Bad Points
Cost
The cost of emigrating to Australia is not a thing to be taken lightly!!! Not only
are there the visa costs, but there are other costs such as medicals, shipping costs,
costs in moving your money assets over (including pensions), flight costs. You
will most probably be selling your house which means estate agent cost, solicitor
cost amongst others. The benefit of cheaper housing in Australia is dwindling
fast as Australia succume to the global pressures of the credit crisis. You
will find the cost of living in Australia comparable to that of the UK with some
things cheaper whilst other things will be more expensive. Recent price
hikes around the states are fast moving Australia to a more expensive place to live
in than the UK. Yes you can find cheapish homes around the country but
be very aware that these places will more than likely be a long way away from the
central hubs of the country (i.e. the cities), as state government are looking at
promoting the smaller towns of their states (for example, Townsville in Queensland)
due to the rapid increase in population around the cities. Visit our
Moving Costs page for more
information on moving costs
Homesick
It is only natural to get homesick and it affects everyone differently. Even
though now you think you won't miss anything in the UK, after a few months, you
will start remembering things; however small they may be; that gives you a feeling
that you have lost something that you just can't replace wherever you are in the
world. Like frosty or those lovely misty mornings, or those few days
of the year when there is actually a good covering of snow.
Family and Friends
Leaving family and friends is another big issue for most migrants, wherever in the
world they are. Keeping some money aside at all times for those emergencies,
that can and unfortunately will happen, is always a good idea.
But with the wonders of the phone and internet your family is only a (very cheap
nowadays) phone call or webcam session away. For example, if you sign
up to the
International Call Value Pack with Telstra, then a call to the UK is only
2c (approximately 1p) a minute after the initial 39c connection charge. Like
the UK, Australia has it's host of internet providers and most will provide you
with what you need at a reasonable price.
Pets
Pets can be a problem! It is a costly affair and time consuming and only
dogs and cats can be sent to Australia. Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service has details on the quarantine procedures and for more information
on transporting your pets go to
AirPets Oceanic
A Fresh Start
Whilst some of you will relish the challenge of a fresh start to life, some of you
will be daunted by it. It would be easier to stay in the UK and not have
such an upheaval, where you will spend probably the first 5 or 6 months adjusting
to the new surroundings and ways of operating, whilst spending most of your spare
time looking for a house and shopping to make it feel like home. But
don't let this discourage you. This is where we are trying to help you,
in giving you as much information about emigrating to Australia as we can. Hopefully
after reading through the information on our website, you will make the right decision
and take the plunge!