Marisawright

No, because snakes and birds kill only when they are hungry. Cats are intelligent, curious creatures who will stalk and catch things for play, not necessarily to kill - and if they play with a small animal, they will injure it even though they have no intention of killing. A cat out exploring could kill a whole clutch of ground-nesting baby birds and not eat one of them. A snake or a bird would not. Foxes would, but then we regard foxes as more of a problem than cats - they are also a non-native predator. Australian mainland wildlife evolved without foxes or cats and there was no equivalent predator, that's why they are more vulnerable than British wildlife.

"What's included in salary" is easy. Everyone gets paid a salary. On top of the salary, the employer has to pay money into a pension fund on your behalf (called 'superannation', or "super" for short). It's calculated as a percentage of the salary figure. When you see a job advertised, it will either say "Salary is X plus superannuation at X%", or "Salary is X including X% super". If it doesn't say, it's important to check which one it is. People in more senior positions are more likely to be offered a "salary package". Basically, it's still just salary and superannuation - but part of the salary is converted to benefits, to reduce the employee's income tax. Which benefits you get depends on what you negotiate, nothing is fixed (though some employers have their own rules). Obviously, the more benefits you choose, the less money you get paid as actual salary. This link explains it: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/income-tax/salary-packaging

In your shoes, I'd be putting the cats' happiness ahead of your own. If they come to Australia, they will need to be confined in your garden at the very least, and possibly in some kind of run. If you let them roam, especially in a rural area, they are liable to get shot. While they will miss you, cats adapt well to being rehomed and they'll be happier if they can continue to be outdoor cats in a climate and environment they know. Besides, it does sound as though the cats are causing most of your problems: You can't stay at your in-laws because of the cats (they accepted a dog before so you could shoot down their argument if they tried to say they wouldn't take a dog). You can't stay in an Airbnb or a holiday apartment because of the cats (I have a niece who uses Airbnb all the time with one dog, it's the multiple that is the problem). You'll have major difficulties finding a place to rent because of the cats (again, landlords now are fairly accepting of one animal but not multiple animals) You'll have three times the shipping bills with three animals - you'd save several thousand dollars which it sounds like you could use. I love cats too but I can't imagine putting my family to such inconvenience and expense for their sake.

Yes, certainly. In fact I opened my account when in Australia and my first transaction was transferring funds from Australia to the UK, but I have done it both ways since then.

I know how hard it is to leave pets behind, they are part of the family - but it does seem crazy to be spending over $10,000 to ship your pets when you are so short of money. The dog is difficult because they imprint so strongly on their family, but cats are more independent and while it might break your heart, they would settle in new homes. I would also not be spending precious money on a recce trip, most people don't. It will be much cheaper to book a holiday cabin for a month when you first arrive and look for a six-months rental when you arrive. You'll end up with a better result too.

Yes, I think the tribunal was cheaper when I did it. $50 was what I paid the agent.

Where you live isn't relevant as most agents can work remotely equally as well. George Lombard is the most often recommended and if you want good advice, sometimes you have to pay for it.

I used to have a unit and had to get the agent to represent me at a hearing (the tenants had spilled something nameless on the carpet and I didn't know till they moved out, because they'd put a big piece of furniture over it). It only cost me $50.

That is true, but that's because house prices boomed once we were in our thirties and forties, and those who managed to buy a modest house by that time, are now sitting on a goldmine. The fact is that baby boomers had to scrimp and save in order to own that modest house in the first place. In our eyes, an awful lot of millenials aren't even trying - they eat out all the time, spend stupid money on clothes, cars, gadgets and holidays - no wonder they've got no wealth.

Being closer to family is always a good reason.

I found it very easy. I did get myself in a slight tangle at the beginning, but I rang them up and was delighted to find myself talking to a real British person - and what's more, he was someone who actually did the job, not a call centre parrot! I've stuck with them ever since for that reason.

The house you live in used to be a slum, that's why dock workers were able to live in it. When baby boomers were kids, the inner city was where poor people lived - everyone saved furiously to go out and live in the expensive, leafy suburbs. Then the inner city became fashionable and gradually rose in price to overtake the burbs. It's true some middle-class baby boomers have benefited in Australia from the ridiculous explosion in house prices,, but it's pretty insulting to say all older people had it easy. I think younger generations just aren't capable of imagining what life was like because they take so many luxuries for granted. It would be interesting to go through your monthly budget and delete all the stuff we didn't have when we were in our twenties: Delete all take-away coffees and food, and all café/restaurant meals: you may have one cheap pub meal and a few beers per week; Delete all massages, physiotherapy, alternative health treatments, beauty treatments, life coaching etc; Delete all gadgets (including the tumble dryer, dishwasher and microwave ). You can have a basic TV and a washing machine; Delete all clothing and shoe purchases, unless bought to replace something that had actually worn out; Delete all gym memberships, workout gear etc except shorts, T-shirts and Volleys. Delete the new car and buy an old banger. If you have kids, delete all extra-curricular activities except one. Delete all coaching. Look at how much that saves you in a year. Then multiply that by eight to reflect the years between 22 and 30, and don't forget to add on the interest you would have earned by putting that in the bank or sharemarket. And remember that in the meantime, you would have bought a horrible old slum of a 2-bedroom unit and spent all your spare time doing it up yourself, even if you had no DIY skills. Now do you see how they afforded the nice house (with a huge mortgage of course) in their thirties?

If you know you're going to end up in a pokey little flat, what is it about Australia that's tempting you to move?

You can't, I'm afraid. The regulations are different in Australia, so manufacturers aren't allowed to make a claim like that. However I notice that Rieman's product is available on Amazon.com.au so that would be your best bet. Note that @aconcannon said she used the Riemann product in Australia and got burned because of the much higher UV here, so you may have to reapply.

https://lawpath.com.au/blog/abn-working-holiday-visa You would need to do your occupational health and safety training whether you're working for yourself or your girlfriend. I have no idea whether there are any licensing requirements to be a bricklayer in whatever state you're in - but if bricklayers do need to be licensed, it would be the same whoever you work for. Same with insurance - if the employer expects you to have your own insurance, then your girlfriend's company would need to supply that insurance so it will cost the same.

You certainly are allowed an ABN on a WHV, it’s very common

What work? How is your wife going to find work for you, if you can't find the work yourself?

I think they'd see through that strategy in about two minutes.

What would it be like if you left it a bit later in the morning?

I think you have to be careful how you phrase that. It can too easily come across as, "Can't make friends? It's all your own fault, you're not trying hard enough, silly cow". I am convinced it isn't the individual's fault, and it does depend on where you are - but it has nothing to do with the country you're in. There are cities and towns where "incomers" are not welcomed, and they can exist anywhere, all over the world. I "put myself out there" a lot in Southampton and met with rebuffs everywhere - to the point where I thought it was all my fault and I'd never make a friend in my life again. Moved to Melbourne and have already made lots of acquaintances and a few good friends. Yet I have a friend who moved to Adelaide, stuck it out for two years and came back because she felt ostracized as an outsider.

I love animals too. But most people who love animals love ALL animals, not just their cat. If someone brings an outdoor cat to Australia and allows it to roam outdoors here, it is going to kill wildlife. If they rehome the cat, of course it will be a difficult and painful thing to do, but they will get over it. If they bring the cat here, the birds and little mammals will be dead - they can never get over it. It would be pretty selfish and heartless of anyone to say the happiness of their cat is more important than the lives of other animals. If they feel their cat could adapt to a more confined life, then they should bring it. I said that.

Why?

A week isn’t long, don’t panic

I would second what Tulip1 says. We are all happy to help, but we are only amateurs. If you are paying an agent, you have access to an expert. When you engage an agent, you are not just paying them to fill out the paperwork. You are paying them to advise you on your best pathway, warn you of all the potential pitfalls, and guide you through the process. You are entitled to bombard them with questions, it's their job to answer them. If the agent is MARA registered and from a reputable company, they are the best qualified to assist you .

Even 15% isn't much. Homes in parts of Melbourne have risen by over 40% since we arrived two years ago. So the only people who'll be hurt by such a fall would be people who bought in the last year or so.