jen85

Yes that is what I meant, I know you can open bank accounts with certain banks.

Australia is not perfect and everyone inc media (will never happen) needs to stop pretending that it is, might I also point out that most "Australians" are actually of English descent anyway! This thread was not created to get "Aussies" having a go at the English. Completely not necessary.

You can't actually do that, its considered money laundering I have been told. It has to be in your name and you have to be a resident in the country I was told before by the bank.

I guess it depends on your individual situation and if you are that keen on starting a family can you survive without your family around you. One country is not better than the other just different. Remember that the UK is slowly coming out of recession and WA is in and out of recession at the moment, depends what your partner does but I wouldn't pin your decision on the state of either countries economy.

I'm an aussie too and moving over in March this year :arghh: sooo much to do! I wouldn't worry to much you really just need to give it time for you to settle as it can take years to get used to everything being completely different from what you are used to. Yes the weather is a negative but I wouldn't necessarily look at it like that, just think about that white Christmas you might get..how lovely!

I'm not being hard on myself at all, this country unfortunately now only disappoints me, fact and nothing more to it. Proven again by their unhumble way of winning the Ashes, I don't care about cricket TBH but what I will say is the Aussies are very good at winning sports but not so good at losing. Its a shame because when I grew up (not that long ago) it wasn't as bad, everyone didn't seem as up themselves maybe its just because I'm older that I notice it or perhaps its just because the country has changed and I think it is more likely the latter. No bother we all move on and that's life.

You should be careful of spiders and especially white tail ones because they CAN kill, they are poisonous just because they only effect one person slightly doesn't mean another would have the same reaction. Best use a spider spray that is safe for your car interior.

Being an Aussie born and bred I have seen lots of this fine country and genuinely have a love for it...the country that is! Because what I am about to vent about may annoy or offend some so I apologise in advance. This morning I was watching lets say the breakfast show on Channel 7 (unnamed) and after for a long time seeing stories you ignore one this morning really annoyed me, they where talking about how the UK is going to I quote "downplay" the role of the Anzacs in the war. Now I know this is a spin on the story because the actual story is that the UK are not mentioning the Anzacs specifically anymore as there were many other nations involved who never got a mention to date so they are changing the speech to say "all commonwealth countries". Now I don't see what is wrong with that at all, it seems only fair. I had relatives who fought in the war and everyone united for a common goal it wasn't a we should be mentioned for this more than you attitude. But for some reason the media sees the need to create an us vs. them mentally whenever they report on other countries. They go on about wanting to create a harmonious society yet they continue to segregate themselves by creating this hatred towards other countries and in turn making the public the same way..effectively turning everyone racist. Yes, I said the R word. Vent over, sorry to anyone this offends not my intention but I had to share my views and thought this may be a good place. I love my country but am increasingly disappointed by how it is changing to become so arrogant and pretentious.

There is a limit on visas, I think I read 55 somewhere but as VS has said the older you are the harder it will be to get sponsored.

Its 25 years as a resident in the country I read last week but it is being changed to 30 years, that is for people who have come into the country and wish to move back to retire etc. This may not apply though to people not moving back obviously. Best check it out to be 100%

If you return don't think of your adventure as a "mistake" or should anyone for that matter, you have learned in life and are more experienced and worldly for it. I think the kids can prosper is either country, I hear it all the time "oh the kids will have a better life in Aus" that depends on what you think a better life is...is it the sun? universities? houses? Second two are costly for most and all of which are available in Europe and the UK, UK has some of the best universities in the world. Think carefully what you are really coming for.

I am moving to the UK in March and have some items for sale in my house in Butler (NOR). I have the following: - Solid wood tv unit (1.8m long, 550mm high and 500mm deep.) $250 ono - Topfield DVR Set top box and HD recorder (only 5 months old) $250 - 2x Cream (Plush Corduroy Ribbed Fabric) Sofas (2 seat and 3 seaters) perfect condition only 1 year old $1,100 ono for both - 1x Queen solid bed frame and mattress (1 year old) $500 ono for both - 1x Double ensemble bed (1 year old) $300 ono Let me know if you are interested and I can send photos. If you are able to match up pickup with our move out date that would be ideal (Mid March). Thanks

I would check the conditions of being eligible for the Aus pension as an british citizen, I read that they have recently changed the requirements so if you move permanently back to your country of origin that the pension will stop after a certain period of time plus you have to have lived in Aus for 30yrs min to even qualify. Don't want to alarm you just thought best check it out, it was recently changed by the Abbott government along with a few other benefits. :mad:

Its because of their inexperience at that age most people would be on learners or P's so anywhere you go he will probably have to resit to a certain extent.

Sounds like you have good jobs and a comfortable life in the UK, I wouldn't uproot to be worse off and most are to be honest, the wages may be higher here but you will pay more for most things. All things need to be considered i.e. family and friends etc. Its not easy to start again in a new country.

This time of year has me thinking about how everyone celebrates their Christmas and New Year. We in Australia inherited alot of our "traditions" from other countries. I must say I am not one for the Seafood lunch or day at the beach on Boxing Day. Coming from English parents even though I was born here we have always had the full Christmas lunch turkey etc and I love it, don't know any other way plus I don't like alot of seafood. We also converted my brother in law who is Aussie to love the full turkey dinner etc now he has to have it every year! How does everyone celebrate their Christmas? Have you adopted Aussie traditions i.e. seafood or do you stick to your English traditions? If you have had your first Aussie Christmas this year how did you find it? Personally I think Christmas has too be cold everything we see from a young age i.e. films and Christmas cards etc. has us thinking this way. I just love the idea of a roaring fire and snow falling outside while you eat a turkey dinner..:yes::xmas28:

That is correct you cannot sit for your learners permit until you are 16 I believe then once you pass theory and practical it is P Plates for 2 years now I have heard. The P is basically a provisionary licence pending the full licence once you complete your 2 years.

That's the trouble, some of us read it overseas and don't know which papers are bad and which aren't so it is abit scary to read whether true or not, we all know stories can be exaggerated but telling flat out lies is not on!

Curse of the Expat..again! You have had a taste of both countries and will forever compare the two. You need to decide which suits you at your time in life and stick with it. You obviously have had a change in priorities with a new baby and there is nothing wrong with wanting to go home just stick with it as most people will tell you it takes years to settle in and once you have a routine in the UK you will probably feel better.

Like I said it depends on your industry but I wouldn't expect the equivalent pay in the UK that you get here. My industry is almost half of what I get paid here in Aus. Cost of Living is going to be much of a muchness as food is generally cheaper but things like rental costs are higher.

I am moving back next year with my mum and she is 55 and very apprehensive about work. We were there in 2011 and the work situation was not great at all and earning money is imperative to running your home etc. I think that stresses her out the most but its hard when you have been here so long (30 years for my mum) and again she came out for a partner as Globetrotta said but now that's over a new start is needed its just harder the older you get. Again it's where you are most comfortable, good luck!

If you contact the association that regulates his industry or certifies people in the UK then they should be able to tell you how his Aus qualifications will translate. I did it with my qualifications but I guess it depends on your industry.

If you are after a straight conversion just jump on a currency convertor however if you are getting a cost of living etc it will be completely different. Salaries in excess of 60-70k GBP are few and far between from what I have seen but depends on what you do and how your job translates.

If your that miserable nothing is worth it! You can always come again you would just have to foot the bill yourself

You can go to the DVLA anywhere in the UK and change your paper for a photocard one, my mum did it when we went back recently. She had her paper one and took it in and they did a straight swap for her. Same conditions i.e. being valid forever!