Hey Guys,

Me and my partner are moving to Melbourne in 8 days and was wondering if anyone has any last minute hints or tips.

I've got the visa confirmation, checked the passports and flights, phoned Westpac to book our id checks, filled in forms for reclaiming back income tax, got back overpayed council tax, sold everything, booked a hostel for the first week, picked an aussie rules team (Go Saints!), got doctors notes, national insurance cards, private health insurance quotes and sorted references for estate agencies and jobs......

Have I missed anything or any tips for making the flight a little more bearable?! I've got the I-pod, PSP and hoping to pick up travel scrabble.

I just feel that I'm treading water so anything could help! Or is this just the way it is?

Oh and getting currency next week, is £300 enough cash?? tranzfers for the rest!

Cheers,

Phill

I've nothing to add to that, if anyone has i'd be interest too as we fly our to Perth on Saturday the 18th.

Best of luck in Oz, hope you have a safe journey and fantastic time when you get there.

Not a big thing but getting confirmation of car insurance No Claims Bonus (if you have one!) from your UK insurer may be useful as we were asked for proof when we first bought car insurance here.
Otherwise you sound pretty sorted, good luck and all the best.

have you sorted out what to do with mail being sent to your old address?

travel insurance for the flight over?

I'd take GBP800 to 1,000 for the two of you, incase there is a hitch with the transfer (unlikely). Just personal opinion though. $50 - $60 will be gone straight away, just getting to your hostel. Then $80 for the night and probably $50 on some food and beers that night..... suddenly the $700 in your pocket has dropped to $500 and you've only been here for one night !

Have a look at the Top Tips threads mentioned here -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345774

cancel your tv licence as we paid it per year we got money back when we did it
- pack a toilet bag with things like wet wipes, face cream, deodrant toothpaste, clean underware,lady items(just in case) eye drops flight ear plugs for take off(buy in boots - really helps in not having your ears poping after take off they are special ones so buy before you get to airport from boots or superdrugs ) flight socks - buy books at airport as they ae expensive in au


what bank do you bank with in the uk - as we have kept ours open - good for puting cheques that family give and also paying for stuff in £ for christmas presents - we have nationwide - which means we dont get charged for taking money out from atms


ps have a fab flight xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You forgot to breath.

Stop, buy a nice bottle of wine, go out for dinner with your other half and do something nice for yourselves before you leave.

We have been in perth a week today and we brought $1100 with us and we have $250 left. We have been staying at my sisters so no rent but we have bought bits of food but not loads and we have had a few cheap meals out (lunches etc in the city) We also have paid for Pauls police check for his nursing job ($50 odd), one years driving licence each ($150 ish for two), travel cards ($10 up front plus minimum $20 each first charge up = $60), phone card (ringing UK from my sisters is a local call now and it cost less than $1 for about an hour!!!) = $20 and we bought a second hand mini laptop from my sister for $250 cash so i would say that 500 quid is just about ok for us but i would say a bit more like 800 quid or so for your first week.
Be happy that you are all done and dusted, we were up until 2am the night before we left and we were very organised! Rest, relax, sleep and enjoy your last few days by enjoying going to your old haunts one last time! See you in Oz! X

I found that, in the last week before our move, copious amounts of gin helped enormously.

Assuming you are doing two flights straight off, I'd recommend a shower at your transit stop.

Agree the cash seems low, unless you plan to use credit a lot.

You've done the main job - picking your AFL team - so you'll be fine
Oh yes, and don't forget to cheer for the mighty Melbourne Storm in the NRL too
Who are you flying with? Some have better in-flight entertainment than others which will make a difference to how much other stuff you'll need to take to occupy yourself with

Cancel bank accounts, redirect post, take refresher wipes on with u if u can`t get a shower take a book on the plane , I got my 02 mobile unlocked so u can use ur 02 sim card as well as u optus,telstra, so u can text people that u 4 got write down addresses of people that u think matter . Cancel tv license (oops some1 said that).If u have kids get there school reports , references , . hope thata helps thats all i can remember lolgood luck wit the flight lol

And don't leave your ipod on the plane - like I did

Lynn xx

Phill[/QUOTE]

Be prepared, but enjoy it on arrival.

Tell me more????

Hey Dougie and Lousie - The form you need for claiming income tax back is available online from hmrc and is called a P85 - it allows you to claim back any over paid income tax from this tax year, it also notifies the tax office that your are going to become a non-resident, this also stops confusion with NI payments etc...

As for the rest of you - A BIG THANKYOU!! I've already done most of what you recommended, however liked the idea regarding copious amounts of gin! Popping out tonight to see Ray Mears so that should help take my mind off things, also started cleaning the flat today (ready for our exit inspection) The oven took me 2 hours so thats the nasty bit done.

Someone also asked me who I bank with in the UK, the answer is RBS however my westpac internet acount also allows me to view overseas accounts as well as domestic ones (In easier way to keep an eye on things). Just hope there is enough currency to get £800 worth in Glasgow! - May have to order it in so thats a job for 2moro!!! Anyways 7 day to go!!!!! ARGH!!!! Time is starting to go quickly now, best of luck to everyone else who's in this boat atm!

Just to add - someoe also mentioned showers - any idea where they are at Hong Kong international - flying qantas (got great flights from opodo)