Marisawright

If you've decided you definitely want to spend your later years in the UK, then I think the 10-year plan is risky. Early adulthood - especially uni/college - is when most people forge the friendships that last into adulthood. They might even meet their future wife/husband. So if you wait till after uni, your kids are going to be more firmly anchored in Australia than they are now, so there's a good chance they won't want to return with you. Of course, if you go now, there's no guarantee they won't move back to Australia as adults anyway. However, because they've had a chance to make friendships and feel settled, they will feel the attraction of both countries so there's a better chance they would stick around. Amber is also right about pensions etc. If you leave Australia before the age of 65, you'll forfeit all rights to the Australian aged pension - and because your NI contributions are too low, you may not get much British pension. If you've got a healthy bank balance and good superannuation, that may be irrelevant, but worth being aware of. If you do want the British pension, then enquire now about making Class 2 contributions while you are working in Australia. They are changing the rules early next year so it's important to sort it out now

Not quite true. There are tax advantages to making a loss on paper, but you achieve that with depreciation allowances. You’d be mad to buy an investment property that’s making a real loss, because the tax savings wouldn’t be enough to compensate

It's hard to say, because everyone's idea of lifestyle is different. However, based on my experience (which is two years ago now), I'd say that the cost of living is much the same in both countries WITH ONE BIG EXCEPTION - housing. Whether you want to rent or buy, Sydney is very expensive. Check out domain.com.au and realestate.com.au for an idea of what you can expect to pay.

You are right, there is a 3 year residency rule. Not aware of any way round it

There’s no poll tax in Australia but if you own a home, you pay council rates based on the property

In that case, your first statement was probably right

You can only pay a maximum of six years top-up. While you are working in Australia, you can choose to pay NI contributions so that’s worth looking into

Are you having second thoughts about migrating to Australia, or is it just Geraldton you're worried about? If you're still keen to migrate to Australia, then I would not even consider withdrawing. It's very, very hard to get a job in an Australian city while you're still in the UK. If you want to migrate and live in Perth, you would have to qualify for an ordinary skilled visa, wait to get invited and then arrive with no job to go to - and the prospect of having to survive on no salary for several months, while you look for work. The 187 gives you a much smoother transition and a chance to experience the "real" Australia for a couple of years. I think it's a good opportunity.

I’m aware of that.

I think I am right in thinking they can’t get the first home buyer grant while they’re on the bridging visa?

Sorry, that was just a guess on my part because the OP will be on a 30 year bridging visa for the non contributory parents visa

You are far from alone. It’s more common than you think. All the best for your future, it sounds like you are doing the right thing

Double posted

That’s up to the financial institution not the government

But the temp partner visa still allows you complete freedom to work etc

No, because you will still be classed as a non-resident while on the bridging visa. Therefore you get none of the rights or privileges of a permanent resident. It’s an interesting anomaly that you can buy property. I know it sounds weird as you will be resident in the ordinary meaning of the word,and you intend to stay permanently. However in the eyes of the law. you are just a temporary visitor

mosr sensible option is to apply for a partner visa.

As you won’t qualify to receive the grant yourself. I assume you will be giving the money to your son/daughter to buy the property in their name. Just check the tax implications of gifting such a large sum of money. Also check that the First Home Buyers grant doesn’t have any requirement that the buyer has to live in the property.

That’s the advantage of moneycorp

If it’s in self storage (so you have the key and control access) then you can include it in your contents insurance but it does depend on the insurance company

So you are already in Australia? What visa are you on currently?

You give him the details of your Moneycorp account. He transfers the money straight from his bank account to your Moneycorp account. When you want the money, you tell Moneycorp to pay it into your Australian bank account.

Check if they are flammable as they could still explode in a sealed container. They will be subject to extremes of temperature in transit

Why would you bring cleaners? Firstly, you've got the risk of spillage on the journey. Secondly, there are plenty of cleaners in Australia.

Realestate.com.au