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Shipping to Australia
Are you looking to move to Australia? Each year thousands of Brits leave the UK to start a new life down under, in search of better job and life prospects, both for them and their children.
If you have been fortunate enough to secure a visa and somewhere to live you will likely need the services of an experienced international removals company.
GoodMove has 35 years’ experience moving people to destinations all over the world and can cover all aspects of relocating your personal effects to Australia, from packaging to customs and export documentation. As members of the industry regulators, the British Association of Removers you can rest assured you are using a reputable and insured removals company.
We can also offer long term storage at reasonable rates. This service may be of use if you are intending to rent a property before you buy in Australia. Storing your personal effects for a while in the UK make good sense, or with our trusted partners in Australia.
To find out more about our removals to Australia service don’t hesitate to give us a call today on the number listed above. Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form and a member of our customer service team will be in touch shortly.
Why choose GoodMove for removals to Australia?
Moving with GoodMove couldn’t be simpler. Our experienced and friendly team will be on hand to guide you throughout the process and will tailor your move to your time and budget.
We pack your belongings using a bespoke range of packing materials and deliver them right to your new home using our extensive fleet of vehicles. We can supply the following materials so all your items can be packed properly and avoid any damage in transit:
- Boxes
- Packing Paper
- Packing Cases
- Book Cartons
- Packing Tape
- Wine dividers
- Acid free paper (for silverware)
- Portable Wardrobes
- Bubble Wrap
Once we ascertain the volume of effects being moved we will send you a free no obligation written quotation. If satisfied we will then provide you with a full schedule detailing every aspect of your move, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
We also offer a range of flexible storage solutions should you wish to take advantage of them.
Why move to Australia?
Australia remains the most popular destination for those emigrating from the UK. A recent United Nations report revealed 1.27 million have taken the decision to relocate down under. That represents one in four of the total number of Britons who have permanently left UK shores!
When you hear stories about life in Australia it’s not hard to see why. Relocating for many is a route to a new start, a better chance for their children, an improved work/life balance which includes sunnier weather and a healthier outdoors lifestyle.
The weather is one aspect which can vary some bit depending on where are settling in Australia. The climate in the Northern Territories is hot and tropic throughout most the year. Whereas, Melbourne in the southern state of Victoria is famous for being able to experience four seasons in a single day. Wherever you choose, you can certainly expect plenty of sunshine for most of the year.
Housing is generally more affordable in Australia with less competition for space, especially outside of the major cities. Properties in popular suburbs of metropolitan cities such as Sydney and Melbourne can be pricey, but if you venture further afield it is possible to purchase large detached homes or bungalows complete with swimming pools outside the main areas.
Despite these differences there are lots of cultural similarities due to our shared history which makes it easier to acclimatise. You can expect to find lots of your favourite programmes on the tv and the broadcasting of live sports from back home, albeit at slightly undesirable hours.
What to Expect When Arriving in Australia?
You might have heard chatter about endless sunshine, barbeques and cricket on the beach, but Aussie life and culture is extremely varied. Remember that no two experiences are the same. Most people overlook the fact most of Europe can be fitted into the whole of Australia, with room to spare!
There are lots of aspects to moving to Australia you will need to investigate. Much will depend on your families’ preferences and your ability to find work and secure a visa.
Working in Australia
One of the main pulls of working in Australia is that wages are higher than those of the UK. Skilled trades such as bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and mechanics can earn upwards of AU$3000 (£1620) per month.
Teachers and highly qualified jobs are upward of AU$5800 (£3132). There is also currently a shortage of doctors and nurses. Additionally, a recent survey conducted by insurance agency AXA found that the average retirement age for Australians is just 57 years!
Working Conditions
Australian working conditions are favourable and often considered some of the best in the world.
Contributing to these high standards is the fact that Australian industrial relations are characterized by high union membership numbers and a federally driven, but state controlled, mandatory arbitration and conciliation system.
Obtaining a Visa
Approximately 25% of the Australian labour force is comprised of employees born overseas. Brits looking to jump at the opportunity to grab a job and a change of lifestyle should first consider their ability to get a visa, and what it entitles them to.
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program is the only path for skilled workers to emigrate to Australia. Candidates must meet the Basic Requirements for GSM and pass the Australian immigration points test to qualify for a visa to move to Australia. It normally takes around 6-8 months for the application process.
For some years the Australia Government has implemented severe restrictions on immigration but there are signs that these restrictions are being eased in recent months.
The country weathered the 2008 global recession better than most and unemployment is relatively low at 5.5%. The Australian economy is dominated by the services sector, which accounts for around 70% of GDP and 75% of jobs.
You can check whether or not your skills/occupation or qualifications are in demand and if you may qualify for immigration from the new Australian SOL (Skilled Occupations List).
Buying & Renting Property in Australia
Foreigners do not have an automatic right to own property in Australia. Unless you are married to an Australia or hold a permanent resident visa or special category visa, you are not entitled to buy a home in Australia.
What and how you buy depends very much on the type of visa you hold, and you need to do your homework beforehand to avoid any costly mistakes. Typically, foreigners are usually restricted to buying one of the following:
- A new build property
- An existing property that will be redeveloped to create more homes
- An off-plan property
These rules are put in place to allow local buyers access to the property market without having to compete against expats too.
Mortgages
Securing a home loan in Australia follows a similar process to the UK. Most Australians aim to pay off their mortgage within 25 years and you will need to place a sizeable deposit.
The type of mortgage you can afford will depend on several facotres. These include your credit rating, the type of property you wish to buy and the deposit amount you are willing to pay up front.
Property Prices
Property values will vary enormously. The price will be dependent on where in the country you want to live, proximity to the sea or city, rural properties and the size and style.
As a rough guide, Ray White, are currently listing a family sized 3-bedroom home in the popular neighbourhood of Kensington for AU$850,000 (£458,000). Homes in the centre of Sydney are very expensive and it is not uncommon to pay in the millions for harbour-side properties.
Renting
Due to the rules on foreign ownership, you will find that renting a home is much more common in Australia than in the UK. Most estate agents will have extensive rental listings available.
Rental periods are typically on a 12-month basis. A 3 bedroomed home close to the centre of Sydney will cost approximately AU$4700 (£2533), while a similar property further out of town is likely to be around AU$3200 (£1725).
Education in Australia
The overall standard of education in Australia is excellent. The Australian Government places a high priority on teaching, student support and research.
State schools are open to expats and anyone living in Australia with a permanent residency visa can send their children to a state school at no cost to themselves. Those living in Australia on a temporary residency visa will likely need to pay tuition fees, which are set by the individual State.
Private schools are available although they do tend to be very expensive. The majority of private schools in Australia are Catholic schools. These schools put a strong onus on academic attainment but teach from a religious standpoint.
Many parents also choose to educate their children at an international school as these are more likely to offer the internationally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. You should do your research in plenty of time however as these schools are often oversubscribed and waiting lists are long.
Healthcare in Australia
The country’s healthcare provision involves a mixture of private and state funded systems working in sync and it is of an excellent standard.
Many employers offer UK expats private health insurance cover as part of their employment contract. Alternatively, access to state medical treatment is specifically provided by the Australian Government to all British citizens through the Australia-UK Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement.
This scheme entitles British citizens to the same access to Medicare (Australia’s equivalent of the NHS) as Australians, with this privilege being extended to Britons irrespective of how long they are in Australia for.
Medicare provides free treatment in a public hospital, subsidised pharmaceuticals and medical benefits for out of hospital treatment provided by a doctor.
Travel in Australia
The long-distance bus network in Australia is very extensive and provides access to some of the more isolated places.
The Greyhound bus service is Australia’s largest coach network and operates along the entire east coast. Note however that bus travel is only a viable option for those who have a lot of time as journeys are always long.
Due to the vast distances between states, rail travel is not as developed as many European countries. It is often cheaper and much quicker to catch a domestic flight. Most larger towns have a local airport and fares are reasonable.
Most Australians own a car. As a result, highways between Australia’s large towns and cities are excellent. However, unlike the UK, it can take many hours to reach other cities by car.
Expats moving to Australia from the UK will be able to drive using their UK licence for the first three months before switching to a local licence. Licensing regulations and road rules vary from state to state. Expats are advised to familiarise themselves with the rules within each particular territory before relocating.
Currency
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar ($) and the currency code is AUD. In addition to Australia, the Aussie dollar is used in some of the independent island states like Kiribati and Tuvalu.
ATMs are easy to find in banks, shopping areas and even inside pubs and restaurants. But be aware that some ATMs charge for withdrawals, particularly if the card issuer is different from the bank itself.
Shipping My Effects to Australia
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad.
Goodmove has 35 years’ experience handling international moves and can help make the process a lot less burdensome. We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation to be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors. They will be able to answer any of the questions and concerns you may have and offer advice where necessary.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in the container. Following the visit, you will receive a written quotation.
Export Packing for Removals to Australia from UK
Your possessions are treated with respect and care throughout your door-to-door service. Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. All china and glassware will be wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons.
Furniture can be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Upon arrival at your residence in Australia, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Storage Provision
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. GoodMove have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK. Our depots offer secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our partners in Australia can also offer you storage. You may be renting for a while and may not need all of your effects to be delivered immediately. If so, you can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Contacting GoodMove
For further information on our removals service to Australia, or any other international destination, contact our international office on the number listed above. Alternatively, complete the form below with your details and we will contact you.
Why Choose Us?
Worldwide Coverage
Our experienced team of removals specialists have been relocating customers all over the world since 1984.
100% Satisfaction
With a reputation for outstanding customer service, there's no better choice of removals firm for your next move.
Here For You
Our friendly support team are always on hand to offer help and guidance, whenever when you need it.