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Section 2 | "Living in the UK"
Immediate Actions  (On Arrival)

ADF in the UK - Bases

NOTE: Use The Interactive Map Below To Find:

  • Navy Bases

    • Plymouth​

    • Poole

    • Portsmouth

  • Army Bases

    • Powys​

    • Haverfordwest

    • Shrivenham

    • Upavon

    • Andover

    • Larkhill

    • Salisbury

    • MoD Boscombe Down

    • Northwood

    • Farnborough

    • Camberley

  • Civilian Bases

    • Birmingham​

    • Cheltenham

  • RAF Bases

    • ​Alnwick​

    • Huntington

    • Brize Norton

    • Bristol

    • Helston

    • Warminster

    • Wiltshire

    • Milton Keynes

    • Wattisham

    • Bedford

    • Henlow

    • Shefford

    • Marham

    • Waddington

Map

INSTRUCTION: Zoom In and Out To View Locations

ADO at the Australian High Commission

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Bank Account

NOTE: Post can only make payments into UK bank, building society or credit union accounts

When you arrive in the country you will need to open a UK bank account in order to be paid, and to be reimbursed for payments you will need to make for things like utilities and school fees.

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UK colloquially refers to two different banking systems that they call High Street Banks vs Online Banking, where High Street Banks refer to traditional bricks and mortar banks such as Barclays Bank, and online Banks refer to banks that deal only online via mobile phone apps, such as Starling. Generally it is easier to get an online banking account.

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Please note that Wise (formerly Transferwise) is not a UK bank and cannot be used for receiving payments at Post.

To Consider

Visit the UK Citizens Advice Bureau for more information on opening a bank account:

Check your money is deposited in a bank protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme:

Steps To Opening A Bank Account

  1. Application Form (physically or via a downloaded App).

  2. Some form of identification (this may include the Visa / Exemption that you are travelling on).

  3. Proof of address is often required (this could be the first Utility Bill or the Tenancy Agreement).

Post can provide a letter to help you open a UK Bank Account – contact the Admin Team for assistance.
Image by Eduardo Soares

NHS Registration

In order to be covered by the National Health Service in the UK you will need to have an NHS number.

NHS Number

An NHS number is a 10 digit number unique to you that helps provide identity and match health records. ​The NHS can be notoriously slow compared to health services we are used to in Australia, so it is good to get on top of registration early.

  • You do not need proof of residency to get this number. Good Tip: Ask your network of Australians who live in the same area of a good GP recommendation

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NHS Registration

Once you have an address – place your postcode in the NHS search tool and the results will include health care providers and a rating system that will aid you in your health decisions.

  • Almost in every case, you will have to register with a GP in your ‘local area’.

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Registration Steps

  1. Search for and register with a GP Practice

  2. Receive your NHS Number

  3. Use NHS Services such as Emergency Care or a GP as you require them

Resources

Wait times for GP appointments vary across the UK and in some cases an appointment may not be available for days or weeks.

If you need urgent attention you may be able to use a local 'walk-in' polyclinic or go to Emergency (called A&E).  There can be a lengthy wait in both cases.

Find out more about NHS Services here:

Airlift / Sealift

Once you have collected the keys to your property and suitable furnishings are in place, you are expected to check out of temporary accommodation and move into your new residence, even if your removal has not arrived from Australia.

You should receive Disturbance Allowance which compensates you for costs involved in a Commonwealth removal.

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You are eligible to apply for the AUD$15,000 Outlay Advance which is a loan to help with your establishment costs at a new posting location.  This can be used for purchasing essential items such as linen and basic kitchen equipment to enable you to move into your property, as your removal may not be available until after you have collected the keys to your property.

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Please make arrangements directly with your removal company concerning the delivery of your consignment. Parking suspension at your property may have to be implemented, which your removal company will arrange.  

 

Should any items be damaged in your removal, you will need to make a claim against your world-wide insurance policy.

Image by Claudio Schwarz

Temporary Accommodation

On Arrival

You will be booked into a hotel or serviced apartment for a period of approximately 14 days on arrival in your posting location by London High Commission admin staff to give you time to source permanent accommodation. From here you will either be:

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  1. Moved into the accommodation set out for you (for example Married Quarters on Base)​, or

  2. Accommodation options will be presented to you (within the temporary renting period).

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Your Possessions:

When your permanent accommodation becomes available, please contact your removal company to make arrangements for the delivery of your consignment.

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Even if your removal items have not yet arrived, you will still be expected to move in on your moving day.

To Consider

If your temporary accommodation  needs to be extended beyond the initial booking period, please contact your London-based Personnel Officer to ask if the booking can extended.

Hire car on arrival

Outside of the M25 "Ring Road"

The M25 is the Orbital Motorway that encircles greater London.

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Hire car entitlement

If your posting location is outside of the M25, you will be entitled to a hire car for up to 7 days upon arrival. 

 

The purpose of this hire car is to move the member to their posting locality after the march in brief and to familiarise themselves with their local area.

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The hire car is not to be used for any other purpose.

 

There will be no ADS(L) funded extension to this hire period.
 

Hire car contributions

Members are expected to pay a contribution towards hire car costs up to AUD 20 per day. The member will not contribute towards the day they travel to their posting locality but will be charged for subsequent days. Contributions will be calculated by your personnel officer who will instruct Overseas Salaries to make the required deduction from your salary.

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Members posted within the M25 / Greater London

Hire cars will not be provided to members posted within the M25 / Greater London area.

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Schools

NOTE: The High Commission covers school fees up to a certain amount of money. To give you an idea of how much this is, a ‘Benchmark” school is offered to families to show the amount the High Commission will cover (this is not an endorsement of any particular school – simply offered for fee purposes only)

The English school year runs from early September to mid or late July. Most schools divide the year into three terms, each term divided into half terms: Autumn term runs from early September to mid December (half term ends in late October). Spring Term runs from early January to Easter (half term ends in mid February).

UK vs AUS

Resources

The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) is the High Commission’s point of contact in London.

UK School Year of Entry (Based on Date of Birth)

School Kids

Mobile Phone

NOTE: If you want to use your existing handset (provided it is unlocked), SIM only PAYG plans in the UK are cheap and widely available.

Do you need a UK mobile phone?

  • If you are posted Diplomatically you will be issued a phone for business-use when you arrive at Post.

  • It is strongly recommended that adults (and probably secondary school aged children) in your household obtain UK mobile numbers.

    • Pay as you go plans are cheap and widely available.  You should not pay more than £10 per month for a SIM only PAYG plan with unlimited calls, texts and a substantial data allowance (e.g. up to 30GB).

    • ​If you have a good UK Credit History you may also be able to take advantage of contract plans which can offer cost savings and more variety than PAYG plans.​

HINT: www.moneysavingexpert.com is a good source of information in the UK for saving on household bills and making cost-comparisons.

Should you keep your Australian Mobile number?

  • If you use your Australian Mobile you may be charged expensive daily rates in the UK.

  • Check roaming costs with your provider before you leave AUS.

  • You may be able to pause your Australian mobile phone contract for a short period, continue paying your monthly plan or disconnect your service (if your plan allows you to).

To Consider

HINT: Just like in Australia, some networks work better in certain areas. Check the signal strength where you live/work before you purchase your SIM card.

You can get an idea of signal strength in a particular area with Ofcom's Telecoms Coverage Checker. This will show you results for four main networks in the UK — Vodafone, EE, O2, and Three.

What are the main networks in the UK?

There are four main networks in the UK: Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three.

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You can use this Cheap Mobile Finder to filter networks if you know a certain network has better coverage in your area.

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