Vickie78

I was just checking the NI stuff, I definitely wouldn't have one (Mum does) as from what I read they automatically issue you one 3 months prior to your 16th Birthday. DOH! Oh well it will work out in the wash. As for Aussie super due to the shit luck i mentioned in Original post, i had to withdraw mine for hardship reasons back in the day, so there isn't much left in it anyway as I have been a stay at home mum until recently. But I do have savings AND I do have assets to sell, so that is where my funding is coming from.

Speaking of credit rating, what would be the best way to start establishing one over there?

Wow thank you so much Marisa, I currently have a NAB account so will look into ING. As for transfer it won't be a HUGE amount of money, but enough to get by when we do arrive until we get settled, bank account, work etc and so on. School wow Sept? (There's something that totally left my post U.K brain) Yikes oh well cross that Bridge when we get to it, I suppose it will be no different to me starting school here all those years ago, with enrolling and starting a bit late. NI wasn't aware of the catching up via work experience, good to know! Renting I did think it would be better to be there unless I can get a friend/family to do it for me, so either that or doing as you say was my plan anyway, just wasn't sure if there were any other ways i may not have thought about. I shall also reassess whether it is worth taking some stuff over. Movecube, got it! Exciting

Hello, Quick background : In 1992 Mum decided to join our small family in Melbourne Australia so we emigrated much to my then 14 year old annoyance and fast forward to my 20's met a man had two children, separated last year. I'm now 41 and my kids are 11 and 12. Dad has no issue with me taking the Kids to the U.K will sign whatever needs to be signed to comply with the laws(one of my questions will be below). I have 100% care etc. Mum has always wanted to return too, but has held off because until recently I wasn't in the position to return as had a partner and I was the only reason she stuck around. So now I/we are ready, and my kids think it's a fab idea, and with Mum I wanting to go we are more than ready in terms of the actual decision. We have both never felt at home here and have had our fair share of shit luck. So.... questions I have are 1. With regards to the Kids passport applications I understand I also need a letter of consent from their dad, now do I just write this up and get him to sign it? Is there a template? Does it just have to state he is their dad, their names, that he agrees for them to travel to the U.K on a permanent basis? 2. We won't be shipping anything, just taking clothes/important docs etc. 3. Not sure at this point if we'd be able to stay with anyone on arrival so what would be the best way to secure a rental from Overseas, with no credit rating as we haven't been in the U.K for over 20 years I understand that rent would have to be paid in advance? Which wouldn't be an issue. What sort of areas would be good for both schools and not too expensive rent? (I used to live in Christchurch, Dorset) 4. My eldest being 12 would be starting High School next year, if we move before then when would new High school year start in U.K? Jan like Aus? I have searched and see that year levels/ages are similar to Aus. 5. Money, what's the best way to take it to the U.K can we arrive with some cash? Transfer the rest? I have read that if you open an account you can't touch it for weeks? Keep it in Aus? 6. National Insurance, As I moved here when I was 14 and haven't worked in the U.K I don't even think I have a number? as for contributions what the hell do I do there? Can I top it up, once I get a job in the U.K? Anything else you can think of that I may need to know? The packing and getting on the plane isn't an issue, just all the other stuff Is drowning my thought process. Thank you for reading :)