Corrina

Hi Tulip, Thank you. I appreciate all the raw but honest advice. The things that people don't really tell you or talk about!... Where was all of this on Wanted Down Under?? It's true though, people do manage it, even if they don't have the finances secured. I hope that their dreams work out for them, even if just for a short time. We do have the money to go for it, but I sure wish I could know that we'd manage to recoup it eventually through higher salaries. Then it would all be worth it. Our daughter is happy to wait a bit longer to head off to uni. She doesn't feel ready for it all just yet but is currently in college. She would like a few gap years until she feels ready to commit. She's only 16. It's so young if you're still not sure about the world. So her not wanting to rush into training might be a blessing for now. It might offer us more time to see if we can secure PR

Thanks so much Cainey. Yeah I think shock hit me first when I saw that figure but on reflection, I can understand how it mounts up to that....I'd better start doing the lottery

Well, I appreciate your honesty actually. I like (and need) to hear the negatives as much as the positives. It helps me balance them better. And if I've got worse case scenario in my head then, it can only get better!! I totally get old feelings of previous immigrants who couldn't afford what those do now. Thanks again

Thanks Marisa. That's great advice. I will have to have a good look at this then. You've given me a lot to consider. You sound like one of those people that everyone wants to take with them to the pub quiz. I love it

Good God!! But yeah, but that's because their employers paid for the visas, flights, shipping container and first week in a cheap hotel!!... Talk about Lucky eh!

Hi Marisa, That's fantastic advice, thank you so much. I really appreciate your taking the time to type this for me. I agree with your aspects of costs and agree what you advise about setting up a new home. I think we take it for granted, all the 'little things' we accumulate over the years in our homes, and what we couldn't manage without. I'd need an IKEA within 2 or 3 hours drive I think ... I believe white goods are way more expensive in Oz than in the UK too. Funnily enough, I have already done your suggestion of 'virtual shopping' . I've even compared prices of different stores. I even virtual food shopped!! Great minds think alike!

Hi. That's a helpful breakdown to see. Thank you.

Thanks Ali. Great advice.

True. And it's much easier to take when it's spread out like that and over time. I don't think I'd want to add it up at the end. Yeah it's approx 7k for visas for a family of 3.

Hi Ali. Thanks for this. Yes I absolutely agree. Particularly re the student fees. Ideally we hope to come on the 189/190 visa. Thank you.

Hi Amber, That's great advice, thank you. I'll do that. And will look for the thread I'm a bit surprised by some suggesting it would cost between 30-50k. With so many Brits moving to Oz every month, they won't all have so much in the bank. Some will, but many move because they simply can't save money over here and their quality of life is not great. I don't know a single family who have moved to Oz and had that much disposable cash in the bank. I know there are obvious and hidden costs, but 50k...

Hey Quoll. Thanks for your reply and info. Honestly though, I appreciate your advice but if we get there it definitely won't be costing us that much!! 50k? Really, where did you move to, Byron Bay? We held off with it because of our teenager really. We wanted her to finish school, and thought she'd change her mind but in actual fact it's her who's driving us the most to go. We won't have any problems with the kids moving. We've already experienced a huge move in the UK and they seem to have (inherited) a sense of adventure. We could absolutely not Ever leave one of us behind, even for a short time. Yeah, I do get that it's probably more costly overall than people assume. But I have researched a lot and have friends over there to ask. I agree, we won't struggle to get jobs in the areas we both work. But it would have been nice to feel like I had 3 to 6 months to make sure the kids are settled first and we get to know the areas a bit before starting work. Or at least one of us!... So so many questions still, and it seems so much more to find out. Thanks again.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Wow, that's the most expensive move I've heard about to date!! Was it a recent move? I do appreciate hearing everybody's highs and lows. It's never going to be plain sailing I guess. The visa info alone is driving me nuts!! It just seems so much to cut into our savings when I know others have gone for less than 5K.

Thank you Amber. Yes I think it's the 190 I can apply for. As advised by a registered migration agent. It breaks it down a little but I'll definitely look into a few others as a second option. When the person above also commented, saying you need around 30k I thought he meant £30k but I think he meant AUD$$ which seems much less daunting!

Thanks again Amber. Now you mention that, yes I think that's what it was. I haven't looked at the 482. I will though thanks. I'll also have a look at education costs as you advise. There is just so much to read through, understand and consider. It's a bit mind blowing sometimes. We were hoping for Perth or Adelaide. Third choice would be Brisbane.

Thanks Amber. Appreciate your reply. I think the difference has been that people we know who made the same move were sponsored and somehow their flights and visas were all paid for!! No such luck here

Hi. Thanks so much for replying. We have over 90 atm. But 30k, that seems so much. We have friends who moved 3 years ago and another 12 months ago and their costs were very minimal. Way less than 5k even. Seems we have a lot more to consider!?

Hi. My family and I have been waiting for the 'right time' to apply for visas and start a much longed for move to Australia. We're both experienced social workers and our children are 16 and 8. It's a move we all want. My 16 year old wants to train in Oz to become an early years teacher, and my 8 year old so far wants to become a doctor! So, so far we feel positive about being able to contribute as much as we can to give to Australia in terms of employment choices and community living. We were all so looking forward to it. I need to be the main applicant due to age, and I qualify for the skilled visa and appear to have enough points. It was all starting to feel real and exciting...But since looking into visas during lockdown I noticed that there is now a high cost, where I'm sure there wasn't before! Now it seems we need to pay approx $4000 for mine, $2000 for hubbies and $1200 for each child, just for the visas!! That's even before flights and costs of moving. An agent to help with visas etc. I'm truly devastated. Does anyone know if there is ANY way around this, or any way of reducing it, or if paid, is there a way to recoup it once moved? Or just know of Anything at all that could help to keep our dream alive?... Or is that simply it, nothing we can do? Huge thanks in advance for any comments that are left.