UK born and bread, looking to move to Australia

[nomey]

I wondered if anyone here has done this recently. Looking for advice and experiences. This is just a thought in my mind at the mo, and probably won't happen for at least another year.

I'm currently living in the UK (resident) and would like to emmigrate to Australia with my family (partner + kids). The 457 visa looks ok but I assume i'd have to get that and work with an umbrella company in Oz.

Is there no way to start up a Pty Ltd? (saying that back to myself, I know that sounds daft and imaging how it would work the other way around, i.e. a non-UK resident coming to the UK to start a Limited Company!!!)

Trying to gain permanent residency looks possible while on a 457 visa - then I guess I could start a Pty Ltd after that.

I'm currently waiting for my 457 visa to be approved and myself and my partner hope to flight out at the start of April.

As far as I understand if you got sponsored then you would have to be an employee of the company that sponsored you. I don't think there is anything to stop you applying for permanent residency while also being on the 457 visa. You could get your 457 and be an employee while waiting for your PR visa to be approved, after it's approved you should be able to set up a Pty and contract if you wanted.

Bear in mind that it's common practise for sponsoring companies to have a clause in the contracts that states if you leave within 2 years then you have to pay back any costs the company paid to sponsor and get you to Australia.

[Sausage Surprise]

I suggest you use your loaf......


I'll get my coat..

[kingcook]

I'm currently waiting for my 457 visa to be approved and myself and my partner hope to flight out at the start of April.

As far as I understand if you got sponsored then you would have to be an employee of the company that sponsored you. I don't think there is anything to stop you applying for permanent residency while also being on the 457 visa. You could get your 457 and be an employee while waiting for your PR visa to be approved, after it's approved you should be able to set up a Pty and contract if you wanted.

Bear in mind that it's common practise for sponsoring companies to have a clause in the contracts that states if you leave within 2 years then you have to pay back any costs the company paid to sponsor and get you to Australia.

I've read that they do medical tests as part of the permanent residency application too, but that shouldn't be much of a problem as we're all in good health.

I could handle a couple of years being a permie over there (either for an employer or as an umbrella employee).

[JoJoGabor]

When I was there in 2005/6 contracting, my end client wanted to keep mean longer, so my agency, grey thorn sponsored me on a 457. So it meant if the end client didn't want me anymore they could find me another role.

I may be wrong, but I don't think you can work through a ltd company over there. Not many tax efficient ways of working.

[Mister Clark]

Google "80/20 rule Australia".

I don't know what sort of rates contractors can get in Oz but when I was looking into it there was little tax advantage unless you can satisfy the criteria that put you outside - and from what I have read this is unlikely unless you are genuinely running a company with multiple clients, multiple employees and you own premises (you home does not count BTW).

Still, it's sunny most of the time and the exchange rate will favour you if your planning on coming back to Europe!

EDIT: Read this: http://contractortaxation.com/australia/taxation/80-20

[kingcook]

Google "80/20 rule Australia".

I don't know what sort of rates contractors can get in Oz but when I was looking into it there was little tax advantage unless you can satisfy the criteria that put you outside - and from what I have read this is unlikely unless you are genuinely running a company with multiple clients, multiple employees and you own premises (you home does not count BTW).

Still, it's sunny most of the time and the exchange rate will favour you if your planning on coming back to Europe!

EDIT: Read this: 80/20 Rule explained | Australia | Contractor Taxation

Cheers. I'm aware of the 80/20 rule + the other tests (IMO a lot better than the IR35 shambles as it gives clear instructions as to who is caught and who is not.)

My main motivation for wanting to move over there is the climate (as is for most people), also the fact that everyone speaks English. I've ruled out America because it's full of Americans

[kingcook]

When I was there in 2005/6 contracting, my end client wanted to keep mean longer, so my agency, grey thorn sponsored me on a 457. So it meant if the end client didn't want me anymore they could find me another role.

I may be wrong, but I don't think you can work through a ltd company over there. Not many tax efficient ways of working.

I wonder if it's any easier to start up a Pty Ltd if you're going to be a non-contracting business. I dunno, say I wanted to open up a chip shop for example. It would look a bit daft to go via an agent/umbrella co for that.

[Mister Clark]

Cheers. I'm aware of the 80/20 rule + the other tests (IMO a lot better than the IR35 shambles as it gives clear instructions as to who is caught and who is not.)

My main motivation for wanting to move over there is the climate (as is for most people), also the fact that everyone speaks English. I've ruled out America because it's full of Americans

Totally agree re IR35 - at least you have hard and fast rules (mostly). I'm <30 so I may go over on a working holiday visa and contract, but it won't be because of the tax advantages.

I've been to Oz 3 times but never worked and my motivation is similar to yours with the added bonuse of a better quality of life (IMHO)- however due to the exchange rate the money is also pretty good if you are coming back.

I'm lucky in that two guys I used to work for have moved back to Oz and now running large consultancies so should be able to source work, however I've also got an interview at the end of the month from a large Oz based consultancy who are sending their HR team to the UK on a recruitment drive so indicatively at least it would seem there is a skills shortage (at least in my area which is testing).

[kingcook]

Totally agree re IR35 - at least you have hard and fast rules (mostly). I'm <30 so I may go over on a working holiday visa and contract, but it won't be because of the tax advantages.

I've been to Oz 3 times but never worked and my motivation is similar to yours with the added bonuse of a better quality of life (IMHO)- however due to the exchange rate the money is also pretty good if you are coming back.

I'm lucky in that two guys I used to work for have moved back to Oz and now running large consultancies so should be able to source work, however I've also got an interview at the end of the month from a large Oz based consultancy who are sending their HR team to the UK on a recruitment drive so indicatively at least it would seem there is a skills shortage (at least in my area which is testing).

I've only been once with the family, and to visit family over there. Loved it. I know it'll be different if I lived over there though because i'd have to actually work all day instead of drinking beer all day

But it's all about the quality of life, not just for me but for my kids when they grow up to.

Good luck if/when you go anyway

[IR35FanClub]

Where is 'Afrilca' anyway? Sounds nice.

Just down the round from Africa, between Afarchca and Afayca.

Its better though as they have a stable [but almost dictorial] government, electricity [sometimes] and roads that are tarmaced on the main roads - and as they don't have frost they seem to have less potholes than here. Beer is about £1 a pint, a main dinner in the touristy area £5 but if you go away from the beach and eat local food £1-2. Better known as Gambia. The only trouble is half of Europoeans over the age of 60 seem to have found out and are now living out there with their fat bellies on display. Gave me an idea though - I move there and open a gym with A/C on a backup UPS ;-)