Collie

Are you asking about getting the best rate or the physical transfer? I have used Halo financial in the past and found them good (no association, just a satisfied customer). I actually have a forward order sitting with them currently. You may want to get a view on where people think the rate will go. Currently it is about $2.10 to the GBP, 2 years ago it got as low as $1.40 and in the past it was $3.00 (2001 Lions tour). It makes a big difference if you are transferring a large sum. It may be worth breaking it up in smaller amounts and timing the transfers when you think the rate is best. eg a 10cent movement is worth $1,000 on on $10,000. There is sufficient opinion out there that the AUD has a bit further to fall but who knows.

Hi folks, I'm 90% sure that Mr Hockey recently changed the rules so that if you are on a WHV you are non-resident for tax purposes. This means that you are taxed only on your Australian income. He would still be resident in the UK for tax. I am not a tax expert (but am an accountant) but my view would be that he would pay his tax in the UK. Australia & the UK have a double taxation agreement so even if the OP was required to file an Australian tax return he would get a credit for tax paid in the UK, ie you don't pay tax in 2 countries on the same income. My advice to the OP is to seek advice from the tax authorities in the UK and from the ATO in Australia. They are normally very helpful and it's free.

Flown Etihad a few times and always found them good. Actually flying with them to Dublin in a few weeks. The big advantage for Irish travellers is that you skip a stopover in Europe and go direct into Dublin from Abu Dhabi. I used to hate that 2nd stopover in Heathrow, CDG, etc Also going from Aus first you get the big leg over first. Skip London if you can, if no directs from Scotland, go through Dublin, quite often the Dublin Abu Dhabi flight is only 50-60% full so plenty of room. Now have the Emirates option too via Dubai. Would love if Singapore opened a Dublin direct route. If flying Etihad, join the virgin aus ff scheme, Emirates, join Qantas. Your long haul flight will probably earn you enough for a free domestic in Aus. Hope this helps

Skyscanner.net will show you all the options and sometimes a 3rd party site (cheapoair etc) is cheaper than booking directly with the airline for the same flight. I fly Syd Per a lot and tend to favour Virgin for comfort. Syd GC is only an hour so Tiger/Jetstar is ok and are normally the cheapest

Hey mate, I'm a bit biased but have a look at Rozelle/Balmain. Great villages full of pubs, cafes, restaurants (ie bit of life) and close to the city (c.10mins on a bus in off peak, c.20-25mins in peak). Has the bay run close by (7kms along the water). Tends to be a 30s+ crowd too. A 1 bed unit should be $450-$550pw. I'm about your age and love it around here. Other areas worth looking at are Newtown which has the King st strip, close to the city also and probably a little cheaper. A little alternative (think Camden) or the lower North Shore (which personally I find very quiet but some people like it). Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Mosman. NB has a bit more life than the other 2. Crows nest is another 30 something area with cafe's, restaurants etc. I'm open to correction but further out tends to be families and suburbia a bit (Manly, Bondi & Coogee are full of backpackers, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst & Paddington are all more pricey) Hope this helps, Col

Hi aconannon, Your bond/deposit cannot be more than 4 weeks rent by law. This is lodged with the NSW department of fair trading. You can volunteer to pay rent upfront (3months/6months etc) but you cannot be obliged to do so (by law you can;t be obliged to pay > 2 weeks in advance but most people "agree" to pay monthly. This would be your rent, eg you prepay 3 months, you don't pay again until month 4 etc. Prepare a file to go with applications, History, occupations, references, payslips, evidence of savings (bank statements) etc. It is complete overkill and a ridiculous process but unfortunatley they are the hoops you need to jump through. An alternative may be to look for somewhere to stay temporarily (3-6 months) to help you find your feet etc. Have a look on gumtree/housesitting sites etc. You could stay at someone's place whilst they are overseas. I know I am looking to rent my place for 3 weeks when I am overseas. Hope this helps Colin

Hi AJ, Thanks for the thought. St George is owned by Westpac and is pretty much just a brand name now with all back office functions integrated. It's run out of Sydney (Kograh & Kent st) Cheers. Collie

I think you are allowed to drive on an international license for 3 months (but it may vary by country & needs to be in English, check with the rms). After that, you are supposed to convert to an Australian license (which is stupidly state based, rather than federal). You can drive interstate without changing your license for short trips, ie I regularly drive in WA on a NSW license on visits but if I were to move to WA I would be expected to transfer my license to a WA one. Hope that helps

Thanks all and 3go2Perth on the career side. Apologies - I haven't been on the forum recently. I met up with a recruiter at Easter over there. He seems like a good one, his take was quite similar. He said that 2 years ago it would have been a lot easier but now it's very much an employer's market. In FS there is only really Bankwest and that seems to be moving to Sydney by stealth, ie somebody leaves in Perth, role is replaced in Sydney. I have applied for a few things outside of FS directly but not made any traction at all. Sydney isn't exactly booming at my level either at the moment, mind you. I finished a contract a few months ago and am finding it very quiet. If you're available, It would be good to meet for a coffee/drink when I'm over and we can swap notes/perspectives. Col

Hey mate, I normally go the other way. Where are you staying? It depends what you you are into and whether you have a car or not. For me Sydney is all about the harbour. The must do's are (will add good places to eat/drink in brackets nearby) and all are all pretty accessable/easier by public transport Opera House (Opera Kitchen does better food than Opera bar) Botanical Gardens Wander around the rocks, Sunday markets (Rooftop of the Glenmore is great - close to the bridgeclimb if you are doing that) Ferry to Manly (Manly wharf hotel) Ferry to Watsons bay (Doyles) Darling harbour (Hurricanes for the best ribs ever, Chinta Ria for Asian) Small bars (Baxter, Barber shop, Uncle Mings, Mojo records, Spooning goats all good, York St, Clarence st. Shady pines in Darlinghurst) Other options Bondi (North Bondi RSL is good and practically on the beach, or Icebergs), I'm not a huge fan but if you want to tick the box. Nice walk along the coast from Bondi to Coogee (about 90mins). If you have a car, Watsons bay via South head to North Bondi is nice. Surry Hills - More for a night out - Crown st is the strip of bars/restaurants for all the hipsters Newtown for an alternative & cheaper night out, Newtown hotel is good, King st is full of cheaper eats, c. $15 cab from the city Balmain/Rozelle (my hood) - some great pubs, restaurants, cafes. Saturdays is best (Love Fish, Satasia, Indian palace all great eats. The London, Cat & Fiddle & the Baldrock good boozers. Live music in the Baldie from about 4 on a Sat., beautiful old school sandstone back street pub). Bus/Ferry, $15-$20 in a cab Balmoral - beautiful harbour beach, if you have a car, pop up to middle head, stunning views and Burnt orange is nice for lunch, close to the Zoo also Ferrys - Best way to see Sydney, Jump on random ferries & admire the harbour Palm beach (Home & away) is a hike. An hour drive, 90 mins on a bus. For a weekend I'd skip it as it will take a whole day. Get an Opal card for public transport, $2.50 cap on Sundays and $15 cap other days and you can jump on and off as you like. Have fun. Col

Hi folks, Disclosure upfront: I'm a proud paddy (aren't we all?) rather than a pom but hope I can still get some get pointers here about possibly moving to Perth in the next 12 months or so. Predominantly about job opportunities and suburbs. About me: Age: a young 41 Dual citizenship (Aussie & Paddy) Currently live in Sydney (returned 4 years ago) Have a beautiful young daughter (<1) who lives with her mum in Perth (don't ask - been a nightmare but safe to say we will not be getting back together) I have lived in Sydney for c. 11 out of the last 16 years so reasonably well versed in Australian ways, culture, money etc but don't really know too much specifically about Perth (although I've had to visit a lot in the last year but didn't get to do too much visiting) I work in finance in financial services (Head office), CIMA qualified and earn a very good salary (mid 100s) and have a great life in Sydney. c.15 years experience mostly in management reporting, commercial decision support, a bit of strategy etc. My impression is that most FS opportunities are Sydney or Melbourne (Head offices of big 4, most intl banks, insurance companies etc) but am open to correction and am interested to hear from anybody who has local insights. I am open to a change of industry too but not sure how open employers are (they tend to pigeon hole you, FS want FS, fmcg want fmcg, resources want resources etc). Potentially open to a change of career also to something related, maybe lecturing. Any employment thoughts, comments welcome and will be appreciated. For those that know Sydney, I live in Balmain which is a great suburb close to the city but with it's own village which is very vibrant, lots of cafes, restaurants, decent old school pubs etc It was a working class suburb that has been gentrified in the last 15 years or so but isn't overly pretentious (I'm open to correction but maybe something like Subiaco). Balmain has a great community feel with everything within walking distance and people say hello etc. I'm involved with the local footie team too (>2,000 members from kids up to o45s). It's mixture of professionals & tradies. I'm looking for Perth's Balmain (if it exists). I have some extended family in Greenwood but probably a bit too suburban for me. I would be interested in people's thoughts specifically about Subiaco & surrounding suburbs. Would like to know a bit more about Wembley, Mount Hawthorn, Osborne park, Glendalough, Mount Lawton, or anywhere else relevant (maybe south of the river). Love Freo, probably a bit too far out for me but love that type of vibe. Again, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. As you have probably guessed, the reason for considering the move is to be closer to and spend more time with my daughter (& hopefully get to 50% care in time). However I will need to build a life for myself also so probably not suburbia. I'm fairly social and would probably join an o35s footie team for the social side. Thanks all for reading and for your insights. Col