Hi there,

check with Centrelink for child benefits. They handle all social security payments in Australia. Have a look at www.centrelink.gov.au for more information. Once you get to Oz, go to their local office.

Kelpiegirl

Hi Tina,

Despite Mr Davies trying to strike the fear of God into you, I think the best advice came from bondipom - relax.

You're at a very similar stage to me - shipping gone, house sold, counting down the days etc.

You've come this far, organised so much, I think that at this stage it's easy to feel a little helpless, like the lull before the anticipated storm, and then the doubts follow... "there must be something I should be doing right now to prepare for when I arrive".....

You probably know all you need to know already (such as medicare, TFN and so on) - and remember if there are particular questions you have there's the good folks on this board to respond with a quick answer - but you know that already.

Don't get overwhelmed!

Badge I think they only bulk bill when you have your medicare card.

A bulk billing doctor is best for the long run (if you do not go private). They will still take you on without a medicare card. Just take the bill you have paid to Medicare (when you have received your card) and you should be able to claim most of it back. Later on when you have your card the bulk billing doctor will charge the bill direct to the government.

Bulk billing doctors are not universally available and it depends on your area. Bondi does have a good provision of bulk billers.

I am serious about the relax for a week as you will need it.

I am starting a new thread on Private verus Medicare.

Thanks for the advice guys. You are right I do need to chill a bit, the trouble is I have spent so long planning our departure I am now sitting here twiddling my thumbs!! boredom is beginning to set in, so I feel like Imust be doing something constructive!!

Thanks Geriant for telling me I am going to die! You have reminded me of another thing I have to do, check if our current life insurances will still be valid if we move to Oz. And no I don't need to increase the life co ver

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bondipom
Badge I think they only bulk bill when you have your medicare card.



yup. Sorry, I took this as read

[\QUOTE]

Tina,we've been here 6 weeks now and have done things as and when they have cropped up. Most subjects have been covered and we can only re-itterate what has been said, take peoples advice and go from there. We've had the added complication of buying a house ( be prepared, it's VERY fast compared to the UK) but we used a financier recommended by a friend, who in turn recommended a conveyancing company and so it goes on, we felt that we had to go with these recommendations and our gut feeling and so far have been very pleased and impressed. Everything moves so fast here, it's definately a work hard play hard culture.
As for the medicare cards, we went in after a couple of days to be told we were not on the computer yet so give it a week or so.

One other very important item to buy is a barbecue!!!!!!!

we went to K-Mart and bought a "Jackeroo" which is fab.

Enjoy the time you've got left in the UK, our container left the house and we were on our way two hours later, flying the next day which didn't do our stress levels any good!

We've got to say that although it's early days yet, we love it over here and are very pleased we made the move.

Good luck with the journey

Marc & Claire

Geraint if you want us to tolerate you please provide some hard answers or some links to them. You are coming across as money grabbing and you have said nothing to earn peoples trust. I agree with what you say but you have not provided a full answer.

Joint one point, we couldn't get family tax credit until we actually had our tax file numbers. You can fill in the application form, and they'll hold it 'on file' in centrelink for upto 2 weeks till you get your number. TFN though takes up to 4 weeks. So first priority is TFN, and then 3 weeks later apply for family tax credit which can be backdated. Don't forget you may also be entitled to rent assistance if you have kids....max you get altogether based on 2 young kids is $500ish per fortnight...

Cheers
Mash...

I applied online for my TFN the day after I arrived and it came through the post only a week later.

Make sure it doesn't say NON-RESIDENT STATUS on it when you get the letter - if it does you have to wirte to them to sort it out, that took another week, but you can work in that time because the number itself doesn't change, just your status.

I'll agree with the "Jackeroo" barbecue from K-Mart They are good.

Medical Insurance ? as mentioned by the salesman earlier,
It might be worth a thread on its own for this. I don't have it these days, decided it wasn't worth it. But some people find it very valuable. Don't just jump into one, get some independent advice

Rent assistance ? Don't you have to wait for the 2 years before this becomes available ?

Hi Tina

As others have said the best advise is to relax, dont put any extra pressure on yourself than what will come along naturally, we have been here 3 weeks now and the first couple of weeks were very hectic, organising a house, getting a car, buying all the bits and pieces we didnt ship, without all the paperwork hassle.

As for medicare leave it a couple of weeks before yu go into your local office and get your numbers, it literally takes 2 minutes to do and you get your number there and then, you can visit a bulk billing gp anytime after you have your number you dont need to wait for the card.

Good luck with everything and take it easy, everythingndoesnt need to be done as soon as you step off the plane, you have the rest of your life to do it.

Marry Christmas

Lynn

Interesting responses.

Well I created some interest. Everybody's situation is different and what is right for one is not necessarily right for others.

I am afraid the Tax File Number issue is not as clear cut as all that - I suggest that one and all should re-check the facts - as it is not 100% guaranteed that anybody who lives outside Australia does not have to complete an application.

The essence of my response was that you check your position before departure. As you may be in a position where one is already in a need to report activities to the Australian Taxation Office. Granted most people will not be in that position, but the secret is to check and not generalise. We have had many people come to us who didn't realise what their position was.

I am surprised about the interpretation about Medicare - my reference was concerning Private Medical Insurance and the need to get this right. Take for example a person who has cover of a private nature in UK, they may be best to get treated pre-departure - because when they arrive in Australia their new cover could either have exclusions or increased premiums. Now bearing in mind that there are no income benefits for the first 2 years - no migrant wants to be in a queue waiting for treatment whilst his or her cash diminishes.

As far as sales tactics are concerned - don't think so.

I trust contributors will appreciate that when one is dealing with a subject which can vary so much from one situation to another with so many visa categories - that one cannot generalise. Therefore any contribution I make cannot be deemed as specific to the individual and would carry so many caveats - for fear that it could be construed as misleading - that for our business would be understandably dangerous and for the reader.

As regards the life insurance check - its not just whether the policy will work in Australia, but how they will be taxed and whether or not the ownership is correct. Nobody can advise on that without sighting documents as the visa and the age of the policy will affect the tax position as will the policy construction. As you are no doubt aware because UK Inheritance Tax can extend beyond the time of departure for at least 3 UK tax years and covers all Australian and Worldwide Assets for that time - then ownership is crucial as this can form part of the estate - and without a will????

We are a commercial organisation as are others who we see contributing to this forum.

Geraint,

You may notice that other "commercial" organisations are not touting for business on this site unless specifically asked. Most if not all give free advice on general issues.

I think you'll find this board is not for advertising.

Tina,

Nice to hear things are underway.

Make sure you pack documents such as car NCB, medical history including vaccination details for any kids, obvioulsy driving licences. Just on the licence print a list of the categories your entitled to. The shire offices don't seem to sure.

All the best,

Nick

Hi, no you can get rent assistance with your family assistance. We get $77.00 a week towards our rent which has been really helpful financially.