Hi All.

I came out to Australia on a 417 (working holiday) visa over a year ago primaraly to use the holiday time to live with my partner over here and see if the relationship would work. I decided some months ago that the relationship was worth investing in so I applied for a job and obtained a 457 (temporary 4 year business) visa earning $110k (AUD).

I am now over here and have effectivley been living with my partner at her mothers home for over 12 months (the duration of the 417 visa) and plan on applying for the partner visa shorty as we now satisfy the 1 year requirment for living together. We share bank accounts credit cards living costs etc.

Unfortunatly in my haste at moving over a year ago I did not look at everything.

I still have approximatly 3k debt (which I dont want to pay off with my savings) in the UK and 35k in savings I would like to transfer.

I have tried to trigger the transfer from the UK bank to my AUS account but I have been told I have to 'visit a branch' or 'submit my request in writing' and the exchange rate will be determined once they process it. This I find totally unacceptable.

Also can I negociate for the credit card debts to be transfered to AUS credit cards?

Are there any other cheap ways or any problems people see with my situation??