AltyMatt

If you have a job already lined up then check if your employer has a preferred insurer. Larger companies often have staff deals for insurance etc, although it might not apply for overseas visitor cover which is usually pretty eye-watering.

I was lucky to be sponsored to relocate but it was over 10 years ago. I was working for a European bank that wanted to centralise some global services and Sydney was the location. The options were take redundancy or apply to move. Visa, flights, removal costs and the first few months accommodation were covered - I initially treated it as a working holiday with the intention of moving back after a couple of years, but I ended up staying. I think I was expected to return some of the relocation expenses if I returned within the first two years. It would be much harder for me to do it today as a lot of banks have rationalised their operations and moved back office and IT roles to low-cost labour locations, so the pool of potential jobs is much smaller. Having said that I know someone working for an Australian bank in London who had arranged a transfer to Aus, but covid has put those plans on hold for now.

If your husband's employer has an Australian office then maybe he could try and get a transfer or secondment. Employer sponsorship would make the process considerably easier and they may contribute towards relocation expenses.

If a child obtains citizenship by descent, their citizenship stops with them and can't be passed on to their children. Can they upgrade the citizenship by descent to full citizenship by naturalisation, e.g by moving back to the UK and working/studying there for a few years. Or is their citizenship status fixed at 'by descent'.

Does citizenship by descent preclude naturalised citizenship? I'm wondering whether the children of someone who subsequently returned to UK could subsequently obtain citizenship via naturalisation and pass it to their children.

I set up a Spriggy account for my daughter as didn't want to deal with all the id requirements of the main banks. It's ideal for young families but probably not suitable for your son's employer.

Different pay rates for different states has been in place for some time and don't think it will change - they broadly track the property prices of the state capitals. But I can't see how an employer will offer someone less because they live in Wollongong rather than Surry Hills if the employee is only expected in the office a couple of times a month. Where there may be a pay distinction is between companies that permit remote working and those that won't. Those micro-managed positions will need to offer an incentive to get people to commute Monday to Friday.

That's correct. I just attempted to register and check NI back payments. I got as far as registering my Aus mobile to receive the access code, but my expired passport was not accepted for ID so I have requested a new one. I also sent off the NI38 to register for payments and check what shortfall I can pay.

I was fortunate to come here on a work sponsored visa . Before then I had checked the ACS requirements and their priorities seemed pretty out of line with what employees were looking for (which is what a skilled migration pathway should be saitsfying), e.g. degree over CISSP or other respected certs.

The current situation is certainly changing expectations on where to live, making a tree change more feasible. My employer (Sydney CBD) has confirmed we can continue working from home once the pandemic passes. Last year they even hired a couple of people in country towns with no expectations that they visit an office.

I left UK in January many years ago. I remember standing on the train platform at Blackheath for my morning commute - it was still dark and I could feel the cold through the soles of my feet. I arrived in Sydney to a balmy summer. I much prefer living in a warmer climate but enjoy trips to the Snowy Mountains in winter or Blackheath (NSW) to see the autumn leaves. Nice to visit, but don't want to put up with the damp and darkness for months.

I use my Aus mobile to receive the access code for the Government Gateway. I don't know what the process is for updating the number as the system was introduced after I moved here, but I assume there is an option to update your number to a local one.

Relocating with work will make the move a lot smoother. I did the same, and decided the worst that could happen is I get to spend my free time exploring Australia. That was 15 years ago. I know some people who moved here, decided it wasn't for them and returned home, but plenty of others have come out and settled. Either way I hope you enjoy the experience.

Thanks Whey aye, the difference between Class 1 and 2 is pretty big. The gov.uk site must have assumed I pay class 1, but as I'm employed I hope I just pay class 2.Thanks!

Maybe consider somewhere around Crows Nest. Lots of good dining options and a villagey feel along Willoughby Road. Good schools and a few hospitals nearby - North Shore public and private, Chatswood etc. Easy commute to the city too. Rentals are expensive but you should be able to find something for 1000 / week