Australia migration: real life story

16 March 2016 by News Desk   |   SHARE  

What is involved in migration to Australia? Here is the experience of one UK couple that undertook Australia migration.

Australia migration: Peter Walford worked in the City of London for over 20 years as a trader in the Foreign Exchange market before launching his own business. “I was born and raised in the East End, worked hard all my life and, when my wife Valda and I retired, we thought about Australia because we have family there”.

Peter says it’s vital for migrants to consider exchange rate fluctuations. “In April 2006, if you’d changed £1 million to Aussie dollars, you’d have got around $2,350,000. Three months later, £1 million was worth around $150,000 more – almost the price of a house Down Under in those days. But the rate can also go down and you could find yourself with much less than you planned for.

“It highlights the need to work with financial professionals like thinkingaustralia who can advise you properly. In my experience, financial organizations specializing in migration will offer a better exchange rate than a high street bank.”

Australia migration – Plan in Advance

For migrants seeking to sell their house, it’s vital to plan in advance, says Peter Walford. “Leaving it too late to sell, thinking house prices will continue to rise can cause problems if prices fall.

“If you’re on a tight budget based on the sale price of your house, dropping £25k -£30k can severely impact on your plans. Holding out for months to get the highest price can delay your departure.

“Once you’re sure you’re going, sell up as quickly as you can. It’s better to have the money and know where you stand financially.”

The biggest hurdle Peter had to overcome was realizing the value of his home.

“It took over six months to sell because the market hit a trough and what had been an attractive property suddenly became hard to move. It was very stressful. Eventually, we managed to sell and get the price we wanted but there were many days and nights of worry.”

Thanks to thinkingaustralia, Peter and Valda Walford now have their visa and have begun their new life in Australia.

Australia Migration Tips

1) Visit Australia, if possible, before deciding to migrate. As good as it is it may not suit everybody.

2) Work with professional agents for help and support.

3) Get organised. Keep all your migration papers and official details in clearly marked folders or files for quick and easy reference.

4) Be prepared for knock-backs. Most applications run smoothly but your circumstances, or failure to complete paperwork properly, could cause delays.

5) Be Honest. Don’t try to hide past financial or personal problems. If you’ve something to hide, the authorities will find out.

6) Plan in advance. Wherever possible, arrange as much as you can before you leave UK.

7) Be Realistic. You’re migrating to start a new life, so don’t take any existing problems with you. Above all, be flexible: you will need to adapt quickly to a new country and a new culture.

Want to Migrate to Australia? Click here for more info

Click here for tourist info about Australia: Visit Down Under