Simply moving down the road is stressful enough so how do you even start to plan moving to the opposite side of the world?

The Overseas Guides Company chatted to Robert from Hampshire who packed up all of his family’s belongings and shipped it to their new home in Sydney back in 2006.

Robert started by telling us how he began to sort out his family move:

“We had been advised to start getting quotes for shipping three months in advance and this is what we did. We wanted to shop around and make sure that we were getting the best rates possible from a trustworthy company before committing to anything”. As he says, you wouldn’t entrust your worldly belongings to just anybody so it is advisable to shop around, ask friends and colleagues for recommendations and browse Internet forums to make sure that the companies you are thinking of using have exemplary reputations. Companies who are registered with the British Association of Movers (BAR) are the best place to start.

Moving your belongings can be an expensive process. Robert paid just over £3,000 back in 2006 and rates have increased since then. “We ended up shipping a container and a half and in hindsight, I think that that was excessive. We were unfortunate in the fact that the company told us that they would bring a container along on the day but contrary to our agreement they turned up with just a removal truck. Unsurprisingly it didn’t all fit in, they had to send another truck and then they charged us for an additional partial container. Make sure that you have agreed on how much space you require so that you don’t end up paying more than you have budgeted”.

Although it can be painful to part with the belongings that you have accumulated over the years, if you consider the fact that you will have to pay for everything you send it may soften the blow. It is also important to research whether or not electrical goods will be compatible in Australia. Many older models aren’t and it might prove more cost-effective to sell goods here and buy new when you arrive. Robert offered some words of wisdom on the throwing-out process: “There was lots of stuff that I wish we hadn’t taken. You need to make your decisions logically and with no emotion or you’ll regret it. My wife’s bike has been around the world and has not been ridden in either country for six years!”

We asked Robert to provide us with his top tips for shipping property to Australia: “Be wary of the Australian quarantine regulations which are ridiculously strict. They expect all shoes, golf clubs, everything really to be completely spotless as if it is brand new. This is because they are very worried about farm animal contamination. I think that they believe that everyone arriving from the UK lives on a farm or in a field! They can be difficult to deal with so make sure you clean everything before you ship it”

To go straight to the Overseas Guides Company’s detailed guide to the removals process, click here.

For details of property for sale in Australia, visit the Australian listings on Rightmove Overseas. When moving abroad or buying overseas property, using a currency exchange specialist rather than a bank to transfer your money could save you thousands. Smart Currency Exchange can help you do this – for more information download their free guide by clicking here.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in Australia, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘Australia Property Buying Guide’