Thepom

Been counting down since about 160 days and now down to just over 2 days until I'm off home. Can't believe how quick it's gone!

18 Brisbane Since 2001 Will be where I want to be, in Leicester, by July

It's just gone from being a 3 year wait, to 144 days; less than 5 months now! Can't wait

My aunty came over on a RRV a couple of years ago and she didn't wait nearly that long. Was about 2 years I think. And she had visited before on visitor visa so can't see that being a problem.

We visited recently and left here on Aussie and went in on British passport. You just skip the international queues going in on a pommy passport

Thanks for replying. I am planning on opening a bank account within the next few months for my exchange. Wouldn't it only help with my credit I it was being actively used for a long period? I'm not planning on claiming any benefits so that's all good. Would live with the family for a while but they are looking at buying in leicester and I'm hoping for either London (obviously not in centre cause of cost) or perhaps Wiltshire area so staying with family long term is not on the plans. And I'd rather not waste too much on rent if I can buy in the area.

Hi Paul, thanks for your reply. I am studying a bachelor of early childhood education. Would I need to undertake work in Australia before the UK will recognise my qualification or could I hop on the plane straight after graduation and be employable? Thanks for the websites, I had heard about these things before but never really looked into them.

So basically I have been in Brisbane for about 11 years now and am desperately waiting for an opportunity to head back home. The ridiculous weather, lack of culture and different sense of humour (I know it doesn't seem big but when you're so used to taking the mickey out of family and then accidentally say something to a friend it can be difficult to explain) is driving me up the wall and if I could leave tomorrow I would. But it's such a big move and so much to think about that I really am confused. The plan is to move when I finish uni at 21/22 ish with the family moving over in stages in the 2 years leading up to that. That's a scary thought, having the family split up for such a long time, but if it means we can finally leave Aus then I'm all for it. Firstly I'm pretty worried about essentially starting life again; most of my family is living over here now and I have no friends/support network waiting for me. Anyone have any tips or words of advice? I'm trying to work out what it will mean for me as a returning expat, just any general knowledge or experiences would be really appreciated; how long will it take before I can get a mortgage since I will have no working history over there (any tips on how to shorten this length from this side of the globe?), how long before I can work as a teacher in England with an Australian education? I feel very lost at the idea of being thrown in the deep end and not only living by myself for the first time but doing so in a different country with no connections other than parents. I'm also hoping for approval for a student exchange to London for 7/8 months next year; does anyone know if there are any things I am entitled to (healthcare etc.) or anything I would need to do differently as a visiting citizen on English passport. So yeah, just feeling kinda completely petrified but can't wait at the same time.

I moved over to Brisbane when I was six. We moved in search of a better life for me and my brother and now I'm in uni and my brother isn't far off finishing school we are all starting to consider the move back home. The one thing I can say is that if you are going to move to any other country, embrace it as much as possible. Our house might as well have been in England, we watched the soaps, listened to the radio and despised the beach and sun. After over 12 years here and even after having moved at an age where I have basically nil memories of my home I still feel a very strong pull back (as does my brother who was only 4) and are clinging onto our accents as much as possible. But having to face such a big decision at such a young age is really difficult and everyday is an emtional rollercoaster at the minute. So just make sure it really is the right decision for you and your kids in the long-term (don't get drawn in by TV fantasies), in hindsight we feel the harsher upbringing in England would have been better for us all than the 'care-free' lifestyle over here.