"We Feel a Lot More Relaxed": How We Moved Our Family to Australia

This is the first part of a series discussing how families have moved overseas. Have you moved with your children and would like to share yo...

This is the first part of a series discussing how families have moved overseas. Have you moved with your children and would like to share your story? Email us.money@telegraph.co.uk

It was the challenge of long commutes and the need to give their family the best that led Joy and Simon Clark to relocate to Australia.

Both of our jobs were expecting a lot following the pandemic, and we were striving to provide the best opportunities for our children, but it felt like an impossible balancing act, particularly as the cost of living increased," says Joy, 49, a veterinarian. "There had to be a more effective way to live.

Three years ago, the family moved from Warrington, Cheshire, in north-west England to the Adelaide neighborhood of Walkerville. They are now comfortably settled in their new life, enjoying numerous activities nearby and having only 10-minute commutes.

Friday nights mean heading to the pub, and it's a 20-minute drive to a vineyard. We have festivals right outside our door, and everyone tends to feel much more at ease," says Joy. "Adelaide is known as the 20-minute city for a good reason.

But it hasn't been without challenges. "There were difficult parts to the move, and there are still some obstacles, but it was definitely worth it," says Joy. "The kids now joke that our move was our midlife crisis."

Australia is frequently viewed as a place for young individuals on work visas looking for jobs on sheep farms or in bars. However, for those with families, it can provide opportunities for higher-paying jobs and a more balanced approach to work and personal life.

Joy states that planning significantly aided their relocation, but there are numerous factors to take into account. Here, she outlines the process of moving "down under" and shares insights on how to prevent the errors they encountered.

Try it for size

This was not the Clarks' first time in Australia. When Simon, who is now a spinal neurosurgeon, was finishing his surgical training 12 years ago, he did a fellowship in Adelaide.

"We had always planned to stay for just a year, and we rented the same house that the doctor occupied before," says Joy,who took a sabbatical"Rowan was 18 months old, and Ieuan was four and a half years old. I came home while pregnant with Sophia." The children are now 20, 16, and 13 years old.

This experience of living in Adelaide made it clear to them where they wanted to reside when they chose to come back. "But if you haven't visited Adelaide before, rent an Airbnb and explore the area before deciding where you'll settle.".

We enjoy the metropolitan area [where they reside in St Peters], as we can reach the city center in 10 to 15 minutes and are near all the parklands for walking the dog. Our neighborhood is more like a village, which is charming. It has its own schools and stores, churches and libraries.

Being closer to Adelaide's downtown area resulted in less travel time for their family compared to when they lived in England, on the outskirts of Manchester, where long hours were lost in traffic. "Rowan spent approximately 90 minutes traveling to and from school and didn't like it," says Joy.

Inquire of the children what their opinions are

Their oldest son, Ieuan, recalled his time in Adelaide and inquired if the family should return. "He was 16 and at a stage in his life where he enjoyed the notion of an adventure."

The time when teens complete their GCSEs and frequently switch schools to begin anew in a different sixth form is an ideal opportunity to relocate to another country. However, it can be challenging if they are reluctant to depart.

Joy mentions that Ieuan's siblings were on the trip, and after the concept was established, she and Simon began searching for jobs. No other country seemed like a clear option for Simon's career, and they enjoyed Adelaide.

Get a job if you're older than 45

Joy had recently celebrated her 45th birthday, which meant she would require sponsorship to secure a job in Australia. The age of 45 is the maximum limit for most skilled permanent visas—though there are options available for those who obtain employer-backed visas, which are temporary."skills in demand," global talent and partner visas.

But I also realized it would be fairly simple for me to find a job and have my credentials recognized," she states. "There are numerous excellent opportunities, ranging from entry-level positions all the way up to senior veterinary roles, as well as corporate and independent veterinary jobs.

She secured a position via Kookaburra Vets, a website specializing in veterinary employment opportunities, and acquired a Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482). “I utilized Facebook groups focused on 482 visas, but seeking professional assistance could have saved considerable time,” she mentions. “I found a Facebook group named ‘Poms in Adelaide’ to be useful.”

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Simon's field of expertise made it significantly harder to have his credentials recognized. "When he applied, it took three years, but it's become easier since then," says Joy. The issue is that medical qualifications aren't always directly comparable and require certification, particularly for specialized areas.

It has become challenging to secure a job without sponsorship, and some young individuals are relocating to Australia, accepting positions that do not match their salary expectations due to intense competition from both locals and other immigrants. This situation varies depending on your profession and the specific demands of the area you're moving to.

The Australian government is simplifying immigration routes for the individuals it requires: in the previous month, it revised its list of more than 200 in-demand jobs for its skilled worker visa programs. It included registered nurses, civil engineers, software developers, and electricians among the most desired professions.

The need for certain jobs can also differ depending on the region: The South Australia Department of State Development has mentioned that they are currently hiring workers in construction, healthcare, engineering/automotive, and law enforcement. You can access South Australia's Skilled Occupation List and information on skill shortages atmigration.sa.gov.au.

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Use expert help

Although they were aware of the area they wanted to live in, Joy hired a relocation agent named Claymore Thistle to help them find a rental property. "It's challenging to find a place to rent even when you're there, and we had a dog, which limited our options," she explains. "We wouldn't have moved without securing a rental and school arrangements before arriving."

She says, "The agent looked at properties and took possession of the furniture for us, and even made the beds prepared for our arrival."

They selected the local school recommended by the doctor who came before Simon, and they were able to submit their application from a distance.

Upon their arrival, they leased a four-bedroom home for $925 (£457) weekly, but they have since moved to their third residence, now paying $1,500 each week.

The typical cost of a home sold in the St Peters neighborhood over the last year is $2.1 million, according torealestate.com.au, but non-Australians can't purchase pre-owned homes in AustraliaUntil March 31, 2027, due to a temporary government restriction.

Even though the family has recently received approval for their permanent visa, which would enable them to purchase a home, they are not in a hurry due to the high housing prices and some uncertainty regarding their long-term plans. Joy adds, “We are”looking forward to seeing if our UK home sells"," as it is currently available for rent.

Consider timings

Joy believes you might be able to organize a relocation to Australia within six months, but it took them a full year.

We had a countdown of tasks – nine months to secure employment, seven months to administer the rabies vaccine for the dog [it needs to be at least 210 days prior to leaving], and then the final three months are all about moving forward.

It could take you one or two years to get settled, particularly if the move to school isn't smooth. "The children took anywhere from a few weeks to two years," Joy adds.

Ieuan had just finished the first term of Year 12 when they relocated; in Australia, this corresponds to Year 11, with final exams taken at age 18. "He had to repeat a school year, so it was quite challenging," says Joy. "But having two years to complete the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), along with time to adjust and make friends, worked out well. Being good at rugby helped him integrate into social groups."

He is currently enrolled at the University of South Australia pursuing a degree in construction management, while Rowan is taking the main role in a school play, and Sophia is also settled.

Don't think you'll be significantly better off

Wages in Australia tend to be marginally higher than in the UK, although the gap differs significantly depending on the profession and region. For instance,GPs earn more money in Australia, as stated by Alecto Australia, a recruitment expert, because they are compensated per consultation instead of receiving a fixed salary. On average, full-time general practitioners in Australia make $345,000 (approximately £270,000) annually, whereas in England, their earnings range from £76,038 to £114,743, according to the British Medical Association.

The typical annual income for a veterinarian in Australia is $130,000, which converts to £64,168. In the United Kingdom, the average salary is £45,000, as reported by Vet Seekers, a staffing agency.

The cost of living in Australia is a bit higher compared to the UK, but it differs depending on the category: food items tend to be pricier there, while eating out is less expensive, according to Joy.

Inflation has increased expenses; a cup of coffee cost $5 when we arrived, and it's now $6," she says. "Don't think you'll be better off here, but gasoline and diesel are half the price of the UK, and utility bills for gas and electricity are also more affordable.

Dealing with the distance

Numerous couples or grandparents come back home due to family connections. "Both Simon and I have lost our fathers since we moved away. This is the most difficult," says Joy. "Even if there are relatives back home who can assist, there's still a sense of guilt."

I've lost both of my parents now, so there's not the same connection. We couldn't have made the move when our grandparents were still here.

I long for gatherings. However, I'm always aware that there's a seat available on a Qantas flight to Manchester departing around 10pm, allowing me to return home within 24 hours.

This isn't a simple path," she says. "The children have adjusted to the change more easily than we have, but the lower stress and more laid-back way of living work well for everyone.

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