US to Oz Moving Questions

[dflach]

Hi All,

It looks like we will be making the big move from the US to Melbourne in April. A lot of things to do before then!

I have a few quick questions for anyone else that has or will move soon from the US to Australia:

1) What moving company did you use and would you recommend for/against any of them? We have about 5 quotes and are trying to decide between them.

2) Has anybody ever used one of the "Relocation Consultant" companies that supposedly assist you with banking, tax ID, rentals, school,...... Are they worth it?

Thanks,
Dean

[synthia]

Welcome to the forum!

[kaz101]

Hi Dean,

1) I moved from the UK to Australia and we had the same decision with moving companies. We checked to make sure that they are accredited with doing removals overseas and then we checked the insurance. We went with the better insurance coverage since there wasn't much to chose between them otherwise.

2) We didn't use a relocation consultant. We came out for a visit in February 2007 and bought a house then with a long settlement (completion in June 2007) and we moved over in July 2007. We had bank accounts set up before we left the UK (but we had property in Australia already). Tax ID's you don't need until you're earning in Australia and any accountant should be able to get them for you. It depends on how old your children are but just to let you know that the school term starts in late Jan / early Feb I think (just after Australia Day).

Regards,
Karen

[lkrichard]

Hi Dean,

We are set to leave the US in a couple weeks.

I can't help with the movers part as our company picked for us.

As for the relocation company, we were set up with an Australian consultant that has been very helpful. We went out for our house hunting trip in September, she took us around gave us info/advice that we found helpful in helping decide where we want to live. Once we get there we will have help getting accounts set up, etc. I found her very helpful and I am much less stressed.

[dflach]

Hi Ikrichard,

Thanks for the response. May I ask who your moving consultant was? Sounds like she was very helpfull.

Thanks,
Dean