What can we do whilst visiting?
#1
What can we do whilst visiting?
We are visiting Sydney in mid January to validate our visas - We will return permanently about a month later (long story-no way round it now)
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
#2
Banned
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: I refuse to answer on the grounds it may incriminate me
Posts: 4,513
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Neil&Jackie
We are visiting Sydney in mid January to validate our visas - We will return permanently about a month later (long story-no way round it now)
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
#3
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Neil&Jackie
We are visiting Sydney in mid January to validate our visas - We will return permanently about a month later (long story-no way round it now)
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
Are there things we should do while we are there?
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones - OR should we enjoy the holiday because it will soon be over??
#4
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
We did the same - came for a months holiday and then back for good 5 weeks later - just have fun and de-stress. It's mad time when you first coem for good - just enjoy the break.
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 19
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Neil&Jackie
We've already opened a bank account and arranged for mobile phones
Mark
#6
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Hi Mark
On this forum there are various Bank mentioned that you can open an account over here and activate it on arrival in Australia - HSBC and the Commonwealth Bank being a couple mentioned.
Commonwealth Bank link is :http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk/ - it is self explanatory - Doing it this way you get a better exchange rate as well.
Neil
On this forum there are various Bank mentioned that you can open an account over here and activate it on arrival in Australia - HSBC and the Commonwealth Bank being a couple mentioned.
Commonwealth Bank link is :http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk/ - it is self explanatory - Doing it this way you get a better exchange rate as well.
Neil
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 19
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Thanks very much for that. I'll have a look at website you gave me and may even go into HSBC to see what they say.
Cheers.
M
Cheers.
M
#8
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Neil&Jackie
Hi Mark
On this forum there are various Bank mentioned that you can open an account over here and activate it on arrival in Australia - HSBC and the Commonwealth Bank being a couple mentioned.
Commonwealth Bank link is :http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk/ - it is self explanatory - Doing it this way you get a better exchange rate as well.
Neil
On this forum there are various Bank mentioned that you can open an account over here and activate it on arrival in Australia - HSBC and the Commonwealth Bank being a couple mentioned.
Commonwealth Bank link is :http://www.migrantbanking.co.uk/ - it is self explanatory - Doing it this way you get a better exchange rate as well.
Neil
Just my experience with the commonwealth. They were useful for about 1 week when we arrived and then promptly closed the account.
#9
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Centurion
Were I to open a bank account again I would rather poke pins in my eyes than be ripped off by the Commonwealth. There are a lot better and can be opened there and then by walking into a branch.
Just my experience with the commonwealth. They were useful for about 1 week when we arrived and then promptly closed the account.
Just my experience with the commonwealth. They were useful for about 1 week when we arrived and then promptly closed the account.
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 19
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by annqldau
HSBC will let you open the account and transfer you money here in GBP while you wait for a favourable rate. Commonwealth were supposed to track our rate and change at a spot rate we decided but turned out that we were a few quid short of the 100k GDP which was the trigger amount so had to watch the markets ourselves which was a pain, then ring the UK to transfer. We are with HSBC now and wish to God we'd gone with them first.
Through HSBC, could I set up a australian savings account which gives good interest rate? What would a decent interest rate be?
You you need to have your PR visa before you can open an account?
Mark
#11
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Not sure if they still do it - but if you open a UK HSBC account then that transfers to your Aus account - or something like that - wife is better at this stuff then me. We had to provided Commonwealth and HSBC in Brisbane with passports/visa etc - if you open HSBC in UK might not need to do this to get Aus account. Try their website www.hsbc.com.au - might have soomething on there
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 19
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by annqldau
Not sure if they still do it - but if you open a UK HSBC account then that transfers to your Aus account - or something like that - wife is better at this stuff then me. We had to provided Commonwealth and HSBC in Brisbane with passports/visa etc - if you open HSBC in UK might not need to do this to get Aus account. Try their website www.hsbc.com.au - might have soomething on there
Thanks very much for your info.
M
#13
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by Centurion
Were I to open a bank account again I would rather poke pins in my eyes than be ripped off by the Commonwealth. There are a lot better and can be opened there and then by walking into a branch.
Just my experience with the commonwealth. They were useful for about 1 week when we arrived and then promptly closed the account.
Just my experience with the commonwealth. They were useful for about 1 week when we arrived and then promptly closed the account.
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 19
Re: What can we do whilst visiting?
Originally Posted by mand8002
We are looking to change banks, out of interest which one did you move to? I have been looking at the options and so far am tempted to go to Bank of Queensland.
Cheers.
m