Exchange rates are swings and roundabouts and would not put me of doing what I wanted to do. I look at it that every year we get older and every year is less to settle and accumulate. We came over before we had our children so it was good for us.

The roundabout is if the exchange changes when people go back to the UK for holidays which a lot of Brits seem to do every year then you lose money that way.

As has been said plenty of migrants coming over right now and who knows what the government will do. I think its a shame to take up a visa and misplace someone else on the list just because the exchange rate does not suit, does not sound like people are interested in being Australian just borrowing the country for a while. Not what we want here.

>>As has been said plenty of migrants coming over right now and who knows what the government will do. I think its a shame to take up a visa and misplace someone else on the list just because the exchange rate does not suit, does not sound like people are interested in being Australian just borrowing the country for a while. Not what we want here.<<

That's a very harsh way of looking at it. Those of us who came when the rate was much better are fortunate (whether we think we made a correct decision or not). It's a pretty devastating thing for someone now to perhaps have to sell their home at a low price, lose much of their equity in addition due to the poor rate, and have to effectively start all over again.

I would say that we *do* want people who can make a tough decision and stay despite spending money and a lot of time going through the hoops.

Certainly not.......What a horrible idea.

Hey good luck with it all.. sometimes its not the end result, its the journey in life..

Em x

The government can kiss the next election goodbye if they took that route. Since when would a native population accept giving money to help get more immigrants into a country and not help them through the recession. UK government wouldn't do that for Australians who have been screwed for many years with the exchange rate when going over to the UK. It's tough luck really. However, I'm in the same boat as I can't shift any money over to Australia because the exchange rate is shockingly awful. If it was a small amount, I would bite the bullet but who tends shift small amounts nowadays. I am going to be pessimistic, as I believe the exchange rate will get worse as the Aussie dollar continues to soar against the US dollar, and the UK government continues to figure out how to solve the crisis. So my money will sit in my bank account earning very little to no interest until I can shift it. Happy days really.

Know the feeling. What we expected to have when we arrive has dropped an awful lot over the last few weeks. Going over in January for OH to start new job so can't put things off. Only positive is we don't have loads of cash to exchange, but as I won't be working when we land every $ will count. Hopefully something good will happen to the UK economy prior to the end up the year , but not going to hold my breath

Probably a good decision Sooty. Sorry it has turned for you at this time, but who knows, hopefully it will improve in next year or so & you can re-assess

The move process takes a long time to get organised - visa apps, house selling etc., so in the time it takes to come to fruition the whole scene can change & it's impossible to forecast where it's going. When you start the process it all looks do-able, but by the time your turn comes it can be completely different. Assess as you go & take it one step at a time.
fwiw, I think you're doing the right thing

South Africans have had to deal with this issue since the mid 1980s. It has not stopped those who really want to go to Australia.

We have 30,000 people in Melbourne waiting housing on lists, now I know that Brits are not going to be on these lists however it does go down too well with the local population when these lists are brought out and migrants are coming in and getting child benefit and all other benefits straight away whilst Australians need housing.

What has to be understood is that migration is not that popular under the covers here. People tend to think they take jobs, houses and spoil the environment that is covering most groups in the community. You only have to dig a little to find this out.

If I was that worried about the exchange rate and my loot I would never consider migrating as I would consider I was ok where I was and a rolling stone gathers no moss, or at least it loses some of it on the way if you decide to move.

ive cancelled too ,the folk at the interview said dont come with less than $21,000 aus not including visa £1260,and flights £700? .
oh i need a driving license for the job .
to be honest im kinda glad i didnt jump ,i mean fck me £10000 just to move to another country i was gonna pay for it by renting my house out
in summarry yet another half arsed idea of mine i wont be following up

Sorry to hear that but I totally understand.

I am only going because 1. I have a secured a job, 2. I have had some money out there since 2006 (enough to get me started, not enough to buy a house!!)

I will give it a year and see how things are going, if things are going Ok I will just have to bite the bullit on the rate then. If not I will come back!!??

Aah, that may have put a spanner in my works - I was planning on coming over in the next few months but leaving a substantial sum in the UK till the rate recovers and then transferring. Are you suggesting that would then be liable to CGT?

Thanks

I'm still to see anyone confirm that they have actually been taxed on this!

I know loads of people who are doing it anyway!

As will I because no chance of me exchanging at these rates!

You can always open an Aussie dollar account in UK and if a good rate hits put it in there. Then move back to the UK for 6 months and become tax resident in UK having "had enough ofAustralia" Then enjoy 6 months back home and bring you dollars back to Australia tax free!

Depends how much you are talking but it certainly would be worth me doing that!

Or "drip feed" the aussie dollars over to Oz!?