Section 1 | "Getting to the UK"
Choose an Option
Home Considerations
Financial Help
Financial Advance Loan
An Outlay Advance loan is available to help with costs at a new posting, for every new long-term overseas posting.
Things to consider:
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The total amount that can be advanced is $15,000.00
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The member must enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth which is then approved
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If the member is posting in with an accompanying posted spouse, then you are only able to apply for the advance once.
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The form for application is the FD071
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Acquittal of the Outlay Advance is administered through the OAT.
Financial Advice
Financial Advice fee reimbursement is available for members leaving Australia on long-term posting to the UK.
Things to consider:
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The total amount that can be reimbursed is $300
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Reimbursement is conditional on the consultation had been
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Held with an accredited Financial Advisor, and
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Held between the day of Official Posting issued and the day of departure.
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The form for application is the AC984-1 or AC984-2
Motor Vehicles
Do I need a car in the UK?
This largely depends on where you'll be living and what you'll be doing. Things to consider:
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London has limited parking and heavy emission and congestion taxes
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The United Kingdom has a (mostly) terrific public transport system
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Living outside of London will most likely need a vehicle
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autotrader.co.uk is the equivalent to carsales.com.au
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Transporting a car home is (slightly) easier than bringing a car with you
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If you buy a car in the UK, you have to own it for 12 months in order to avoid heavy import duties
Are you keeping or selling your existing car?
Things to consider:
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You are responsible for transporting the vehicle
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You are responsible for ensuring the vehicle is storable
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You must keep the vehicle insured and registered, or
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If the vehicle runs out of rego, it is no longer considered insurable
Mail Redirection
Before moving to the UK you may decide to redirect your Australian Mail to your new address. An interim address you can use until you settle into a property in the UK is:
ATTN: (Your Full Name)
London Locked Bag 40
Kingston ACT 2604
Once you’ve moved into your new residential address in the UK, you can change or cancel the details of your redirection or hold.
Redirection is only for a set period of time (up to 12 months), and you will have to renew your mail redirection after that if you are spending longer than that in the UK. You will need to call Australia Post directly on +61 3 9847 6098 with your credit card details.
Renting or Selling
If applicable, ensure that you advise DHA or your private rental agent of your departure.
The Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance (HPSEA) may help you with some of the costs involved in selling and buying a home in your housing benefit location or family benefit location.
Want to know more?
PACMAN Chapter 7 Part 3 Overview, Definitions and Dual Entitlement
1. Planning Your Removal
Taking stock of what you have:
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Preparing yourself for a removal if you are not familiar.
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Updating your inventories if you are.
Disposal of equipment:
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You may be entitled to reimbursement of disposed goods if:
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They are not able to be taken, or
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They are not able to be stored.
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What can you take?
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List of things that simply cannot be taken.
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List of things that will not be approved unless special circumstances.
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Must be less than one small shipping container.
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Must be able to be carried by one person.
Types of Freight:
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Air freight
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Sea freight
Storage Limitations:
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No gas bottles
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No lawnmowers
Transfer Allowance
5. PT 1: Pre-Removal Visit
If sufficient notice is given to Toll Transitions for your removal, they may organise a pre-removal visit. The pre-removal visit ensures that the removal team is acquainted with your particular removal needs and circumstances to help the removal to go smoothly.
Step 1:
The removalist will come and arrange a suitable time to come visit you (in business hours).
Step 2:
During the visit show the removalist any unusual features of your items (or residence) that they might need to know about.
Step 3:
Make sure the OAT Case Manager is notified of any additions or deletions to your inventory.
To Consider
If you are finding it difficult to be contacted, directly reach out to the removalists themselves.
Make sure you have your removal confirmation letter (that Toll have forwarded to you) ready!
NOTE:
It should not be assumed that additions to your inventory will be automatically approved – speak with the OAT for clarity.
6. PT 2: Pre-Pack
If your international items (the items going with you to the UK) require a pre-pack, the removalist will pack your packable goods into cartons the day before uplift.
Porta-robes are available upon request if needed.
7. PT 3: Uplift
You must be present for your uplift at all times! If necessary, you can appoint a representative to be present on your behalf (must be a responsible adult, and recommend they are familiar with the Toll International Easymove Guide).
This is a legal duty to ensure that you are aware of what is being packed under your name to travel internationally.
The following checklist will help to ensure your smooth uplift:
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Discuss the removal timeline and any details or concerns with your removalists when they arrive.
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Remain in attendance throughout the move.
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Ensure the descriptions noted against items in the inventory are a true description of the item.
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Have the removalist include any additions or deletions required.
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Ensure the numbered stickers that the removalist has applied, applies to the total and amount of furniture / items / cartons that have been packed.
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Contact Toll Transitions on 1800 819 167 for any issues or if you are unsure what to do.
Inventory of items staying behind
Unlike a domestic relocation, proceeding on an overseas posting creates additional challenges. You will need to make arrangement in order to dispose of a number of items you may have previously been able to include in your removals or have transported personally between posting locations.
Check List:
▢ Draft an eating plan to deplete the contents of your fridge, freezer and pantry.
▢ Draft a decluttering plan for your household.
▢ Consider organizing a garage sale in order to dispose of unwanted items.
▢ (If offered), arrange for a hard rubbish collection of unwanted items.
▢ Dispose or re-home gas bottles and other hazardous and flammable items as they will not be accepted into storage nor transported.
▢ Dispose, or rehome, remaining food items that cannot be included in your overseas consignment.
▢ Cancel gardeners, cleaners, lawn services personnel.
Inventory of items to take
Although you cannot take everything, it is still worthwhile thinking about things you do not want to have to replicate in your new residence.
You may wish to consider the following sorts of things:
Kitchen:
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Cutlery and cooking utensils
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Crockery, pots and pans
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Tea Towels
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Australian Glad Wrap (trust us on this)
Bedroom:
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Bedding including pillow cases and duvet covers
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Blankets
Others:
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Additional clothing such as bulky jackets and coats
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Adapters for the Power Points
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Fans (so many homes in the UK are only equipped for heating, but it does get very hot here)
TIP (on successfully completing your inventory):
List items precisely, e.g. instead of noting that there are 20 units of Uniform, list each specifically. This will enable swift identification if you need to claim lost or damaged items later on.
Worldwide Insurance
Insurance For Storage In Australia:
Toll Transitions, as the contracted Defence international removal contractor, provides Insurance for goods moved and stored within Australia. The ‘Toll Transitions: International Defence Easymove Guide” goes into detail on any claims the member may have upon return to Australia.
Insurance for International Consignment:
The contracted company that insures good moved to and from the UK is Worldwide Multiple Risks Insurance.
Reimbursement for your initial policy should be processed by the OAT prior to arrival at post.Value covered is up to $53,000 AUD (excess of this is at member expense).
UK Post will reimburse subsequent annual premiums
See Living in the UK section for details on annual renewal.
Long Term Storage
You will need to prepare your goods for long-term storage. Here are some tips from Toll Transitions:
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All items need to be cleaned prior to storage.
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Washing machines and refrigerators must be drained and wiped dry, cleaned and dried, and washing machine bowls should be secured
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All fuel and oils must be drained from lawn mowers, whipper snippers and other fuel driven appliances such as generators
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Disassemble pre-fab furniture (within measure – Ikea beds for instance will be done for you), cots, garden sheds and outdoor play equipment (swing sets, trampolines and so on)
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Disconnect electrical cords from computers, televisions, sound systems, gaming consoles etc (liability issues)
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Remove DVDs, CDs, USBs, Disks and the like from machines and store correctly
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Outdoor equipment (such as BBQs and Compost bins, garden sheds, trampolines etc) must be thoroughly cleaned and dried prior to removal
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Gas bottles can be exchanged back to the Service Station, or if you’d rather keep them, then they must be purged by a licenced party and a certificate obtained and attached to the bottle (to verify)
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Scuba tanks should be prepared to manufacturer's instructions
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Waterbeds must be dismantled with bladders emptied, rolled and wrapped
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Dismantle TV antennae and supports
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Prepare movement clocks by removing weights and pendulums
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Separate fishing rods from reels
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Remove all batteries from battery-operated appliances and accessories (such as TV remotes and games controllers
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Prepare your high value bicycle for packing (this has specific instructions – check with Toll) otherwise your bicycle will be packed by the removalists as normal.
To Consider
Goods that you are not taking to the UK with you can be stored in a long term storage facility at the Commonwealth’s expense.
Temporary Accommodation
London-based postings
Personnel posting to London will normally be accommodated in serviced accommodation such as Monarch House Serviced Apartments in Kensington (West London) for your first few weeks in country until you move into your permanent residence.
Postings On Base / Married Quarters
If you are posting on base or into married quarters, you may have rest days in London, followed by temporary accommodation in the location of your posting (this may be a few nights or a few weeks) until the on-base accommodation is ready. London admin team will organise this for you.
Please refer to the Living in the UK Section for further information about Temporary Accommodation
