dade

Trying to figure out how much we can expect to spend on the initial one-off costs associated with settling down. Going to Melbourne. I'm sure I've left a lot of things out. Please add to my list and if posible please share how much you had to pay for what:

Temp accomodation
6 months rent + bond (in case we have to offer to do this)
furniture items and whitegoods
car hire
car purchase
Day care/nursery
sim cards
electricity connection
gas connection
telephone connection
internet connection

sj oldfield

You will definately have to put a bond down on a rental, its usually 4 weeks rental.

ptlabs

Initial deposit into bank account (although strictly not an expenditure)
Potentially, a term deposit to get a local Australian credit card (to escape forex fees when using UK credit card) - HSBC Australia does this for people without credit history I am not commercially related to HSBC Australia
Fee for driver's licence

Peter

walaj

I assume you are briging this over by container?
other things - cultery/pans etc to make do with before container arrived
we had car seat for toddler,
cheap TV: something to do when stuck in the evening billy no mates & toddler to curb going out for a drink or 2 (again before container arrives)
money aside for other items like Dr visits/prescriptions
we also bought stuff that had been put on hold in UK - like large patio set (doubled up as dining rm table/chairs), bed for us (we always wanted a king size, & I lurveeee the space)

we found that for many weekends if we did not spend into the 4 figures we were not trying hard enough. Was very scary spending when there is no income and no job secured.

Expect it to take ages to buy a few items - not knowing where or whom sell what you want and is it a good price? Ensure you bargin for better prices especially on big items, even david Jones or Myer you can push for free delivery but not really on price of goods.