Things you take for granted may be hard to come by in Australia for example Marmite, Quavers crisps, Bon Bons etc. Whenever you have visitors from the UK don’t be shy in asking them to bring things over that you’ve been missing, and never turn them down if they offer!

Transporting Goods to Australia

Even though you may be relishing a fresh start, you may still wish to take with you your furniture and more importantly your personal belongings. Shipping containers are probably the cheapest method of transporting your goods. However, they can take a few months to arrive in Australia so it’s best to organise what you’ll do in the meantime.

For a quotation on how much it will cost you to move your belongings to Australia, click here www.pssremovals.com.

Transporting Pets

Don't forget about the rest of the family! Transporting your beloved pet overseas is something that you will also need to consider as this could be costly and stressful for both you and your pet. We would therefore recommend the use of a specialist who will not only assure your pets safe arrival but will organise all the relevant paperwork for you.

For further information on pet travel visit www.petairuk.com.

Booking Flights to Australia

To get the best deals on flights it’s always best to book well in advance but this isn’t always possible. Most airlines now travel to Australia so you can usually pick up some good deals if you shop around. For those people who haven’t ventured this far before, the prospect of a 24-hour flight might be a bit overwhelming. In this instance you may wish to stop off along the way and enjoy a bit of the world before arriving at your final destination in Australia. This is usually a little more expensive as you’ll have to stay a night in a hotel, however, most tour operators can arrange this for you.

For lowest airfares guaranteed: www.flightcentre.com.

Plants & Food etc

Please be mindful that Australia has very strict laws regarding quarantine. It’s recommended that you contact the Australian Government before attempting to bring over any item that you may feel is slightly questionable. Do not try to smuggle any items into Australia that are banned or that require quarantine as this may result in a large fine or even imprisonment which wouldn't be the best start to a new country.

For information on Australia's quarantine laws: www.aqis.gov.au.

Transferring Money

When moving to Australia, many migrants suffer at the hands of their bank when they transfer their money. Poor exchange rates and high transfer fees reduce the amount of Australian dollars that migrants begin their new lives with. To avoid this, we suggest researching a specialist foreign exchange broker who can provide foreign exchange services focused on private clients who are emigrating. With currency brokers there is normally no cost to using them (they make their money in the exchange rate) and you could save up to 1% of the amount you are transferring. Some also provide you with a dedicated point of contact who will be on hand to discuss your requirements with the aim of protecting you from falling exchange rates and getting you as many Australian dollars as possible.

Link to a foreign exchange specialist: www.satworldwide.co.uk.