The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so the saying goes. It’s simple human nature to look at other people’s lives and other things that we don’t have in general through rose-coloured glasses.

Most expats-in-waiting spend every available minute researching and watching other people’s lives on other sides of the world, dreaming of one day living their own new life in a completely new country. We did… and, upon moving to Australia in 2006, we found the grass to be not only greener but a far more interesting and exciting shade of green as we went on our search for a life less ordinary.

The trigger for our move

We arrived in Australia in the summer of 2006 with our two dogs and the entire contents of a 3-bedroom house, as we looked for a change to the monotony of our current lives. Bored with the humdrum of our 9-5 routine and keen to seek out a more stimulating life for ourselves, we opted to head to my wife’s home city of Sydney.

The Pacific Ocean meets the Australian mainland.

When I now look back four years later, I wonder what exactly was the catalyst that gave rise to the decision to leave. Oddly enough, I think it was a conversation with a gym buddy that did it. He was moving to Australia, we wanted to move overseas, and that was that.

I’m not sure at what point Sydney became a serious contender. My wife’s Australian citizenship obviously played a large part in the decision but her family were from the Blue Mountains, a fair distance from Sydney, which appealed to us on an altogether different level. Maybe it was the large number of world class beaches within a thirty kilometre radius, the sparkling blue harbour with its delightful inlets and waterways, the generally laidback way of life, or the ability to go for a long run on the sand in the morning, put on your suit and work in the bustling, cosmopolitan city in the daytime, then go out for a quick sail in the evening. Whatever the reason, in mid-2006 we flew across the ocean and into Australia, as Sydney welcomed us into its sun-kissed arms. 

Leaving friends and family

It was a traumatic time, saying farewell to family and friends with no idea if, and when, we would ever return. Emotions ran high and tension was ever present. Loved ones were inevitably upset/angry/annoyed, friends questioned our decision, and work colleagues thought we were mad. Yet the key was being brave and reminding ourselves of the reasons for leaving in order to stay the course in search of a better life.

Our new life Down Under

Make no mistake that picking your life up and moving it to a foreign country is no small undertaking. It’s fair to say that leaving loved ones, selling the house you’ve worked hard for, putting your dogs on a plane for who-knows-how-long, even giving up the job you’ve worked at for the past five years, is a huge deal. But we’d made the decision to make the break and now there was no turning back. We broke the news to family and friends, we dreamed of our new life in Australia, and we visualised getting on the plane and leaving for that beautiful new environment.

The visa process

There was just one small matter to take care of… the visas. To emigrate to Australia, most people apply for a skilled workers visa by way of a points system. For us, it was more straightforward.  My fiancée (who is now my wife) is Australian, which meant that I could apply for a spousal visa. The paperwork was still significant but the process was fairly quick and relatively painless.

However, we also did plenty of background research to inform our decision. We attended immigration fairs, signed up to expat forums, spoke with distant relatives in our chosen new home, and undertook endless searching for information on the web. This culminated in a fact-finding trip to Sydney one year before our move to look at areas to live in, jobs to work at, and things to see and do. We were now ready to go.

In January 2006, the envelope landed on the doormat. Immediately, the house went up for sale and we got the pups ready for travel. I left my job early and began readying us for the move and, in June 2006, we set sail for our brand new adventure on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The odd one out

It’s worth pointing out that living in a foreign country is harder than you could ever imagine.  I’m not referring to the hardship of moving to a new town or city, or the issues associated with buying houses, cars, and other such material possessions.  I’m referring to the difficulty of simply fitting in.  In short, you’re a stranger in an alien environment.  Your family is absent, you’re pretty much mate-less and, unless you do something about it fast, that’s the way it’s going to stay.

My wife and I on Sydney Harbour

In my previous life, I’d spend Friday nights down the local pub with my chums, Saturday mornings in the gym or in town bumping into old acquaintances, and maybe Sunday afternoons catching up with school friends, their partners and, of course, my family.  However, in moving to Australia, I created a situation in which I left behind those friends I’d have a ‘bit of banter’ with.  My family were no longer present, no cousins or aunts and uncles to visit nearby.  I didn’t recognise passers-by in the street and heard no warm “hello” from familiar faces in the shopping mall. 

I initially found it hard to adjust, and I plain and simply missed my family.  I was pining for friends and craving familiarity.  I had plenty of good pals back home so I was reluctant to join social clubs or make enough of an effort with new acquaintances.

It’s often assumed that, when moving to a new city/state/country, fitting in is easy and happens naturally but it isn’t and it doesn’t.  The lesson I learned was that you need to leave your comfort zone and put yourself out there.  To really make the most of your new life as an expat, you simply have to be positive and outgoing. Most of all, you must always cherish and respect the home you’ve left behind whilst embracing your new environment, new friends, and new life less ordinary. Don’t ever look back – you’re about to embark on the most exhilarating adventure in making your home from home! 

Russell V J Ward

Russell is a British expat living on Sydney’s northern beaches in New South Wales, Australia. A keen writer in his spare time, Russell also spends time travelling the world and enjoying life by the ocean. Russell lived in the UK until 2003, before emigrating to Canada (Vancouver and Ottawa), then most recently to Sydney, Australia (his wife’s home city).

Read more about his expat adventures on his website In Search of a Life Less Ordinary. 

Russell Ward

With Australia in political turmoil many migrants are wondering what the future holds for them. Is it worth applying for a visa now? What if the immigration policy changes? Our Embrace Community is full of members asking what the future holds for them and whilst there is no easy answer, we aim to give you a guide to what is happening at the moment and answering some of the more common questions on the community.

What’s happening in Australian Politics at the moment?

At the moment Australia has a hung parliament, which means that no political party was able to win a majority. Two parties were running neck and neck for government, the Labour Party headed by Julia Gillard and the Liberal Coalition led by Tony Abbott.

Both parties are now in talks with 3 independents and 1 Green party member. They need their crucial support if they are to form a government. The Greens have previously said they would back Labour because of Mr Abbott’s denial of climate change, but both parties are promising changes to suit the independents just to secure their support. If the independents decide not to go with either party then the Australian public may have to re-cast their votes.

Which political party is more sympathetic to migrants?

Well both parties have pledged to cut back on immigration. The Liberals have said they will slash immigration levels to 170,000 whereas the Labour controlled Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) have also said that migrant numbers will be down to 145,000 by 2011/12.Current immigration numbers are just under 300,000.

Traditionally Labour have always been more sympathetic to migrants with flexible immigration policies, but following misleading media reports on population growth, Labour appear to have bought into the hype and introduced tougher legislation that allows the DIAC to cap certain visas and even certain groups of migrants. This decision has angered the business community who have called on the government to address the issue of severe skills shortages that they say, will result in businesses moving away from Australia and investing elsewhere.

When will the State Migration Plans be released?

When the DIAC announced changes at the beginning of July that included the implementation of the new Skilled Occupations List, the States announced that their own migration plans would be revised in line with the new changes. The state of Victoria announced in July that their own State Migration Plan would not be implemented until September, which is when the other states were also expected to reveal their SMPs. However since then there has been an election called…..

It now looks likely that any State Migration Plans will be put on hold until the political situation in Australia is resolved. The SMPs will no doubt already be drafted, but they need to be approved by the minister and further planned changes by the DIAC were also expected beforehand. Therefore SMPs will be delayed for another couple of months yet.

Susan Wareham McGrath from McGrath Migration Lawyers has this advice for prospective migrants to Australia: “Some states are still nominating applications for You can still apply for state sponsorship, but intending applicants should carefully re-appraise the eligibility requirements before assuming they meet the application criteria”.

“For example, Queensland is now only accepting applications from people with occupations on its eligible occupations list AND the new SOL.

“While our discussions with state skilled migration units have disclosed that the new SMPs will to a great extent reflect the current lists, applicants should be aware that there is no guarantee of this, particularly with regard to occupations that are not on the SOL.”

“In addition, applicants should keep in mind that DIAC has advised that with even with state sponsorship, if a nominated occupation is not on the  sponsoring state or territory’s SMP, the application will be processed on the basis of your nominated occupation.  That means that even with sponsorship, an application could end up in processing priority 4”.

“The good news is that DIAC has also advised that current state sponsored applications with occupations on SMPs will be escalated to processing priority 2 when the SMPs take effect.”.

I’m a recent graduate without an occupation on the SOL, what should I do?

Well one of your options is to try for employer sponsorship. Apply for a temporary working visa and search for work within your area or a working holiday visa which is slightly different. The differences between these two visas are explained by the DIAC in their Working Holiday Visas section.  You could then ask your employer if they would be willing to sponsor your visa application to Australia. Your chances of success are higher if you look for work in a field that are experiencing shortages.

Otherwise, you could wait until the new SMPs are revealed to see if your occupation is on a state critical skills list. This would enable you to apply for state sponsorship but you will need to show some work experience in that area and complete a skills assessment. You can apply under current SMPs but be aware that these may change as they are currently under review and due to be released this year.

Or you could examine the SOL closely and try to find a match closest to your qualifications. Gain experience in that area, either in the UK or in Australia on a temporary visa and try to apply for a skilled visa using your experience to gain vital points.

If I have enough points on DIAC’s points tests to apply for independent skilled migration, can I apply for a subclass 175 visa now, then switch to a state sponsored 176 if my occupation is on a new SMP?

Susan Wareham McGrath explains that this strategy is not without risk as DIAC has advised that it is not possible to change a nominated occupation or to change to an employer sponsored or state nominated visa category, unless a new application is lodged. A new application would require the payment of a new Visa Application Charge, currently AU$2,575.

I applied for a Skilled Migration Visa at the beginning of the year and I’ve not heard back yet.

This isn’t unusual, DIAC processing times are now suggested to be around six months for those with a new State Migration Plan (once they are announced) and for those with an occupation on the SOL but without SMP approval could find themselves waiting for up to 18 months. For those without an occupation on the SOL or on the SMP the wait could be even longer.

I would suggest that new applicants wait until the political chaos has subsided before contacting their Case Officers with a reminder about their application.

Will the DIAC cap any more visas?

That’s impossible to say. In May the DIAC proposed the Migration Amendment Bill which was passed by Parliament. If the Bill becomes law it gives the Immigration Minister the power to cap and case visa applications based on applicant groups, such as applicants who have all nominated a particular occupation. This is on top of the power the Minister already has to cap and cease certain visas.

The DIAC say that the Bill will ensure that skilled workers are matched with those occupations that are suffering a skills shortage. However it made many applicants fear that they could be targeted by the DIAC. There are no plans to cap and cease any visa or visa applicant group at the moment, but who knows what the future may hold.

Whilst all of this may seem like bleak reading it is important to bear in mind that Australia is still suffering from a skills shortage in many areas. Over recent months many major businesses and business leaders have called on the government to make immigration rules more flexible to allow for more temporary migrants into the workforce.

Senior DIAC sources also suggest that Senator Chris Evans, the Immigration Minister, will not retain the Migration Portfolio, regardless of the electoral outcome, so he could soon be replaced by someone else. This gives hope that a new person will bring along new ideas to the DIAC and hopefully some reforms that will work. Susan Wareham McGrath comments: “True reform of Australia’s migration system, will not occur until DIAC’s entire leadership team, from the Departmental Secretary down, takes a fresh, hard and honest look at the situation it has created, develops innovative, equitable and just policies and practices, and leads its staff to deliver them efficiently and knowledgeably. 

Only then will our intending migrants have the certainty and clear guidelines they deserve, to inform one of the most significant and life-changing decisions they will ever make – to migrate to Australia.”

If you have any further questions or want to debate the issue in more depth then feel free to join our Embrace Community for chat and support.

Working as a nurse in Australia

If you are a qualified nurse then you have, quite literally, the world at your feet. No matter what happens to the world’s economy, nurses will always be needed. So why move to Australia? Australia is a glorious country with one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. It’s also a young country, so it’s full of vibrancy and life – and opportunities. No matter where you live in Australia, you are never very far from the coast and in Australia, an outdoors life is norm. The people are laid back and friendly and love nothing more than heading to the coast for a spot of surfing or to have a family barbecue on the beach. Its relaxed attitude and easy way of life has made it the most popular destination for people emigrating from the UK for years now.

No matter what your background, you will be assured of a welcome in Australia where more than 20% of inhabitants were born overseas and a further 40% are of mixed origin. In fact immigration has made Australia the success story it is today and its population is still growing. All of those people need a good healthcare system and Australia has one of the best, but it is always on the lookout for new healthcare professionals.

Nursing specialists are on the new Skilled Occupation List, which proves that Australia is currently experiencing a healthcare shortage. These are the occupations on the new SOL:

• Medical practitioners
•  Midwife
•  Nurse Practitioner
•  Registered nurse (aged care)
•  Registered nurse (Child and Family Health)
•  Registered nurse (community health)
•  Registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
•  Registered nurse (development disability)
•  Registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
•  Registered nurse (medical)
•  Registered nurse (medical practice)
•  Registered nurse (mental health)
•  Registered nurse (perioperative)
•  Registered nurse (surgical)
•  Registered nurse 

If you apply for a visa under one of these occupations you will most likely receive priority processing which will fast-track your visa application.

Australia Visas

There are a number of visa options you can choose from if you want to practise nursing in Australia:

1. General Skilled Migration – with this visa you can apply for permanent residency in Australia to live and work there. You either apply independently or you can be sponsored by an employer in Australia. Go to our Australian visa guide for more information. How to go about finding an employer will be discussed at more length below.
2. Working Holiday – if you are unsure about living permanently in Australia then you can apply to live and work there temporarily. A working holiday visa gives you the change to work and live in Australia for up to two years. You must be aged between 18-30. Find out more about working holiday visas in Australia.
3. Occupational Trainee Visa – for nurses who are not yet fully qualified, they can undertake a training program in Australia for 3 months or more.
4. Temporary Business Visa – if you have an approved business sponsor you can live and work in Australia for up to four years.

The Australian visa system is based on a point scoring method. You will be given points according to your age, health, clean record, occupation, financial status and so on. Having an occupation on the SOL is certainly a plus, but you also need to ensure that you gain maximum points in other areas too. Take a look at our guide to the Australian Points System.

If you are applying under the Employer Nomination Scheme then you must be nominated by an Australian employer to fill an occupation on the ENSOL list.

Registration

Your skills and qualifications will be assessed to ensure they meet Australian standards. This will be done by the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. It assess all nursing skills for the Australian Immigration Department (DIAC).

The registration process for nurses is relatively easy.

You must also register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency before you can apply for work. Once registered, you will be eligible to work in any state in Australia. In order to register visit AHPRA.

Once you have obtained your registration this does not mean you can start practising as a healthcare worker in Australia, you must still pass immigration requirements.

IELTS

If English is not your first language then you will be required to demonstrate your proficiency to speak, write and read English. To do this you will have to pass through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  The lowest score you can obtain for consideration is 5. To gain full marks you would need to score 7 in all three tests.

Nursing Jobs

If you are confident that you want to work as a nurse in Australia, then you can apply to hospitals and healthcare agencies direct, with your CV, asking them to sponsor your visa application. The benefit of doing this is that you are not restricted by agency rules and fees, you know exactly what hours you will be working and on what salary and you can communicate direct to your employer.

There are various organisations that will willingly have you on their books with the promise of full or part time work in Australia. This could be the easiest way of getting work, but you never know exactly what you are going to get or how regular the work will be. It’s fine for work on a temporary visa but those wishing to emigrate to Australia permanently may wish to consider all their options first. A few nursing employment agencies are listed below:

• Australian Nursing Solutions
• Nursing Australia
• Nurse Finders UK
• Health Staff Recruitment

If you want to find out more about nursing in Australia there are many Australian expos up and down the country who can give you advice on different visa types, obtaining a job, advice on setting up a bank account and so on. These are useful places to go to meet other migrant hopefuls and to talk to people face-to-face about your aspirations and hopes. See our full guide to Australian expos.

If you want to discuss your visa options with other migrants waiting to emigrate to Australia then join our community – it’s free and you’ll be sure of a friendly welcome as well as advice and support on everything from where best to live to getting work in Australia.

Australian immigration is a hot topic in the press at the moment, but with so many reports of who said what, it can be difficult to get a grasp on the whole situation. So here’s a summary to what is happening in the world of immigration and politics.

Kevin Rudd’s Immigration Policy

Before Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s resignation, Australia was giving out quite a mixed message on immigration. On the one hand Kevin Rudd stated publicity that a ‘big Australia’ was in everyone’s best interests, but on the other hand a review of immigration policies had led to a shake-up of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), with rules being made tighter and the focus shifting from general skilled migration to highly skilled migrants filling in specific workforce shortages.

Population growth has been a hot political topic in recent months.

In fact it has been clear for some time that the DIAC have wanted to stem the flow of general migration into Australia. The MODL was revoked and the CSL phased out, replaced by a much shorter Skilled Occupation Lists. Some general skilled visa applications were put on hold and there was the controversial Capping and Ceasing Bill passed through Parliament that gave the Minister for Immigration more powers to suspend and even cancel some Australian visa applications.

Julia Gillard’s Immigration Policy

Now Ms Julia Gillard has stepped into Mr Rudd’s shoes but it’s quite clear that the size doesn’t quite fit. She does not support the idea of a ‘big Australia’ and has clearly stated in press interviews and speeches this last week that she feels some areas, such as Western Sydney, are full to overflowing and that the emphasis should be on a sustainable Australia. She has not announced any plans concerning skilled immigration yet, but she has stated that skilled migration should be directed to the workforce shortages that some states in Australia are experiencing.

The Business Argument for Immigration

Some large businesses, who rely on a migrant workforce, such as the mining industry, have criticised this saying that skilled migration is vital for the Australian economy and for filling critical labour shortages. A sentiment voiced by the chief executive of Fortescue Metals, Andrew Forrest, who says: “If you stop Australia growing then you stop the economy growing and you stop the aspirations of every single Australian growing.”

Large businesses employ overseas migrants to fill labour shortages.

So why can’t the shortages be filled by Australian workers? Ah, now that’s a good point. The argument is that if there is a shortage in say, Queensland, workers from the Northern Territories may migrate over to Queensland to work – leaving the Northern Territories with labour shortages. However we’ve heard from some Australians that getting work with these companies who complain of labour shortages is impossible: “As a skilled caucasian, Australian born engineer, I have been applying for employment with Woodside for 17 years. Most of my applications do not even get a reply. On finally managing to track down one of the extremely aloof human resource personnel….she politely indicate that she did not bother to consider my application because the remuneration and position conditions were not very good. She thought I would not be interested…” – The Swinging Voter. The implications in that post are clear for all to see.

Asylum Seekers in Australia

Further exacerbating the situation is the tendency by some media outlets to lump asylum seekers and immigration all together, often talking about immigration levels and asylum seekers in the same breath. Asylum seekers in fact, make up a tiny minority of immigration levels in Australia – just 1.6%. Yet the way some press report the facts, you’d think that thousands of immigrants are arriving by boat every day. In fact the reality is that those desperate enough to risk their lives by undertaking the dangerous crossing by boat are often those in genuine need of asylum, yet these people are processed in detention centres away from the mainland – some of them are children without any adult guardians. Those clever enough to smuggle themselves into Australia by other means, if caught, are processed on the mainland. Human rights charities have called for an end to this prejudice against so called ‘boat people’, yet neither political party is relenting.

Immigrants like these risk their lives crossing to Australia.

Tony Abbott’s Liberal Party have said that they will turn back the boats arriving into Australian territory. He planned to do this using the Navy to intercept boats and accompany them back to their country of origin. Those who do get through will be processed in offshore detention centres. Meanwhile there are rumours about Julia Gillard’s talks with East Timor and the possibility of a detention centre being built there to house asylum seekers. She too, takes a hardlined approach to refugees arriving in Australian territory, promising that Labour will strengthen Australia’s borders.

But is this not all a bit hysterical? After all, if asylum seekers only make up 1.6% of immigration levels in Australia they are hardly contributing much to the population problem are they? Some charities would argue that refugees are an easy target. Whip the media up into a bit of a frenzy on asylum seekers then come out pledging to get tough and crack down on the problem – a sure fire vote winner as one political media site, The Nationalist Alternative, puts it: “Hyperbolic headlines with barely a scratch of truth about how refugees are arriving in vast numbers of boats and given luxury accommodation fuel the sentiment, and direct attention.  The attention is taken away from the vast number of people who use student visas as a back door, away from the large number of ‘economic’ migrants, and towards a relatively small, insignificant numbers of refugees.”

“The government then sees asylum seekers as THE pressing immigration issue, and will act on that, rather than on population growth in general…It has been effectively neutered.  The papers sell.  The Australian population think their concerns about growth are being attended to.  Growth continues unabated.” Quite.

The Immigration Situation Today

And whilst all of this is going on, those who want to emigrate to Australia are left feeling rather bewildered and confused by changes happening in the DIAC. The updated situation is that if you have employer sponsorship under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) then you are top of the DIAC priority processing list. Next in line are those applicants who have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List and after that come all other applications in order of when they are received.

Many people still apply for Australian visas.

Migration to Australia is still very much open to skilled employers and Ms Gillard has stated that she wants Australia to remain welcoming to newcomers. The only people who may be affected by recent changes are international students and those who do not have occupations on the SOL or employer sponsorship. They can still apply for Australian visas but they may have a long wait.

Whichever party gets in at the next elections, one thing is for sure and that is that migration to Australia is changing. For some it is for the better, for others it’s worse. But then no one government policy is going to please everyone, is it?

More people are choosing to emigrate to Australia.

Australia remains the number one choice for Britons thinking of emigrating abroad so just why would people leave this rain-soaked island to live in a land of sunshine? Well according to a recent survey by Currency UK, one of the main reasons people want to emigrate to Australia is because of the uncertainty surrounding the government and economy of the UK at the moment.

Brits still make up the majority of migrants entering into Australia. In 2007-08 13,700 Brits entered Australia on skilled visas and that doesn’t take into consideration the many Brits who choose Australia as a place of retirement.

So why choose Australia over Europe and the Americas? Well for most people they fall in love with Australia after holidaying there, which is what happened to Phyllis and Paul Groundwater from Scotland. They both worked in Australia on temporary visas for two years before returning to the UK with heavy hearts: “We moved on, always with the view that we would try to return one day.”

So let’s have a quick look at what Australia has to offer emigrating Brits.

Australian Climate

It’s no exaggeration to say that Australia has one of the best climates in the world. Summer stretches for 10 long months before the winter cold sets in. Depending on whereabouts in Australia you set up  home, winter can either be quite cold and even snowy or mild and wet. The Australian summer corresponds to our winter, December  – February whilst winter is from June to August. That means Christmas is often spent on the beach with a Barbie!

Australian Economy

The Australian economy was one of the only ones to survive the global recession and is getting stronger than ever. Immigration in Australia has played its part in keeping the economy buoyant as new people entering into the country are filling skilled shortages and in turn increasing demand for commodities. Strong trade relations with the Asia/Pacific market have also helped Australia to keep a strong and healthy economy.

The Australian economy is as solid as its rocks.

Couple that with a much better banking system (ranked 4^th in the world) that is governed with prudence. Not one dollar of taxpayers money has been lost by bank depositors in over one hundred years. This reliability and trust has helped the banks to create a formidable reputation and savers are happy to trust the banks with their investments.

Also the mining industry is going from strength to strength with many new projects being planned for parts of Western Australia. This will create even more jobs and will mark Australia as one of the biggest suppliers of LPG and other minerals.

Australian Property

The government have put restrictions on foreign investors lately in a bid to halt the rising house market fuelled by Chinese investors in Australian property. However these restrictions don’t affect people emigrating to Australia too much. A quick call should secure approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (this isn’t necessary if you already have resident status) and you are then free to buy your home. Older properties may be disallowed for foreign buyers so do beware of that.

Property prices are highest around the main cities of Sydney and Melbourne. But places such as Brisbane (recently outed as the top spot for Brits relocating to Australia) still offer bargains. Average prices for Brisbane are around $445,000. Adelaide and Hobart are currently the cheapest places to live in Australia. Buying a property in Australia could also turn out to be a good investment as it is unlikely that the market will crash due to the stability of the banks and the economy as a whole, and the fact that there is still a lot of demand for housing in Australia. So it’s still a good time to buy a property knowing that it can only rise in value as Australia becomes one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

Families

Education is fantastic in Australia. Almost 80% of all children in Australia go on to higher education and Australian Universities are amongst some of the best in the world. Private schools vary from catholic to Islamic and non-church schools so there is a variety of choices if you can afford to pay the private rates, although with the good reputation of state education there really is no need.

Children appreciate the vast array of wildlife around them.

Healthcare is also very good. The Australian version of the NHS is a scheme known as Medicare which is available to those living permanently in Australia. Private healthcare is also an option and can be arranged through work.

Generally children brought up in Australia tend to have the kind of childhoods that we see as traditional here in the UK. As Louise, an Australian born national describes: “Playing outside all year round, holidays at the beach, swimming and sport at school outdoors every day, BBQ on the weekends, playing games with other kids in the street.” Kirsty, another Australian, agrees with the concept of a “perfect childhood”, saying that she had the outback practically on her doorstep. Land is something that Australia is not short of and so families are delighted to discover that most homes in Australia are detached with large gardens.

Even the cities are dotted with huge parkland areas and there are festivals and carnivals galore so that no one weekend is ever the same!

Lifestyle

The Australians are noted for their friendly, laidback lifestyle. As much as 80% of the population live within 50kms of the coast so you can see why most of their lives are spent outdoors. Australians are also extremely sporty, with a huge variety of sports on offer, from traditional surfing to the Grand Prix, tennis and cricket. You can’t get healthier than a lifetime of outdoor activities!

If that isn’t enough to convince you, Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest living civilisations – the Aboriginal people. It has breathtaking scenery and currently boasts 107 places on the national heritage list. It has rainforests, vast plains, rocky mountains, deep blue oceans, spectacular volcanoes, canyons, waterfalls and deserts – there isn’t a landscape that Australia doesn’t have! Well, apart from snow and ice. It truly is an amazing place. So why not book a holiday in Australia – we guarantee you’ll fall in love with it and then when you decide to emigrate, we’ll be here to help you every step of the way!

Australia tops the list of ideal places to live.

If you are considering emigrating to Australia, doing your research can be hard work. Not everyone has the time or money to fly backwards and forwards to Australia to put all the plans in place. You can spend hours on the phone and/or internet contacting various people, seeking advice on numerous issues and it can add to the stress you are already experiencing.

Australian expos are a great way to kill many birds with one stone. They consist of a huge range of resources all under one roof and the great thing about Australian expos is that you can sit down and talk to a human being, someone who is used to dealing with expatriate matters and who can answer all those niggling questions and doubts. Deciding on a move to Australia can feel overwhelming at times and you may not know where to start, so an expo is a great place to begin and you’ll leave with a much better idea of how achievable your goals are and what you need to do next.

Below are just a few of the many exhibitors you will find at Australian expos, all of them are there to try and get your business, so you’d do well to visit a few stalls to compare and contrast. Depending on the size of the expo of course, depends on how many stalls there will be on the day.

Getting a job in Australia

Many employers and recruiters use Australian expos as a way to find prospective employees, so expect to find a few employment agencies as well as representatives from some of Australia’s biggest businesses – all on the lookout for workers. It can be a good idea to take your CV with you to hand out to a few of them. They’ll be able to tell you what skills they are looking for; give you advice on employer sponsorship and rate your chances of finding work based on your experience.

Most agencies will also have an up-to-date list of new job vacancies in Australia that you can peruse. Perhaps you can even put in an application on the spot!

Immigration

Migration agents and sometimes representatives from Australian states are also on hand to advise you on all things visa-related. From what visa you should be applying for to a realistic stance on your chances of success. If you are already going through the visa process they can also give you advice on what stage your visa application is at.

Australian visas can be difficult to obtain.

Government changes to the Australian visa process can often be confusing, so the immigration experts are on hand to explain those changes and how they may affect you. You can view the new Australian Skilled Occupation List to see if you qualify for priority processing, if not there is a myriad of other choices open to you that the immigration experts will be happy to discuss with you. Local state representatives can also tell you more about State Migration Plans and State Sponsorship.

International Removals

There will also be representatives from international removal companies, such as John Mason and Clark and Rose to answer your questions on getting your possessions from the UK to the other side of the world. Based on preliminary information you give them they can also give you a basic quote and discuss options such as storage. If you have any pets, there may also be pet removals people on hand to advise you, but in any case the international removals people will be able to refer you to recommended pet removal companies.

Banking in Australia

Australia’s major banks will be represented and they can offer advice on setting up a current account in Australia, getting a loan or mortgage and offer pensions advice. Setting up a bank account in Australia is not as hard as you might think and it’s something you can do quite easily from the UK. Major Australian banks like ANZ will be on hand to show you how.

Seminars

Some of the larger expos will also have seminars where guest speakers will come on to talk about all aspects of emigrating to Australia. Audience participation may be required but you’ll be made to examine your reasons for emigration; offered tips on applying for jobs; given advice on what your next step should be and told some important and relevant facts about immigration in Australia.

The seminars tend to be focused on individual topics such as the visa processing system, working in Australia and life in Australia. They are useful to get an idea of what life is like Down Under and what to expect once you arrive. There will also be opportunities to ask questions at the end of each seminar. If you don’t feel like attending a seminar you don’t have to, you can carry on browsing through the many exhibitions instead.

Socialising

It’s a great opportunity to meet other people who share your dream of moving to Australia. Find out why other people want to move and what stage they are at in their process. As new friends you can offer each other support and advice and swap experiences. Moving to Australia can be a very daunting prospect so it’s nice to be able to share that with someone else.

Expos are a great way to meet people.

Below are just a few of the expositions that are happening around the country by the people who run them. Remember that no one exposition is the same, some will have more stalls and be more popular than others, but no matter how big or small we guarantee you’ll come away with a better understand of the immigration process and a clearer idea of whether it will be the right move for you.

DIAC Australian Needs Skills Expos - a government skills recruitment program.

Opportunities Australia

Next Step Australia

If you want to add your site or promote your Australian expo, please contact us using the comments box below.

Australian currency has a solid reputation.

In this current global situation of changing market values and share indexes it is hard to write anything conclusive about Australian currency rates because we are aware that everything could be different in as little as a week.

However if you are planning a holiday in Australia; an investment in the Australian property market or are looking to live in Australia then a few basic guides to Australian currency and exchange wouldn’t go amiss.

Australian Dollar

The Australian dollar is the sixth most traded currency in the world, the top five being the US dollar, Euro, Yen, Pound Sterling and the Swiss Franc. It has a reputation in the market for being strong, largely thanks to the trading partnerships it has with Asian economies and the USA, the high interest rates in Australia and the stability of both the Australian economy and the government.

Unlike most other countries, the value of the Australian dollar tends to slump when domestic spending overtakes export earnings and rises when there is a boom in exports. The global economy as a whole tends to work in the opposite way as when there is an export slump, traders switch the value of the falling stock into cash, giving that currency a boost.

The Australian dollar is also tied in very closely to the euro, so whilst the Euro was struggling, stock markets saw a drop in the Aussie dollar. However for the moment at least, concerns over the Euro seem to have eased, pushing the Australian dollar up. Yet worries about the state of the Eurozone still abide. If Germany decide not to bail out debt-ridden countries but to exit the Euro instead, then we could see the Eurozone crumble, which would be disastrous for the Australian dollar.

Halo Financial services explains how the problem of Greece could have a bearing on the Australian dollar: “Fears over the Greek debt crisis might be half a world away from Australia but the dampening effect this is having on the recovery of the global economy will have an effect on the performance of the Australian exporters. Traders and investors remain nervous and the report by AXA is being viewed with interesting as they see the end of the Eurozone as the inevitable conclusion of the current crisis.”

However even if this were to happen, the strength of the Australian dollar is not to be underestimated, they could still surf the waves of any Euro crisis as Halo explains: “If investors start to feel more confident, they will buy the Australian dollar for the increased yield and borrow the money to do so elsewhere. These ‘carry trades’ are the major factor in the current strength of the Australian dollar.” Which, put plainly, means that they will buy the dollar at a low price on the basis that the dollar will recover, prices will rise and they can sell at a much higher price. This confidence in the Australian dollar will help strengthen the dollar should the worst happen.

Australian Economy

Australia has always had a reputation for having a strong economy. In 2009 the economy of Australia represented around 1.7% of the world economy, making it the 13^th largest national economy. In fact when the rest of the world was experiencing a global recession, Australia’s economy continued to grow at an average annual rate of just over 3%. This is put down to the strong export ties Australia has with the Asian and American markets. Australian agricultural and mining industries account for 57% of the nation’s exports and this continues to grow as large mining companies invest more in regions such as Western Australia, a place that is rich in gas and oil reserves. Australia also exports wheat, wool and minerals.

Western Australia is experiencing a mining boom.

Australia’s service industry has also continued to grow, with Australia experiencing a boom in the property market. Many foreign investors continue to buy property and business in Australia but some critics say that this makes it impossible for native Australians to get on the property ladder. There are also worries about consumer and household debt in Australia and the continuing increase of house prices compared to income. A scenario that sounds very similar to the situation in the UK just before the recession, when borrowing was at an all-time high. However the banks in Australia are noted for their stability and follow strict guidelines on lending.

Just recently there were fears for investments in Australia after the controversial mining tax introduced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, however the PM appears to have done a fair bit of backtracking since then and the proposals for the mining tax have been watered down considerably.

Australian exchange rate

As the Australian dollar remains strong, visitors to Australia are finding that their money isn’t going as far as it once did. In fact the Australian tourist industry are finding that whilst visitors figures for Australia rose slightly – up by 6% in the first half of 2010 compared to the same period last year – spending is still down. This is due to a strong dollar against other weak currencies which reduces visitor buying power.

If you are able to plan ahead, the advice is to buy your currency at a time when the dollar falls slightly, as it did with the Eurozone crisis. If the Eurosceptics’ advice is right, then the Euro is set to fall further which may push down the Australian dollar too. So keep your eye on the markets.

If you are in the UK and planning to travel to Australia, the easiest place to go for your currency, and one that offers a reasonable rate of exchange, is the Post Office – although you may have to order your currency up to a week in advance. Beware of those who advertise commission-free as often the exchange rates will be worse to make up for it. Try to seek out the lowest commission as well as the best exchange rates. The places to avoid are the currency exchange stalls at the airport as the exchange rate of these is much worse than on the high street. If you want the convenience of airport pickup then order it online first and collect it at the airport as you’ll get a much better deal. Oh and always try to pay cash for your currency as you may be charged for using your card, some banks will not treat the currency exchange as a UK transaction and so will add fees on top of what you are paying.

Using your plastic in Australia

If you don’t want to use your plastic in Australia but don’t want to carry around a large amount of cash either then you can get a pre-paid card. You top it up with cash and use it in shops and restaurants like a credit card. The best advantage of this is that if you lose it, for around a £10 charge your provider will replace it with your funds intact.

If you are using credit or debit cards in Australia then beware of hidden charges. Cash withdrawal fees for both cards will apply as well as interest charges and even charges for currency exchange. Check with your provider what the charges will be before you decide to use your cards.

For up to date currency exchange rates and currency converters there are a number of websites you can visit and we’ve listed just a few of them below.

Halo Financial

Torfx Foreign Exchange

Post Office Currency Exchange

Studying in Australia is a rewarding experience.

Considering which University to go to? Why not widen your horizons and think outside the box? Don’t limit yourself to the UK when you could study in one of the most popular countries in the world to live. You could be amongst the lucky students who get the opportunity to experience sun, surf, sea, sand and study.

Australia is now becoming a popular place amongst students, not least because of its reputation for excellence in higher education. Australia is also one of the youngest and liveliest places to live, making it a hub for students. The cities of Australia are brimming with life; from festivals to major sporting events – it really is a students’ paradise.

Australian Student Visa

Unless you come from New Zealand then you’ll need a visa to study in Australia. The visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course and also to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week during term time, which may help fund your extra-curriculur activities! There are however strict requirements when applying for an Australian student visa, to read more about getting visas and the requirements that come with it, read our guide to Australian student visas.

Overseas Transfer

If you don’t fancy studying for your entire degree in Australia you can apply to transfer there for a short time, giving you a taster of what life is like across the ocean. Not all British Universities will offer overseas transfers but most of the larger ones will do and you’ll need to approach your individual university to discuss the options with them.

Australian degrees are internationally recognised.

You’ll need to ensure that your chosen university in Australia offers the same degree course that you are studying. You will also need to pay international transfer fees, which could prove costly, but some universities may be able to offer financial packages to help cover the costs.

This option is ideal for those students who quite fancy spending some time abroad without having to commit to the entire length of their study. It’s a great opportunity to find out how universities are run in Australia, how your course is taught over there and to make some new friends. It’s an invaluable experience that won’t be easily forgotten and will ensure that Australia forever has a place in your heart!

Australian Universities

You may decide you want to study full-time at one of Australia’s prestigious universities – well you’d be in good hands if you did. Australian universities are often at the forefront of major technological advances. Eight Nobel Prizes have been awarded to past achievers to date – could you be the one to take that number to nine?

Choice of study courses is just as varied as in the UK and with Australian universities linked to institutions in more than 100 countries you’ll find that your qualification takes you a long way. You can choose to study for Bachelor Degrees, Masters, Doctorate and others in wide-ranging topics from Engineering to Zoology. If you’re a professional wishing to further your career you may even be able to take a suitable course such as a Diploma or Associate Degree.

The specatular design of the school of medicine at UWS.

Australian Universities are high-achieving and whether you choose to study in Sydney or Tasmania, your qualification will be universally recognised and respected. The University of Western Sydney is one of Australia’s largest Universities with over 32,000 students and of them, 2,800 are international students. The Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane had one of the highest MBA Australia rankings in the Financial Times world listings in 2004. The University of Canberra is probably the most popular with international students as it has people studying there from over 80 different countries and has extremely good off-shore programs. These are just some of the excellent universities that Australia has to offer, many more have won awards and acclaims for excellence in higher education and in their own achievements.

The government guide to Australian universities has given out a warning about bogus qualifications offered for sale on the internet. As a general rule, if in doubt – check. Don’t part with your hard-earned cash for a piece of paper that proves to be useless.

Vocational Courses and Training

Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) offers a diverse range of courses such as business and management, horticulture and land management, sport and recreation, design and arts, tourism and hospitality, science and technology, communications, community service and health, and English. Courses are provided by further education colleges and universities and whilst most are government and industry run, there are some private colleges which offer courses. The great thing about these courses is that again, qualifications gained here are recognised worldwide and you also get points towards a degree should you decide that you want to take your studies further. VET qualifications are becoming popular with international students who are keen to take a course related to an occupation on the forthcoming Skilled Occupation List. This boosts their chances of finding work in Australia and applying to live in Australia permanently.

English as a Foreign Language

Many students are now deciding to travel to Australia to learn English. For many countries Australia is the natural choice as it’s geographically closer and offers some of the best English language courses around, amongst a friendly, multi-cultural environment.

International students form a large part of Australia's student population.

Australian colleges and universities offer a range of English courses from the very basic, English conversational skills to more specific and advanced topics such as learning English to work within the tourist sector – a popular occupation that is always on the lookout for multi-lingual applicants.

The essential International English Language Testing System (IELTS) courses are also taught here and you can meet other students, share tips and advice and gain support from the close communities that built up within these courses. The IELTS examination is an essential for many Australian visa applications.

Australian Study Fees

If you do intend to study in Australia you will need to be aware of the fees involved – and these don’t include visa application fees – which can range from $5,500 to $18,000 per year. You’ll need to prove that you have sufficient funds with which to support yourself. However students living in Australia find that cost of living in cheaper compared to other countries. The official study in Australia website state that most international students will spend around $360 per week on accommodation, food, transport and other items. Compared to the United States and the UK this offers excellent value for money.

But if paying tuition fees is going to be a problem for you there is a possible solution at hand.

The Australian government do offer scholarships that cover vocational education and training, exchange programs and undergraduate and postgraduate study, however they are not available for English language courses.

There are three scholarship programs on offer:

• Endeavour Awards – largely for students from Asia-Pacific and Middle-East but also for some native Australians and Europeans.
• Australian Leadership Awards –for postgraduate studies with an emphasis on developing leaders who wish to undertake social and policy reform.
• Australian Development Scholarships – available to Australia’s partner countries to encourage growth and development in those countries.

To find out more about scholarships for Australian universities go to the official study in Australia website.

There are other scholarships available from international and charitable organisations for which the Australian government has done a comprehensive list. See Australian scholarships.

If you want to find out more about studying in Australia, view the extensive list of courses available or find out more about life as a student in Australia then log onto the official government website at studyinaustralia. And so what are you waiting for? Get out there and experience something different, stand out from the crowd and live the Australian dream – for a little while at least!

Emigrating to Australia? Start planning your move now.

Ok, you’ve landed that dream job in Australia, you’ve had your visa application approved and you’re about to break open that bottle of Champagne that’s been in the cellar for a year. However, before you start on the celebrations isn’t there something you are missing? How about removals? You might think that there’s no point in even thinking about removals until you have your moving date. For some, with all the paperwork and organising that goes with planning a move to Australia, removals is often the last thing they think about. This is where many people come unstuck, because removals should be one of the first things on your list – before you even have your moving date. Why? Well it’s not as simple as leafing through your Yellow Pages for a ‘man with a van’, there is a whole myriad of things to consider when planning to move your precious belongings from one side of the world to the other.

So to help you weave your way through the maze of problems associated with international removals, we’ve teamed up with Clark & Rose and John Mason removals to produce this guide to moving and removals services. If we’ve missed anything out or you have tips and advice to give that isn’t already included in this guide, please do let us know, either through the comments box or by contacting us directly.

Where to begin?

Ok, so let’s start at the beginning. You’ve just landed that ideal job/transfer in Australia and you seemingly have months ahead of you in which to plan your move. So why bother just yet? Well the sooner the better if you want to avoid last minute panics. David Ozard from John Mason removals recommends making your initial enquiries at least three months before you plan to emigrate to Australia. Most removal companies will give you a guide price or online quote which will give you a rough idea of the costs involved. This can be of huge assistance when deciding which items to take with you and which to leave behind or sell.

What should I take?

Well just take a look around you. Every room in your house from the attic to the garden shed, garage and cellars, everything will need to be cleared. Try to have a clear picture in your mind which, of the many things you possess, you’ll want to take with you. It’s a good idea to start sorting out the essential items well in advance. A good tip is to work out what you use every day and make a list. Those items that do not appear on your list are not essential items and you may even want to consider selling them at a garage sale or car boot. There are also plenty of charity shops that now deal with large furniture items and will often collect them from your home free of charge.

There's no need to take the kitchen sink!

One you’ve cleared your home of those non-essential items you can ask for a home survey. The larger international removals companies will provide this free of charge (it is worth checking this) and at the same time, they’ll be able to explain the logistics of the move in more detail, answering any queries and concerns you may have. Both John Mason and Clark & Rose provide home surveys free of charge and they recommend you get at least three quotes from reputable companies.

How do I know which removal companies are reputable?

The British Association of Removers (BAR) has an ‘Overseas Group’ and you would be wise ensuring that your chosen removals company is a member of this group. It operates the Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme which protects your payment if a member company ceases trading. This extra peace of mind comes at no cost whatsoever to you.

It’s also worth making sure that the company is a member of FIDI (Federation Internationale des Demanageurs Internationaux) as every member has its finances and operational expertise vetted by independent auditors before it is given its FIDI/FAIM kite-mark. Both John Mason and Clark & Rose are members of FIDI and BAR.

What should I expect in a quote?

When you receive a quote, which will usually follow a home survey, these are the things that should be included in the quote:

• Total move cost depending on services selected by the customer.
• All packing including boxes and packaging needed.
• Information regarding Insurance/Standard Liability.
• Information on Australian Customs and Quarantine.
• Transit times for the consignment.
• Storage costs in both the UK and in Australia, if required.
• Additional services that the removal company may offer.

To give you a general idea of what’s involved, if you were to take the majority of your items from a typical 3 bedroomed house the cost would be around £3,500 to £4,500 assuming that everything fits into a 20ft container and is delivered with around a 30 mile radius of the port of entry.

What if the quote changes?

The quote would only change if the volume changes, so for instance if you suddenly decide that you simply cannot bear to part with that antique chest and grand piano that great Aunt Mabel passed down to you. Also if you received a quote more than six months ago, prices may well have risen due to rising freight rates. Or if you decide that Australia’s not for you and you want to move to Canada instead. Unlikely, but you never know! A professional removals company would inform you straight away if prices have risen.

What about storage?

You can choose to store your things either in the UK or in Australia. Storage in Australia is probably your best bet as it often works out cheaper. However Graeme Lorimer from Clark & Rose recommends that you ask for storage rates to be included in your quote so that you can compare. As a rough guideline they say that for a full storage container (20ft), rates in Australia can range from $60 to $70 per week, plus Australian VAT (GST) and a one-off warehouse handling fee of $300 – $350. In the UK these prices would be £40 to £60 plus VAT and a handling fee varying from £60 to £200.

Will my goods be insured at all times?

If you wish to cover your effects in transit for loss or damage you will have to pay to do so, policies are generally based on a percentage of the value of the effects you wish to cover and will be in place from the day your items leave your property to the day they arrive at their destination, although as Clark & Rose point out, this could mean that insurance ends once they are delivered to wherever they are being stored, be that with a storage company or Aunty Sheila’s garage.

Accidents are rare but they can happen.

The wisest option to choose with regards to insurance would be the ‘All Risk’ option, which as its name suggests, protects you against all eventualities. However if you are trying to keep costs down you could opt for ‘Total Loss Only’ cover, fairly self-explanatory that one, or ‘Owner Packed’. Whichever insurance you choose do make sure that you are getting ‘new for old’ cover and check what the excess is. Also on valuing your items do make sure that they are valued correctly, as Clark & Rose say: “Beware of deliberately or even unintentionally under insuring your shipment – usually this happens when people are trying to cut costs – as this may render the whole policy invalid (worst case scenario) or limit the amount of any payout.” Remember – read the small print!

If I choose a home removals company in the UK, will they still be responsible for my goods in Australia?

Most removal companies will use agents acting on their behalf in Australia who will handle the move to your new home. However your original removals company are still ultimately responsible for your belongings and should anything go wrong, it is their obligation to put it right.

Both Clark & Rose and John Mason only use agents that are accredited and FIDI/FAIM qualified. Ensure that the agents in Australia have ‘bonded’ warehouse facilities and don’t be afraid to ask for all their details beforehand.

How many ways of international shipping are there and which is the best for me?

Generally there are four main methods of getting your items from the UK to Australia.

• There is the Full Container Load (FCL). This is usually recommended for a full house removal, an example of which is a three bedroomed house. You then have full exclusive use of a 20/40ft shipping container. The general time of shipment from door to door is around 8-10 weeks.
• Groupage Service. Ideal for smaller households. Basically you are sharing container space with another load. This means that you only pay for the space used inside the container. The shipment here usually reaches you in around 10-12 weeks as the removals company have to ensure that they have all the correct items with the matching documents.
• Excess Baggage Service. This is a self pack service which is ideal for a backpacker or a student who only has a few cartons to send. The customer is given cartons to self pack and they are grouped together with other shipments so that you are sharing container space. However very few companies will offer this service due to the time and effort involved. You may have to pay higher insurance for this too so watch out for that. Service time here from door to door is 10-12 weeks.
• Air Freight Service. This is one of the most expensive ways of removals. However if you have many essentials that you simply cannot live without, they will be at your door within 10-14 working days. 

For a full container load you should expect the transit time on the water to take around 5-6 weeks. Then you need to allow a further two weeks for the load to clear through Customs and Quarantine. So it generally takes 6 to 8 weeks maximum for a full container. Remember that Australia is the other side of the world!

Is there anything I can do to keep costs down?

Well the more items you ship the more you pay, however shipping all of your belongings is generally going to be cheaper than replacing them in Australia. You may think that £4,000 is a lot to move your belongings, but if you try to replace all of your worldly possessions, just think how much that might cost you. You can pay £4,000 for a new three-piece suite! Don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest option when it comes to removals as cheapest does not mean best. These are your worldly goods don’t forget – you need to ensure that they are in good hands. As John Mason say; “Remember you are paying for every single cubic foot when shipping so the lower the volume, the cheaper your quote is likely to be. Having said that however, generally it is cheaper to ship than to replace for most items. So the more items you ship, the less you have to spend at destination.”

Doing it yourself is not always wise.

Also packing items yourself could also mean delays at customs as they are more likely to go through boxes that have been owner packed.

What about Australian quarantine and custom charges?

There is a huge difference between quarantine and custom. Custom generally means the paperwork involved in shipping containers from the UK to Australia; it’s just a box for customs to tick to say they are happy to allow the shipment into the country.

Most consignments will be subject to a quarantine inspection due to the strict measures the Australian authorities impose against pest and disease threats. The charges will reflect the size of the consignment and what’s included. Some high risk items are obvious such as animal skins and food items, but not so apparent high risk items are garden/outdoor equipment, bikes, trophies and so on.

Alcohol and tobacco products will obviously attract a duty and tax charges, as can new items. So it’s worth avoiding these and buying new once you arrive there, not before. It’s also worth noting that these are government charges and they do not come from the removal company. Therefore most removal quotes will not reflect quarantine charges which can range from $190 to $750 depending on the size of the containment. Most removal companies will be happy to discuss this with you and will be able to advise on high-risk items.

The following websites are worth studying for more information on this, www.customs.gov.au and www.daff.gov.au.

Finally Clark & Rose and John Mason have the following pieces of advice to give to anyone thinking of emigrating to Australia:

David Ozard from John Mason: “Always listen to the moving company and ask for their advice. In most cases they have been undertaking international shipping for a long time and so can offer good sound advice and opinions.

Before the pre-move survey, it is sometimes useful to make a list of questions that you need answers to. Some customers also make notes during the home survey to refer to at a later date.”

Graeme Lorimer from Clark & Rose: “Always plan far enough in advance! It never ceases to amaze me how many people put removals last on the list and very often therefore, last on the budget list as well. Costs for removals may seem quite high on first appearance but think of this: if you walked through your house and actually worked out the full replacement value of each and every item you are sending in your shipment, there is no way you would be able to replace them for the amount of money you are about to spend shipping your belongings to Australia.”

Get your free quotes now from Clark & Rose and John Mason.

Other international removals companies include:

• Pickfords
• Britannia 

The pensions maze can be confusing if you don't know which way to go.

The pensions issue has been big news recently and it’s left a lot of people confused over where they stand. However if you are planning to emigrate to Australia and are worried about getting a pension over there, don’t let it put you off. With a little careful planning it needn’t be a complicated issue. Read our pension guide and let us lead you through the pension maze to find the right solution for you.

Pension History – A Brief Overview

The UK state pension was first introduced in the early 1900’s by the Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyd George. The basic rate was between 1s and 5s which was available to people over the age of 70 who had an income less than 12s. In 1911 the same Liberal government introduced the National Insurance Act which required all wage earners to make a contribution against illness, unemployment and their pensions.

Pensions have come a long way since then and the current UK pension rates are £95.25 per week for single people and £152.30 for married couples. So what happens to your pension entitlement if you move abroad?

Social Security Agreements Between Australia and the UK

Previously the UK had a bilateral agreement with Australia on social security. That meant that if you moved to Australia your periods of UK residence would be treated as periods of residence in Australia. Therefore so long as you had paid your National Insurance contributions in the UK you would be eligible for the Australian Age Pension. The amount a UK pensioner received from their UK state pension would be detracted from the Australian Age pension.

The agreement however was termination in March 2001 largely because of the UKs refusal to index the UK state pensions for expats in Australia, even though they do so for expats in other countries. This meant that expats in Australia did not benefit from any state pension rises. Therefore if a British expat in Australia retired in 1999 they would still only receive £66.75 per week from their British state pensions. This fixed pension rule is also in place in Canada and South Africa.

The termination also meant that British expats would not have any early access to Australia’s Age Pension or other benefits unless the migrated on or before 1 March 2000. Their residency in the UK would not count as residency in Australia. Migrants who arrived in Australia before 1 March 2000 would received their payments as agreed before the social security termination.

This termination was challenged by a group of pensioners, most notably Annette Carson who challenged the Department for Work and Pensions for refusing to index her pension and make annual increases because she lived in South Africa where no bilateral agreement was in place. Her court case was taken up by the Alliance of British Pensioners in South Africa as well as Canada and Australia.

The Expats Pension Battle

There followed an eight year battle through the High Court, Court of Appeal, the House of Lords and finally the European Court of Human Rights who dismissed their claims that the British Government were breaching their human rights by failing to up-grade their pensions, bringing them into line with the cost of living. It was the end of the line for the pensioners who can now only rely on public support to try to get the government to change its mind.

So what does this mean for migrants who wish to emigrate to Australia today?

Getting The Right Australian Visa

Well the advice is to choose your Australian visa wisely as some visas will not entitle you to the Australian pension, such as any temporary or return pending visa. You must have a permanent Australian visa in order to claim benefits in Australia. It is vital that your UK affairs are in order as pension claims are decided on a case by case basis, if you have sold your home in the UK and have invested the assets, this could go against you as benefits in Australia are means tested. If possible, get some independent financial advice or go to a professional pension transfer company.

Australian Age Pension and Special Benefits

Largely speaking, if you have been resident in Australia for ten years when you retire then you are eligible for the Australian Age pension as well as your state pension which will be calculated at the time you left the UK. So if you left the UK in 2005 for Australia, than that is the date at which your pension will be fixed.

The Australian pension age is 65 for men with women able to retire younger. In 2014 this will change to 65 for both men and women. The payment rates are $644.20 per fortnight for a single person and $485.60 each per fortnight for a couple.

If you have been living in Australia for less than ten years but more than two, then you may still be eligible for Special Benefits but these are means tested and again are decided on a case by case basis. If you are facing severe hardship and have not been in Australia for two years your case may still be considered. You would need to contact the Australian CentreLink Scheme for more information.

Private Pension Transfers

If you have a private UK pension you need to decide whether it’s worth transferring that pension to Australia or leaving it in the UK to mature. Again this is where sensible financial advice comes into its own. Generally speaking it may be wise to leave your pension where it is until you are certain that you are staying put in Australia – transferring pensions can be a costly business and if you move to Australia only to decide to return to the UK a few years later it could be an expensive mistake to move your pension around with you. If you do want to transfer a UK pension scheme to Australia then you can do this through the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS).

If you are to spend any time working for an Australian company then chances are that a certain amount of your income (usually 9%) will be paid into a superannuation fund which is accessible once you retire. This will not affect your UK state pension.

Enjoying Your Retirement

Don’t let any of the above put you off enjoying your retirement in Australia. With the right financial advice and careful planning there is no need for you to endure hardship in a country where the sun always shines. There are countless benefits to living in Australia and it is still the choice of country for most Brits emigrating abroad. The easy pace of living is particularly desirable to those of pensionable age. So start your planning now and look forward to spending your retirement years in relaxed, sunny surroundings!

Below are a list of pension transfer companies that are able to give you financial advice and support.

Montfort International Plc

Pension Transfers

Pension Bureau

Pension Advisory Service