking

I looked this up last time you mentioned it, and this is what I found:

http://international.lloydsbank.com/international-current-accounts/

You may have been lucky to get it fee-free but the current offering isn't.

It would take me ages to reply individually but what interesting posts, thank you to you all. Our reason is we hope to eventually buy the home of our dreams, we expect to work hard for it and eventually sell up our uk home. Also for the weather, winter is a long time and I live for long bright days, where we are out in the garden until late. We don't wear rose tinted glasses and we know it wont be an easy move and will take us lots of saving, emotional Rollercoaster, with visa process and the move settling in, will still have to work etc... but we have got to try. We are doing so much research and the people on here are amazing, so helpful and happy to share your experiences.

Best of luck to you but a few things to consider. First of all, there are no "long bright days" in Australia. The length of the day doesn't vary from winter to summer nearly as much as the UK so you don't get the very short winter days - but you don't get long summer twilights either. Once the sun goes down it gets dark suddenly!

It's one of the reasons you want to avoid a long commute, if you're hoping to get down to the beach after work - even at the height of summer it'll be dark before 8pm, not giving you long to have a swim!

Also do check out the house prices - housing in Australia is expensive. You have much more chance of getting the house of your dreams in the North of England, Scotland, Wales or several countries in Europe than Australia.

Just wondering if anyone who has made the move back to UK regrets it and why?

I don't think you can draw any conclusions from what people answer - there are so many different reasons why people move back.

Some will be delighted to be back because their Australian experience taught them to appreciate what they had at home.

Another common experience is that, if they face a few difficulties in Australia, migrants start seeing their homeland through rose-coloured glasses - and the longer they stay, the more they mentally exaggerate the good about home and the bad about Oz. But when they do finally get home, they realise how rose-coloured the glasses were, and regret that they didn't appreciate what they had in Australia.

For many people, though, it will be a mixed response - there will be things they're glad to get back to and things they'll miss about Australia. How you weigh those up is different for everyone.

James, thanks for sharing mate, great positive story.

 

In 4 years time we hope to retire back to the UK, we hope it goes as smoothly as your move. We own a cottage in Cornwall which we will retire back to, so that's one thing sorted.

@Thom - I may have mentioned this to you already, but be aware that if you leave Australia before you reach pension age, you won't be able to claim the Australian govt pension.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, James I've recently "had a moment" and have decided it's time for me to return "home" after 25 years living in Australia. It was great to read your post even though your circumstances are quite different to mine. I'm only in the very early stages of planning and tbh it will probably take me a while to get back but it's great to get feedback from members; the for's and the against, pro's and con's etc. Best wishes to you and your family and your new life in beautiful Devon

No idea what age you are but if you've been in Australia that long and are nearing retirement age, do check out the pension implications - leave it too long and you could miss out on both.

Financially you would probably be better off claims the Australian pension and having your part UK pension to top up ( if you get full Aussie Pension the UK won't give you full pension ) Centrelink pay full pension overseas 4 weeks in arrears ,after 26 weeks depending on the age you were when you emigrated it could drop Working life is between the age of 16 and retirement you need 35 years to get full pension It used to be 25 years but changed not long ago Quite complicated to work out but I did find Centrelink helpful when we returned to the UK

..BUT, like I said, if you're not already receiving the Australian pension BEFORE you leave Australia, then you get nothing at all.