babybronco

This was us 5 years ago! (Engaged, child-less, home owners, 1 health professional, living in UK). Fast forward 5 years and we are married, have a daughter, and now live in QLD having emigrated in 2014. We were advised to get a Working Migrant Visa (175). Although this was a more expensive / slower / beurocratic process than a 457, we were advised that, if planning to move as a family unit, it would give us far more flexibility and stability. I.e. our right to be in the country wasn't tied to a particular employer. We took the advice, and it worked for us. We now have PR status, are free to live anywhere in Australia, and able to do any job we wish. I'm not saying it was an easy process, it wasn't, and it was definitely the 'long game', but if it is your five year plan (as it was for us) you have time to do that. This was all back in 2011 though, things may well have changed since then, so read up carefully. Health professionals are in high demand here. We put myself down (as a health professional) as the main applicant on our 175 Visa. You get points for Occupation (health scores highly), length of relevant work experience, highest level of qualification, English language ability (I sat an English exam to boost my points!), age (points drop after 30 so get application in before then), partner points too. We had to validate the visa within 12 months of it being granted, i.e. pass through border control. We applied in Sept 2011, visa granted June 2012, we validated the visa with a holiday to Oz in Nov 2012, and finally moved out here 2014. So bear this in mind, look at current processing times as you'll need a trip to Oz within a year of that to validate. Good luck!

We moved in 2014 and didn't bother bringing any furniture as a shipping container was gonna cost a minimum of 4000 pounds. Our furniture just wasn't worth that much, as it was all 'starter' furniture anyway from our first house, we didn't have any family heirlooms or anything valuable to bring. We started from scratch out here, and initially got loads of stuff very cheaply second-hand, and have gradually replaced things with new as we could afford it. We live in Queensland, so not sure if the shops are the same in Victoria, but places like Fantastic Furniture and Super A Mart do good value furniture 'packages' to start you off. Take a look at their websites. We also have Ikea out here. Hope this helps a little!:smile:

Thanks everyone for the comments. Andrew, that's so disappointing to hear, I last had contact from the financial planner in July, we discussed the law change but he didn't think it would affect my transfer, he said the transfers were on hold until August but would likely recommence. I've heard nothing since, and just assumed NHS Pensions were catching up with the backlog. He certainly hasn't been in touch talking about this Feb 16th deadline. I've emailed him today anyway, to see what he has to say for himself. But it looks like my pension will remain in the UK until I can claim it in 30+ years time, where it will be pitiful and no use to me whatsoever 10,000 miles away! It's times like these I wish I had more interest in finances and stayed on top of the game a bit more :mad:

Hi All I decided last Feb to bring my NHS pension out here (ahead of the rule change in April meaning that this would no longer be allowed). I used a Financial Planner, who made the application on my behalf. I have a QROPs ready and waiting to receive the pension, but one year on and it is apparently still being processed! I'm sure NHS Pensions had a large number of applications and are dealing with the backlog, but even so, one year! Did anyone else apply to bring their NHS Pensions over, and if so, are you still waiting or has it been processed already? Many thanks.

Thanks all so much, it's all so complicated! Sounds like there may be some small taxes to pay but nothing major. We've got some thinking to do...

Many thanks, clearly I need to speak to a different accountant as the one I used was misinformed! If I can deduct interest, that will bring my hefty bill down a little :-)

Hi all we emigrated May 2014 and rented out our UK house. Now the tenant has given notice and we're wondering if it's time to sell, or best to hold on to it. I'm aware we'd have to pay CGT, however that would be negligible as the property value has slumped since I bought it in 2007. My question is, if I sold the house (which has some equity in it due to the large deposit I put down), and bought the money into Australia, would I pay tax on this? Is there a tax on equity as well as capital gains?! all advice much appreciated, many thanks.

Hi All we emigrated May 2014, and I went to an accountant last July for help with my first tax return. I declared the rental income from my UK house, minus certain expenses e.g agent fees, repairs. However I was told mortgage payments were not included in deductible expenses. Is this correct? I've just read on another thread on here that you may be able to offset the interest part of the mortgage? Many thanks.

Thanks very much for the response PatW. Funnily enough after i posted on this thread I did find one from Poms living in Hervey Bay, so i posted on there. It's an old thread but some recent activity so hopefully I'll get a response. But if you don't mind checking with the family that come to the get together on saturday, that would be great. I'll think about some of your other suggestions too. Thanks again, have a lovely day on Saturday :-)

Hi. We emigrated in May this year. We're in Maryborough (near Hervey Bay / Fraser Island), so about 3 hours north of Brissy, but I'm guessing there's not many other poms around here! I'm aged 34 and work as a Speech Pathologist, my husband is 36, was a scientist in the UK but now looking for different work, he currently looks after our 2-year-old daughter. I'm from Bristol originally, hubby is from North Yorkshire (Scarborough). Brissy is a bit of a way for us to travel for get togethers, but we do have an Aussie friend down there so do travel down quite often. Keen to get in touch with other Poms, so will be nice to chat to people over the internet at least, if not make the occasional get together! Cheers.

Hi. We emigrated in May this year. We're in Maryborough (near Hervey Bay / Fraser Island), so about 3 hours north of Brissy, but I'm guessing there's not many other poms around here! I'm aged 34 and work as a Speech Pathologist, my husband is 36, was a scientist in the UK but now looking for different work, he currently looks after our 2-year-old daughter. I'm from Bristol originally, hubby is from North Yorkshire (Scarborough). We've been living in Cardiff for past 10 years. Brissy is a bit of a way for us to travel for get togethers, but we do have an Aussie friend down there so do travel down quite often. Keen to get in touch with other Poms, so will be nice to chat to people over the internet at least, if not make the occasional get together! Cheers.

Many thanks for your help, will have a think about what I want to do then. :biggrin:

Hi I was granted a Skilled Migrant Visa (175) in June 2011, expires June 2016. I've just secured a job and will be moving out with my family in May. I have 2 and a half years left on my passport (July 2016). Does anyone have any advice re. 1) if there are visa requirements around length of time left on passport 2) If it would be sensible to renew my passport from the Uk before we go, or do it from Australia nearer the expiry date. Many thanks. Jen

Thanks very much for the advice, much appreciated, will get on with obtaining the visa!

My husband and I were granted PR visa 175 in June 2011, we validated it with a trip to Oz in Nov. 2011, we are planning on emigrating approx June 2014. Since our visa was granted we have had a baby girl. :biggrin: We are aware we need to apply for a child visa 101, and it looks like the current processing time in London (where we need to apply) is 3 months. My question is, do we need to validate the visa with a trip to Oz, and if so, what is the time scale for that? My worry is that if we are granted the visa too quickly, we may have to do an expensive validation trip before we are ready to make the full move! (But then if we leave application till nearer the time and this gets delayed, it may hold up the whole move!) Any advice much appreciated. Many thanks.