Coming back after 14 years......eeekkk

[Pat Checkley]

Hi folks,

After fourteen years in the UK, we are planning to return to Australia within the next 3/4 months and if it's ok, we are hoping that you guys can update us on a lot of stuff please?

We never intended to be back in the UK for more than a year at the most, but Life threw a lot of stuff at me (in particular) and I had to deal with it.   Cancer twice.  Chemotherapy and years of attending Specialists and Departments and Consultants.  I'm now ok and pretty optimistic about my future.   My wonderful hubby Rodge has been supportive despite his own sudden heart problems which ended up with him having a Pacemaker.  Bless. 

And all this began when we flew back to the UK in 2008 to effectively take care of my father-in-law after mum passed in the October.  It was to have been a year only, but dad - who was 90 at the time - lived for another three years, and we couldn't leave him because he was lost.  Dad died in April 2011 just as I was being diagnosed with kidney cancer and so that was that.  I had the kidney removed, and, following treatment and in 2016,  I received my 5 year cancer-free letter from, the Urologist, which was fab.  But I was in the Oncology Ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital at the time, undergoing treatment for bowel cancer and following that I had a lot of chemotherapy.   You couldn't make it up.  But at the time I had to laugh because it was hilarious.  And ironic.

 Nearly five years on, I'm (touch wood) great.  Wear a stoma and happy to be here!

So, throughout these years, we've been trying to get back to Australia and this time, want to come to SA because life is too short and we've heard fab stories about SA and just want to go there and see if the remnants of our funds can buy us a wee place in the country, with a bit of a garden.   We are now in our late 70's and have never given up hope of returning to the only country who believed in us both when, in 1998, we set off for Australia with little more than £6000 to our names.   Australia gave us a chance to work and in return we enjoyed a lifestyle which we have always remembered, and always will.  

Our Aussie Passports are good until 2024 and although we have our old Medicare Cards, would our original membership numbers still be good if we were to re-apply?

Plus, we realise that we need to transport our British Age Pensions, but does anyone know how long it takes to be assessed by Centrelink for the 'top-up' (if that exists now?).

I'm sorry to have to ask you these questions but it's been a hard slog for the last 14 years.  

Our Aussie Passports are good to 2024 but hey......we just want to come Home as soon as we can.

So, my question is this - can we just fly back - this time to SA - being fully vaxxed and boosted (as we are) without having to do quarantine?   Because for one thing, this is expensive and for another, I am claustrophobic so being on a second or third floor of some hotel would not be good for me. 

Rodge  is looking at short term rentals, which would allow us to rent somewhere whilst looking for a property to buy.  This is the only way we can think of getting back and residing somewhere, unless anyone has any ideas?

We have a lot of Referees who are willing to speak for us.

Just want to come home.  

Thank you for reading.  

Pat (& Roger) xxxx

 

[Marisawright]

3 hours ago, Pat Checkley said:

Our Aussie Passports are good until 2024 and although we have our old Medicare Cards, would our original membership numbers still be good if we were to re-apply?

Plus, we realise that we need to transport our British Age Pensions, but does anyone know how long it takes to be assessed by Centrelink for the 'top-up' (if that exists now?).....

So, my question is this - can we just fly back - this time to SA - being fully vaxxed and boosted (as we are) without having to do quarantine?   ...

Rodge  is looking at short term rentals, which would allow us to rent somewhere whilst looking for a property to buy.  This is the only way we can think of getting back and residing somewhere, unless anyone has any ideas?

We have a lot of Referees who are willing to speak for us.

You're far from the first people to go home to care for sick relatives and get stuck.  Lucky you'd got your citizenship before you left, so you can come back without jumping through hoops.

There's no quarantine for SA now so that's fine too. Just make sure you follow the rules:

https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/travel/international-travel

Pensions

The bad news is that your British Age Pension will be frozen at the current rate, forever.  You don't need to do anything to "transport" it. Just tell them your new address, once you're settled.  It may be better to keep your British bank account and continue to get the pension paid in there, then you can choose to transfer it when exchange rates are good.  However they will send it to an Australian bank account if you prefer, you just need to notify them.

As a former resident, you should be entitled to claim the Australian pension.  There is a residency requirement though - how long did you live in Australia before you left?  My friend did it last year and it was surprisingly quick.  I would start by visiting a Centrelink office, but you will probably need to do the actual application online on MyGov.  

https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e2s1

Things like Medicare, tax and pensions are all managed through MyGov these days.  You will need to open a MyGov account, but wait until you've got an Australian mobile, because you need to be able to receive SMS for verification codes.  

Accommodation

It's not a good idea to rent a property sight unseen.  In some states, it's not even allowed.   Book an AirBnB or a holiday let for 3 or 4 weeks when you first arrive, then look for a 6-month rental.  That will give  you time to get to know the areas and decide where to buy.  

Good luck!

Edited March 13, 2022 by Marisawright

[Parley]

Of course if you are citizens you can return tomorrow or whenever you live. That isn't an issue as you have guaranteed right to enter and live here.

Centrelink waiting periods will be the issue as i think they expect 10 years residency

[Marisawright]

@Pat Checkley, I notice you said you were going to "try" SA, which suggests you didn't live there before?

Don't get me wrong, I like Adelaide - but if you lived in another state before, don't assume you will like SA. 

For instance, my niece loved Sydney on her WHV, so much that she worked in Sydney almost the whole year, and we had to push her to do some travelling in the last couple of months!   She was desperate to return to Australia, so she was thrilled when her employer sent her to Perth for several months for a project. She didn't like Perth at all and couldn't wait to leave.  Likewise, I have friends who love Perth and hate Sydney.   

So if you want to return to what you loved, I'd be moving back to what you left, in your shoes.  Is it cost of housing that's sending you elsewhere?

Edited March 13, 2022 by Marisawright

[Quoll]

Just rock up. We were away for 9 years due to much the same rationale - caring for the oldies. Add the others have said, just let the UK pension mob know your new address and your pension will be frozen at the date you leave. You might not get an Australian "top up" - is not a "right", it's a welfare payment based on years of residence and assets so don't assume that you will get anything and anything you do get will be a bonus. You should be able to access your Australian super that you've accumulated over the years of residence though, if you haven't already blown that. 

When we came back we were fortunate to move into our own home that our son had been house sitting for us but it was still quite an expensive little venture getting sorted out - we still haven't bought a car because we have the use of one of his bangers and we don't go anywhere at the moment anyway. Given your health issues, if you decide to get private health insurance do it quickly if you had it before and didn't have the age loading on it otherwise private health cover would be exorbitant. Your Medicare number will be the same but your card may have expired during the time you were away, you'll just need to apply for a new one. Bring copies of your medical issues with you - your GP should produce a report but it might cost you a few quid. 

Remove yourself from the UK electoral roll and get yourself on the Australian one when you arrive. I keep my UK bank account open - I went to see them before I left and made sure they changed addresses, phone numbers etc some banks are more accommodating than others. I also keep my UK phone on a very cheap contract - keeping it on payg was a nuisance, having to send a text or make a call every few months just to keep it current.

Good luck! 

[Marisawright]

Quoll makes a good point about health insurance.   It's not compulsory, even though a lot of Aussies would be horrified to hear you don't have it. Personally, I'd say if you are used to being treated on the NHS and you're willing to live with similar waiting lists, and the same kind of wards if you end up in hospital, then you don't need health insurance.    

Private health insurance lets you access treatment faster, and you can be treated in a private hospital suites where you might get a private room.  That's it.  Some feel it gives you access to better care, but in my experience that isn't true.  I've been treated in both the public and private health systems in Australia and I've found the doctors in the public system to be more knowledgeable ad approachable.  @DrDougster might have something to say on the matter. 

Even with private health insurance, you have to pay something for your treatment - there is always a "gap" of extra fees that you have to pay yourself.  To give you an example, I had a spinal operation.  I have insurance and wanted to go private, because it was a dangerous op and I wanted the best surgeon.   The operation cost $35,000, but my health insurance only covered $25,000.   So I was out of pocket $10,000.   Not long after,  my friend's dad needed the same operation.  He's 80 and has no health insurance so had to go on the public system.  He had to wait several weeks, but he had the op, it was successful, and it didn't cost him a cent.

Bear in mind, too, that private health insurance covers ONLY hospital treatment.  It doesn't cover visits to specialists or any out-of-hospital treatments.  Most working Australians see a private specialist for the sake of speed, and just pay up.  It's so common, many GPs will refer you to a private specialist without asking - you just need to tell them you want to be referred to the public system, and then it will cost you nothing.  

You may want to consider just getting Extras insurance, because things like spectacles, dentistry, chiropody are not covered under Medicare and they are expensive here. 

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Marisawright

[Blue Flu]

Well Adelaide/SA does have the oldest population which may be a bonus. Perhaps a bit of a long shot though if never been there hoping it will pan out well. With no family or friends it won't be easy sailing I fear. 

You say living in the country. Victor Harbour is a popular place for retirees . Only been there once and neutral opinion. The Hills are lovely in parts. Hardly cheap anymore but if coming with a healthy amount from a UK house sale it may not be of consequence

I actually concluded that UK may be a better .place overall in retirement than Australia. Places are closer together for trips and with a bus pass it is free. No need to drive or maintain a car . More walks , more interesting countryside, not forgetting the net work probably built up over those fourteen years away. 

Australia has something of an aged care crisis and cost of living here high and so much as changed from the time you arrived back in the nineties.  

[rammygirl]

It will depend what lifestyle you want.  Just because you don’t need to commute to the CBD for work don’t underestimate the ability to get there easily for entertainment, festivals etc. I love living in the Adelaide Hills great walks and cycling etc but we often go to the city for theatre, festivals (just done 4days at WOMADelaide).  Plenty of active retirees here. I quite like Victor Harbour but it is too far out for us.

If you want to be at the beach a lot then that will also influence choice, lots of lovely beaches to choose from.

As a Senior I get free off peak public transport, although it can be awkward in the hills to get around without a car down on the plains it is much easier.

[DrDougster]

On 14/03/2022 at 08:44, Marisawright said:

Quoll makes a good point about health insurance.   It's not compulsory, even though a lot of Aussies would be horrified to hear you don't have it. Personally, I'd say if you are used to being treated on the NHS and you're willing to live with similar waiting lists, and the same kind of wards if you end up in hospital, then you don't need health insurance.    

Private health insurance lets you access treatment faster, and you can be treated in a private hospital suites where you might get a private room.  That's it.  Some feel it gives you access to better care, but in my experience that isn't true.  I've been treated in both the public and private health systems in Australia and I've found the doctors in the public system to be more knowledgeable ad approachable.  @DrDougster might have something to say on the matter. 

Even with private health insurance, you have to pay something for your treatment - there is always a "gap" of extra fees that you have to pay yourself.  To give you an example, I had a spinal operation.  I have insurance and wanted to go private, because it was a dangerous op and I wanted the best surgeon.   The operation cost $35,000, but my health insurance only covered $25,000.   So I was out of pocket $10,000.   Not long after,  my friend's dad needed the same operation.  He's 80 and has no health insurance so had to go on the public system.  He had to wait several weeks, but he had the op, it was successful, and it didn't cost him a cent.

Bear in mind, too, that private health insurance covers ONLY hospital treatment.  It doesn't cover visits to specialists or any out-of-hospital treatments.  Most working Australians see a private specialist for the sake of speed, and just pay up.  It's so common, many GPs will refer you to a private specialist without asking - you just need to tell them you want to be referred to the public system, and then it will cost you nothing.  

You may want to consider just getting Extras insurance, because things like spectacles, dentistry, chiropody are not covered under Medicare and they are expensive here. 

 

I'd have thought private hospital cover will be steep. I've been out here as a consultant for almost four years now and I still can't quite work it all out or form an opinion on it. I think specs and dentistry are much better and cheaper here. The dentistry is also MUCH better.

I think public care is a bit quicker here than in NHS and there is better access to some drugs, poorer access to others. Some of these are actually life-changing and you'd base moving here or not on them e.g. Trikafta/Kafrtrio for cystic fibrosis has been available in UK for some time but is not on PBS yet whereas I've used Rituximab in a "rescue" situation where I wouldn't have had access in UK.

I have used my hospital cover and saved many tens of thousands of dollars personally on mental health care. This wouldn't have been accessible in the public sector or in NHS. TBH I'm not sure I could've got the care I received anywhere in UK for love nor money.

So, it's swings and roundabouts really. I'd advise trying to get private cover if you can afford to while the service you receive from public services will probably be a bit better than NHS but very area and condition dependent. If you can afford to pay for the initial consult for a condition privately this can often "get you in" in both countries and speed the process.

 

 

[Pat Checkley]

Hi everyone

Thank you so much for all your suggestions and recommendations on my lengthy message last week.

There is a lot to consider of course, when returning to the place you once called home, after 14 years and we are under no illusion that things will have changed (some drastically) during our absence.  But this is the way of it and as long as our good health continues, we will endeavour to return within the next few months. 

We've chosen SA over WA, where we used to live, because we really feel that South Australia would be a great place to retire to.  Perhaps this is because we have heard many good things about SA and the fact that we wouldn't be alone, as there are lots of retirees there.  Western Australia is really lovely and was everything we wanted at the time.  We both had good jobs and made some great friends, with whom we've kept in touch over the years.  However; SA is where we are now planning to head, not least to be a little nearer to our daughter who lives in Victoria.  

I think we've got all the pre-requisites for coming back to Australia as Aussie Citizens, but fourteen years on, we were a little concerned about the 'basic stuff' like how long it takes to be back on Medicare's books, and how long it takes to be assessed for the Senior State Pension by Centrelink etc.   I know that our UK pension would never be increased, and that we would need to receive a 'top-up' of the Aussie Senior Pension, and we still do have an account with Westpac (very little in it at the moment though...) which we would use to transfer our money etc.  I guess it's really just a case of getting a bit of moral support from people who've probably done this very thing, for various reasons.  

As some of you said, it's not a great idea to rent sight-unseen, and we agree with that so we would probably be looking for a short term holiday let, whilst checking out rental properties until we buy.  Someone on here, mentioned that the sale of our property here in the UK should bring in a decent amount to be able to buy a good property in SA, and whilst we agree with this completely, in our case, fourteen years of living in the UK has sucked up a lot of our savings as we had to supplement our UK pension.   So we think we would have enough funds to buy a place outright, but it wouldn't be a massively 'substantial' property, but one which would provide us with a couple of bedrooms, a nice outside area, on a decent block.  I don't think we are under any illusions about how difficult it might be for us to start from scratch again, at our ages, but we just believe that we can do it as we have the Faith in ourselves, and that's what matters really. 

It's a good feeling to be on this website, and know that you guys are out there, helping in your own unique ways, so thanks again.  

Got some valuations organised for our place, in the next couple of weeks.  Will be back on here with updates.  

In the meantime, stay safe, and happy and keep smiling.

Pat xxxxxx

 

[Quoll]

You could have a look at country Victoria (even closer to the family) there are some nice small towns which generally have more of a community feel to them and real estate prices are lower. You'd then have access to Melbourne medical services or any of the smaller towns on the way through.  Not sure that anywhere you choose is going to be more retiree focused though the standing joke amongst old Aussies is that everyone goes to the Gold Coast to retire!  

[Marisawright]

6 hours ago, Pat Checkley said:

We've chosen SA over WA, where we used to live, because we really feel that South Australia would be a great place to retire to.  Perhaps this is because we have heard many good things about SA and the fact that we wouldn't be alone, as there are lots of retirees there. 

I'd think there are just as many retirees in Victoria as in South Australia, and you'd be closer to your daughter.    

You also have to think about what kind of retirees you're talking about (speaking as a 68 year old myself).  You want active retirees not just "elderly".  

One thing to look at is University of the 3rd Age (U3A).   They're a volunteer organisation, run by retirees by retirees, so if you find a suburb/town/city with a busy U3A, it's a good sign that there's lots of active retirees around. 

https://u3asouthaustralia.org.au/sth-australian-u3as/

https://u3avictoria.org.au/

You don't want to live in a retirement village, but a good tip is to look at where the retirement villages are - that tells you there will be a community there that you can tap into. Ask your daughter to look for a copy of The Senior (they're usually available at libraries, free).  The printed version is full of ads for retirement villages around the state.

https://www.thesenior.com.au/

Edited March 16, 2022 by Marisawright

[Blue Flu]

Well a simple look at the age demographics showed Tasmania to have the most elderly. 20% of its population being over 60 years of age. SA, as I thought has the most on the mainland. 37% are aged over 50. Only 1 in 4 of those aged over 84 living in an aged facility. This may be suggestive of a rather independent and likely healthy aged population. Surely all considerations in SA's favour? 

[Marisawright]

47 minutes ago, Blue Flu said:

Well a simple look at the age demographics showed Tasmania to have the most elderly. 20% of its population being over 60 years of age. SA, as I thought has the most on the mainland. 37% are aged over 50. Only 1 in 4 of those aged over 84 living in an aged facility. This may be suggestive of a rather independent and likely healthy aged population.

It may be a sign of independence or maybe there's just a lack of aged care in SA?  

Speaking as a retiree in Victoria, I feel that Victoria has an edge.  Mainly because it is more densely populated than most other states (and certainly more so than SA).  That means there are more small towns and cities, with shorter distances between them, and better transport between them too. 

@Pat Checkley, another point in favour of country Victoria:  Victorian pensioners get 50% discount on the country trains across Victoria, which will make it cheaper to visit your daughter if you don't want to drive.  You also get two free travel vouchers every year for the train network, and in Seniors Week (held around October every year), you get free train travel across the state as well.   

And actually, one of the things that really shocked me about living in the UK was the cost of trains.  Here, the Victorian Seniors' fare from Ballarat to Melbourne is $12 (one way).  And there are several nice little towns on that rail line which are popular with retirees, as well as Ballarat itself.  

[Blue Flu]

59 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

It may be a sign of independence or maybe there's just a lack of aged care in SA?  

Speaking as a retiree in Victoria, I feel that Victoria has an edge.  Mainly because it is more densely populated than most other states (and certainly more so than SA).  That means there are more small towns and cities, with shorter distances between them, and better transport between them too. 

@Pat Checkley, another point in favour of country Victoria:  Victorian pensioners get 50% discount on the country trains across Victoria, which will make it cheaper to visit your daughter if you don't want to drive.  You also get two free travel vouchers every year for the train network, and in Seniors Week (held around October every year), you get free train travel across the state as well.   

And actually, one of the things that really shocked me about living in the UK was the cost of trains.  Here, the Victorian Seniors' fare from Ballarat to Melbourne is $12 (one way).  And there are several nice little towns on that rail line which are popular with retirees, as well as Ballarat itself.  

Yes train travel is prohibitive in UK thanks to pricing.( A prime example of the folly of privatization, if any needed)  One must book well in advance to get any sort of deal, something retirees possibly are more in a position to do? There are the occasional special deals  for a set period. Recall doing this to the South Coast one such time. But for cheap travel hard to beat National Coaches. It goes al over the country and often very good deals to boot. For example we booked for 10 GBP London to Bournemouth return in high season for travel in 2020. Virus prevented leaving Australia and got a full refund.  

I agree Victoria would most likely for reasons given be a prime place of consideration if in Australia. SA too many similarities to WA for my liking, but still an easy distance overland to Victoria.