A list of things you need to do before you emigrate - Parts 1 to 2

[Caline]

Hey this advice is all fantastic THANK YOU!!!!
-I'm leaving to join my husband in Aus in a month. He's Aussie and I'm on a provisional spouse visa. I am now vaguely terrified about all the things I haven't done yet. He left me in the UK to tie up the loose ends and I don't feel I've achieved anything.
Anyone know about UK tax rules - P85 doesn't seem to allw for people who are moving over and don't know what their job will be... Anyone filled it in yet with advice?
Also afraid not really on the thread but anyone experienced arriving as spouse of Aussie - there's so much that doesn't seem to apply but does. Like for example not being allowed extra baggage allowance even though I'm not planning to return to UK. I'm in a strange world here!
X

[Dolly]

Hi,

The tax issue has been raised before but there wasn't a clear and definitive answer I'm afraid. If you do a search on the forum you'll be able to see what's already been discussed.

Only on Singapore Airlines and I think Emirates do you get extra baggage allowance (and only for your initial entry). So if you were to validate a visa and return to the UK, when you finally make the permanent move over, you'll have the usual 20kg.

If you've got any other questions, just fire away!

Good luck

Dolly

[Caline]

Yeah we have airmiles with emirates (we've travelled between UK and Aus many times visiting rellies and buying a house!) and they are def no go for extra baggage because initial spouse visa doesn't say permanent. My husband had been here 4 years and went back recently to start a job and they weren't happy about his extra few kilos and he was a returning citizen! Arghhh!!!! Any extra is going to charity or in a box to send by surface mail-all of our main belongings are sitting in Melbourne waiting for customs clearance! Thanks for tax info by the way

[ezzy]

thanks for this post its much appreciated and very helpful!!!

[steph.jim]

We are hoping to emigrate in the near future, just waiting for things to go through. I have been told to arrange for private medical insurance for the family (I have two very young girls). I am not sure where to begin, I want to be covered for every eventuality but I also want to make use of the medicare system. I have looked at the Medibank scheme but seem to have to pay for the "full works" which works out at quite a lot. In your experience, what exactly do we need by way of private health care? Am getting confused with Ambulance cover(?) and also whether to arrange medical insurance in England or wait until we are over in Perth....... Help! Anything would be of help to us.

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by steph.jim

We are hoping to emigrate in the near future, just waiting for things to go through. I have been told to arrange for private medical insurance for the family (I have two very young girls). I am not sure where to begin, I want to be covered for every eventuality but I also want to make use of the medicare system. I have looked at the Medibank scheme but seem to have to pay for the "full works" which works out at quite a lot. In your experience, what exactly do we need by way of private health care? Am getting confused with Ambulance cover(?) and also whether to arrange medical insurance in England or wait until we are over in Perth....... Help! Anything would be of help to us.

There is a website called iselect.com.au which has a load of private health schemes on it and you can select what you want. We went for GMHBA which isn't on there.

I don't have kids so I can't help with that....

If you do a search on the forum this has been discussed elsewhere...

Regards,
Karen

[steph.jim]

I wasn't expecting to hear back from anyone so quickly!

Thanks for your info, I will do a search and try to get some ideas!

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by steph.jim

I wasn't expecting to hear back from anyone so quickly!

Thanks for your info, I will do a search and try to get some ideas!

Both myself and Dolly (the moderators) are on here at various times of the day (Oz time that is) and of course there are all the other members on here too with their experiences as well. Usually people don't have too long for answer

BTW I used to live down the road from you for a while since I just noticed that you're in Peterborough. For several years I lived in Huntingdon which is just down the A1 from you, before moving closer to London.

Regards,
Karen

[steph.jim]

Hi Karen,

Well what were the odds on that happening?

I can't wait to leave this Country - the only way we can get to oz is on a 457 visa which isn't the best visa to go on. It's the only one we qualify for so we know it will be hard for the first year or two, and being tied to one job that might not be best will be hard. We are willing to do whatever it takes to leave England though.

Where are you and how long have you been there?

Steph

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by steph.jim

Hi Karen,

Well what were the odds on that happening?

Where are you and how long have you been there?

Steph

We got in on a skilled independent visa (my husband as main applicant), and we moved here in July 2007. 'Here' is Mount Gambier in SE South Australia. I've put on other threads how we think this place is wonderful so I won't repeat myself here

Regards,
Karen