All posts in Moving to Australia

Curious About Australian Income Tax Rates? Here they are

by admin on December 17, 2012 in Life in Australia, Moving to Australia with No comments

If you’re considering a move to Australia, one thing to consider is their tax rates, which can be higher than other western countries. Here’s a breakdown of the basic income taxes – which strike me as rather high compared to the USA.

Income Tax Rates as Percentages 2012 – 2013

Taxable income	Tax Rate
$0 – $18,200	Nil
$18,201 – $37,000	19 percent
$37,001 – $80,000	32.5 percent
$80,001 – $180,000	37 percent
Over $180,000	45 percent

Actual Taxes Deducted From Your Income

Taxable income	Tax You Pay
$0 – $18,200	Nil
$18,201 – $37,000	19c for each $1 over $18,200
$37,001 – $80,000	$3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001 – $180,000	$17,547 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
Over $180,000	$54,547 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Source.

Guest Post: Emigrating To Australia

by admin on December 14, 2012 in Guest Posts, Moving to Australia with No comments

Australia is a beautiful country. The number of people emigrating to and from it is at an all-time high even as 2013 approaches. Considering that emigrating means a permanent move, you have to be careful on the choices you make. You have to be totally prepared.

There are no special concessions about where you want to emigrate. The issues you need to deal with to facilitate successful emigration are the same as those you have to consider when you have to emigrate to the USA, Canada, Russia, etc. Here are some of the factors you need to consider before immigrating to Australia.

Work

One of the biggest factors you have to consider when immigrating to any country, Australia included is your economic capabilities. What are your intended means of livelihood? Australia welcomes skilled professionals to serve in its vast economy.

This is because the country is a thriving economy in the southern hemisphere. According to global economic reports and statistics, the country has exhibited un-interrupted economic growth rate for over 2 decades and this doesn’t seem to be changing even in the midst of a slowing global economic state. This does pose opportunity if you are skilled. However, it still means you have to get ready to fight it out with qualified natives for jobs as well.

Moving your things

Starting over in a new country requires you think carefully about what you will need. Some of the things you need are already in your possession and carrying them over to Australia may be a good thing. Therefore, it’s a good idea if you can get a reliable company like the Go Group (www.go-group.com) to do your moving for you. They have been in the moving business for years and Australia is one of the destinations of their shipment you can rely upon. With a good moving partner, you won’t have to worry about carrying excess baggage with you as you move. All these are better off handled by professionals.

Prepare for the culture change

Australia is a unique country and you need to prepare for the culture change which may come as a shock unless you are well prepared. The country has an exuberant shoreline and extensive beaches because of the ocean proximity. This means many things; first, there is too much water and 2) because there is sunshine. Without getting acquaint yourself to say, swimming or surfing, somehow, the country can be much of a fuss for you to handle.

Get an Australian friend

No matter what you read elsewhere, friends are a must if you want to get to a new place or country. There are many Australians out there and finding them is also quite easy. For starters, whoever you meet on your first visit should be on your new radar of friends. Social media has also made meeting new people easy and since Australians are known as social and friendly people, you need to cast the net wider to reach some who you can be friend. Taking note of all the above will help you move easily.

Guest Post: Living in Australia – Sydney vs Melbourne

by admin on October 16, 2012 in Guest Posts, Moving to Australia with No comments

The land “down under” is one of the best places to live on the planet, and its cities are constantly ranked as the most livable cities in the world. Melbourne and Sydney are both rated high, which raises a neighboring competition. Both cities are fantastic places with a very high quality of living, as well as international recognition, but neither of them is the capital of Australia! Melbourne has certain advantages that Sydney doesn’t, and vice versa, and in the end it come down to preference. One must be culturally aware and not judge too quickly, and you will see the true beauty of what these two cities have to offer. So let’s take a look at what makes those two metropolises so awesome.

We’ll start with Sydney, Australia’s most populous city and host of the 2000 Olympic Games. Ranked as one of the world’s best cities, Sydney has endless possibilities in terms of job opportunities and leisure activities. Sydney is Australia’s economic and financial hub, providing about 25% of the national GDP, making it the largest economy in Australia. With many jobs available in the business and property sectors, retail, and manufacturing and a median salary of $66,000, Sydney is one of the most prosperous cities in Australia. On the other hand, it is the most expensive city in Australia. Weekly rent cost on average about $450, while the median price for a house is $650,000. In terms of leisure, it has a variety of activities available. Naturally, the famous and unavoidable Opera House comes to mind when one thinks of Sydney. Sydney also hosts many different festivals, including the Sydney Festival, gay and lesbian Mardi Gras, and many live gigs and different venues.

And now to Melbourne: What exactly might attract people to this city about 540 miles south of Sydney? Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia, though some speculate that in a decade or two, it might overtake Sydney. Nonetheless, with around 35% of its residents born overseas, Melbourne is already an extremely diverse and cosmopolitan city, making it a great place for any expat looking for a job. Australia’s second city is a huge hub in the industrial sector, being the center of Australia’s automotive industry. Ford and Toyota both have manufacturing facilities located there; more importantly, Holden, GM’s Australian subsidiary, has its headquarters in Port Melbourne, three miles southwest of the city’s financial district. Averaging a slightly lower median income of $60,000, Melbourne is also less expensive than Sydney. The average weekly rent is around $300, and the average house price is around $550,000. Though Melbourne’s landscape doesn’t have those instantly recognizable buildings like Sydney, it has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and tourist attractions. It hosts the Australian Open each year in January, and on Melbourne’s sophisticated side, the internationally renowned Food and Wine Festival takes place there annually.

In terms younger expats or international students coming to look for a University and a great experience rather than a home, these two cities along with the greater Australia have some great schools. According to the Q&S University league table, the University of Melbourne ranks as the world’s 36^th best university, in front of the University of Sydney, but not by that much! The latter comes in close behind at 39! In the end, it really doesn’t matter which city is the best because they’re both incredible, and it’s a matter of choice and opinion. Overall life in Australia is fantastic, and you can’t go wrong with either Sydney or Melbourne.

Guest Post: Getting Settled in Australia

by admin on September 4, 2012 in Guest Posts, Moving to Australia with No comments

If you have just moved to Australia – or you are thinking of moving here – there will obviously be quite a few things on your To Do list. While it can seem like the list is never-ending, there are some things that are more important than others. Here are the top five things that need to be done after arriving in Australia. After that, you can get a beer.

Getting a Bank Account

Money makes the world go round, even down under. If you don’t have a bank account, then it will make life very difficult. However, getting a bank account is easy, even if you are new to the country.

First, check out what’s available. Australia is dominating by its “Big Four” banks – ANZ, NAB, Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank. While these can be good options, they don’t always offer the best deals. Take a look online for smaller banks, credit unions and online-only banks. These will often give you more for your money.

To apply, you usually just need a few minutes to fill in the application forms, identification, and sometimes a proof of address.
Get a transaction account for everyday banking. This will give you an ATM / debit card. Ask for a Visa or Mastercard debit, which can be used in more places. You can also get a savings account for higher interest on your savings.

Getting a Job

Assuming you already have a working visa and relevant skills, finding a job should be easy enough. Use any of the numerous online jobs sites to find out what’s out there, or contact companies directly. You will need a resume that details your work experience and referees. Use an online template to make this look more professional.

If you have a working holiday visa, then you may not be looking for a career job. Check out local newspapers for jobs, or go online for other job opportunities. Depending on the state you move to, you may have to have certain certifications to work behind a bar. You may need an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) or an RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) certificate. Training is available in most cities.

Getting Credit

If you have moved to Australia permanently, then you will probably think about getting credit at some point. Your credit history is very important to Australian credit providers. Unfortunately, you cannot bring your credit from another country with you. A lender will only look at your credit history within Australia.

Try to build up a credit history as soon as possible. This could involve getting a mobile phone on contract, renting furniture, or getting a credit card from a specialist lender (although this could be an expensive option). As your credit rating grows, you will be able to apply for more credit.

Getting a House

Again, if you plan on buying, this could be tough if you are new to the country. Renting is generally not a problem – although the Australian rental market can be tough. In many cities, there are more people looking to rent than there are rental properties available. This makes it a landlord’s market, and prices can be high.

Getting a home loan, you will need to find a lender that will take your case into consideration. Find out what’s available online, and then speak to the lender in person. Without credit, you may get denied a loan if the lender uses an automatic approval system. Have as much financial documentation as possible, and be prepared to pay higher prices.

Getting Insurance

Once you have everything in place, it’s time to think about protecting your new life. If you have a car, you will need car insurance (each state has different regulations on the minimum required car insurance).

If you have a house, you will need home insurance and home contents insurance. If you have a job, you may need income protection insurance. If you have dependants, then life insurance is probably a good idea. GIO is an Australian provider – you can visit their site at www.gio.com.au. Insurance is protection, so look into all your options to find out what is right for you.

Life in Oz: Losing & Regaining My Visitor Vision

by admin on April 17, 2012 in Columns, Life in Australia, Life in Oz, Moving to Australia, Perth, Western Australia with No comments

Funny how Time can affect our vision. We see the past through rose-colored glasses (think of the movie romanticism of that maritime disaster, the sinking of the Titanic) and our current day with horse blinders on. A recent incident confirms this.

April 14: my arrival into Australia in 2008. Has it really been four years?! Where does time go? I arrived in Perth in the middle of the night and when I woke up in the morning I dashed over to the library to get my library card. (Isn’t that what everyone does in a new town?) That day, and each day for several weeks beyond, was filled with discovery and new things for the mind to digest. But even then I feared it all becoming too commonplace. Familiarity may or may not breed contempt, but it sure does promote tunnel vision. I am all too aware that I have become as quite myopic as the locals.

A few days ago, I was returning from a quick errand on our side of downtown. It was such a nice day that I decided to walk home rather than take a bus. Taking a shortcut to the bridge would have me avoid playing chicken with cars at a major traffic circle. It would also expose a piece of the city I had never seen before. From the elevated seating of a bus, this small strip of land looks like a tree-lined bike path next to a municipal parking lot. From ground level, it is a hidden park complete with an extensive playground set, Aboriginal interpretive center and a bike & kayak rental barn.

This park is but a half mile from my home. However did I miss this? I feverishly thought of excuses: tree cover keeps this hidden from commuters, my left knee keeps me from bicycling on the bike paths, it’s the “wrong side” of the river, etc. The truth is that I have put on the same blinders that so many others wear. We each follow our same path each day without variance , without seeing what we look at. A life of routine.

Routine is a voracious eater of Time. I shouldn’t wonder that four years have elapsed without me noticing. So I vow that I will get off the same over-trodden path or vary my routine on a regular basis from here on out. I am looking forward to more discoveries.

Guide to Working in Australia as a Student – By Jesper

by admin on November 9, 2011 in Guest Posts, Moving to Australia with No comments

If you are an International student looking to studying in Australia then from 26th April 2008 you will be eligible to apply for permission to work for up to 20 hours per week while using a student visa. All you need to do is book your flight and get applying for a fantastic way to help fund your studying and days off while in Australia.

Once you are granted a student visa then you will be able to work for 20 hours each week that your studying course is running. You will need to wait until your course has begun before you can start to work, however, if you are bringing dependents with you then they may be eligible to work up to 20 hours also, but again, not until your course has begun. If you are studying for a doctorate or a masters then your dependents are then able to work unlimited hours. Always ensure that you stick to the rules of your visa as any breach may result in your visa being cancelled and your right to stay in the country being terminated. This would ultimately lead to you being forced to travel back to your home country and being forced to cancel your studies.

As all student visa information is stored electronically, by the DIAC, and can be viewed using the online VEVO system your employer is able to check your entitlement to work, with your authorisation, and this information can also be used by banks and government services to check your work eligibility and status.

The general type of work that is usually widely available to students is that in the areas of retail or administration. The wages will vary with the average being between 6 and 15 Australian dollars depending on your age, experience and the job that you are doing. You will generally find similar working conditions to that back home with paid holidays and bank holiday premiums. Another way that you could boost your income is by tutoring younger students in your field of expertise or even by teaching languages. This can earn you up to 4 times more than the likes of retail and administration positions can, depending on your experience and expertise. Whichever field you decide to work in while studying in Australia you will be sure to meet some locals, take in some sights and generally just have a fantastic time while being able to further your potential chances of working in your ideal field in the future.

The only other thing that you need to work, while studying, is a Tax File Number. This is easily obtained from the Australian tax office and you will need to provide some basic information such as name, address, date of birth, arrival date, passport information and student enrollment information. You may need to provide your Tax File Number to any bank before being allowed to open a bank account.

For up to date information always ensure that you check with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, via their website, before you travel or being working. And if your family of friends want to visit you they can find their information on holiday visas for Australia here.

A Guide to Australia’s Aboriginal Cultures

by admin on October 28, 2011 in Moving to Australia with No comments

Australia’s Indigenous peoples are custodians of the world’s oldest living culture, stretching back over 60,000 years. Here are some suggestions for experiencing this culture

Desert Tracks, Northern Territory

Owned and operated by the Pitjantjatjara people of the region around Uluru (Ayers Rock), Desert Tracks has been introducing visitors to the wonders of Central Australia’s deserts for over two decades. This is a sensational part of the country, saturated with the soul-stealing magic of the desert landscape.

The most popular tour is the one-day Cave Hill ‘Aboriginal Experience’. The day is spent walking and talking with Aboriginal guides, sharing some of their food, gathering and hunting along the way and listening to their stories around the campfire, which gives visitors a whole new way of looking at the world. The highlight of the tour is the magnificent cave paintings, possibly the most significant Indigenous art site in Central Australia.

Tours begin and end at Ayers Rock and private charters, including tours of up to five days, are available (from April to October only).

Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney

Exciting and innovative, Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of the most electrifying contemporary dance companies working in Australia today. Stephen Page, Bangarra’s choreographer and artistic director, digs deep into Aboriginal culture to orchestrate powerful performances that explore contemporary Aboriginal social themes.

Bangarra first leapt to prominence a decade ago with Rites, choreographed to Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring’ and performed in collaboration with The Australian Ballet. After its premier at the Melbourne Festival, the work toured to overwhelming acclaim to the New York City Center. Based in Sydney, Bangarra continues to perform to an appreciative audience in other cities throughout Australia, as well as on the stages of the wider world.

Aboriginal Cultural Cruise, Sydney Harbour

Owned and operated by local Aboriginal people, the Tribal Warrior Association has a fascinating tour that focuses on Sydney’s Aboriginal heritage. Beginning at Circular Quay, the Aboriginal Cultural Cruise travels aboard the motor vessel Deerubbun past the Sydney Opera House to Clark Island to experience a traditional welcoming ceremony against the incredible backdrop of Sydney Harbour. The ceremony provides a unique insight into the significance of dance for indigenous Australian cultures, and visitor participation is encouraged. As the vessel cruises around the harbour during the remainder of the 1 hour 45 minute tour, passengers get an insider’s view of one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world as they learn about traditional fishing methods, food gathering techniques, lifestyle and the Aboriginal names for various harbour landmarks.

The Deerubbun is an ex-Navy Torpedo Recovery Vessel, originally named TRV3. She was one of three wooden-hulled TRVs built on Sydney Harbour during World War II for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Bama Way, Queensland

Between Cairns and Cooktown in Far North Queensland is a sensational region of rainforests, coral reefs and soaring mountains. It is an area steeped in Indigenous culture, and the best way to experience it is with an Aboriginal guide on a Bama Way tour, following story lines through the traditional country of the Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr peoples. As it travels between Cairns and Cooktown by four-wheel drive safari vehicle, the tour links together three separate tours owned and operated by traditional Aboriginal custodians. Along the way, travellers will have a chance to sample bush food and medicine, try their hands at hunting with spears and explore rock art that offers an insight into Aboriginal concepts of society and spirituality. For the Kuku Yalanji and Guugu Yimithirr peoples, theirs is still a living culture and bush foods and traditional hunting skills are part of everyday life. The Bama Way is available either as a two-day ‘Discovery Tour’ or a one-day fly-drive version. Although there are many other tour operators that travel the same route, Bama Way tours are unique. For the traveller who wants magic as well as mystery from their travels, journeying through country with people who have absorbed it through the bare soles of their feet brings another dimension to the experience.

Yiribana Gallery, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

Housed in Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Yiribana Gallery is one of the largest spaces in the country dedicated exclusively to indigenous art and sculpture. The name ‘Yiribana’ means ‘this way’ in the language of the Eora, the original inhabitants of the coastal region around Sydney. Highlights of the collection include traditional works on bark and some spectacular pieces from Arnhem Land, in far northern Australia, one of the wellsprings of Aboriginal art. Among these artworks is a spectacular group of Pukumani grave posts from Melville Island, north of Darwin. Many of these pieces were collected during the 1950s and 1960s, at a time when Arnhem Land was still relatively isolated and its traditional culture intact. The permanent exhibition also includes works by some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal artists, such as Rover Thomas, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Long Tom Tjapanangka and Ginger Riley Munduwalawala.

Harry Nanya Tours, Wentworth, New South Wales

Deep in the south-west corner of New South Wales, Mungo National Park is part of the Willandra Lakes Region, a wild, lonely moonscape of saltbush and sand dunes with profound significance for the Indigenous people of the region. Before the last Ice Age much of this area was covered by shallow lakes that provided a rich habitat for fish, shellfish and wallabies, and a food source for Aboriginal people who lived here as much as 60,000 years ago. Some 30,000 years ago they evolved burial rituals, regarded as one of the earliest manifestations of a spiritual dimension in human existence. They also ground seeds from wild grasses to make flour, one of the earliest uses of the grindstone in human history. Today, these dry lake beds provide a snapshot that has helped unravel some of the mysteries of Aboriginal life. In 1981, this region became one of the first in Australia to be inscribed on the World Heritage List.

While it’s relatively easy to tackle Lake Mungo on a self-drive tour, exploring this region from an Aboriginal perspective is a far more revealing experience. Based in the town of Wentworth, Harry Nanya Tours is an Aboriginal-operated enterprise that has earned many accolades for its interpretative tours of the region based on traditional Aboriginal knowledge. On a Harry Nanya tour, visitors can experience a remarkable corner of the state and unravel some of the powerful mysteries of the Barkindji people.

Author: Michael Gebicki on behalf of Tourism Australia. This article is copyright-free and may be reproduced. Originally published 24 November 2008..

Hotels worldwide

Aruba or Austria? Barbados or Belgium? Chile or China? Marriott can offer hotel deals in 70 countries from the familiar to far-flung, for business or leisure.

Australian Immigration: Government to Rethink Student Visa Regime to Make it Easier

by admin on October 3, 2011 in Moving to Australia, News with No comments

Australia is set to rethink it’s student visa programs so that they can attract more students. They’ve had a significgant drop in foreign students due to strict requirements on student visas.

According to the New York Times:

The new rules will include streamlined visa processing, less burdensome financial guarantees and the introduction of a post-study work visa.

“Our international education sector is world-class, and the reforms announced today will help entrench Australia as a preferred destination for international students,” Senator Christopher Evans, the minister for tertiary education, skills, jobs and workplace relations, said in a statement in Canberra on Sept. 22.

The government’s changes will reduce the visa program’s proof of finance requirements, which require applicants to show access to funds of more than 100,000 Australian dollars, or about $97,000. In some cases, that amount will be lowered to 64,000 dollars, and there will also be a reduction in the period of time the funds must be held.

To streamline processing, the government will treat international students wishing to study at bachelor level or higher as low-risk applicants, regardless of their country of origin. Student visa applicants from countries including India and China previously underwent a longer and more rigorous visa assessment process based on statistical analysis of their higher level of immigration risk.

A post-study work visa will also be available for graduates depending on the level of study completed: two years for bachelor-degree students and as long as four years for doctoral students.

“Students are increasingly looking to augment their studies with graduate work experience, and this further post-study work visa option will offer university students a more complete study experience in Australia,” Mr. Evans said in the statement.

Source.

Guest Post: Immigration – The benefits of using a Migration Agent for Australia

by admin on September 20, 2011 in Guest Posts, Moving to Australia with No comments

When it comes to moving overseas it can be a difficult task. Closing up your accounts, leaving your job, your friends, your lifestyle – everything can seem like a hassle! But it doesn’t have to be. Knowing how hard it is to leave your life behind, even with the opportunity of a well-paying job and a flash new car, there are many companies that have been set up to make your life easier, and although it might seem like a big initial outlay, sometimes it is better just to bite the bullet and leave it to the experts.

What can a Migration Agent do for me?

Emigration Agents are designed to make your moving experience run as smoothly as possible. For a fee they will take care of any paperwork you need to fill out, in addition to ensuring that you are eligible for appropriate visas. In many cases they will also put you in contact with companies in your destination which can help you kick start your new lifestyle.

But I don’t want to pay thousands of pounds!

Ok, so it is definitely hard to part with that well-earned money, and for many of us a few thousands of pounds could be close to three to four months income – but you have to look at what that money is doing for you. Most Emigration agents provide a full service which takes you right through the process from start to finish. Basically, your thousands of pounds are getting you:

A professional case manager who knows the ins and outs of immigration law
Links to new companies and products in your potential new home
Peace of mind – not having to deal with bureaucratic red tape
The ability to focus on other aspects of your move
A professional approach from a team who knows exactly what you need to provide and how to provide it
Someone to organise your medical appointments, police checks and various other tests.

Although at first it might not seem like a lot for your money, the immigration process can often be long and drawn out, so having a helping hand throughout can be a real assistance. Remember – this could be one of the most important decisions that you make, do you really want to risk stuffing it up by trying to do it yourself?

Is it really that hard to do it myself?

Many people believe that when it comes to money they are perfectly capable of doing everything themselves. But in life, we all have to learn that some things are just better left to the experts. Immigration law is not common knowledge to most people and it’s something that can be so easy to confuse and get wrong. If you apply for a visa and it gets rejected because you haven’t read the form properly, applying a second time around can be increasingly difficult, and in many cases there is a minimum waiting time before you can apply again.

So what’s the bottom line?

If you are serious about a visa application and you don’t want to risk any problems that you may find trying to do it yourself then sometimes it’s best just to suck it up and pay the bucks. It may seem like a lot of money, but at the end of the day if it puts you on a sunny beach 10,000 miles away by the beginning of next year then you might find it wasn’t so bad after all…

Article provided by The Emigration Group, leading professionals for Australian visas and emigration advice.

Life in Oz: Expat Guide to Making the Move to Australia

by admin on September 19, 2011 in Blogs, Life in Oz, Moving to Australia with No comments

A number of years ago in Venice, Italy, I met an American woman travelling with her Australian husband. One of the insights she shared about the difference between the U.S. and Australia comes to me. “You can find almost everything there but (unlike the US) just not all in the same spot.” Often I have thought how true and not true this observation was. It makes a difference if one is making a permanent move or temporary relocation.

So the questions are: Good storage space or great garage sale? What do I bring? How do I get it there?

Some things are the same regardless of the plan:

Take a year’s supply of prescription medication (the waiting list for a doctor’s appointment can be lengthy.)
Take a year’s supply of anything for which substitution is not acceptable to you (e.g. a particular hair dye, medicated creams, highly favored cosmetics, etc.)
Bring an ample supply of anti-homesickness remedy (e.g. a favorite food, music or scrapbook. I brought a jug of real maple syrup. )
Limit your number of books (I brought only my bible, cookbook and an American-English dictionary—lifesavers all)
Clothing should match your destination climate. Check the temperatures, rainfall, etc., it’s readily available. Don’t pack what you won’t need.
Electrical appliances are not compatible between North America and Australia.
Check the government websites for what is allowed into the country. Some exclusions will surprise you. Better to know before you arrive.

From here on down, we’ll assume that you are doing your own packing and freight paying, although you fortunate freeriders will find some useful information also.

Aussies, when moving from one coast to another, tend to jettison everything but a couple of suitcases of clothing and buy new everything at the new city. It may be wasteful and certainly is expensive but far fewer headaches for the mover. Short termers should give this some thought. Target, K-Mart and thrift stores can get you through this brief time. And your stuff will be waiting for you upon your return if you leave it in storage.

Permanent movers have more to think about. “Am I married to this item? Is it an integral part of my lifestyle?” If the answer is yes, by all means bring it. The feelings of deprivation or the expense/energy of trying to replace it can cast an ugly pall on your new life. All else, including non-heirloom furniture items, simply may not be worth the bother. Find them new homes or, better yet, sell it. You’ll need the money.

Getting It There

When you start looking at shipping services you’ll find two options, neither particularly cheap the end of it all, so choose the one that fits your own situation best.

Shipping by Weight. These shipping services are easily found (post office, UPS, FedEx) but eye-poppingly expensive. Even services like Seven Seas, a more international-mover friendly company, will still have you mentally, if not physically, weighing everything. Best for relatively small amounts of stuff.

Shipping by Volume. True freight on the high seas which could take several weeks to finally reach you. Weight is not an issue and the providing services, like Pak Mail, are masters at situating your belongings to the lowest possible volume (and will even pack some of your stuff for you.) Biggest issue here is the ransom you will pay once the ship reaches an Australian dock.

The Australian government quarantine division (AQIS) charges a reasonable fee to inspect your shipment. But the OZ shipping industry must be run by Extortionists-R-Us. The stevedores who unload the ship and the warehouse which holds your belongings claim to be outside your shipping contract, which stopped at the pier. Even the receiving company, presumably paid in the original fees, takes the opportunity to charge you $60 for four pages printed off a government website. Don’t bother arguing at dockside, it’s a waste of energy. Your original shipping service won’t even get answers from the receiving agency either. Keep a diary and papertrail of the whole transaction and lodge a complaint with the state’s Ombudsman Office afterwards, if you must.

Just arrive at the dock’s warehouse with a truck that can handle the pallets (as sent) and a huge wad of cash. How huge? Almost as much as the original shipping price. But, you’ll have your important stuff and can get on with your new life.

And that is why you moved to OZ, isn’t it?