By Obviously I’m not considering moving to Australia. In fact, I’m on the verge of making a very exciting announcement about which country other than Australia will be my home next. When the PSS Removals team reached out about sharing this post, however, I was impressed by the fact they’d shared a few tidbits about Australia I didn’t even know myself. There’s a few really fascinating little factoids to be found within.
Read on…
What You Need to Know About Moving to Australia
Have you ever considered a move ‘down under’ or as some like to call it, ‘the land of wonder’? More than 85% of Australians live within fifty kilometers of the coast and should anyone ever decide to visit one new beach in the country every day, it would take them over twenty seven years to see them all – with facts like that it’s not hard to understand why expats are flocking to Australia.
Editor’s Note: Truth be told, I have never found beaches anywhere else on earth that compare to my favourite beaches in Australia. The perfect combination of climate, white sand, clear waters, and surf.
You also may not know that the Australian Alps even receive more snowfall per year than Switzerland, Tasmania has the cleanest air globally and there are over sixty designated wine regions. Furthermore, Australia is the only country in the world with an original police force consisting of the most well-behaved convicts!
Editor’s Note: I knew about the wine regions. You can even read about my experiences as a wine virgin in wine country.
Australia really is a country with so much to offer; which is why an estimated 40,000 Brits are being attracted by its outdoor lifestyle, sunshine, and sense of space each year.While the UK has a massive 248.25 people per square kilometer, Australia only has 2.66 people per square kilometer.
Editor’s Note: That’s plenty of room for everybody, although that does mean some unlucky bastards are going to be out in Wolf Creek country…
Australians are renowned as a proud, strong, unfailingly friendly, and helpful bunch of people with a laid-back mentality and a ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic.
It’s a country with thriving family values, and the standard mode of entertainment is a barbecue in someone’s back yard, as opposed to the UK where many adults might just visit the pub and leave the children at home to watch TV or play computer games.
Editor’s Note: You definitely shouldn’t let my 10 Reasons I Hate Living in Australia post dissuade you. I’ve also written a 10 Reasons I Love Living in Australia post to counteract the negativity.
Also, as you will no doubt find out should you decide move there, they love sport and regularly celebrate their wins against England when it comes to both the cricket and the rugby.
Editor’s Note: And rugby league and tennis and netball and field hockey and football…
If you are seriously considering a move to Australia then first you really should learn about the history of the country. This nation of pioneers is rich in history and culture and part of becoming an expat in a new country includes embracing your new country’s heritage and traditions.
The Nitty Gritty about Moving to Australia
When it comes to applying for a visa, you will be pleased to know that currently the whole process is a lot quicker than it used to be a few years ago. Depending on which visa you decide to apply for or which professional skills you might have, you could be granted a visa within a few months. Nevertheless, the online application lets you track your progress and upload all of the relevant supporting documentation easily.
Should you be planning on retiring in Australia, the UK state pension is non-transferable, and some personal pensions have special requirements, which must be met to enable a transfer. Pension funds can also sometimes be liable for tax, so check in advance what you can and can’t transfer easily. If you’re likely to need to apply for credit, whether a credit card, loan or mortgage, you should apply for a full credit report before leaving the UK in order to ascertain whether there might be outstanding issues which can be dealt with prior to arriving in Australia. Also make sure you cancel all your direct debits before leaving.
As a UK citizen, you may be temporarily covered by Medicare, Australia’s national health program, but you should check this with the Australian embassy before your departure, particularly if you have pre-existing health issues.
As a visitor to Australia, you’re entitled to drive as a long as you have a valid driver’s license and passport together with you at all times. If you hold a permanent visa however, you can only use your UK license for a maximum of three months. Once your license is all arranged, at least you won’t have to remember to drive on the right-hand-side – Australia drives on the left, just like the UK!
With regards to shipping your goods overseas, it is recommended that you first compare the replacement costs of items of furniture and other effects with your removals company as the replacement costs of some items in Australia can be quite expensive.
PSS International Removals are the UK’s first choice for moving overseas and we have successfully helped thousands of people move to Australia since we began. We are able to offer you a professional service including additional visa, employment, banking, currency, pension transfer, pet shipping, tax rebate, education, flight and property advice through our network of trusted partners.
Visit http://www.pssremovals.com to find out more or contact us for a free quote now!