Christmas gifts and leaving gifts for someone moving to Australia
A Christmas gift guide/leaving gift guide for all the family
Read More Taking the Australian citizenship test
Can you name the above iconic Aussie foods? Don’t worry – that isn’t part of the Australian citizenship test! If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram you’ll know that last month my husband and I passed the Australian citizenship test. I... Read MoreThe things nobody tells you about emigrating (but I wish I’d known)
When you’re moving to Australia, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the visa process and all of the admin like opening a bank account and shipping your belongings. It can become all-consuming. And if you don’t know any friends who have done it... Read MoreHow to make friends in a new country
I get a lot of emails and Facebook messages from readers asking how to find friends in Australia. I get it – you’re leaving behind an established network of friends and family and, quite often, you’re starting a new life in Australia where you know... Read MoreEmigrate: Survive long haul travel with kids when moving to Australia
If you’re planning on moving to Australia soon, and if you have young kids, there’s a pretty good chance you might be nervous about the flight. When we moved to Brisbane, our twin boys were four and our VERY headstrong daughter had just turned two a few... Read MoreShipping your belongings to Australia: Tips to help you prepare for the shippers
Getting your belongings ready for shipping to Australia is a crazy experience. Yes, your shipping agents will come and pack everything for you, but there’s still a lot to sort out before they arrive.
Read MoreDo you need one-way travel insurance when emigrating to Australia from the UK?
So you’re moving to Australia from the UK. Is there really any need for travel insurance when emigrating when the two countries have a reciprocal agreement on health? And if you do need emigration travel insurance, should you just take out one way insurance to... Read MoreShipping bags: Read this Send My Bag review
When we moved from the UK to Australia, we shipped a 20-foot container filled to the brim with our belongings (you can read more about the shipping process here or get up to five free shipping quotes by filling in this quick and easy little form). But that certainly... Read MoreGetting used to the Australian school system
Starting school in Australia can be daunting for anyone, let alone if your kids are starting school in a brand new country. The Australian education system can feel so alien when you first arrive, not to mention getting used to the timings of Australian school... Read MoreFind the best mortgage broker for your needs & get cashback!
Use Anish Prasad of iLendFinance as your mortgage broker and receive a $100 visa giftcard upon settlement! Read on for full details. Brisbane mortgage broker who covers the whole of Australia I work with iLendFinance on a referral basis. This means I receive a... Read MoreChanges to wait period for welfare payments for new migrants – proposed July 2018 & update from Jan 2019
This post was originally published in June 2018. It has been republished with a small update from January 2019. IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM JANUARY 2019: Please note, that the legislation was eventually passed on 3rd December 2018. There is now a wait period for certain... Read More2018: A year in review for Smart Steps to Australia
I read this awesome post by Denise Duffield Thomas about her year in review, and it inspired me to write my own. Every Christmas, I spend some time reviewing the year that has almost finished because it helps me to appreciate how far I’ve come, and it helps me... Read MoreLast minute online Australia gift ideas
If you have friends or family living in Australia, the chances are you might need to send gifts to Australia sometimes for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions. Or if you are the one who has moved to Australia from another country, then... Read MoreHow do you spend Christmas in Australia?
A few people have asked me what Christmas in Australia is like as it’s difficult to imagine a hot Christmas unless you’ve experienced it. So I put the call out on Facebook a couple of years ago to ask people: ‘how do you spend Christmas in... Read MoreAn essential read for anyone moving to Australia with children
I’ve recently discovered a baby equipment and car seat hire company that I wish I’d known about when we moved to Australia with four-year-old-twins and a two-year-old. This post is sponsored by Hire for Baby Car seat laws in Australia Did you know you can’t use your... Read MoreHow to find the best places to live in Melbourne
I just want to give you a bit of background information before launching into today’s sponsored post which comes courtesy of ausrental. When we moved to Australia, it was daunting as we didn’t know Brisbane. We paid £2000 for a temporary rental for one month through... Read More
