Well the best advice I can give is.... don't. If you have anything approaching a comfortable life in the UK then stay there. We have been in Oz for 4 months and its been nothing but pain. The staggering levels of red tape are matched only by the complete incompetence of every organization you will have to deal with..... we have had DIMIA lose one of four, emailed x-rays, we had the bank screw up our mortgage application, twice. You will be constantly asked to provide information that you couldn't possibly have as you have only just arrived in the country. If you don't have an Oz driving licence you may as well not exist. Phone, gas and electric companys have ALL screwed up or failed to show up. Telstra told us they don't work weekends.

Sounds like you want to get some things off ur chest??

I am sorry you are finding life hard. Give it time, 4 months is very short in the grand scheme of things.

I moved to England from Oz and I found the same could be said about here. I had endless problems trying to get a NI number, (they'd only give me one if I had a job) yet I was starting a job and therefore needed one. I also trudged around with £900 in my shoe trying to find a bank who'd allow me to set up an account. I was starting work, needed to deposit the money I already had and needed my future pay to go into an account. It was a nightmare first 6+ months and then things started to settle down.

I am going to have the same problem when I move back to Australia in Nov. Luckily having grown up there, I had a tax file number, credit card, medicare card etc already - but I am expecting difficulties still

Hope things get better for you! Don't blame Oz though - red tape happens in all countries!

I know red tape is everywhere but this place seems to have surrendered itself to it.... that and the general level of cockups is maddening. If you ask any of the Aussies they just say 'thats just how it is'.

Emigration is not for everyone.

Elsha... what do you think of the clothes and food in the UK compared to Oz?. On the clothes front there seems to be a competion here as to who can sell the poorest quality clothes... its all Bi-Lo, Best and Less, Payless... every shop seems to be at the bottom end of the market.

Don't go there, you'll get slated. I'm counting down the seconds.......

Sorry you've had so much trouble. I've been here 4 months too and not had a prob with any red tape to be honest. I have a UK licence and it's not been a problem at all for me either.

I'm finding pretty much everything is VERY organised and we're amazed how you can order something in a shop and have it delivered within 48 hours most of the time, just like the UK ...

We move home end of the month and changing everything has been a doddle to be honest. Even the redirection with the Post Office is free! ...

Horses for courses I guess.

Sorry to hear you've been finding it difficult. Four months isn't long though and I everything improves for you soon.

But you'll also get support, there are others who feel the same. I get my clothes sent from the UK, am sick of hearing "it'll be right" from people too lazy to get off their backsides and fix the problem, and as for having to explain repeatedly that I don't drive therefore do not possess a driving licence
It may get better, I hope for your sake it does

Why are you shocked telstra dont work weekends
Do you?
Im sure i wont

I do work weekends... and I'm not talking about somebody from Telstra coming out to do anything... just throwing an electronic switch in a back office.. "can't be done on a weekend.. nobody working" So much for the global telecoms age !

Bought a $4000 TV from the Good Guys.. stand was bent. Rang them up and was told 'oh yeah, we meant to mention that. another stand will be there in two weeks" Furniture from Everyday Living.. never turned up at all.. They "forgot" A bed from Domanye.. arrived at 7 at night despite being told that the house was completely empty, and that we would waiting there without power, or heat... UK driving licence has been rejected as not Oz ID everywhere I tried to use it... I could go on

So did you do any research before moving to Australia? did you visit 1st to see if you like it?

Sounds to me like you should book a flight back to the UK (by the way, why did you leave the UK in the 1st place?)

Can you research crap service?