Moving to Australia - In the Spotlight: South Australia

Moving Partnership specialise in international removals, including removals to Australia. Our removals to Australia service includes shipping to all states and territories including South Australia, from the UK and between most other European and international destinations. We can also arrange removals from Australia back the other way.

For removals to Australia, we compare removal quotes from a wide range of high quality, respected firms to find the best priced, most suitable removals service to suit your particular requirements. We assist with all types of domestic and commercial removals to Australia as well as the shipment of specialist items such as musical instruments, artwork, antiques and vehicles and pets. Our service is tailored to your individual requirements and can include full or part load removals and shipping in 20 ft / 40 ft containers and the transportation of urgent items by air freight.

Our removals to Australia quotes are provided free of charge and most of the companies we partner with are FAIM accredited or BAR registered.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

In this article, we explore the state of South Australia.

Moving to Australia: The State of South Australia

South Australia has a population of 1.5 million. It is one of the least populated states and territories on the Australian mainland, second only to the Northern Territory which has around 225,000 inhabitants. Three quarters of the people who live in South Australia reside in the state’s capital city, Adelaide.

The state is the only one that shares its borders with all the Australian states and the Northern Territory. It is also known as the driest state on the world’s driest continent. The southern settled districts experience mild winters and hot dry summers with maximum temperatures in Adelaide ranging from 15 C in winter and 30 C in summer.

South Australia is a major wine producing region with the Barossa Valley located here which is known as Australia’s wine capital. Indeed as much as 50 per cent of Australia’s total wine production comes from South Australia including well-known brands such as Jacob’s Creek and Penfold’s Grange.

South Australia and the state capital, Adelaide, is thought of as a very attractive place to live and work. In fact Adelaide was recorded by The Property Council of Australia as the most liveable city in the country. This is partly because of the beaches, culture, food and wine and also because it offers such a low cost of living. The price of homes here are much cheaper compared to Sydney and Melbourne, with average house prices set at around 400,000 Australian Dollars which is half what you would pay in Sydney for the same type of property, and two thirds that of Melbourne.

Food and wine is a major part of the South Australian lifestyle. The food in South Australia is of world class standard and there are many central markets where you can sample gourmet delights. You can also enjoy plenty of fresh seafood here including crayfish, oysters, giant snapper and King George whiting.

The state offers a very relaxed, outdoors-based lifestyle with many hours of sunshine. And with average winters at 15 degrees, its inhabitants can enjoy outdoor living all year round. The beaches offer plenty for fun for everyone, whether that's diving off one of many shipwrecks off the white sand beach of Kangaroo Island’s Vivonne Bay, once dubbed Australia’s best beach, or taking part in a dolphin spotting cruise from Adelaide. Others may enjoy kayaking in the sea or simply relaxing on the sands with a good book.

It is also very easy to get out and about in Adelaide which is known as a 20 minute city because you can get from where A to B in less than half an hour. This is great for those who work, as the short commute times mean leaving for work later and getting home earlier - allowing more time to relax and spend with friends / family. The transport system is well run and includes free buses and trams between some destinations. Free transport includes the 99C bus, the free tram between North Terrace and south Terrace and the Adelaide Connector Free Bus Service which connects main facilities (including shopping districts) within Adelaide city centre and north Adelaide.

Some 13 per cent of the working population in South Australia are employed in health care and social assistance and around 12 percent in the retail industry. Manufacturing, the high tech electronics industries, and defence industries also play a major role in the economy of South Australia and almost half of the cars produced in Australia are made in Adelaide.

As South Australia has relatively a small population, there are not many major cities. The second most populated city after the state capital Adelaide is Mount Gambier. This is a popular stop off point for tourists as it lies half way between Melbourne and Adelaide and is famous for its blue lake which changes colour each year.

The rest of its city's are all coastal and include Port Pirie which is two hours from Adelaide and is South Australia’s second largest Port. It is also a centre for the metal industry, fishing and grain production. Port Augusta is a seaport and also a railway junction city as it enjoys a unique position at the crossroads of Australia and is the southern gateway to the Northern Territory. Whyalla is a seaport and South Australia’s third most populated city and Port Lincoln is an attractive coastal city described as the ‘seafood capital of Australia’. Major towns are Renmark and Murray Bridge.

Moving Partnership Limited can move you to all parts of Southern Australia including Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving to Australia - Get to Know Your States and Territories

Are you moving to Australia? If so, Moving Partnership (MPL) provide  competitively priced international shipping and removals to Australia from the UK, Europe and most overseas destinations. We also provide removals from Australia back the other way. Whatever your requirements, our partnerships with removal companies worldwide enable us to provide the best possible prices for moving to Australia, without compromising on quality.  We compare a range of quotes for removals to Australia, free of charge and will then recommend the most suitable removals company for the job, to suit your individual requirements.

Our removals to Australia services include full container load shipping, which is the quickest and most direct way to ship the majority of your belongings to Australia. Or we can offer a groupage (part load service) for smaller moves, and air freight for small, urgent items.

We partner with the most reputable and best removal companies to ensure that your removals to Australia, whether domestic or commercial, is carried out to the highest possible standards. Most of the companies we partner with are either British Association of Removers (BAR) registered or FAIM accredited to ensure that your move to Australia service goes smoothly from start to finish. 

Our moving to Australia service covers all areas of the Commonwealth of Australia, the six states -  New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia - and the various territories including the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving to Australia: States and Territories

If you are considering moving to Australia and have not yet decided where in Australia you want to move to, this guide is for you!  Read on for a brief overview of the five states and territories on mainland Australia and the sixth state of Tasmania which is made up of islands. 

New South Wales

New South Wales is the most populated state of Australia with more than 7 million inhabitants and 34 percent of Australian’s living here. It situated in the east of Australia and is bordered by Victoria, South Australia and Queensland and to the east is the Tasmanian Sea. Jervis Bay Territory and The Australian Capital Territory, which contains Australia’s capital Canberra, are Federal enclaves of New South Wales.

More 60 percent of the population of New South Wales live in the state’s capital, Sydney, which has the deepest natural harbour in the world. Sydney is a tourist hot-spot where major draws include Sydney Opera House - one of the most recognisable buildings of the 20th century - and Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is affectionately called the coat hanger because of its design. Many international companies have their headquarters in Sydney’s Central Business District which also attracts IT and financial services industries.

Tourism employs nearly 5 per cent of the workforce in New South Wales and visitors are attracted to Sydney and the coastal towns of Port Macquaire, Coffs Harbour, Nowra and Lismore. The Snowy Mountains region draws people for skiing during the winter months.

The state’s biggest export is coal and coal related products which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of exports from New South Wales. In addition. agriculture is  an important part of the economy, with the main livestock being cattle sheep and pigs. New South Wales is also an important wine producing region.  The Hunter Valley vineyards are located here, some of the oldest and most well known in all of Australia, which produce distinctive styles of Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz wine.

Queensland

Queensland is the northeast state of Australia. With a population of 4.5 million, it is bordered by the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia, and the Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea to the east. Its capital is Brisbane which is named after the river it is on and after the governor of New South Wales from 1821 - 1825, who was called Sir Thomas Brisbane.

Brisbane has a thriving economy, which includes many IT and financial services industries within the Central Business District. Also there are a large number of Australian and international companies who have set up base here including Asia Pacific Aerospace Headquarters.

The state has hot and humid summers and fairly dry and warm winters with top temperatures averaging between 22 - 30C throughout the year and boasting 300 sunshine days a year. It has stunning landscapes including the lush green Daintree rainforest, the golden beaches on the Sunshine Coast and the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

South Australia

South Australia is in the southern central part of the country and has some of the driest areas in the whole of the continent. It has a population of 1.5 million and shares borders with all the Australian states as well as the Northern Territory. Its capital is Adelaide which is home to three quarters of its citizens.

Health care, social assistance, the retail trade and manufacturing makes up the bulk of the economy in South Australia. Major industries include automobile and parts, meat, wine, wool, fish, metal, petroleum products and defence technology.  The Olympic Dam, which is located here, contains 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves.

The Property Council of Australia ranked Adelaide as the most livable city in Australia and it is known for its beaches, festivals, wine, food, sporting events and culture. It has a Mediterranean climate and top temperatures vary between 15 C in winter and 26 - 29C in summer.

Tasmania 

Tasmania boasts the cleanest air in the world. It consists of the island of Tasmania and 334 islands. It is a very unspoilt state with nearly 40 per cent of Tasmania made up of stunning national parks, nature reserves and World Heritage sites.

Half a million people live in the state with half residing in the greater Hobart precinct. The state’s capital, Hobart, is a busy port and cruise ship destination. Its main industries are ship building, light industry manufacturing, production of beers and tourism. Countryside areas outside the city are known for their production of wine. Hobart has a vibrant nightlife with many restaurants and cafes and bars. Another tourist draw is the weekly market in Salamanca Place which has 300 stalls and attracts around 25,000 visitors every Saturday.

Tasmania has four separate seasons with the coldest being winter between June and August which experiences snowfall in the higher regions. Winter sees highs of 12 C on the coastal areas and 3 C in the central region. The summer temperatures in the greater Hobart area see average highs of around 21 C.

Victoria

Victoria is the smallest state in Australia and is located in the south east of the country. It is the most densely populated state with 5.5 million living here and three quarters of these live in the state capital Melbourne.
It benefits from the second largest economy after New South Wales and the highest income producing sectors are finance, insurance and property services. 15 per cent of people in Victoria are employed in the manufacturing industry, making equipment, food, drinks and chemicals. It also has a large agricultural sector and is the centre of dairy farming in Australia.

Victoria is home to national parks such as the stunning Port Campbell National Park and interesting spa towns such as Hepburn Springs and Daylesford, which attract many tourists during the peak summer months.

Western Australia

Western Australia is by far the country’s largest state and is about the size of western Europe. It has a population of 2.3 million and most people (85 per cent) who live here occupy the state’s south western corner. 

The capital is Perth which in 2011 was dubbed the eighth most livable city in the world, according to The Economist. Perth is regarded as the country’s sunniest capital with 3,000 sunshine hours a year. It offers a relaxed outdoors lifestyle, some of the country’s best beaches, a lively and vibrant night life and busy markets. Perth also has the highest number of cafes in the world per head of population.

Western Australia has an economy that thrives on agriculture, tourism and mining. A wide range of mineral and petroleum products are extracted and processed here including crude oil, liquid natural gas, gold, ammonia and iron oil. The state is also a major exporter of wheat, sheep, wool and cattle. In fact, some of its cattle stations are the size of England.

Northern Territory

This is the least populated of Australia’s states and territories with just over a quarter of a million people living here. It also has a very youthful population - the youngest in Australia, with the largest proportion of under fifteens living here compared to the rest of the continent.

Tourism is a major industry in the Northern Territory with many people coming to see its beautiful and diverse landscapes including breathtaking waterfalls, springs, rock falls, and fascinating wildlife. The sacred Aboriginal site, Ayres Rock - the world’s largest monolith - and Kakadu National Park are both located here.

Darwin is the main city in the Northern Territory. It is a modern, multicultural city built overlooking the harbour on the Timor Sea and because of its location it serves as the gateway to Asia.

Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Removals to Australia - Why Choose Moving Partnership?

For removals to Australia it is essential to find a removal company you can trust. Moving Partnership (MPL) specialise in European, International and UK removals including removals to Australia and cover all domestic and commercial moves. We can also provide competitive quotes for the shipping of pets, vehicles and specialist items. 

Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving home is stressful at any time but considering an international move is a particularly overwhelming task.  MPL understand that removals to Australia involve a lot of planning and offer guidance and help every step of the way.  We pride ourselves in offering a high quality international removals at greatly reduced prices.  Our many years of experience in providing removals to Australia means you can rest assured that your belongings will be shipped quickly and securely.

Here we look at the benefits of moving with MPL.

For Removals to Australia We Save You Time and Money

The cost of moving to Australia should not be underestimated; it is not limited to shipping and removal charges, there are many other costs which need to be considered.  For example, flights for you and your family members, plus the added expense of transportation from the airport to your new home.  Are you planning on taking any pets with you?  If so, this is likely to cost more than a flight for yourself as you will need to take account of quarantine charges and any vet bills.  If applicable the transportation of any vehicles, be that the family car or a vehicle used for work, will incur shipping and importation costs, with import duty and Goods Services Tax (GST) payable on arrival.  Not to mention that vehicles will be inspected and may require modification to comply with Australian safety standards. Last but not least, you will need to consult the Australian Embassy regarding the cost and type of Visa application you and your family members require.  Ensuring that you are in good health prior to applying for your Visa is imperative but as a migrant you may be subject to medical tests and will be liable to pay for these regardless of pursuing your visa application or not.

Once everything is considered you will realise just how important it is to obtain a good price for making the move to Australia.  Prices for removals to Australia vary considerably so be sure to obtain a number of quotes before making a decision on which company to use.  At MPL we can remove the burden of contacting lots of different companies by comparing quotes on your behalf helping to save you time and money.  This free of charge service will provide you with an online quote outlining the price of your move at a glance.

Through our extensive network of partners we are able to compare prices with hundreds of quality removal companies and provide you with the most competitive rates without compromising on service.  Unlike with other companies, any savings that we make are passed directly to our customers. 
Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

For Removals to Australia We Help You Choose the Service That's Right for You

For removals to Australia, there are three main options available for the shipping of your possessions: 

Removals to Australia: Full Container Load
This option provides you with sole use of a container for shipping your furniture and possessions.  Depending on how much you plan to move will depend on whether we recommend a 20ft or 40ft container to transport your items.

Removals to Australia: Groupage
This service is suitable for smaller moves which do not require an entire container.  Similar consignments for the same destination will be packaged together and on arrival at the port the container will be carefully unpacked and delivered to your home.

Removals to Australia: Airfreight
This service is the most costly of the three and generally only recommended for items which are required quickly including important documents and clothing.

In addition to shipping to Australia, we can also provide a number of options to make your move as stress free and simple as possible.  Taking advantage of our packing service could save you money in the long run and free up your time to make all those last minute arrangements and say your goodbyes.  Our experienced and expertly trained staff will ensure that your belongings, including fragile items, are securely wrapped so that they arrive safely at your new home.  Many years of experience means that the space in each box is maximised to minimise the space it takes up in the container.  By utilising a professional packing service you will also find that many insurance companies provide a more comprehensive cover at a lower price. 

Should you wish we can assist with the cleaning of the property that you are leaving behind and/or your new home in Australia.  We can also unpack and arrange your furniture and possessions when you reach your new home.  Storage in alarmed containers can be arranged as required, ensuring your personal effects remain safe and dry for as long or short a period as possible.

Our friendly team are on hand to discuss all aspects of your move,  helping you to choose the right combination of services to suit your individual requirements.

Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

For Removals to Australia We Are Reliable

Moving to Australia will no doubt be one of the biggest and stressful events of your life, it is therefore essential that you select a removal company that you can rely on.  Choosing a company which has prior experience of removals to Australia and a proven track record is vital.  Make sure you take up references with your chosen removal company and check the length of trading history. 

For complete peace of mind, most of the companies which MPL partner with are accredited by the British Association of Removers (BAR) and FAIM, the only quality standard for the international moving industry.   Companies registered by these industry standards are required to undergo stringent compliance procedures every couple of years by an independent consultant to ensure that the services they provide meet the highest possible standards.  Dealing with a BAR and FAIM accredited organisation will help to ensure that your move runs as smoothly as possible.

For Removals to Australia We Will Help You With All Aspects of Your Move
At MPL we understand what a daunting task relocating to Australia can be and that’s why we are at hand to help from start to finish.  During your move you can rest assured there will always be someone at the end of the phone to answer questions or concerns.  We are more than happy to talk you through the customs clearance process and provide advice on what documents will need to be produced on arrival and what items you will need to declare.  We can also advise and provide removals insurance to make certain that your belongings are protected during transit.

Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving to Australia - In the Spotlight: Adelaide

Moving Partnership (MPL) provide international removals to Australia including removals and shipping to the city of Adelaide.  Our partnerships with removal companies worldwide enable us to obtain the lowest prices for removals to Australia which, we then pass on to our customers.  If you’re looking at moving to Australia, we provide a free of charge service comparing a range of removal quotes on your behalf and will advise you on selecting the most suitable service to meet your requirements.  MPL ensure our services for removals to Australia are of the highest standard and partner mostly with companies that are BAR/FAIM accredited. 

The size of your move will determine  the shipping service that we provide.  20 or 40ft containers are recommended for full container removals to Australia, whilst smaller moves will be packaged as a grouped consignment. Any urgent items such as documentation are usually sent by air freight.  MPL can additionally advise and arrange the shipping of pets, vehicles and specialist items.

Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving to Australia: About Adelaide
If you’re thinking of moving to Australia then the city of Adelaide, the fifth largest in Australia, offers something for everyone.  Located in South Australia with a population of little over a million, Adelaide boasts a climate that we Brits can only dream about.  Year round blue skies with winter lows of 16 degrees and summers of around 28 offers the perfect climate to enjoy the Adelaide Hills and stunning beaches.

Adelaide City was surveyed and designed by Colonel William Light in 1836 who had a vision of a compact city centre surrounded by plentiful open space.  The streets of Adelaide are arranged in a grid encompassed by an expanse of open heritage parklands covering half of the city.

As the wine capital of Australia and home to a diverse cultural mix, Adelaide is an excellent city to enjoy an eclectic mix of food ranging from Asian fusion to Argentinean cuisine, accompanied by fine local wines in the city’s many fashionable restaurants.  Be sure to sample the stunning whites of the Adelaide Hills, the Clare Valley Rieslings and the Barossa Valley and Coonawarra Reds - you won’t be disappointed!

Moving to Australia: Living in Adelaide
There are a lot of things to consider when moving to Australia, taking a holiday is an entirely different experience to building a home and a living there.  You need to be sure that the place you choose to live will be right for you and your family and with Adelaide you’re unlikely to go far wrong.  However do bear in mind that the cost of living in Adelaide is far higher that many other places in Australia but in terms of city living it is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. 

Although a city, many of Adelaide’s suburbs offer country living within easy reach of a vast array of facilities via its first class transport system which has seen the biggest ever single investment by the state Government.  The transformation and investment in Adelaide’s transport system which started in 2008 has taken place as a direct result of the record number of people switching to public transport.  This transport network provides a fast, efficient and green timetable of trains, buses and trams awarding Adelaide as one of the most liveable and sustainable cities in Australia.

In a survey conducted in 2010 of the top ten Australian suburbs to live, four were located in Adelaide: Kensington Gardens, North Plympton, Sheidow Park and Highbury.

Younger people should look to Sheidow Park or Highbury which offer low crime rates and affordable housing with average prices ranging from $350,000-$380,000 respectively.  Sheidow Park is located near to Hallet Core Beach and approximately 30 minutes drive from Adelaide’s city centre or CBD (Central Business District) as it is more commonly referred to.  This is a location offering great family appeal with lots of first time buyers building new houses or renovating older properties.

Highbury is set against a backdrop of hills and close to Linear Park offering some beautiful views.  Highbury offers a fabulous selection of shops, restaurants and eateries; good schooling and theatres are also close at hand.  With fast transport links to the city (only 15 minutes by bus) and 30 minutes to the sea, Highbury offers a great base from which to work and enjoy family life.

Kensington Gardens and North Plympton are by comparison suburbs occupied by those with much higher incomes and are reflected in the median price of property which is around $615,000 in Kensington Gardens and $419,000 for a house in North Plymouth.  Apartments in the North Plympton area can be purchased for around $300k.  For this reason the average age of the population in these suburbs is nearing 50. 

Kensington Gardens is a quiet leafy suburb situated within easy walking distance of the city centre and the Hornsnell Gully Conservation Park providing a fabulous location for working families.  With all amenities accessible within a 10 minute drive and a great atmosphere it’s not surprising that most are excited about living there.  Nearby suburbs include Erindale, Hazelwood Park, Burnside and Wattle Park.

North Plympton is located about 6kms from the city and the beach and offers a quiet, convenient and safe neighbourhood.  As well as easy access to the cities state-of-the-art transport system, North Plympton is close to the airport, has great bike tracks and a wealth of parks for the kids.  Neighbouring suburbs consist of Plympton, Glandmore and Netley.

Adelaide is a city which offers a truly family friendly vibe and definitely a location not to be overlooked if you’re thinking of moving to Australia.

Moving to Australia: Working in Adelaide
South Australia welcomes migrants from all cultures, particularly those with much needed skills to continue the development of the state.

Moving to Australia will allow you take advantage of the Australians long standing culture of a positive work-life balance.  A typical working day starts at nine and finishes 5, leaving plenty of hours of sunshine left to enjoy outdoor pursuits with the family.

The economy in Adelaide is centred on manufacturing, defence technology and research.  The General Motor Holden plant in Elizabeth is one of the major employers in Adelaide producing almost half of the cars manufactured in Australia.  Electronics is now the biggest industry in Adelaide employing 14,000 people with a 15% growth in revenue year on year since its establishment in 1990.

Moving to Australia: Leisure in Adelaide
If you decide on moving to Australia, Adelaide provides no end of open space and attractions to enjoy and explore.  Adelaide is surrounded by parkland and offers the perfect weather to take advantage of leisurely walks, picnics and games.  The biggest park in Adelaide is 17 hectare Bonython Park situated on the northwest side of the River Torrens.  This park features playing fields, children’s playgrounds, numerous barbecue stations and netball courts; it is also host to frequent events.

If you’re looking to explore the South Australia’s wildlife then visit Monarto Zoo a huge conservation park and open range zoo or feed the kangaroos at Cleland Wildlife Park where animals roam free in a huge expanse of native bushland.

If you’re more of a beach person, then you’re in luck as Adelaide offers the closest and most accessible beaches of any Australian capital.

Adelaide is renowned for Festivals and a city that most definitely loves to party.  The weather in Adelaide is at its best in March with this time of year known as ‘event season’.  Adelaide is home to the Adelaide Festival of Arts & the Fringe Festival, Australia's leading festival which runs every two years in March.  This unique festival begun in 1960 and is the largest of its kind in the world.  This spectacular event takes over the city of Adelaide and is visited by tourists from around the globe.

Other popular tourist attractions include Kangaroo Island offering wildlife, history and adventures or the Botanic Gardens which are home to the largest and oldest glasshouses in a Botanic Garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service.

Moving to Australia - What Costs are Involved?

Whilst there are significant costs for moving to Australia, here at MPL we can save you money on your international removals through our experience in the removals industry and excellent connections with removal companies worldwide. We compare a range of quotes for international removals to Australia, free of charge and then provide you with the best suited Australia removals service to suit your individual requirements. Our international removals to Australia are carried out to the highest standards and most of the firms we partner with are  BAR registered or FAIM accredited for complete peace of mind.

International Removals to Australia - click here for a free online moving quote

This article will explain some of the costs involved when moving to Australia. These include shipping/removals to Australia, the price of flying you and your family over to your new home, the transportation of pets and vehicles and the cost of visas / medical tests.

Removals / Shipping Costs

The three types of services for international removals to Australia are: container shipping, groupage services and air freight.

Full household loads are usually shipped in either 20 ft or 40 ft dedicated containers, depending on the size and quantity of the load Container shipping is often seen as the most secure form of international removals as your household contents are transported door to door in a container assigned exclusively for your use.

Groupage services are a good choice when you don't have a large enough consignment to fill a dedicated container. So instead your furniture and possessions are packed securely in a container with other part loads. Groupage services cost less than the use of a dedicated container but may take longer to arrive.

Air freight is a third option of shipping your belongings to Australia. It is used for cargo that is required quickly, such as personal belongings, clothes and important paperwork. Air freight is the most expensive form of transportation, so it is usually reserved for a few essential items in conjunction with either dedicated container shipping or groupage services.

For all of your international removals to Australia requirements, contact us today for a free Australia removals quote.

Notes on Choosing a Removals Company

When moving to Australia, it is not just the removals or shipping costs that you have to consider when picking a removals firm. Whilst a competitive quote is important, other things to think about include reliability, experience and  choosing a a company who has a good track record / history of many satisfied clients. After all, moving house internationally is stressful enough - you want to at least know for sure that your treasured possessions are in safe hands and will arrive on time and in tact!

Check references and enquire about their experience and length of trading history. Also find out how regularly they ship to Australia and whether they hold appropriate accreditations such as with BAR / FAIM. This will help you to select a high quality and reliable removals service.

Personal Transportation To Your New Home

This is another thing that you will have to budget for moving to Australia. As well as the removal and shipping costs, you will need to transport you and your family to your new home.

A good tip is to check details of flights and compare prices on the internet to get the best available deals. It is also worth bearing in mind that booking flights in advance often works out much less expensive than if you leave it until close to your departure date.  Moving out of season will help to bring down the cost of your air fare too, if this is an option for you.

You will also need to include the cost of transportation to and from the airport.

Transporting of Pets

Pets are usually transported by air. But a word of warning, if you intend to bring your dog or cat over to Australia, be prepared as the flight ticket is more costly than for a family member.

The overall price of transporting your cat or dog depends on its size, the time your pet spends in quarantine and also the additional cost of any vet bills.

At the time of writing, it costs around £1500 to import  a small breed of dog (such as Yorkshire Terrier) or £3500 for a large dog (such as a Golden Retriever). The approximate cost of quarantine in Australia is $800 AUD for 30 days.

There are strict rules about bringing pets into Australia but as a general guide cats, dogs and horses can be imported, subject to quarantine control. Certain breeds are not allowed so check with your removals company prior to your move and pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters and caged birds are also denied.

The procedure to import your pet is as follows:

• Your pet needs to be micro-chipped and you need to get a permit to import. This permit gives details on the veterinary certificates needed and other information on how to go about bringing your pet over.
  
• It is advisable to book quarantine well in advance as there can be a high demand for it. A UK government approved vet will be required to carry out general vaccinations before you leave, such as kennel cough and a blood test (for dogs).

• Parasite treatment and Veterinary Certificate A is to be completed within four days of your pet’s flight and Veterinary Certificate B is generally completed on the day your pet leaves the country.

Transporting of Vehicles

If you decide to take your car or other vehicle with you to your new home in Australia, this will also incur shipping and importation costs. Import duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) is payable on arrival in Australia, so you will have to consider whether it is economical to bring your car over from the UK.

To import your vehicle you will need an Australian customs form (B357), a vehicle registration form (V5), a sales or buyer invoice and service record. You must also get import approval on all cars, motorbikes, motorised caravans, lawn mowers and quad bikes before bringing them over to Australia.   Although non motorised caravans, boats and trailers are import duty and GST free, you will still need the import approval.

There is no equivalent to the MOT certificate in Australia but the car will be inspected on arrival to make sure it is road worthy.  You may need to make changes to your vehicle to make sure it complies with Australian safety standards.

Your vehicle’s chassis and wheels should be steam cleaned before shipping and the vehicle must be shipped with the minimum amount of fuel in the tank.

Visa and Medical Costs for Gaining Entry into Australia

There are several different types of visas for moving to Australia from the UK. One of these is the skilled application visa, which is suitable for those under the age of 45 years. To obtain this type of visa you need to speak English well and have skills listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List or Employer Nomination Occupation List. There are also subcategories within this visa and these include temporary and permanent visas. If the Skilled Independent pass mark is reached, sponsorship is not needed.

The employed sponsor-visa is another type of visa which also contains sub-categories including permanent and temporary. The employer makes this application once the migrant is offered a job.

There are also family visas which enable children, spouses, parents and other family members can come over to join a related Australian citizen or permanent resident of the country.

For up to date visa costs, please check with the Australian embassy.

It is a requirement to be healthy before applying for a visa and in some cases medical tests must be taken. The candidate must bear the cost of these medical tests, even if they don’t get the go ahead for a visa.

Most applicants need to have a health examination before permanent entry to Australia and passing the health examination does not mean that a visa is automatically granted. If you are applying for a permanent visa application, all immediate family members and  dependants, even if they don’t intend to move their with you, should meet the health requirements. This includes all children under the age of 18 years, whether or not they live with you.

International Removals to Australia - contact us now to discuss your move

International Removals to Australia – Featured City Brisbane

Once upon a time, we sent people to Australia as punishment for their misdeeds. Nowadays that would be tantamount to buying them a one-way ticket to paradise. There is a huge draw to the land down under and it is little wonder when you consider the lifestyle that's on offer there.

Most of Australia’s major cities including; Darwin, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth occupy coastal locations and the same is true of the city of Brisbane. Like the others, Brisbane boasts vast, clear blue skies, wonderful beaches and good, clean air. The city's residents, or "Banana Benders" as anyone from Queensland is colloquially known, share a common interest in healthy living and a love of the outdoors, the water, fun and fitness.

Their city is vibrant and bustling and their economy is very healthy. It’s all very different to the way it was before, when Queenslanders where seen as having nothing better to do than sit around all day, bending the bananas as they came off the plantations. Nowadays, if you were to nickname the locals at all, it would probably be more apt to use the term "Cane Toad", born of the fact that Queensland was overrun by these poisonous pests as a result of their introduction in 1935, ironically as a form of pest control. Queensland’s cane toad problem is now under control but the label has stuck nonetheless.

Living in Brisbane

One of the best things about Brisbane, from an émigrés point of view, is the distinct lack of anything resembling winter. The cooler season as it is known here is just that, cooler. Not cold like the winters you get in the UK or in Europe, just pleasantly cool. Temperatures have dropped to as low as 9.5°C in July and reached as high as 20.6 °C in the same month and this is the coolest month of the year. In January the story is very different, the high is measured at 29.1°C and the low at 20.9°C. Small wonder then, that barbecues in this city are rarely, if ever cold.

Brisbane is a clean, modern, forward-looking city whose people love life and live it to the full. You don’t have to look far to see evidence of this either. Maybe it’s the constantly blue skies, the shorts and T shirt weather, the shorter working days, the reduced stress levels, the proximity of the sea and the beach or the great out doors. Maybe it’s the combination of all these things that means the people who live here are in general happier, more relaxed, life focused people.

Think of shopping in Brisbane and you think of the Queens Street Mall and the South Bank Markets. These offer very busy and colourful yet different shopping experiences. The Queens Street Mall or QSM is located in Brisbane's Central Business District, between Edward and George Streets. It is Brisbane's single biggest retail location and offers, at one end, a pedestrianised undercover area featuring some 500 stores and at the other, The Myer Centre, 5 floors of shops featuring every designer label imaginable (almost!). There is also an international food court to satisfy even the most varied and unusual of tastes as well as supermarkets and cinemas. The centre is open all week with extended shopping hours on Fridays.

If you prefer a more bohemian style of shopping, then The South Bank Art and Craft Market is the place for you. Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it is a bright and colourful shoppers delight, bringing with it a wonderful feeling of freedom. Buskers and other performers, mingle with the crowds adding a sense of the theatrical to the place. Here you can browse the market stalls to your hearts content, picking through an assortment of goods and trinkets from local crafts to clothing and unique works of art. The markets also proffer fresh produce alongside a good range of cafés and eateries.

Working in Brisbane

Brisbane’s CBD or central business district is arranged in a grid pattern, in a crook in the Brisbane River. Among the many buildings of national importance in the area are  Queensland's Parliament House, Brisbane City Hall and the Masonic Memorial Centre, but it speaks a lot for the city planners, that they are still able to include the green spaces of The Queens Gardens, Post Office Square and Brisbane City Botanic Gardens as well as the modern King George Square which has just undergone a massive redevelopment. Re-opened in October 2009, the new space has been designed as a transit hub and as the ceremonial and civic heart of the city.

The area attracts big business, many of whom operate in global markets, not just in Asia. Among the big hitters in town are Suncorp Group, insurance and banking, after whom the Suncorp Stadium is named, QR National, the largest rail freight haulage business in Australia, Newcrest Mining, a company involved in the exploration, development and operation of gold and copper mines and Bandanna Energy Ltd who are involved in the exploration and production of coal.

Life in Brisbane’s busy city centre is by turns business like and laid back. It seems that they’ve struck the work-life balance, just right. A typical working day starts at around 09.00 and finishes at around the same time as it does in the UK. The difference is when its done, its done. Its time then to get out and enjoy yourself. Of course it helps that after the working day is done, there is still plenty of sunshine around so you can go hiking up in the hills, you can laze around on the beach or go swimming and surfing in the ocean.

Relaxing in Brisbane

If you don’t fancy getting active after work, you could look to head out and find some culture, as Brisbane is loaded with it. A full calendar of events is laid on, from theatre to opera and ballet, right through to musicals and concerts. This programme compliments an exciting array of exhibitions, installations and attractions. Look out for The Queensland Cultural Centre, on the banks of the Brissy River. It is home to some of the nations leading art institutions.

The Queensland Museum & Sciencentre, is a must see. Here you can find out all about the flora and fauna of the area, aboriginal culture, the rock formations and the history of the place, going right back to the time when dinosaurs ruled the planet. Brisbane is also favoured with the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, which is the largest modern art museum in Australia.

Moving Partnership Limited are pleased to offer international removals to Australia, including removals to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, The Gold Coast, Canberra, Wollongong, The Sunshine Coast, Hobart, Geelong, Townsville, Cairns and Launceston. So if you are moving to Australia, we can help with all aspects of your move.
International Removals to Australia - click here for full information on our removals to Australia service

Moving to Australia - In the Spotlight: Perth and Western Australia

Moving Partnership provide free online removals quotes for all international removals to Australia, including removals to Perth in Western Australia. Our extensive knowledge of the industry and network of partnerships with worldwide removal companies, enables us to offer extremely competitive international removals to Australia, without compromising on quality. We can provide quotes for UK removals to Australia, removals from Australia to the UK and between most other European and international destinations.

International Removals to Australia  - click here for full information on our international removals service.

About Perth and Western Australia

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, covering one third of the entire continent. It has a total area of over 2.5 million square kilometres, making it 3.6 times bigger than Texas, 4.6 times larger than France and to put it into real perspective, 11 times the size of the UK. Despite its size though, Western Australia is home to only around two million people, one and three-quarters of a million of whom, live in Perth.

Perth is one of the world’s most isolated cities. It is quite literally an island of people, with a virtually uninhabited desert to one side and thousands of miles of water to the next. If you look on a map you’ll see Perth on the left of Australia and most of the other large Australian cities including Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns, on the right.

This splendid isolation means that Perth’s residents get to enjoy a Mediterranean climate and a relaxed lifestyle in a very clean, spacious environment and, instead of waking up to the sun rising over the Pacific Ocean, as they do in Eastern Australia, the people of Perth get to enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

The vast majority of the housing stock in Perth is detached on varying plot sizes, and its residential streets and avenues are wide and in the main, quiet and relatively traffic free providing plenty of safe space for children to play in. In  fact Perth is the ideal place to raise a family, with most migrants finding it a friendly place to settle, particularly when compared to the larger cities on Australia's eastern coast. It would not necessarily be your destination of choice if you were young, free and single and looking for an exciting city night life, but it is great for those looking for a suburban, family orientated way of life.

The northern and western sides of the city are the most highly regarded and many British émigrés have chosen to settle there. So much so, that around a quarter of the population is British. Among the most popular locations are Subiaco, Nedlands, Claremont, Dalkeith, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove but houses here can be quite costly and the journey into the city can be a busy and sometimes quite slow one. Other areas favoured by British expats are Beldon, Connolly, Edgewater, Heathridge, Joondalup, Mullaloo and Ocean Reef.

Perth has wide roads and highways and rush hours can be busy but the traffic usually keeps moving. Speed cameras are ubiquitous which is further proof, as if it were needed, that this is a residential, family friendly city and the authorities want to keep it that way.

During business hours, the public transport service in Perth offers regular and inexpensive connections. A Transperth ticket works like a travelcard in that it can be used on both buses and trains. Like travelcards, they are sold on the basis of city zones but unlike the travelcard, they can be bought in most newsagents. Regular commuters should look to purchase a MultiRider ticket. At time of writing, these worked out 15 percent cheaper than the standard fare for 10 journeys and 25 percent cheaper than the standard fare for 40 journeys.

Moving Partnership Ltd can move you to and from all Australian cities including: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne,Perth and Sydney.

International Removals to Australia -  contact us now to discuss your move, or click here for a free online moving quote.