Emigrating in 2013? Hopefully this will be year that your plans for migration come to fruition and you finally realise your ambitions of moving abroad.

Article written by The Overseas Guides Company

With the newspapers full of reports of a freezing Russian weather front rolling in, if you have plans to move to Australia, now’s the time to act.

It’s easy to see why thousands of people make the move Down Under to “the lucky country” every year. Just for starters you can expect an average of 300 days of sunshine every year, beautiful beaches, no language barrier, excellent education and employment opportunities and a higher standard of living that promotes the attitude “work to live, not live to work”.

The emigration process can prove tricky so to help you on your way, here is a step-by-step guide on how to make it happen.

1 – Visa options

First things first – you need to work out whether it is legally possible to move to Australia. You should begin your visa search on the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website where you can use their “Visa Wizard” to determine the best type of visa for you. Although there is a lot of information to wade through, you will find everything that you need and can even make your application and pay the fee through the site.

Here is a brief rundown of the type of visas available:

  • SKILLED VISAS – As the name suggests, to qualify for this type of visa you need to satisfy the necessary skill requirements. The system for this class of visa changed recently to include the new online SkillSelect system which ensures that those selected for skilled migration meet the economic needs of Australia. The new system manages who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers – the hope is that the new system will dramatically reduce the time it takes to process applications and will help employers experiencing regional skill shortages to fill the gaps. There are a number of different visa types which fall under this heading including both independent, nominated and sponsorship visas.

  • FAMILY VISAS – If you have an Australian partner or members of your immediate family who are permanent Australian residents you may qualify for one of several family visas.

  • BUSINESS VISAS – If you own your own business, have had a successful career at senior executive level or have a qualifying investment then you may be eligible for the four schemes which fall under this visa type.

  • RETIREMENT VISAS – To qualify for this rolling four-year visa you need to be of good health and have sufficient funds to support yourself (approx. AUD $1million).

  • TEMPORARY VISAS – This category of visa only grants access for a limited period of time (one year) but often provides the foot in the door that many migrants need.
    To make your visa application easier and increase your chances of success, it is advisable to employ the services of a qualified migration agent, one that is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and a Member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA). To be put in touch with one such recommended Australian migration agent who is based in London, contact The Overseas Guides Company.

2 – Research

Before you pack up your life and move to the other side of the world, you need to make sure that you are making an informed decision and this involves extensive research. You need to determine what it is that you want to achieve for you and your family and choose a destination accordingly.

Things that should be on your checklist to establish are; job opportunities, schools, property prices, living costs, lifestyle and climate. Fortunately there is a bounty of information available online, in expat forums, books and specialist publications. You should also keep an eye out for exhibitions and seminars taking place where you can learn more.

Granted, Australia is a long way away, but where possible you should arrange a research visit to investigate further. This will allow you to visit potential locations, visit schools, experience the weather and above all, see what the locals do in day in day out. This is the only way that you will establish for sure whether it is right for you.

3 – Financial affairs

Besides budgeting for your emigration, there are a range of other financial considerations to take care of:

  • Currency transfers: Many people lose thousands of pounds by utilising the services of their high street bank to make their currency transfers rather than enlisting the help of a currency exchange specialist like Smart Currency Exchange. Download a free report on how Smart can help save you money.

  • Pension planning – If you currently contribute to a pension scheme you need to speak to a professional who will be able to outline your options when you emigrate. Everybody’s case is different so you should contact The Pensions Advisory Services (OAPS) or a financial advisor.

  • Tax planning – You need to make sure that your tax responsibilities are sorted when you move abroad. You could be entitled to a rebate or it may work in your favour to continue with certain payments. To ensure you make the best choices for your individual circumstances you should speak to a financial advisor. Again, The Overseas Guides Company can help you.

4 – Property considerations

If you need to sell your home in the UK before you buy in Australia it is up to you whether you choose to put it on the market straight away and risk the chance of having to move out before your emigration date or whether you would prefer to live in it until the last minute an entrust the sale of it to a professional. Some people choose to keep property in the UK as a back-up plan and rent it out as a source of income. This allows you to remain on the notoriously difficult UK property market and means that if you should decide to return home you will not need to start afresh.
Although it is easy to get over-excited and start looking for properties to buy in your new home, it is advisable to rent first. This allows you to make sure that you have chosen the right town, city or suburb for you. Rental contracts afford you the flexibility to move on if your initial choices don’t turn out as expected.

5 – Removals

You will be surprised how much you have accumulated over the years so it is never too early to start sorting through your belongings. Be ruthless! Speak to removals companies about your shipping options three months ahead of your departure and make sure that you seek a few quotes so that you can compare costs and make sure you get a competitive price.

This checklist is by no means exhaustive, to read further about steps to take when emigrating to Australia, download your free copy of the ‘Australia Buying Guide’

The views and comments herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Rightmove Overseas, Rightmove Group Ltd or Rightmove Plc