Practicalities to consider when moving back after 10 years

[Melbournelass]

Hi there

As mentioned in a previous post, I am considering moving back down the line with my Aussie partner and 2 children.  By that time, I will have lived in Aus around 10 years and kids will be about 6 and 2.

I know it won't be a simple as picking up where I left off, especially as I left UK as single person.

I wondered what I would need to consider.  We currently receive some family assistance and 50% childcare rebate - would we have a long waiting period to claim anything in the UK? Would we be entitled to NHS care?

We will be keeping our house here and renting in the UK if we go.

Any advice would be appreciated and what I need consider - 'too hard basket' would probably make us reconsider our plans.

[Quoll]

Will your Aussie partner be able to get a visa? For many that is the too hard first hurdle you have to jump. As long as you move intending to stay, set up house, get job etc it should be relatively easy - some small hurdles like getting your credit rating back on track, getting car insurance but otherwise it should be relatively straightforward providing your DH has a visa. If you have to go the spouse visa route then there may be some benefits you as a family won't be able to access as they could be seen to be supporting him.

[VERYSTORMY]

The visa is the first thing. It isn't hard, but has some hard requirements. There are two streams. You either need a job offer in the UK paying at least £18600 a year or have savings of £63k which you have held in a bank for at least six months unless from the sale of a house. 

Health care would be available immediately - you just register with a GP / dentist. 

Benefits vary. Anything to do with unemployment requires you to have been in the UK a period of time - I think it is six months. Others may be available immediately. 

You would need a bank account and some people have had issues with opening one. We didn't and Halifax were fine. Others have opened one using a family members address. 

Overall, we found the process pretty straight forward and easy. Had no issues getting a rental or anything. 

[Melbournelass]

Thanks! No issues with a visa thank goodness! We would be hoping to find work immediately, it's more childcare I'd be concerned about as the gov help us out quite a bit

[VERYSTORMY]

It depends on what childcare help as there are several. Generally, anything that is means tested on income will require residence testing, which will mean proving you are habitually resident. This is normally done by living in the UK for 3 to 6 months (it varies a bit and I think childcare is at the lower end). 

Childcare vouchers are available immediately. This is a government scheme that works like salary sacrifice with your employer.