Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hello all, we are Simon (33), Lottie (28) Megan (4) and Finlay (2). I have received a fantastic job ofer to relocate to Brisbane, including a very good package. We have a young family and currenlty have a week or two to confirm if we are to go or not. I am looking for general advice and HELP as to what people think. Typically we are worried about Schooling for the kids and socailising for us, so we dont get to home sick.

Please, the more advice the better.:)

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Obviously I cant say that you WILL definitely be ok but we certainly havent had a problem finding friends or with our daughter settling in school. She was 6 when we arrived - been here 14 months now and theres no way she wants to return.

At the end of the day.....you'll never know unless you try......and if you dont like it......you can go back without any 'what ifs' :)

Good luck with your decision.

Rach xxxx

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

With your kids being at the age they are, they should settle quite well. If you had teenagers then i think it could be a problem. I do believe in the saying 'if your kids are under 10 then they will settle better'. They adjust into the way of life here. And if you go back to UK they are still young enough to adjust back.
From reading posts about Brissy most folk are happy there. Loads to do on the East side...weather is nice. If you like socialising then you may have to put yourself out and about to make friends, but you should make plenty from the kids schools.
Give it a go, it's a chance of a life time....good luck.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I'd say go for it!

What have you got to lose - do a year or two and see how you feel then, if you are not settled then come back to the UK - the only thing that you have to really worry about is unsettling the kids but if you get your timings right (regarding their ages and academic years etc you should be OK).

I am an australian who has an english girlfriend - we sorta live half half and are not that dissimilar in age to yourselves (I am 30, my girlfriend is 25). We have been in England for 3 years and have a HIGE group of friends where we currently live. We are heading back to Australia in August! We don't see it as much of a big deal anymore. Its only a 24 hour flight and you can be home!

trust me - I have been away from my home town for 3 years and NOTHING changes - so if you do go, and decide in 12 mnths that you want to come back to the UK, eeverything will beexactly how you left it!!

a

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hi,

We fly to Brisbane on 10th August and have 3 children aged 16, 6 and 2. We have never been to Australia before but just want to give it a go!

Like you, my husband already has a job there and I think that removes a great deal of the initial stress. Lots of people who have gone over there talk about the pressure in finding a job so you are very lucky to be in such a good position. Your children are young like our youngest 2 and I think they will adapt very well, we wouldnt be going if we didnt think so. Obviously not everyone likes it and, who knows, we might not but at least we will have given it a try :thumbsup:

Good luck.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thanks for the encouragemnet guys.

we are very lucky in the fact that I would already have a good job. My concern is really for the kids, as if we decide to come back in a couple of years then I dont want them to be behind others of there age, although I know they are young enough to catch up pretty quick.;)

Alos a little concerned about my wife, as she does not make friends all that easily, as she is quite shy, I would have to keep pushing her I think.:(

All in all, we have a grat opportunity, that many other families would die for, so we should give it a go, I suppose I am just looking for reassurance.

Thanks again:D

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I can understand your concerns, I dont think anybody could make a decision like this without having them!

The education system seems to be quite similar between UK and Oz so hopefully there would not be a problem for your children if you did need to come back - especially if they were still under 11. I dont know anybody in Australia and I will be at home looking after my 2 yr old so I wont even have the social life attached to work but kids are a great way of making friends. When your wife goes to the park etc, she will meet lots of other mums/carers via the kids so hopefully she will make friends there, if she isnt working that is. If you end up anywhere near me, I will be her friend!!

I would have thought the main problem would be if you or your wife are very family orientated, used to big family get togethers and lots of family around you to help etc. We havent got that so have nothing to miss but if you do then be very careful making the decision as family appears to be what most people miss the most.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Can't really tell you what to do all I can say is that you only live once. We came with the attitude that if it all went belly-up we could always go back. It was an opportunity for us to try a different way of life, not necessarily a better way of life but a different one. Fortunately for us things seem to be working out at the minute. Plenty come and love it and plenty come and don't and end up going back. There's no way you are going to know if you really are going to love it until you live the experience. It's not all plain sailing but we have found the effort worthwhile. Overall we have found life good out here but all of us are prone to bouts of homesickness now and then. I think the kids are probably at a good age to go for it - no sarcky teenagers giving you lip for dragging them out of school and away from all their mates. Whatever you choose good luck and I hope it all works out.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

All that you say makes sense, and as my father in-law said its the thought of the unknown thats making you nervous. I am very lucky my sisters family are emigrating to Toronto in March 2008, so I wouldnt see them that often anyway, and both my parents are retired so will come out to see us 2 0r 3 times a year. My wife is closer to her family, especially one sister and her parents, although they have promised to come out I know she will mis them dearly. Its a gamble we will have to take ? ? ?:D But i feel that if we stay in UK my kids will have no future, as we are being over run by imigrants :curse:

As i have been told numerous times, you only live once. . . . . .:beer:

Thanks again guys :wub:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

"But i feel that if we stay in UK my kids will have no future, as we are being over run by imigrants"

If only we could keep all the Brits out of Australia hey?!?!?
he he he (Only joking - so please don''t get offended!)

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thats why I fancy being one myself :lol::lol::thumbsup:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

A lot of Australians say the same thing

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

:wub:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Go for it man, what the hell are you worried about, if you are on a good package you could pay for private school if you are that worried!

Schooling is not down to money anyway, if kids are brought up to learn, and want too you will have no problem anywhere!!!

If you are worried about a social life, just don't buy a house more than 10k's from the cbd, and make sure you are close to a train station.

Brisvegas is a fantastic place to come and live and work, think yourself lucky you have the option, how many othey poor bas***ds would die for the opportunity???

Go for it man, you can always go back!!!

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I second that motion....

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Great encouragement thanks ! :thumbsup:

My package is £85K + Car + Super, its not a top package but I think a fairly good one, I would also appreciate your advice on that. . . .:D

We have been looking at Warner/Petrie/Strathpine are to live, any advice would be a god send ?:D

Cheers Swooty :beer:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I have to say tha $85 K plus car is pretty good in Australia - and the tax man won't hit you for having a company car!

Even if the car is on leasebvack you'll be clearing $1000 a week!

Not too bad in my humble opinion!

A

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

If it appeals to you and you've discussed it with the family and they are prepared to give it a go, then go for it. Better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all. i feel oz will have far more to offer you and your children as they are growing up than the uk, but that just my opinion. rachel and myself are relocating to the gold coast in January and we are both really nervous about it. Neither of us have jobs set up or have family or friends in Oz to support us. We'll really be winging it. It's something that we want to try so we're going for it. At the end of the day if things don't work out then at least we tried to live the dream. Good luck anyway i'm sure when you have discussed things propery with the family you'll come to the right decision.:thumbup:

Barry

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thanks for the advice :D

One of the things I am trying to find out is the level of Tax I would pay on a Car ? Can anyone give an example ?:thumbup:

I forgot to mention Full Medical Cover for the Family, Sponsored Visa, Flights for the family and full removal costs.:cool:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

WOW. I don't suppose you need an apprentice:eek:

Barry

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Cant so I do Barry, however we would be looking to relocate in January also so best meet up and have a :beer:if we decide to go :thumbsup:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

WHAT !??!

Jesus - are you really even considering it!! Just get on the plane and go you idiot!!

Hang on a minute...I'll get you some details about taxataion and I'll post them here in 5 mins...

....Just talk amonget yourself for a few minutes......

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Here is the tax calculator from the ATO, give you a rough idea what you'll be taking home! some tips for filling it in:

You will probably get payed weekly - 95% of Australian jobs are payed weekly (not monthly like in the UK) Some older companies pay fortnightly!

You can prob claim the tax free threshold, but only one of you will be able to claim it - if you claim it, your other half won't be able to if she works etc.

You will not have to pay the extra medicare levy if you have porivate insurance (and you siad you will have it as part of your contract).

Anyway, here it is:

http://www.ato.gov.au/scripts/taxcal...ndard_hire.asp

the car deal -

the tax man does not hit you near as hard in Australia as in the UK. In my job the companies that I work for always provide me with a car - its pretty standard really for my industry.

I am an australian and in Aus I ALWAYS take the car - no question. It is sometimes actually a TAX BENEFIT TO have a company car (even if you are on a leaseback scheme)

for example, my last company took the lease fee out for my car BEFORE they calculated the tax - ie, say you are earning $10,000 per month (gross) and your car lease is $1000 a month. They will take the $1000 out of your GROSS pay - you therefore get your car payed for and only pay income tax on the remaining $9,000. Make sense!

the other common alternative is the novated lease - where you lease a car from a car lease company and it is registered and insured etc in your name (rather than being in your employers name). Say you are paying $300 a week for the car, in the novated system your employer would agree to take this from your GROSS income on a weekly basis, so similar to the above, reducing the income tax you pay and, under this scheme, YOU can own the car after the set lease period.

either way you look at it it works out well worth it!

My last company even payed for ALL my fuel - including my private fuel - so I basically had a car for free, with free fuel and it reduced the tax I was paying!

the tax man in australia sure is a friendly chap!!

I have been working in the UK for the past 3 years and NEVER take the car option here - I always take the cash alternative because the tax man hits you too hard otherwise!

My advice would be to ALWAYS take the car in Australia and NEVER take the car if you are working in the UK!!


SUMMARY:

If I were you - and depending on your family circumstances - I would jump at the deal - I live half my life in England and half in australia and, to me, the deal you have been offered looks like a pretty sweet ride!

Flights etc payed for (does this include shipping all your personal stuff)

medical included, car (which is a good deal)

plus a decent salary!!1

Most of the headaches that many people face you have already overcome (ie, you have a job, a car, medical and all the costs of moving taken care of!) you would be made to miss the opportunity!!

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

If you have any more questions then throw them on here - but I am sure that many MANY people who use this forum would love to have the deal you have been offered! Many people go through the hopps and costs (thousands of pounds and sometimes years) to get a visa, they save to pay all their travel and shipping costs, then when they arrive they don't have a job, car or house to go to - they just wing it!

I think that you're deal is pretty good!

At the end of the day though the decision has to be yours - there are people on here who move out there with their company and hate it! Others move out there and LOVE it!

I guess the big question for you is - will you be able to live with yourself if you turn it down!!???

Cheers - see you for a schooner on the coast! Look me up when you get to Australia!

A

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Andy

Many thanks you've been a great help !

It seems crazy that i've spent 6 months trying to get this job, and now i've got it nerves have taken over, suppose i'm looking for reassurance.

Thanks again, you bet i'll look you up !:beer:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

thats OK, if there is anything I can do to help just let me know!

Like I said before, I'm an australian who moved to the UK 3 years ago (and sorta live half half) - we are going back to Australia this August for a couple of years.

I sorta klnow how you feel, having first made that move to the UK, and even now going back to australia its a little unnerving because there is that element of uncertainty about it!

It is a lot easier than you think to move countries! Honestly! No different than it you got a job in Scotland and had to pakc up your house, move the kids and take the missus!

Easy-peasey! ... and this is from someone doing it for hte second time!!!

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

sounds like a plan.:beer:

Barry

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I am in a similar position have a job offer in discussion, to relocate from UK to Sydney. I am also looking for a similar package with a car, good news on the tax front on this.
There are 6 of us in total 30,29,11,9,7 & 4 (we have done our bit for humanity) may have to charter our own plane,
We are now stuck in limbo waiting for final negoitations, before we can move forward.

I thought that i could never make a move from what we know, steady/safe job, reasonable home but now i realise that it now or never to make a change.

Yes, no illusions that it is going to be tough, but its tough getting by in the uk !:cry_smile:

Good luck, better to regret something your have done than something you didnt do !!.

:rofl:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Depends what you are after, Warner is a newer area but tucked out of the way a we bit, imo, Strathpine and Petrie are well established, older areas but with more shops and ameneties to offer.

We have just built at Halpine Lake, Mango Hill, just across the road from North 'toy town' Lakes, new area with loads of shops and amenities to offer and getting bigger all the time, North Lakes has all that you need, imo, if you are after the New Town sort of thing....?

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Swooty;

dont be to worried about the kids, they will be fine the Australian kids love the UK accent its as simple as that, when your kids are invited for a barbe or sleep over let them go after you have met the parents, your circle of friends start then. The schools are OK when the kids are happy the parents are also happy, my girl was 12 when we came here she loved the place immediately and the kids at school loved her UK accent.
I know she is happy in australia i also work for the education dept in melbourne as i say its a different lifestyle & different culture you will love it all

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I don't want you to misinterpret what I'm going to say in relation to your situation..........but, hey, I'm an Aussie now, so I'll say it anyway. lol

I came to Oz with kids the same age yours are now...........and, to be honest, as someone said earlier it's easier than travelling/moving, with older kids. They're like hand-luggage. lol

They'll feed off you.............so, if you are happy, they will be, too.

Schools in Australia are great..............very outdoorsy.

Whether you get homesick or not, depends what you want. If you want Brisbane to be like Gloucester, yep, you're gonna hate it. If you want Gloucester, you stay in Gloucester.............and if you want to socialise, you make an effort, mainly through your kids.

Look upon yourselves as pioneers, accept the challenge............and make it work.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.......................and Brisbane is a fantastic place, in my opinion.

I'd do it.............but, then again, I DID. I've also, never been back after 17 years here............cos there is so much to see and do.

Only you can decide...........only you can make it a success. Your kids will do whatever you decide........but what a fantastic opportunity for them.

What are you really scared of............I mean, you said the package is great???

Gordon

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Gordy834,

spot on mate i agree fully i have also not returned to the UK and never shall i love this place should have done it years ago

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thanks Gordon

All advice appreciated :thumbup:

Deep down I know we have to do it, get out of our little comfort zone for the sake of our kids :thumbsup:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

always people say if you need to get good thing dont look how much you will going to use

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Cheers, Arthur..........

As a "P.S" to all of this stuff, cos I've only been coming here for a few days............the young families who come in here are so lucky now, with computers, sites like this, that you can get a background prior to coming.

Most of us had nothing, just rosy pictures painted by folk who'd holidayed..............or, in my case, I saw Wicker's World on the Bicentennary.

I'd never even been on a plane til I came here.

To anyone thinking of coming over, you can ask me ANYthing..........and I promise NEVER to bullshit you. I'll be honest, 100% and I'll hope it assists in some way.

Hell, I even got divorced here and understand the legal system..............lol. Hey, it says something that, even in the dark days, I never wanted to leave.

If I had to be on the bones of my bum, sleeping in a doorway, I'd pick Perth over Scotland, any day.

There really IS nothing to lose. The decision is made.

Currently, in Australia, there is a boom in the economy, particularly over here.

That means houses are expensive..............but labour is short and jobs are ten-a-penny.

Start packing............and NEVER compare the two countries.

The funniest thing ever is when your kids get the accent. My youngest one started to talk over here..........with an Aussie accent............and neither myself or my wife, understood him.

I love it..........there is NOTHING I don't like.

Dare I even go as far to say that, if I had to make a choice.............give up my British Citizenship or go home..........I'd have to give it up. I just could NOT go back. Even if you offered to take me back and give me what I have here........I couldn't do it.

Never, did I believe I would say that.........but it's true.

It's a huge honour to be allowed to stay here.............and I count my blessings every single day.

Please don't think I am not loyal or patriotic...........because I am. I respect my homeland and love it..............but life is here, my kids are here..............and the place has been very good to me, the people, too.

Gordon

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hi Simon and Lottie

You will love it!! I arent saying it wont be hard, but with a fantastic job offer - half of your worries are over. There are lots of brits, you will meet people on this site. We were on the Gold Coast, came back due to me struggling to find work and father being ill, but he is fixed now and we are going bak out later this year. We also have a Finlay who is 5, and two older sons, 12 and 16. They have so much freedom over there, we used to have take out at the beach at tea time and the kids would play on one of the many parks as we walked on the front, it was so peacful. We live in West Yorksire now - lovely little village, but nothing in it for the kids apart from fields. they want a bit of action and unfortunately for us the nearest city to us is Bradford, our nearest town is not much better. I worry when they want to go out to ice skating or even to the swimming baths as there is so much violence. The oldest two boys used to go into Robina on their bikes to the cinema and i never worried at all.

You will be fine, and if after a while you dont like it, you can come back. Go for it, you won't regret it I am sure!

What part of the UK are you from?

Any questions -everyone is here to help!

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hi everyone,this is my first post :)
My husband and I are only in the "thinking about it" stage and one thing that is of concern is that I was told we would have to pay for our kids schooling!!! we have 3 children,17 and twins of 15 so it would be very expensive for us....anyone know the rules on schools??

Many thanks.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hi,

No you do not have to pay for your childrens education in Oz, there are lots of great State schools over there but also lots of fantastic private schools so you have the option to choose. You do have to pay towards stationery, books etc but it isnt a lot of money so dont worry.

We also have 3 children, ages 16, 6 and 2 so ours are going to State schools where I am sure they will be fine!

Welcome to the forum by the way :thumbsup:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

That depends on what visa you have and where you live.

temporary visa holders have to pay for their kid's education in some states.

G

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

What's the concern with the kids getting left behind academically, these days (under this gov't) any fool can pass a GCSE in any subject with flying colours for spelling his/her name correctly.

It's worth taking the plunge with Brisbane with Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Frazer Island, Moreton island, Oz Zoo etc within fairly easy reach and Brisbane itself it a good city. Now if it was somewhere dire like Perth.....

However the Aussies although fundamentally decent people are very insular and I found that I socialised with Brits when living in Oz rather than the natives. Despite my love of sport I didn't find I had much in common with the diggers so your misses may have a prob or two especially as Brizzie has less ex-pats than Sydney or Perth.