Follow our great guide to getting ready to move Down Under, plus what to do when you get there, for a smooth and hassle-free relocation to Australia or New Zealand
Before you move
18 MONTHS TO GO
Decide where you'd like to live. Taking a fact-finding visit is invaluable, or you can use the web or word of mouth.
Research house prices, salaries and cost of living in that area.
Discuss your plans with your family and make sure they're all on board. Teenagers in particular can find a big move difficult to come to terms with.
Investigate employment and business opportunities for all family members.
Attend migration and overseas property shows and use expat networks and websites to gain insight.
Carefully choose a migration agent to help with your planned relocation.
Check what kind of visa you'll need and get your eligibility checked.
If you have any serious medical conditions, check that they aren't going to hamper your plans.
Prepare your house for sale (or rental) - you may need to redecorate.
12 MONTHS TO GO
Make sure you have at least two years left on your current passports.
Dig out all your personal paperwork, including birth, adoption and marriage certificates, employment references, driving licences and qualification certificates.
Start filling in visa application forms.
Update your CV to make it suitable for the Australian or Kiwi market place.
Start job hunting: search the internet and contact some of the agents listed in our directory.
Put your house on the market.
Get your finances in order: consolidate bank accounts and reduce debts. Avoid entering into any new long-term commitments or contracts.
Consider talking to your employer about your migration plans.
Talk to your children's schools and ask them to prepare hand-over files.
Discuss your plans with your extended family and friends.
SIX MONTHS TO GO
Medicals will be required at this stage, along with police checks.
Get quotes from removal companies and for flights, and book them both.
Sell any unwanted furniture.
Ensure that any pets to be shipped are fully inoculated and fit to travel.
Get quotes and book pet shipment.
Clean and paint any garden tools and furniture you plan to take. Items with soil on will be denied entry at customs.
Give formal notice to your employer and get your P45 form.
Ask your medical centre and dentist for your hand-over files.
Open an Australian/Kiwi bank account.
Set up a trading account with a currency broker.
Request credit references from your bank, building society or other lender.
Find temporary UK accommodation in case your house sells too soon.
TWO MONTHS TO GO
Find temporary accommodation in Australia or New Zealand.
Book accommodation for each destination you're stopping at en route.
Register your children in their new schools.
Book pet kennels Down Under.
Start having goodbye parties now.
Organise all birthday cards and presents for the next three months.
Request up-to-date statements on any savings accounts and pensions.
Depending on your specific contract, give notice to your landlord.
ONE MONTH TO GO
Give your new address to your bank, passport office, DVLA, pension company, inland revenue, insurance brokers and accountants.
Bring council tax and utilities up to date and cancel any outstanding accounts for TV, internet, phone and insurance.
Sell or donate any surplus items.
Arrange for your post to be redirected.
Transfer funds to Australia or New Zealand.
Start packing non-essential items.
Collect all hand-over files from doctors, dentists and schools.
Arrange some private health cover for Australia or New Zealand, if required.
Pay off any outstanding debts.
Close any surplus bank accounts and destroy your unwanted cards.
Shred any surplus personal records.
Confirm your booking with your removal company, and confirm your flights.
Ensure that all your relevant paperwork is in a handy travel file.
Cancel any redundant direct debits, standing orders or other outgoing payments.
Ask for a copy of your no-claims bonus from your insurer.
Arrange car hire and hotels.
ONE WEEK TO GO
Cancel any newspapers, milk or satellite TV subscriptions.
Sell your car, bike or van.
Cancel your car insurance.
Buy some currency for each destination you'll be stopping at en route Down Under.
Throw more goodbye parties!
Ensure that your goods are either about to leave the UK or are already on their way.
Organise any cards or presents your children may want to send to their friends prior to leaving.
ONE DAY TO GO
Make sure that early transport to the airport is organised and booked.
Establish who will be coming to the airport to say goodbye to you.
Pack activity sets for young children.
Get a good night's sleep.
When you arrive
ON ARRIVAL
Pick up a copy of On Arrival Magazine - it contains lots of good ideas and information.
Collect your hire car and check into your temporary accommodation.
Contact your friends back home to let them know that you've arrived safely.
Make contact with your resettlement agency or any other people who will be of help to you.
Try not to sleep through the day - this will keep your jetlag to a minimum.
Set up a pay-as-you-go mobile to start you off - you can buy a cheap SIM card and use it in your UK phone.
Find your nearest internet cafe for property and area research.
Take a few days to get over the journey and explore the area.
ONE WEEK LATER
Get a tax file number (TFN) in Australia, or an IRD number in NZ.
In New Zealand, register for Kiwi-Ora, a resettlement programme. You can register at your local embassy or consulate.
Contact your new employer.
Explore the area you'd like to live in and ask the locals for information.
Meet with rental agents and see some of the property options available.
Consider buying a car because rural public transport can be irregular.
Get car insurance for your new motor.
Register at a local school and arrange to meet your children's new teachers.
Get a landline installed and set up internet access - this will be invaluable for researching everything from property to jobs.
Invite your neighbours around for drinks and make new friends.
ONE MONTH LATER
Review your financial position and transfer more funds if required.
Set up any necessary standing orders for utilities or other outgoing expenses.
Register with your local doctor and dentist, and Medicare if you're in Australia.
Meet with mortgage brokers so you can understand your borrowing capacity.
Visit your children's schools to ensure that they've settled in well.
Identify a reliable plumber, electrician and mechanic in your area.
Consider re-writing your will.
Discuss your first month with your employer and resolve any problems that have cropped up.
Start to attend social functions or join a sports club.
Establish a routine and settle into your fantastic new life Down Under!
