Uk TO Tas 2018

[cam83]

Hi have spent some time reading the forums thought i would sign up to try get some more answers and advice if possible, sorry about the length of the post if its too long, hopefully someone can help and point me in the right direction, 

Me and husband started VISA process this week to move to Tas,  OH is AU citz and passport holder so he’s pretty much okay, just me to worry about : ) We are using a migration agent 
We have the in laws in North Tas, just outside Devonport and a brother in Melbourne – we are looking to move to Devonport/Burnie even Launceston
Have researched , jobs homes, lifestyle , cost of living, think we covered most angles, with the help of family there, 

Just wondering how others Brits (or Welsh) are doing over there ?
Also is the unemployment as bad as its made out to be ?
I have seen quite a few jobs on seek and indeed and Hays that I think would be good for me, (bookkeeping accounts admin )  but have e been worried about some of things I’ve read on forums  

Also making sure i haven't missed any monthly expenses 

Rates (Council Tax) 
House Insurance
Utilities - Gas Electric Wood 
Car Insurance/Reg/Licence
Petrol 
Food Shop + Toiletries
Bus Pass/Train Pass 
Mobile Phone + Broadband

And can anyone recommend a good dental programme, to cover the basics such as cleaning, fillings, and extractions?  And also is it beneficial to have private health as well as Medicare (both pretty healthy at the moment!)

And last bit, things to be arranged , hope I’ve got everything but no doubt there will be another long list of things I’ve completely omitted,  

Tax Number

AU bank account (do before or within 6 weeks of arrival)

Enrol Medicare

Transfer funds from UK

Driving Licence apply for AU

 

Thanks for Taking the time to read and offer any advice 

 

 

 

 

 

[Marisawright]

I'm sure you know that distances in Tasmania are so short, you could settle almost anywhere and still be easy driving distance to visit the in-laws.  Your best employment opportunities, by far, would be in Hobart.  Unemployment is pretty high in Tassie.

[Toots]

I'm sure your in-laws have given you a fair idea of the employment situation in Tasmania.  As Marisa has said, work would be easier to find around Hobart.  I have found here in the north west coast it's very much who you know that helps getting a job but one of the members of this forum (Bound4Tassie) moved from the UK with her Tassie husband and three children recently and she had secured a job here before she left the UK.

[Skani]

Re unemployment:  while it's not great, the unemployment rate in Tasmania is exactly the same as Victoria's (6.1% at the Dec '17 quarter) and marginally worse than Queensland's (6.0%) and yet it's never mentioned for people moving to those states.  At least you have skills which can be utilised across a wide range of industries.  Employment is most difficult for those who have no skills/training at all or have very specialised skills only in demand in large metropolitan areas.    Networking is important in Tasmania: the "grapevine" is very active and employment is often found by word of mouth.   Making as many social contacts as you can will be very helpful.  If you are without paid employment for a while, volunteering is a good way to make contacts and eventually find paid employment.

Volunteering Tasmania has a website and the portal for matching volunteers and organisations is here:

http://www.volunteeringtas.org.au/for-volunteers/find-a-role/

Re monthly expenses:  Add:  Water rates.  I can't think of anything else you have missed.  (You won't need a Train Pass as railway passenger services don't run in Tassie.  They did once upon a time....and many people would like to see them return).

Private health insurance:  the main advantage is not having the waiting times often necessary in the public system.  But that can vary enormously according to location.  It appears to be much less of a problem in the Devonport area (judging by the experiences of Toots above ) than in Hobart or Launceston.  I'm not sure about access to the Burnie Hospital.  If you're reasonably young and reasonably healthy then it may be a risk worth taking not to have it.      Of course, for accident or emergency care you will be admitted to a public hospital anyway.

If I were my much younger self, I would set up a separate account and  "self insure" the equivalent of top private cover - and use that if ever needed for private medical care.

Choosing private health cover is a minefield - umpteen different companies offering a gazillion different options - often varying according to your state of residence.

This site has a tool for comparing policies.  I think there is an option for dental only.  If not, ask again ...because I'm sure someone mentioned one on PIO quite recently.

https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/

 

[cam83]

HI thanks ever so much for the replies, We looked at hobart initially, due to more work options, but have found that there are jobs up north, so like Skani reassured me, if youve got some skills, then really positive and good info thank you, looking forward to the move 

[cam83]

And i will for sure take a look at the volunteering , that's a great idea thanks ,

sorry how much are the water rates a month please 

[Skani]

6 minutes ago, cam83 said:

sorry how much are the water rates a month please 

Mine averaged $66 per month over the last year.  It's payable to Taswater for water and sewerage services (fixed service charges + water usage per kilolitre).   I'm in Hobart and  not sure if the service charge varies according to area   It's also normally paid by the property owner so you are unlikely to be liable for this if you are renting.   Likewise, you will only pay council rates when you own property.

[cam83]

Brilliant thanks again Skani, 

yes got noted that we dont need house insurance, or rates etc while renting so good to know that right, 

 

How do you like Hobart , have you ever lived up North ? 

[Skani]

10 hours ago, cam83 said:

How do you like Hobart , have you ever lived up North ? 

I love Hobart...although it's starting to have problems it's never encountered before - traffic congestion,  extremely low rental vacancies and galloping house prices.  I should declare too that I'm not a regular PIO migrant:  I'm only half a Pom and I came here as a child. 

I spent 9 years living on the north west coast, living on acreage near Boat Harbour,   working in Burnie and sometimes commuting to Devonport.  But that was in the 1980's.  I loved it and would probably still be there if my first marriage hadn't ended.

[cam83]

HI Skani, oh thats sad to hear, yes looking at hobart, seems to nice but as you said getting busy, every place has its good and bad sides, we come from a small town in south wales, currently up to our ankles in snow and the UK is on stop haha 

 

I think Burnie and Devonport is a good choice for us , i know it wont be easy and we will have to put hard work and effort in, but i prefer small towns hence why we arent looking at Melbourne/Perth etc, thank you again for help , and maybe if you visit north you can come have a beer with us :when we get there 

[Skani]

59 minutes ago, cam83 said:

, we come from a small town in south wales, currently up to our ankles in snow

 

My niece has just moved to Swansea with her OH who has a new job at the university there.   It's a bit of a  shock after the very warm summer they've had in northern Tassie. 

[cam83]

aw wow, im about a 30 minutes drive from Swansea, its lovely,  they are spending a lot there redevolping the marina and area, hope she settles in well, its like we are swapping lives haha 

[Skani]

Yes, he has a contract at the uni there, but not sure for how long.  Long enough to take their 2 dogs with them, though.   Lovely photo of them at Oystermouth with "...the dogs'  first castle".