Huggy75

Yes, I too still have bank accounts open in Aus, just changed address to UK one. No issues so far.

Losing our British friends was the only hard thing about leaving Oz for us.

 

Our Aussie "acquaintances" were forgotten about by the time we'd got to the airport.

Agree - the "certain friend" I'm talking about is British too.

I agree, if you're managing to live without this stuff now then maybe just get Pickfords to store it for you and then send it straight back when you have more definitive details of your move back. The company I used were going to store our stuff for about $17 a week until we were more settled in the UK (however, other things happened and we got our stuff back earlier anyway as the company weren't very good shall we say!) - it wasn't either of the companies mentioned in these posts. Good luck.

No big regrets just missing small things like certain friends and favourite coffee shops! Been back 8 months after 6 years away and have slotted straight back in, got my old job back but doing less hours which suits me perfectly - I'm able to utilise the experiences gained from my job in Oz back here in the UK as my Managers are keen to learn about new ideas or suggestions that I can contribute (something I wasn't able to do when I moved to Oz as they weren't interested). We have our own house again now and are paying less than half what we paid in Oz each month with only a 19 year mortgage as opposed to a 30 year one in Oz.

Of course, in the back of my mind I always wonder if I've done the right thing for my 2 1/2 year old son, especially as we left his best buddy back in Oz (they were born within 2 weeks of each other). But on the plus side, it's great to see him so happy when he's with his Grandparents so for the time being at least, our life is much better back here in the UK.

Hi, not sure if my comments will help much but my husband is an Electrician and we moved back to the UK in June. He didn't get his 17th edition before we came back but he made it clear to potential employers of his intention to do the course. Anyway, he got a job and his new employer will be sending him to do the course soon. Good luck with your move.

We moved to UK in June and I did my tax return online. I submitted it in mid September and finally got it sorted just before Christmas after some phone calls to find out why it was taking so long (apparently they were waiting on answers from Centrelink regarding my CCB). They sent my refund in a cheque even though I'd given them my Australian bank account details but I managed to get it cashed into my Halifax account. My husband submitted his online too at the end of October and we're still waiting on this one. Good luck.

We brought ours back in the shipping container and just used one with the hire car for the last couple of weeks.

Good to hear from you again Kiwinaus, you sound very positive about your move(s), good luck with your new 5-year plan (or in your case 6-year!).

Good luck Rosiehome, lots of mixed emotions went around in my head just before we left, again I had "friends" who wanted me to keep in touch once settled back - naive as I am, I sent them update e-mails about my new life etc., never heard a thing back - that was nearly 6 months ago now! Of course I won't be bothering putting them on the Christmas Card list!

With regard to your rental, we had some bother toward the end for petty little minor things (we'd had a cat who died 6 months before moving out but they were trying to blame him for holes in the carpet, which were actually proven to be caused by moths!), I contacted the RTA to check what is classed as wear and tear and from what I told them they agreed with me, they then helped me to resolve the issues and I ended up with $75 less from my bond (for a pest clean) as opposed to the $500 that the landlord was trying to claim (for a new carpet). Landlords think they have the upper hand because you're moving out and need the money but just stand your ground and it will hopefully work out.

Hello and welcome. We came back 5 months ago and are just in the process of buying a house (just got our Mortgage Offer this week), we just needed 3 months wageslips to show. We have gone with the Halifax as we had a mortgage with them for 12 years prior to moving to Australia, other Banks told us we'd have to wait 3 years! We managed to get jobs before moving back but I guess it depends which sector you work in. My advice would be to do lots of research and be persistent when looking for answers. On the rental situation, do you have any family or friends that you could move in with for a few months whilst you get settled, we've been squashed in with my Mum & Stepdad since we got back (4 adults & 1 Child in a 2 bed bungalow!), but they're just glad to have us home and know it's only temporary, it's been a blessing to be able to save on rent. Good luck with your decision and keep in touch xx

Firstly, congratulations on your new little one. Good luck for your next adventures, we did the same re Citizenship as our two year old is also Australian, never regretted it - we are a very proud family of dual citizens

Ours was about $9,100 in total, Brisbane to Leeds. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend the company as they gave me big headaches after I'd left Australia - lack of communication, trying to change the goalposts and charge us more money etc.

Yes, both my husband and I secured jobs last November (we were back in the UK for a holiday at the time), my husband still had to have a couple of extra telephone interviews once back in Australia though but we finally moved back in June of this year. I'm a Nurse and hubby an Electrician. Good luck with your job search and move xx

Our licences expired whilst in Oz but when we moved back to UK we just sent in the application forms for renewal of licence and change of address, paid the fee and we got our new licences within a couple of weeks. No issues.

Have you tried taking it to a dealer of the make of car? We had two Toyotas, took them to our local Toyota garage who bought them both on the spot, cash in our account the day after. They did ask if we had finance on them but we didn't.

If you fell in love with it on a WHV then chances are you will love living here permanently.

 

Most people who have problems here, seem to be people who have never ever set foot in the country before emigrating.

 

We all get lonely at times. But the good thing about having a child is having access to other mums. For example, Northern Beaches Mums Facebook page has over 8,000 members who are always getting together for coffee gossip groups. You are also bound to meet other mums at child care or at schools.

 

The best way to emigrate without the qualifications is to get married to an Australian. Or get married to an New Zealander, as they can come and go to Australia freely for work/living.

Disagree! But that's another discussion that would cause more arguments ?

I've been thinking about it and I'm considering retraining as a nurse when my little girl starts nursery. I would qualify when I'm 30 so providing Australia still wants nurses then I would have until I'm 32 to get a bit of experience and start the ball rolling. I'd be more than happy being a nurse wherever I am. I know it's not the most family friendly in terms of jobs but what job is?!

 

I don't know. I'll have to see.

I am a Nurse and have just moved back to the UK. I myself retrained in my late 20's and then worked in the NHS for 3 years before moving to Australia. Before I moved out I was offered 3 permanent jobs and numerous agencies offered work too. Many Nurses in Australia prefer the agency route when having young children. Good luck with your decision.

How did you find health service/access to medical treatment? One aspect I'm concerned about -

This was one of my concerns as I need to be monitored by a Specialist etc., but I got registered back at my old GP surgery within a week of coming back, got an appointment the following week and a referral to a specialist in early August (about 6 weeks to wait), I've even received my exemption certificate already so no need to pay for prescriptions anymore. So, no issues where I am, I'm very pleased with the service so far.

Hi SunshineBee - welcome to the forum.

We moved back to the UK 4 weeks ago and had 2 cars to sell. We took them back to the dealer that we had bought them from and had no issues. We felt it was a good deal and much easier than private selling. I don't recall them asking if we owed money on them but they just put the money straight into our account, it was all done and dusted within a couple of days. We didn't have finance on ours but I would suggest you asking the company if they will take it back as this could be an easier option too.

good luck xx

Good News!! Today we managed to open a Current Account to have our future wages paid into. It still had to do a credit check but it went through fine - it even offered us an overdraft instantly which apparently shows that our credit score is good (but we didn't take it). Anyway, it finally feels like we're getting somewhere and we've now been advised to settle into our jobs for a few months and then go back to discuss mortgage requirements :-)

We like Singapore, never had any issues.

The whole thing is bizarre. No premium service for first time application in uk. She is British and keeps coming up against obstacles to her returning. I am going to try to ring the British Embassy here again tomorrow. The second lot of advice was from the BC in Oz. Thank you for trying to help. I think we will apply and see how it goes. Did u apply online? Also struggling to get a counter signatory.

I do apologise, I've just had a little look (to see if I could find something extra for you) and it does say it takes approx. 6 weeks! It also looks like the rules changed a couple of months after I got my Son's passport :-/ I think we did the paper application as I remember taking it to Auspost to check - but I've just read they don't do that anymore.

I know what you mean about obstacles - I've just moved back after 6 years in Oz and we're having all sorts of issues just to open a Bank account to have wages paid into! I currently feel like the UK have forgotten that I was born here!

Anyway, I really hope you can get it sorted, keep us updated :-)

I spoke to the passport office today. As her passport expired long time ago will be treated as a new applicant. I explained the situation and asked if it could be hurried through but no luck.

Mmmm, just don't understand, as I said before my Son's brand new (first passport) only took 10 days. Is there a priority processing fee she could pay? I recently did this for our Australian passports and had them back in 6 days. Or could she go to the British Embassy and explain the situation?

Sorry I don't have any more useful advice, it's just puzzling.

Who said it takes over 6 weeks for UK passport? When I did my Son's UK passport (from Australia) it took 10 days to get back.

Just wondering if anyone has used HiFx to move their money from the UK to Australia recently.

Or for that matter any other reputable financial organisations.

Last time I came out I used HSBC UK -> ANZ which worked fine and the rate was good, but you do have to move a good amount to make this work.

(Realise this is not quite the right forum but didn't feel posting it in Moneycorp's partner forum, seemed a little rude)

Hi Nomadic, I used Hifx when we went to Aus in 2009 and I am currently using them again to move our money back to the UK. I've had no issues, I send a little each week or two in order to get an average of the exchange rates. The people I speak with have always been very helpful and informative and I never spend long waiting on my call to be answered.