lee1892

If you compare the charges on the Co-Op to the Travelex card the Co-Op card charges are a lot higher and both work exactly the same. The exchange rate from Travelex is better too. I just called Travelex to see how long it takes for the card to loaded when you transfer cash from your bank onto it and they said 5minutes if you do it by the phone and within 24 hours if done online. So this card appears the best for me. Alternatively if I am going out for 6 weeks just for a holiday does anyone know if I would be able to open an Australian bank account as that could be another/possibly cheaper option?

I'm in the same boat. Going travelling/seeing family for 6 weeks to Oz in December and not too sure what option to take. The Travelex Cash Passport on paper seems ideal for my needs since you don't get atm withdrawal charges, no charges for uploads etc... but they get an awful write up which has me worried about it (http://www.productreview.com.au/p/travelex-cash-passport.html)

Hi guys I'm popping my forum cherry here, after being a spectator for a number of months. I'm 28 years old (no children) and have worked as a Compliance Officer for 9 years for HM Revenue & Customs (a department of the UK Government). Basically, I investigate possible fraudulent benefit claims and decide whether there is entitlement or not. I left secondary school with decent grades, but then dropped out of college during my first year to help support my family financially. I commenced my employment with my current employer, got promoted fairly fast but then hit the brick wall and realised without gaining any further qualifications I would never be able to have a career. 6 years back I commenced the AAT qualification (Accounts Technician course) and completed the 3 year course to become a qualified Accounts Technician. I continued my education and completed a foundation degree in Accountancy and Management in 2010. I then enrolled on to a BA Hons Degree in Accountancy & Financial Management and have recently completed the qualification attaining a 2:1 certification. Opportunities, as with most UK employers have now dried up. I am hoping to one day complete the ACCA or ACA qualification. I have completed all of the qualifications so far in my own time and funded the courses myself without any support from my employer, in hindsight I should have left the employment for a junior accounts role years ago. I now face the problem of having very minimal experience in an accounts role - with 2 voluntary roles only ever been carried out. Now that I have completed my degree my main focus is gaining employment in an Accounts / Finance role, with the opportunity of emigrating to Australia being very appealing and my preferred option. I believe I am at the right age and with no dependents or mortgage it’s the ideal time to emigrate. My girlfriend’s auntie and uncle live in Noosa and we are travelling to Australia on 2nd December 2013 to 8th January 2014 to spend Christmas with them and also travel up and down the gold coast. I'm hoping to try and have a couple of meetings with employment agencies whilst I am visiting the country but realise that it will be the holiday season so they may closed. My Visa type and also the fact my mother is getting married in Feb 2014 will mean I will need to return to the UK. I'm worried that I’ll find it hard to gain employment due to my lack of experience in an accounting/finance role and assume that I would not be able to get a working visa to carry out admin/business roles? My main focus is to try and gain as much experience as possible in an accountant role but will less than a year’s experience be enough for me to gain a visa or is my only hope sponsorship? Thank you in advance, sorry this is so long winded. Lee