Moving From Australia to the UK
Thousands of people move from Australia to the UK for a variety of reasons.
August 2018
Are you moving from Australia to the UK? The United Kingdom is an ideal destination for young Australian’s wanting to further their career or experience life on the other side of the world, for families searching for a different paced lifestyle, and for couples who want to retire.
There are so many great reasons to move to the UK, from the amazing job opportunities, top sports events, concerts, delicious restaurants and ease of travel to the rest of Europe. But where do you start when planning your big move? There is a seemingly endless list of things to organise before you go, and even more when you get there.
Get a Visa
There are several visas Australians can apply for, depending on your circumstances, what skills you have and how long you plan to stay in the UK. Visa options include a two-year working holiday, employer sponsored visa, ancestry visa and partnership visa. You’ll need to apply for your visa in before you leave Australia, and you’ll need a valid and current to complete your application. It pays to sort your visa well before your departure date as the application processing time can take up to three months.
Find a Job
Talk to your current colleagues to see if they have any connections in the UK to help kick-start your job search. You can also look for current job listings on LinkedIn, as well as reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn and let them know what your skills are and to ask if they know of any suitable roles available.
Belongings to Bring with You
So, you’ve already sorted the necessary documentation such as visas, but you’ll now need to sort through your belongings and decide what to take. The UK can be pretty cold, but they’re also not adverse to a heat wave or two! You can easily pick up warm winter clothing while you’re over there, but make sure you have enough clothing to keep you going until you settle in and start earning some money before you blow it all on a new wardrobe. If you’re planning living in the UK for a couple of years and renting a property while you’re over there you won’t need to bring any furniture with you. Many flat shares come fully furnished so you only need to bring your personal belongings. But if you’re moving there permanently, you may have furniture items you’d like to bring with you.
Find Somewhere to Live
If you’re moving to London most like Aussies heading to the UK, there are 33 boroughs to choose from which can be a little overwhelming! It’s easier to choose the right neighbourhood if you’ve already got a job offer, just look for something in a nearby neighbourhood or somewhere with convenient public transport connections to your place of work. Many Australians reside in areas such as Fulham, Shoreditch and Farringdon.
If you have friends or family already in the area, make the most of their spare room or sofa bed while you view potential properties. If you don’t have that luxury, there are lots of sites you can use to view properties before you make your move, such as www.spareroom.co.uk, www.gumtree.co.uk and www.roombuddies.co.uk. Many rooms also include utilities in the weekly or monthly rental cost.
Set Up a Bank Account
As soon as realistically possible, you should set up a bank account as expats can expect a pretty lengthy application process, so it’s better to start sooner than later. It’s vital to be able to access your funds and not be hit with fees trying to exchange your Australian dollars each time you need to make a purchase. Make sure you have enough cash for a couple of weeks to keep you going until your bank account can be set up.
Get Health Insurance
You will be eligible for health insurance in the UK once you have lived there for at least 6 months. You can take out a travel insurance policy in Australia to keep you covered until you become eligible.
Learn How to Get Around
The London tube system may feel daunting at first, but once you figure it out you’ll be hopping around London like a pro. To travel around London’s tube system, you’ll need to pick up an Oyster card, they’re essential to get around on the trains. Other cities may have different payment systems in place, so it pays to do your research.
Explore Your New Home
The UK has so much to offer, including a rich history, world class events, and amazing culinary culture. Once you’ve settled in, explore your area to discover your local pub, top restaurants on the area and mark the main events in your social calendar.
Find a Specialised Mover
Let an expert removalist take care of the overwhelming details for you, so you can focus on organising a visa, getting a job and finding somewhere to live. John Ryan Removals are the experts in international relocations in Australia, and we are dedicated to providing high quality service with several options to suit varying requirements and budgets, such as:
- Full container loads (FCL) – your furniture is loaded into your own container that you fill up, which travels by sea to your destination.
- Shared container loads (Groupage) – your furniture is loaded into a container that is shared with others, which means you share the cost. This container also travels by sea, but transit times a little longer in order to make up full loads.
- Less than full container loads (LCL) – ideal for small shipments that need to be sent immediately. Your goods are wrapped and secured in a wooden crate and loaded with other goods into a container.
- Airfreight – the fastest mode of international relocation using modular carton packaging.
We have an extensive network of moving and relocation partners around the world making us the preferred international relocation service in Australia to help you move overseas. Our international relocation partners provide direct and prompt delivery service, ensuring that your belongings are delivered on time at your chosen destination.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to relocate to the UK, John Ryan Removals will help make your big move overseas seamless and stress free. Call the team to discuss how we can help you move to the UK with ease.
For more information, get in touch with us today!