Think that Britain's lost the 'Great'? There's always a new life overseas
More people than ever are quitting the UK and moving abroad. In the first of a three-part series, Jill Papworth looks at Australia
The Guardian 19.1.08 by Jill Papworth
Original article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/19/movingoverseas
Ever get that sinking feeling at this time of year? Christmas credit card bills drop with a heavy thud through the letterbox. The daily commute to work has become a game of endurance as floods wash over lines and fares rocket. Fuel bills look set to go through even the best-insulated roof. And it's cold and dark. So it's no surprise the number of people emigrating from the UK continues to rise. Just over 200,000 British citizens left in 2006, according to the latest government figures.
The most popular European destination is Spain (14%) followed by France (10%). The US attracts 8% and New Zealand 7%, says the Office for National Statistics. But Australia is still by far the most popular destination, with 25% of Brits wanting to start a new life.
Getting a visa
As a nation built on immigration, Australia actively encourages immigrants, particularly skilled workers.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) offers several visa options for people wishing to move to the country, either permanently or temporarily.
Some 70% of migrants head to Australia using the "general skilled migration programme", which assesses applicants on a points-based system, with points awarded for qualifications, experience, English language fluency and age. Applicants must be over 18 and under 45 years old, and the job you nominate must be on the Australian "skilled occupations" list. If your occupation also appears on the shorter "migration occupations in demand" list, you can claim extra points and your visa application may be fast-tracked. Both lists are on the DIAC website: immi.gov.au
Australia also offers a "skill-ed independent regional (provisional) visa" with a lower points requirement aimed at attracting skilled migrants to regional areas rather than the main cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Anyone wanting to migrate to Australia must apply to DIAC. The place to start in the UK is the migration branch of the Australian High Commission in London - go to australia.org.uk and click on "visas and migration".
It's also worth visiting the websites of specialist migration agencies such as globalvisas.com, overseas-emigration.co.uk, migrationexpert.com and visa-connection.co.uk These offer useful guides and often a free online test giving you an indication of whether or not you'd qualify for a visa.
For those you prefer to pay an expert to handle matters for them, prices start at around £500. Check that any migration specialist you use is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority in Australia, which authorises them to manage an application on your behalf.
Employment and salaries
Australia has a shortage of skilled workers and jobs abound for both professionals and tradespeople.
"The demand ranges from accountants to welders, with the current focus being on trades, engineering, healthcare, and finance," says Liam Clifford, managing director of emigration specialist Globalvisas.com
Salaries aren't always higher than those in the UK, but this has to be weighed against the comparatively low cost of living and housing.
Nurses, for example, typically earn the equivalent of between £25,500 and £30,000 a year, while emigration agency Overseas-emigration.co.uk says that in some areas, bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and mechanics can earn up to £500 per day.
International recruitment consultants Hays has just published a detailed 2007 survey of Australian salaries in the financial, legal, IT, construction and property, and mining industries. If your skills are in these sectors, check your potential earning power in Australia at hays.com.au/salary
Cost of living
"Living in Australia is relatively cheap compared to Europe, and Australians tend to have a good level of disposable income and a high-quality lifestyle," says Clifford. "Earnings can be lower and although goods and services tax is considerably lower than VAT, income tax can be higher and healthcare is moving further and further towards private care, with tax changes to encourage this. But fuel is far cheaper and food is inexpensive."
For details of personal taxation in Australia visit ato.gov.au/individuals
House prices
The cost of property varies, but is generally substantially cheaper than in the UK. Western Australia tends to be cheapest. In Australia as a whole a typical mortgage rate is around 5.5%-6.5%.
According to Globalvisas.com, you'd expect to pay the following prices for a typical three or four bedroom house, within commuting distance of a city:
Perth £68,000 - £128,000
Brisbane £106,000 - £190,000
Sydney £150,000 - £255,000
Melbourne £150,000 - £255,000
Adelaide £60,000 - £102,000
Darwin £106,000 - £190,000
Healthcare
A state-run healthcare system called Medicare is available to all citizens and permanent residents. Residents pay a Medicare levy - an additional tax of 1.5% of taxable income - to fund the system. This entitles them to free or subsidised services by medical practitioners and public hospital care. Visit ato.gov.au/individuals for more details.
There is also an extensive private health system and a wide range of companies offering medical insurance.
Education
The education system broadly mirrors that of the UK. School education is compulsory from ages five to 15 and there are both public (state) and private (independent) schools. Education in public schools is generally free, but most schools have a small annual voluntary fee to cover extra-curricular activities.
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