Emigrating to OZ (General Advice)

[AussiePool]

Hi all,

After moving from the UK in the 1990's (firstly to New Zealand and since 2001 have been in Australia), I am happy to offer the following advice for people thinking about coming to Australia.
I read on this forum so many; "What will it be like?", "What is that like?", "Where is the best place?", "Will it be the same?" etc etc. Listed below are some realities from a first hand experience, some you will like, others you won't, but I hope it helps.....
Don't expect it to be sunny and warm all the time, like it is on 'Home and Away etc. It isn't! Yes, there are warm places in Oz, but also some cold ones. We live in Queensland (the sunniest state) but have had minus temperatures this winter.
Don't expect good customer service. You won't get it! If you ask a man to come and repair your roof today, he will laugh. Expect next Thursday
Do expect to be called a whingeing Pom! Give your own back (Ned Kelly, criminals etc) and they will respect you for it.
Do expect to see spiders, some very large and many poisionous. My advice if you have a morbid fear is to get therapy now, or don't come.
Don't expect to be able to walk down to the local pub. There won't be one! If there is, it will be nothing like the one you left in the UK.
Don't expect the roads to be in good condition. Even in the large cities some of the roads are no better than 'goat tracks'.
Do expect to be taxed on everything! We live in the highest taxing country in the world. You even get taxed when you buy a second hand car from Mr Jones down the street!
Do expect generally warm, sunny days (except in winter unless you live in Darwin). Excellent beaches and a laid back lifestyle.
Don't expect 'corporateness'. Even the CEO is addressed by his first name.
Do expect a very frustrating health system where everything is geared towards private health insurance. My advice? Don't buy private health insurance. Get a Medicare Card and if you need something urgently, pay for it there and then.
Don't expect the same standard of housing and build quality as in the UK. You won't get it!
Do expect a much higher standard of living than in the UK. For skilled people, you will earn the same in Aussie Dollars as you did in UK Pounds, but then things will prove to be much cheaper than you're used to!
Do expect much better fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
Do expect excellent cold beer (but get used to people asking you if you prefer warm beer!).
Do expect a much cleaner country than the UK. We have NO dog poo on the pavements.
Do expect frustrating telecommunications (i.e. Internet). Telstra have a monopoly on it here and what they say, goes!
Don't expect to see many snakes. They hate humans! We've been here 7 years and I have seen one live snakes and 3 or 4 road kill and we live in a country town.
Don't expect to see crocodiles, even in Darwin, except in a zoo.
Do expect waking up at 4am in summer in Queensland (we have no daylight saving) and expect it to be dark at 7pm.
Do expect a frustrating banking system where not only do you get charged for everything, you will have to pass a 'points test' to even open an account (based on forms of ID, Aussie passport will get you 200 points, a UK passport will get you zilch!).
Do expect to be bitten to death by mozzies and sandflies. Fill your cupboards with personal bug spray, fly spray and stronger chemicals (Mortein). You WILL need them.
Don't expect a higher standard of education. You won't get it. There is no national curriculum as each state has it's own rules.
Do expect high patriotism. Australians think there is only one country and one race in the world...Australia and Australians.

These are general, everyday do's and don'ts. Above all else, remember things ARE different here. It's a DIFFERENT country. Yes, we speak English, yes we drive on the left and yes, a lot of Aussies came from English stock. That's where the similarity ends.
When moving countries, or even towns my advice is this. You MUST give it two years before you decide if you like it or not. The ones that manage that two year barrier generally go on to stay.
There are some negatives in the above statements, but believe me, I live here and now wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I think it's a wonderful, clean, warm, open country in which to live your life. I only hope you give it the chance it deserves.
I am more than happy to continue to help with specific questions but I hope this helps make up your mind. Hope to see you in Oz one day!

[anj1976]

Thanks for the thread..

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect it to be sunny and warm all the time, like it is on 'Home and Away etc. It isn't! Yes, there are warm places in Oz, but also some cold ones. We live in Queensland (the sunniest state) but have had minus temperatures this winter.

We have yet to have a frost this winter and we're in SE South Australia. Everyone does tend to think of Oz as hot but it's not - we've had days of monsoon like rain!

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect good customer service. You won't get it! If you ask a man to come and repair your roof today, he will laugh. Expect next Thursday

I really wonder if this is Queensland thing? We get great customer service but we're in a smaller regional area so if people don't give good service the news quickly spreads.

We were amazed at how quickly we had the house set up and things that we found that morning were delivered that afternoon so we could actually sleep in the house that night!

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect to be called a whingeing Pom! Give your own back (Ned Kelly, criminals etc) and they will respect you for it.

I usually introduce myself as a Pom and that usually stops that

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect to see spiders, some very large and many poisionous. My advice if you have a morbid fear is to get therapy now, or don't come.

I used to be petrified of spiders and huntsmen still give me scare but I wouldn't say to people not to come. I think you have more spiders up in Queensland than we have down here. Have yet to see a poisonous spider....

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect to be able to walk down to the local pub. There won't be one! If there is, it will be nothing like the one you left in the UK.

Never went to pubs in the UK so can't comment.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect the roads to be in good condition. Even in the large cities some of the roads are no better than 'goat tracks'.

Again I think this depends on where you are. We've found driving around Victoria and parts of South Australia that the roads are better than some we left in the UK, but they do get worse in regional areas. Another thing is that the roads often have gravel by the side of them and if that gets in your tyres you lose grip. Also people tend to underestimate the time it will take to travel distances - Oz is a BIG place.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect to be taxed on everything! We live in the highest taxing country in the world. You even get taxed when you buy a second hand car from Mr Jones down the street!

Yeah the cost of living was higher than I expected and you pay stamp duty on cars (at least you do in South Australia!). The price on the car at a dealers is rarely the drive away price because of the taxes.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect generally warm, sunny days (except in winter unless you live in Darwin). Excellent beaches and a laid back lifestyle.

Our beaches around us are completely deserted and the locals don't understand why we are surprised by this

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect a very frustrating health system where everything is geared towards private health insurance. My advice? Don't buy private health insurance. Get a Medicare Card and if you need something urgently, pay for it there and then.

I think this depends on how much cash you have laying around Luckily we haven't had to use the health system yet but we had private health insurance in the UK so we have also gone for it here. Time will tell whether it's a good deal or not.
One thing to point out - as a migrant if people don't take it out within 12 months (I think it's 12 months...) and then decide to take it out later and they are over 31, then there is an extra loading per year over 31 and that will make it very expensive.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect the same standard of housing and build quality as in the UK. You won't get it!

It took me while to get used to not having double glazing (and we need it in winter) since I can hear so much more noise from the outside.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect a much higher standard of living than in the UK. For skilled people, you will earn the same in Aussie Dollars as you did in UK Pounds, but then things will prove to be much cheaper than you're used to!

Not much (other than property) is cheaper than what we were used in the UK.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect much better fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

I agree but I know that there are some others that wouldn't Living in a regional area it's strange getting used to seasonal fruit and veg since in the UK I've always been able to buy anything at any time of year.....

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect a much cleaner country than the UK. We have NO dog poo on the pavements.

The air is cleaner, the sky is bluer (ok maybe it's not but I can see more of it ) and certainly it's cleaner in terms of litter in towns and graffiti.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect frustrating telecommunications (i.e. Internet). Telstra have a monopoly on it here and what they say, goes!

There are quite a few other companies that provide services here so although Telstra is the main company it's not a monopoly any more. I'm thinking of changing from Telstra and the only reason I signed with them is that I could set it up from the UK.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect to see many snakes. They hate humans! We've been here 7 years and I have seen one live snakes and 3 or 4 road kill and we live in a country town.

Not seen any yet but others around here who live on the edge of town sometimes find them in their wood piles.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect waking up at 4am in summer in Queensland (we have no daylight saving) and expect it to be dark at 7pm.

Only recently found out that you don't have daylight saving up there - it makes it interesting that so many of the states do their own thing when it comes to daylight savings (even changing it at different times of the year!)

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect a frustrating banking system where not only do you get charged for everything, you will have to pass a 'points test' to even open an account (based on forms of ID, Aussie passport will get you 200 points, a UK passport will get you zilch!).

There are some bank accounts where you don't get charges (if you have salary going in or have a mortgage with them). You have to pass a points test in the UK too now to open a bank account! As long as people have utility bills and Oz driving licence you can get through the points easily.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect to be bitten to death by mozzies and sandflies. Fill your cupboards with personal bug spray, fly spray and stronger chemicals (Mortein). You WILL need them.

Yeah and not just in the summer either!

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Don't expect a higher standard of education. You won't get it. There is no national curriculum as each state has it's own rules.

I only found out a few weeks ago that there's no national curriculum (although one is being introduced) since one woman was complaining how she moved from Victoria to South Australia and the kids had problems since the lessons were so different.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Do expect high patriotism. Australians think there is only one country and one race in the world...Australia and Australians.

I agree that Aussies are patriotic but I haven't seen it to that extent.

Originally Posted by AussiePool

These are general, everyday do's and don'ts. Above all else, remember things ARE different here. It's a DIFFERENT country. Yes, we speak English, yes we drive on the left and yes, a lot of Aussies came from English stock. That's where the similarity ends.
When moving countries, or even towns my advice is this. You MUST give it two years before you decide if you like it or not. The ones that manage that two year barrier generally go on to stay.
There are some negatives in the above statements, but believe me, I live here and now wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I think it's a wonderful, clean, warm, open country in which to live your life. I only hope you give it the chance it deserves.
I am more than happy to continue to help with specific questions but I hope this helps make up your mind. Hope to see you in Oz one day!

I agree that Oz can be similar enough to make you feel comfortable and then something will happen and you'll realise how different it is And that's a good thing.

We love it here and it's great to hear from someone who's been out here since 2001! Our 2 year anniversary is on July 19th and we haven't decided how we will celebrate yet....

Thanks for your post.

Regards,
Karen

[beaucoupnice]

AS AN AUSSIE, I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED


..............at how accurate this thread is.

[ellisa]

Hi there..... thanks to aussiepool and kaz these posts have been great to people like us, awaiting the big move!! and its great to get a second opinion too, thankyou....

[weelee]

Originally Posted by AussiePool

Hi all,

After moving from the UK in the 1990's (firstly to New Zealand and since 2001 have been in Australia), I am happy to offer the following advice for people thinking about coming to Australia.
I read on this forum so many; "What will it be like?", "What is that like?", "Where is the best place?", "Will it be the same?" etc etc. Listed below are some realities from a first hand experience, some you will like, others you won't, but I hope it helps.....
Don't expect it to be sunny and warm all the time, like it is on 'Home and Away etc. It isn't! Yes, there are warm places in Oz, but also some cold ones. We live in Queensland (the sunniest state) but have had minus temperatures this winter.
Don't expect good customer service. You won't get it! If you ask a man to come and repair your roof today, he will laugh. Expect next Thursday
Do expect to be called a whingeing Pom! Give your own back (Ned Kelly, criminals etc) and they will respect you for it.
Do expect to see spiders, some very large and many poisionous. My advice if you have a morbid fear is to get therapy now, or don't come.
Don't expect to be able to walk down to the local pub. There won't be one! If there is, it will be nothing like the one you left in the UK.
Don't expect the roads to be in good condition. Even in the large cities some of the roads are no better than 'goat tracks'.
Do expect to be taxed on everything! We live in the highest taxing country in the world. You even get taxed when you buy a second hand car from Mr Jones down the street!
Do expect generally warm, sunny days (except in winter unless you live in Darwin). Excellent beaches and a laid back lifestyle.
Don't expect 'corporateness'. Even the CEO is addressed by his first name.
Do expect a very frustrating health system where everything is geared towards private health insurance. My advice? Don't buy private health insurance. Get a Medicare Card and if you need something urgently, pay for it there and then.
Don't expect the same standard of housing and build quality as in the UK. You won't get it!
Do expect a much higher standard of living than in the UK. For skilled people, you will earn the same in Aussie Dollars as you did in UK Pounds, but then things will prove to be much cheaper than you're used to!
Do expect much better fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
Do expect excellent cold beer (but get used to people asking you if you prefer warm beer!).
Do expect a much cleaner country than the UK. We have NO dog poo on the pavements.
Do expect frustrating telecommunications (i.e. Internet). Telstra have a monopoly on it here and what they say, goes!
Don't expect to see many snakes. They hate humans! We've been here 7 years and I have seen one live snakes and 3 or 4 road kill and we live in a country town.
Don't expect to see crocodiles, even in Darwin, except in a zoo.
Do expect waking up at 4am in summer in Queensland (we have no daylight saving) and expect it to be dark at 7pm.
Do expect a frustrating banking system where not only do you get charged for everything, you will have to pass a 'points test' to even open an account (based on forms of ID, Aussie passport will get you 200 points, a UK passport will get you zilch!).
Do expect to be bitten to death by mozzies and sandflies. Fill your cupboards with personal bug spray, fly spray and stronger chemicals (Mortein). You WILL need them.
Don't expect a higher standard of education. You won't get it. There is no national curriculum as each state has it's own rules.
Do expect high patriotism. Australians think there is only one country and one race in the world...Australia and Australians.

These are general, everyday do's and don'ts. Above all else, remember things ARE different here. It's a DIFFERENT country. Yes, we speak English, yes we drive on the left and yes, a lot of Aussies came from English stock. That's where the similarity ends.
When moving countries, or even towns my advice is this. You MUST give it two years before you decide if you like it or not. The ones that manage that two year barrier generally go on to stay.
There are some negatives in the above statements, but believe me, I live here and now wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I think it's a wonderful, clean, warm, open country in which to live your life. I only hope you give it the chance it deserves.
I am more than happy to continue to help with specific questions but I hope this helps make up your mind. Hope to see you in Oz one day!

hi thanks for that it is interesting reading

weelee

[tilla_07]

hello, well this thread is an interesting read, but definitely helpful.

[Dolly]

So true

Dolly

[anishjohn]

Informative post! Great Thanks!

John