Peachy

Hi everyone, Just canvassing opinion really. Looking to enrol the kids in a Catholic primary school in Brisbane. Suits our ethos and their current schooling. However, am now thinking about how this will impact on high school choice. Looking at high schools, the state ones don't come out very well on the rankings (not that this is the determining factor) but it is interesting that there is such a drop off in comparison with primary schools which look okay across the board. Do a lot of people go private in Australia? Fees seem much less than the UK. If you start off in a Catholic primary would be a shock to the system to transfer to state high. The fees are a separate issue, but just interested to get an idea of what most people do. Thanks Peachy

We have taken out a policy with: http://www.go-walkabout.co.uk/

I don't think that it is that simple purpleal - various exemptions can apply where the home can be treated as a main residence even after you move out. There is some useful information here: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Capital-gains-tax/In-detail/Real-estate/Treating-a-dwelling-as-your-main-residence-after-you-move-out/ I still haven't worked out how it all applies to my situation though....

Marisa many thanks for detailed response. Appreciate that you were answering someone else's question but was just about to research whether need to include my UK pay as arriving in June. Very helpful advice from everyone.

We are just in the process of getting ours rented out - completed the NRL1i at lunchtime! Would be keen to know how it is dealt with in Australia - correct forms etc. We should just about break even with the renting but then leaves the option open to come back if life in Australia doesn't work out. We hope to sell in 12 - 18 months if things are going well. Need to make sure that I also remember to do CGT declarations etc as and when...

Hi We are going on my husband's 189 pr visa - he is a social worker. AASW do the skills assessment. Took a few months but all very straightforward and lots of information online. Good luck!

Sounds like you have a sensible plan. As you may have seen from my thread things came about rather quicker for us too - had banked on saving extra money over 12 months. Good luck with it all. The way I see it after having a little wobble, is that it is a long term plan so a few tough months is just part of the process, character building and all that!

Sounds like the boys will fit in just fine. Thanks for the responses :-)

Hi I have 2 boys (7 and 9) and they are keen to know what their peers at school will be into. I know there is a huge range of interests but I would love to know what sort of things kids like doing / crazes etc. Mine love loom bands, match attax (football cards), Lego, minecraft and types of cars - not necessarily in that order. Are there are any global interests / crazes? Thanks

Thanks for your comments. Very interesting hear different experiences. I am lucky that I have a job to come to and so will only be short of about 1 week of pay when moving over. We also live frugally and happily buy second stuff. Have already got my sister sourcing stuff on gumtree. After my wobble last week (and resigning my self to massive initial outlay) am excited about the move again and looking forward to the adventure, albeit with not much money;-)

Hi everyone, I have had a quote for container shipping that suggests that we may want to pay £35 for insurance on top of the quote to cover external container cleaning - basically we have to pay customs for cleaning the container if there is a lot of bird poo on it! To me this sounds a little suspect and I really don't think that I should be paying for the cleaning of the outside of the container. Has anyone come across this? I know it is only £35, but I don't want to pay out if I don't have to. Many thanks

Thanks Ceddy - that is reassuring to hear. Good idea re Swap/ Sell/ Buy. I have no shame in getting lots of second hand stuff!

Thanks Bungo! We are taking 3 cats. Rather unfortunately we added to our family last year - we thought that one of our cats was on the way out so wanted to integrate another so we would always have 2. The new addition has led to a new lease of life in our eldest, which is great but has increased our expenses. I am hoping that having the cats around us will ease the boys into the new environment.

Hi everyone, This is the first time I have felt properly stressed since embarking on the process. I know it is the right thing to do but I am finding it hard paying out such large sums of money and it is beginning to get very scary. Visa fee and associated expenses have been covered fine and flights have been factored in, but now I am looking to pay out £7k on shipping our cats (v sharp intake of breath!) and £4k on our possessions it is feeling a little unsettling, to say the least. Handing in my notice on my job was a simple, in comparison to my nervousness paying out for everything. I know that people do warn that it is an expensive business, but it is starting to bite. It is our personal decision to bring cats - and the children would never forgive me if we left them - but am now wondering where costs savings can be made. How much are second hand cars in Brisbane? We have a Citroen Picasso that has done 80k miles, so something in that sort of range. Not expecting much in the way of a response, but anyone who has been there, experienced the monetary stresses and managed, please do reassure me all will be okay!! (and please don't be mean about our decision to bring the cats - yes I know that my stresses are partially of my own making....)

I am finding waiting for info is very difficult. Various plans are under way and I am waiting for responses from Australia. What is driving me mad is that things happen during our night and therefore not sleeping that well and having a sneaky check of my emails - it is driving my husband mad. Good idea to do the chart - think I will pinch your idea!

Fantastic news!! Really pleased that it finally came through.

Brilliant Husage 123 :-)

Surely it must be your turn soon. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Wow that is soon. We are going to Brisbane in June but so much to organise. Feel like I am not going to have a free second between now and then. Also made worse by the fact that phone calls to Australia have to be made in the middle of the night! That said I absolutely can't wait to board the plane :-)

Brilliant news Impasse and family of4. When are you heading to Australia and where?

We flew with Singapore Airlines last year and they were brilliant. Planning to book again with them when we go back in June.

Hi Probably an obvious answer to this, but hope you don't mind me asking. My mum is going to Australia next month,for a holiday to stay for the whole of April. She has got an evisitor standard visa for the trip. My own relocation to Australia has happened a little swifter than I anticipated and I will be flying out with my family in June. Mum is thinking about travelling over again to help me settle the kids in. Will there be any problems with her obtaining another evisitor visa so that she can be with us for a few weeks? Many thanks

Thanks for all the very helpful comments. Lots to think about. The flood plains map is pretty scary. Ferny Hills is looking more appealing!

Fantastic news. Congratulations Mufasa!

Hi everyone Finally able to plan my move. Visa granted and job close to being secured. Will be working in Brisbane CBD. Don't mind a bit of a commute but not hours in traffic. Priorities are leafy and green - in the UK we live in the Cotswolds. Needs good schools. Reasonably priced house. So not looking for much at all ;-) Am thinking about Ferny Grove / Ferny Hills but is the commute doable? Will I spend my life on the train? Planning to start at 8am and finish at 4 but I know I won't beat Queenslanders in to work. Will be renting for first 12 months then buy. Any suggestions? Any comments very welcome. Can't wait to relocate!