Could I ask few questions from all you guys over there in OZ, if you don’t mind. We have our visa & are preparing for the big move. We are moving to Queensland. Here goes.

1. How much does it cost to buy a house in terms of stamp duty, fees for solictors & surveys for pests and structural problems?

2. What is the equivalent of a National Insurance number & how do you get it?

3. If you buy a house at auction how can you be sure it’s not infested with white ant?

4. We intend to ship over most of our posessions, but there are some things I will need to have there straight away to start working i.e. my PC, scanner, printer, light box, art materials. Is there a fast track service for things like that?

5. What’s the top rate of tax & can you do self assesment like here in the UK?

6. I will still have clients paying money into my UK bank account - what’s the most cost effective way of transferring money to an OZ account?

Thanks very much in advance for any answers.

Cheers
Mr P

That depends entirely on the condition of the house, the amount it is selling for, and the location of the property. Be warned that stamp duty is much higher than the UK, and varies from state to state. Click here to learn more.

It's called a Tax File Number (TFN) and you can get it very easily. Click here to learn how.

Ask for a white ant clearance certificate, or a timber pest report. If these are unavailable, request a certified inspection.

Plenty of companies offer express delivery of smaller items (try a Google search). Be prepared to pay large sums of money for this privilege.

The top rate of tax is 45%, and applies to any income of $150,000 or above. Click here to learn more.

Yes. Click here to learn more.

Probably an online cash transfer company. I've heard that www.tranzfers.com is very good, though I've not used them myself.

You're welcome.

Thanks from me too for these answers and links, I am sure that they have been very useful for a lot of people!

Vikki

Cheers mate.

Well Vash gave a great answer to that - I would just add that I have used HIFX and have found them very good. You have to register and deal with their Oz/NZ Office from this end and their UK office from the UK.

http://www.hifx.co.nz/

I've also heard good things about ozforex so check them out too.

http://www.ozforex.com.au/personalLiving.htm

hi,
Thanks for all that info.I had been wondering about those questions myself

Ozforex and tranzfers are the same company - Ozforex is better for large transactions (house sales etc) and tranzfers will do smaller ones, down to $100 a time. They are excellent, been using them for years, and if you have any problems their phone and email support is really helpful. (no, I don't work for them, just believe in credit where its due!)

You'll also need a medicare number - TFN is for income and Medicare is for the health care. Unlike NI the two systems arent linked.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - really useful.

Mr P

You're welcome.

Take out your hard drive and bring it with you. Sell the rest and buy a new PC in Oz. Or buy an external HD and back all your stuff up before emigrating.

New to BE but you have answered a lot of the questions i wanted info on
Great and useful response very much appreciated

My pleasure.