What can you do on a reccie?
Feb 10th 2009, 5:10 pm
#1
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
What can you do on a reccie?
We fly to Brisbane in april and was wondering what we can do on the reccie, can we get tax ref numbers, and bank accounts etc? or can we only get them when we move over permenantly?
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
Feb 10th 2009, 5:29 pm
#2
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Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Michelago
Posts: 545
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We fly to Brisbane in april and was wondering what we can do on the reccie, can we get tax ref numbers, and bank accounts etc? or can we only get them when we move over permenantly?
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
Good luck
Barney
Feb 10th 2009, 5:38 pm
#3
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Re: What can you do on a reccie?
Hi yes we are validating a 175 visa. and was hoping to get as much done as possible for when we move over permanantly, 2 weeks isnt much time to get thing done!
Feb 10th 2009, 6:07 pm
#4
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Location: Brisbane Northside
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Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We did our reccie pre-visa, so ours will have been different. There are some recommendations on the BE Wiki validation page here: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Visa_Validation-Australia
Things to do on a validation trip
* Open a bank account (or two), especially ones without charges. You can do this as a new migrant with just your passport, in the first few weeks, without needing to meet the 100 points ID test.
o With a non-Australian address, the bank should only need to deduct 10% Non-Resident Tax from the interest.
o You can claim this as a credit on your U.K. tax return (against the interest income).
Things NOT to do on a validation trip
* Obtain a driving licence. You are not eligible to do this in most places until you establish real residence in that jurisdiction.
* Register with Medicare. Again, as a visitor on vacation, you are not eligible for Medicare as you are not resident in Australia. Registering with Medicare may cause problems if it is then felt that you have established residence:
o The Australian Taxation Office may take it as an indicator of establishing tax residence in Australia.
o You may later on have difficulty with the "1 year rule" for new migrants to take out private health insurance without paying an age loading. See Healthcare in Australia
* Obtain a Tax File Number.
o You don't need one as a non-resident and obtaining one may give an indication of establishing tax residence in Australia.
* Open a bank account (or two), especially ones without charges. You can do this as a new migrant with just your passport, in the first few weeks, without needing to meet the 100 points ID test.
o With a non-Australian address, the bank should only need to deduct 10% Non-Resident Tax from the interest.
o You can claim this as a credit on your U.K. tax return (against the interest income).
Things NOT to do on a validation trip
* Obtain a driving licence. You are not eligible to do this in most places until you establish real residence in that jurisdiction.
* Register with Medicare. Again, as a visitor on vacation, you are not eligible for Medicare as you are not resident in Australia. Registering with Medicare may cause problems if it is then felt that you have established residence:
o The Australian Taxation Office may take it as an indicator of establishing tax residence in Australia.
o You may later on have difficulty with the "1 year rule" for new migrants to take out private health insurance without paying an age loading. See Healthcare in Australia
* Obtain a Tax File Number.
o You don't need one as a non-resident and obtaining one may give an indication of establishing tax residence in Australia.
Feb 10th 2009, 8:32 pm
#5
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We fly to Brisbane in april and was wondering what we can do on the reccie, can we get tax ref numbers, and bank accounts etc? or can we only get them when we move over permenantly?
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
We are going to validate on April 3rd to Brisbane, Gold/Sunshine Coast...Have a great time. I am sure you guys are as excited as us? Have you any places in mind?
Feb 10th 2009, 8:33 pm
#6
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Location: Alexandra Headland on The sunshine Coast (100km North of Brisbane)
Posts: 52
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
Hello Chick Chock
There is nothing to stop you applying for your tax file number on your reccie but are you sure you want to? Once you have a tax file number you will be expected to lodge a tax return at the end of the financial year so if you are not coming back for a long while it just makes things complicated as you will have to lodge a return to say you & your partner earned nothing (In Australia) and you will need to prove it too. I really wouldn't bother applying for your tax file number yet. Spend your time getting a feel for what it would be like to live your day to day life in the area, look at , schools / colleges / & local work opportunities & talk to lots of locals & estate agents and get their opinions on the local areas, industry and schools as this is far more important during a reccie. You'll have plenty of time to start your tax process later.
Try really hard to not see your reccie as a holiday, try to imagine you are living there and imagine what it would be like when you have fallen back into a routine again.
There is nothing to stop you applying for your tax file number on your reccie but are you sure you want to? Once you have a tax file number you will be expected to lodge a tax return at the end of the financial year so if you are not coming back for a long while it just makes things complicated as you will have to lodge a return to say you & your partner earned nothing (In Australia) and you will need to prove it too. I really wouldn't bother applying for your tax file number yet. Spend your time getting a feel for what it would be like to live your day to day life in the area, look at , schools / colleges / & local work opportunities & talk to lots of locals & estate agents and get their opinions on the local areas, industry and schools as this is far more important during a reccie. You'll have plenty of time to start your tax process later.
Try really hard to not see your reccie as a holiday, try to imagine you are living there and imagine what it would be like when you have fallen back into a routine again.
Feb 10th 2009, 11:52 pm
#7
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Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 4,298
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We fly to Brisbane in april and was wondering what we can do on the reccie, can we get tax ref numbers, and bank accounts etc? or can we only get them when we move over permenantly?
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
a) having a good time, going to the beach, eating out and drinking lots.
b) spend time driving around some of the suburbs that you believe you might want to live in... Before your reccie, spend lots of time on streetview in googlemaps too.
c) perhaps visit one or two schools if applicable for a quick chat with teacher/head teacher.
things like TFNs, medicare, etc etc..... they only take 15mins or 30mins to sort out. You might as well just do it when you arrive permanently !
Feb 11th 2009, 2:38 am
#8
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Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
Personally, I wouldn't worry about a tax file number at all. When we got ours we were told it could take up to 28 days to arrive in the mail. Not much point when you're here for two weeks.
I'd just wait until you arrive. Once you're here for good you can go online and apply, it only takes a few minutes.
I'd just wait until you arrive. Once you're here for good you can go online and apply, it only takes a few minutes.
Feb 11th 2009, 7:40 am
#9
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Re: What can you do on a reccie?
HI,
We are going to validate on April 3rd to Brisbane, Gold/Sunshine Coast...Have a great time. I am sure you guys are as excited as us? Have you any places in mind?
We are going to validate on April 3rd to Brisbane, Gold/Sunshine Coast...Have a great time. I am sure you guys are as excited as us? Have you any places in mind?
Cleveland
Alexandra Hills
Beaudesert
Caboolture
Morayfield
Birkdale
Not sure what any of them are like so will have to wait and see.
If anyone has any opinions on the above towns that woul be great help.
Feb 11th 2009, 8:04 am
#10
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Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
Depending on your housing budget you could probably focus on certain areas. For example, usually Cleveland, Wellington Point & Ormiston are at the top price wise, then Birkdale, Alexandra Hills and then Capalaba.
We chose Capalaba because we could better house for what we wanted to spend, it's a bit closer to the city so a shorter commute and the shops are very close.
Feb 11th 2009, 10:05 am
#11
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Re: What can you do on a reccie?
(as long as it's not in drinking time of course )
Feb 11th 2009, 10:54 am
#12
not sure...
Joined: May 2007
Location: out in the boonies
Posts: 1,537
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We're hoping to validate in Sept this year but probably won't be moving till late next year. Wonderng if there's any point in opening up bank accounts etc? We could use my brothers address etc so that wouldn't be a problem We thought about having an Aussie account through London before we went but maybe it would be easier to have one already based on Oz instead?
any thoughts?
tx
any thoughts?
tx
Feb 12th 2009, 12:07 pm
#13
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Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Ridgewood , Perth
Posts: 3,134
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We're hoping to validate in Sept this year but probably won't be moving till late next year. Wonderng if there's any point in opening up bank accounts etc? We could use my brothers address etc so that wouldn't be a problem We thought about having an Aussie account through London before we went but maybe it would be easier to have one already based on Oz instead?
any thoughts?
tx
any thoughts?
tx
John
Feb 12th 2009, 2:59 pm
#14
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Joined: Nov 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 402
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
We fly to Brisbane in april and was wondering what we can do on the reccie, can we get tax ref numbers, and bank accounts etc? or can we only get them when we move over permenantly?
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
also any tips for the reccie would be great, we are only going for 2 weeks so need to be organised when we get there.
thank guys x
Have a good time
Feb 12th 2009, 3:48 pm
#15
not sure...
Joined: May 2007
Location: out in the boonies
Posts: 1,537
Re: What can you do on a reccie?
Wait till you get here why pay $5 a month to the bank for having an account here, they will get enough money from you in their fees when you get here. They charge you for the privilege of having an account here and using atms even visiting your local branch. They do allow you ¨free¨ banking for a small fee WTF and if you have a mortgage with them. They are worse here than the Uk
John
John
thanks!
