[nikaus]

I am a 23 year old from Brisbane, Australia currently looking into doing the big move to London. Time to get out of Australia for a little while (or a long while – depending on how I adjust to London), stepping out on my own two feet, and seeing a lot more of the world. I’ve only ever been out of Australia twice, and both times it was to Bali, and with somebody. So this seems rather daunting to say the least, but it’s something I’ve got to accomplish.

I’ve got a FEW questions to ask of fellow people who have done the same thing. Sorry there are so many, I’ve just got 1000 thoughts running through my head about everything and would like to have them cleared up as much as possible to make my decision easier.

Please bear in mind I will be going over on a working holiday visa, and plan to stay 1.5 – 2 years.

First and foremost, where do I start to apply for my working holiday visa, roughly how long should an application take, and how much is it?

If I end up ‘loving’ London, as many say I will, how does an Australian on a working holiday visa apply for British Citizenship? Would I have to fly back to Australia, or can it be done in the UK?

What area is the ‘in place’ for Aussies to live? What recommendations of areas would you make to settle down in? I’d like somewhere safe, central, and easy to get around from. (Is that a lot to ask over there)?

How much money is neccessary to take over to keep me going till I find a job? I won’t be spending up big, nor spending money on unnecessary items (that is, until I get a job) but I’d like to know from people who have been in my position, what would a good amount of money be to take?

How long should it generally take a find a job (with good persistence)? I will be looking in Administrative / Office work and have 8 years of experience in similar (& management) roles. Could anyone recommend any reputable, good recruitment agencies I could contact to start looking for work when I get there? Is it a good idea to email them before I get there, and inform them of my intentions or just easier to do it when I’m there?

I have been told it is best to go with a HSBC account and is far easier to open one before I depart Australia as opposed to opening one there. Is this true? & is it true the minimum amount to open an account with HSBC in Australia is $4, 000.00?

Is it correct Australian’s can drive on there Australian Drivers License for a period of 12 months without having to transfer it over to a UK license?

That should do it for now. As you can see, I’m currently at a complete loss as to where to start and where to turn to so your information and further info you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

xx

[Tim Uden]

Unless you have family in the UK you can't jump from a working holiday visa to British citizenship, but you could apply for permanent residency and then apply for citizenship after you have been in the UK for a while. This is really a question for an immigration lawyer, but it helps if you have an occupation that is in demand in the UK, or if you're self employed or marry a British citizen. Just take it one step at a time.

It shouldn't take much longer than a week to find a job. Make appointments to see all the big temp agencies before you arrive so you have your job interviews already sorted.

Most Aussie backpackers live in the suburbs in West London, usually around Acton, Hammersmith, Earls Court and Willesden. Earls Court is more central but costs more (because it is right next to posh Kensington), but Acton and Willesden are cheaper. East London is cheaper but it is harder to find a house to share with a bunch of other backpackers. Rent in London is really expensive, but most other things aren't too bad.

It is easier to open an account with HSBC, but you need a huge opening deposit and the fees to open the account are high. If you sort out as much documentation as possible in advance you should be able to open an account with another bank when you arrive but it will be difficult to prove your UK address without having friends over there to help you out. You need to get a letter of introduction from your bank manager in Australia as well as utility bills with a British address to show that you live there. If you know people in the UK you can sort this out in advance (just get them to change the name on their cable or broadband bill for a couple of months). It is a lot easier to open an account with a smaller bank like Abbey, especially if it is a branch away from the popular backpacker haunts like Bayswater, Acton or Earls Court. An alternative is to use the services of a company like www.1stcontact.co.uk who can fast track your bank account applications.

Yes, you can drive for a year on an Australian licence. After that you can exchange it for a British licence (I think the fee is £21), which doesn't expire until you're 65.