Jengle

We also returned to the UK after 20 years in 2010, and subsequently came back to Australia at the end of 2012. There was no problem with usual benefits such as NHS using our original National Insurance numbers. What we hadn't envisaged was the problem of renting temporary accommodation. As we had been out of the country for longer than 3 years, and were not going straight into full-time employment, we were told by real estate agents, that we had no credit rating and that it takes 2 years of residency to re-establish this. As a result, our application and credit check (which we'd have to pay for) would fail. This was in spite of being able to demonstrate that we had money in the bank to pay the rent. We got around the problem by paying 6 months rent in advance. Good luck with your move.