Marisawright

@Rhian, I also recall that you were using a migration agent.  Part of that agent's job, which you've already paid for, is to answer questions like this. They will have a much better idea than us, based on how their other clients are getting on.

But I think you mean the 190 not the 191?  You can't apply for the 191 unless you've already lived and worked in regional Australia.

@empire, to be honest, it sounds like you would be happier staying where you are.  Cost of living is actually a bit higher in Australia than in the UK.  If you're working that doesn't matter because most people earn a higher salary in Australia.  But for retired people like your grandparents, or if you struggle to find work, it would be a problem.  

 You say your former house has almost doubled - well, so has every other house in Tassie, so there's your answer to 'how much is a house'. As Toots said, look on realestate.com.au to get an idea

If money is that tight, have you checked the cost of housing in Australia?    Property prices, both to buy and to rent, have gone up massively.

Of course it depends where you're planning to come to.  For instance, property in Sydney is literally double the price of equivalent property everywhere else in Oz, except Melbourne.

I assume you  all have PR or citizenship?  

13 hours ago, Scottyrob said:

I was looking for a bit of as for a143 visa. I was reading up on this and it said the age limit was 65.5. 

I think you've read that wrongly.   It's your sponsor (your child) who has to be under 65.5 years old.   

However are you aware that the waiting time for the 143 visa is at least 12 years?

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

Those rules are clearly set out and there's even an interactive tool on the ATO website to help determine your tax residency, which covers the majority of situations. The same applies to the HMRC. I think most people would be able to work out their tax status from answering those questions honestly, unless they have rather unusual circumstances.

Yes I know, but let's go back to Blue Manna's original post. That's what I was referring to.  Blue Manna talked about staying six months in each country and said if he did that, he'd probably choose to be Australian resident for tax purposes.  All I said was, he won't get to just choose.  It will be determined by the rules and regulations (which he could determine by using the interactive tool, as you say).  If he wants to be an Australian resident for tax purposes, he probably can't stay 6 months in each country -- he'll have to tailor his travels to achieve the tax result he wants. He can't just travel back and forth as he pleases and then choose which tax regime to be taxed under. That's all I was trying to point out. 

On 08/03/2024 at 20:43, AliG said:

Currently individuals who are UK domiciled – the UK is their home country – but resident abroad, are charged IHT on their estates globally.

This is a potentially misleading statement which will needlessly worry some migrants.  Many people would think "the UK is their home country" means, "the land where they were born".    That's not what it means.   

Executive 'expats' are often UK domiciled because they've kept a home base in the UK while living around the world, and they may not have permanent right of residency in any other country.  However permanent migrants have usually moved their whole lives to their new country, apart from the odd bank account or investment --  so they'd have no difficulty being classified as "Australian domiciled by choice".  In which case they're not liable for IHT on their estates globally.  

22 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

I don't think that's quite how it works in practice. When completing your Australian tax return you declare if you're an Australian resident or non-resident for tax purposes, so you decide.

Maybe I should've said that you're not legally the one to decide.  What decides your tax liability, in each country, are the rules about residency and domicile, which are sometimes open to interpretation -- and it's the tax authorities who decide how they're going to interpret them!

So yes, you could make a unilateral decision which country you're going to be 'resident for tax purposes' in -- but if the other country gets wind of it, and takes a different view, then you won't just be due for extra tax.  You'll be up for fines, too.

The question would be, how likely are they to find out?   I know the ATO and HMRC share information on income nowadays, but whether they get information from Immigration as well, I don't know.

3 hours ago, Kramvi said:

Thank you Marisa for your answer.  How about parents?  Can someone like me sponsor one's parents?  If yes how long does it normally take for them to get a PR?

Are your parents NZ citizens?  

1 hour ago, Mel Lofts said:

 The old rules were that you were classed as domiciled in the UK if your father was born in the UK. .... You could choose to be non-domiciled by choosing another country of domicile e.g. Australia. HMRC would not recognise that domicile of choice unless you met specific criteria - some of which is objective e.g. need to be non resident for a number of years in the last 20, some are subjective e.g. how many ties you have to the UK such as members of social clubs. 

Having spent some time reading the old rules, it doesn't sound as bad as that.  If you had moved to Australia and made it your permanent home for at least 4 years, you were considered "domiciled by choice" in Australia.   It seems to have been more of a problem for expat executives, who may live overseas for years but not stay in one country long enough to establish a domicile by choice (and perhaps still have their home in the UK).  

I understood the new changes in rules were aimed at people from other countries who had moved to the UK, but managed to avoid being considered domiciled (so as to avoid inheritance tax). I don't see anything about changes to how people who have settled permanently in another country will be treated.

11 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

As I'll be retired this won't be a huge problem.

.....however if your pensions are so small that you're not worried about tax, you probably can't afford to maintain two properties and the cost of all that travelling.

Also, while I agree the UK summer would be the best time to go overseas, that means missing a huge chunk of all my activities, because there's only a couple of weeks break in classes in June/July.  

Like I said, if I were more of a loner/homebody, that wouldn't be an issue.  But I count myself lucky to have a full calendar of friends and activities in Australia -- and while it would be nice to have some time with family overseas, and perhaps do some touring around Europe, in reality I don't find either of those things more attractive than what I would be doing here during that time. 

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

not to mention the transient nature of the lifestyle, which you might find unfulfilling after a while.

That's what would stop me.  Before we retired, we talked about spending several months of each year abroad, but I soon realised it's just not practical.  When would I go?

I'm active in the U3A (university of the 3rd age) and attend various dance classes and social dances.  No matter what time of year I chose, I'd miss out on some event or activity that I don't want to miss.  There is a camaraderie in these groups;  if you're away for long periods, you can lose that, and it takes a while to settle in again when you come back. 

Basically I'm so busy enjoying myself, I barely have time for a holiday, let alone disappearing for months at a time.  I guess it would be different if I still had close family overseas.

3 hours ago, Blue Manna said:

It will help having family in both countries, but we haven't sorted out the fine details yet. Probably a small property in each country. Preferably something we can lock up and leave. Would probably decide to be resident in Australia, and would do tax return there.

But as has been clarified recently on another thread, you don't get to decide where you're resident.   The respective tax authorities in the UK and Australia will look at your circumstances and they'll decide. If you split your time evenly between the two  countries, it's quite possible both will decide you are a tax resident.  Especially if you keep a permanent home in both countries. 

9 minutes ago, Steve Elliott said:

 I suspect you will find it next to impossible to open an account here in Australia unless you are physically onshore at the time....This is mostly due to the Anti Money Laundering/Counter terrorism laws

I would suggest maybe a quick whistle stop holiday back in AUS, so you can open up an account in person. 

But would that do the trick, I wonder?  Surely he'll still need proof of an Australian residential address?    And then he's in a Catch-22, because if he pretends to be resident in Australia to open the account, he can't then benefit from the 10% tax rate. 

10 hours ago, Island said:

Thanks for this - do you mean if that interest is my only worldwide income (i have a job in the UK) or do you mean if that interest is the only income i make in australia? Thanks Jess

If interest is the only income you make in Australia.   You must make sure the financial institution has your overseas address.

Like I said, the big difficulty is that I doubt an Australian bank will let you open an account.  I don't even know if your existing bank will allow you to open another account.  I'd check that out first.

30 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

As a foreign resident you'll pay at least 32.5% tax on any income generated in Australian, so bear that in mind as it might well make what you're thinking of doing unviable.

However if interest on a savings/investment account is the only income you've got, the financial institution will just deduct 10% tax at source and that's all the tax you'll have to pay.  Unless something has changed recently. 

I'm not aware of anything like Insignis in the Australian market.  There are several banks that offer high interest savings accounts, but as a foreign resident, I doubt they will let you open an account.  

Property is another thing entirely and if you get it wrong, the tax payable can be very high.  

8 minutes ago, Display name said:

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Some comments I can’t see here but I saw in my email notifications overnight which has triggered me to update this. I was called selfish and immature in those comments. I appreciate that might be the view, but I don’t think I’m either. I was a new mum who suddenly lost a father I couldn’t say goodbye to in a country I’d never agreed to move permanently to, and it was hard.

We moved home post Covid. It was the best decision we made. My husbands company is still operational with a fantastic partner running it. We are all happy right now, and can move back to Australia if we want to after giving things a go here. If we decide to stay there eventually, then at least I can do it with closure. It was the best decision, it was tough, but it’s right for now. 

That is absolutely fantastic news.   I am so happy for you.  Just one person wrote a nasty comment and a couple of us jumped in to defend you.  Those comments got deleted because we were so angry on your behalf, we got too personal and that's against forum rules.  Off you go and enjoy life!

On 26/02/2024 at 20:00, KarenC said:

I'm a 32 year old Biology/Science teacher...

I was wondering if anyone else here had done the same and what my chances of being successful and getting permanent work or just generally jobs was like in my subject. 

I agree with Benj, you'll have no trouble finding work once you're registered (all teachers in Australia have to be registered with the relevant authority).  The main hurdle is getting a visa.  You can't work in Australia until you've got a visa.

You have two choices. You can apply for a permanent visa in your own right (a 189 or 190).  That's a long-drawn out process, and you'll have to wait until you've got the visa before you can even start applying for jobs.  The benefit is that once you've got the visa, you are a permanent resident and can work anywhere in Australia without restriction.

OR you can find an employer willing to sponsor you for a temporary visa (a 482).  Again I agree with Benj, I think that would be perfect for you.  The employer will pay some of your relocation expenses and help organise the visa, and of course, you'll have a job as soon as you arrive.  It's much faster and easier than getting a permanent visa.  It gives you a chance to try Australia out, then you can always apply for a permanent visa if you decide to stay. 

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

Oh right, so maybe the seller's conveyancer/solicitor drew up the contract and then passed in on to the real estate agent.

I ended up Googling it and it would appear that the contract can be drawn up by a conveyancer OR a solicitor OR a licensed real estate agent, in all states.  I've bought and sold several properties in NSW and had never come across that. 

Personally I don't think I'd trust an agent -- it is a legal document after all, and you don't want to end up having to argue the toss with the buyer's solicitor over what is or isn't included, after the sale has been agreed.  But maybe that's just over-cautious me.

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

When we bought our current house the contract came directly from the estate agent, and that was before we'd contacted a solicitor to handle our end of the transaction

Yes, because you're the buyer, not the seller.  It's up to the seller to provide the contract.  That's why I'm surprised the agent draws it up in WA/SA, because surely the seller should be getting legal advice (from their conveyancer/solicitor) as to what to include in the contract, so doesn't it make more sense for that person to do the whole thing (which they do in NSW)?  

10 hours ago, Dancha85 said:

I think it’s becoming quite clear that most places offer what we are looking for, or at least it is not isolated to a specific area.

Once you get your application process underway, I recommend you focus your research on the show-jumping angle as a priority.  The big downside of Australia is that it's a vast country (the whole of the UK is smaller than the state of Victoria).   If you decide to live in Brisbane and want to enter a comp in Sydney, you'll have an 11 hour drive in front of you, for instance.  So it's important to choose a location where you know there's going to be a reasonable amount of competition locally, because the drive to the nearest big city could be a long one!  

Best of luck.

8 minutes ago, Drumbeat said:

Actually in both WA and SA the real estate agent organises the offer to purchase and sends to the vender and purchaser to complete. These are then forwarded to the settlement agents/conveyancer who arranges the land transfer etc, they don't draw up another contract.

Interesting.  There isn't 'another contract' in NSW either.  The seller has to appoint their conveyancer/solicitor to draw up the contract beforehand and that's the one the agent issues to people who want to view it before making an offer. 

5 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

I'd be interested to know how that works in practice because the estate agents over here do a lot more than the ones in the UK... I recall that the one's here handle the contracts, and also hold the buyer's deposit until settlement. If you're completely dispensing with their services then how are you going to manage those aspects of the transaction?

And as a further matter of interest, does anyone know anyone who's actually done that?

The real estate agent doesn't draw up the contracts, they just print copies to hand over.  The contracts are drawn up by the seller's conveyancer or solicitor.   If there's no real estate agent involved, the seller's conveyancer/solicitor also holds the deposit.

11 minutes ago, Dancha85 said:

Thank you, got the websites etc and connected with a few yards in Sydney and some in vic too. 
 

I will have a look at Newcastle, I had been looking at moss vale, Hawkesbury and Kurrajong hills. No real reason, just a couple of recommendations. 

Maybe connect with this Hunter Valley mob and see what they say.  

https://www.facebook.com/hvsjc

The advantage of Newcastle over the areas you mention, is that you have access to all the facilities of a large city (Newcastle) as well as being within reach of Sydney. 

6 hours ago, WilkoPerth said:

What is the best way of finding somewhere to live?

Most people get a holiday let or AirBnB for 4 to 6 weeks.  

There are a few relocation specialists in Perth.  They're not cheap, but then neither is 6 weeks in a AirBnB!   Here's a couple to get you started:

https://www.journeeagency.com/

https://www.perthrs.com/

https://www.newintown.com.au/

Check out Homely for suburb reviews https://www.homely.com.au/find-places

9 minutes ago, BendigoBoy said:

If it was large acreage within an hour or two of one of the capitals, at a reasonable price, I'd be looking north or south of Adelaide, myself.  
 

@Dancha85, if you're set on being close to comps in Sydney, then I'd recommend concentrating your search around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.  Good schools, beautiful beaches,  housing is half the price of Sydney for an equivalent property, and Sydney is only two hours' drive away.  

Fifty years ago, Newcastle was a rough, working-class city and a lot of Australians (especially Sydneysiders) still think of it like that.  Like any big city, it does have its run-down areas, but nowadays it's transformed and has some lovely neighbourhoods.  I used to work with two executives who got transferred to Sydney from our Newcastle office.  They commuted all the way from Newcastle to Sydney every day, because they didn't want to move their family to Sydney.  They felt Newcastle was a much better, safer place to bring up their kids.