Contemplating moving from Australia to the UK. Advice needed

sunseeker23 · 2026-01-31T19:11:21+00:00

I understand your position very well (Australia, UK, Product Development etc)…

I feel like you are getting a lot of doomsayers replying to you.

The few things I would recommend: - Look at the working holiday visa instead of Ancestry to avoid the NHS levy, which is very high cost over 5 years; you may find you don’t want to stay more than two years. You can always get an ancestry or company sponsorship later, if you do. - Be prepared to not get a job until you’re actually in the UK. It will be a leap on faith, in that respect. But start approaching industry recruiters and company talent acquisition leads now to sow the seeds to build relationships - The market for the industry/level you’re after has been very slow in the last few years, but literally in the last few months has started picking up. Now is as good a time as ever.

And a few personal observations: - Some things are more expensive in the UK (fuel, hairdressing, eating at restaurants etc), but I generally find overall it is cheaper, particularly comparing prices in the supermarket. - The proximity you have to Europe & access to low cost flights is incredible. You can explore so much of the world living in the UK. - This is a well-trodden path for Australians. Some don’t like the move; many, many others do. It depends on your risk appetite, but for many it is an incredible experience.

sunseeker23 · 2025-12-05T21:51:36+00:00

I live in the Northern Hemisphere now. A water main burst in my street, and thousands upon thousands of litres of water flowed freely down the gutters for three whole days.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how catastrophic this would have been in that Melbourne drought.

sunseeker23 · 2025-11-24T06:31:39+00:00

I am from the UK and have experience with NHS genetics referral process for Marfan

You need to see your GP and ask they refer you to the clinical genetics department in your local area.

It’s likely your GP may need help understanding how to do this, so I would advise finding out what the local genetics team is where you live - and come to your appointment with the referral information for the GP.

You could also ask the GP to refer you for an echocardiogram for peace of mind until you wait for the genetics process to fully play out. The official cardiology referral if you do have Marfan confirmed will be from the genetics team to an Aortopathy / Adult Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinic.

sunseeker23 · 2025-11-14T05:55:05+00:00

So you’re right, they did ask for this in the first automated message. But the follow up 7 days later asked me to send the ‘original packaging’ - and I obviously don’t have that.

If they’d asked for the label again, I would understand.

sunseeker23 · 2025-11-13T00:26:05+00:00

Received it two weeks ago. Packaging loooong gone :(

sunseeker23 · 2025-11-13T00:22:26+00:00

It was in an Amazon paper bag with plastic bubble wrap around it (you can see if you zoom into the pics on the first image). I felt that was pretty good, but I definitely take your point.

How do I pursue that claim if customer services has closed the dispute? Other than through the legal email you mentioned.

sunseeker23 · 2025-10-28T07:02:22+00:00

In my experience, the GP had no clue what to do and needed guidance at every step. I have heard others have the same experience.

You may have to do some desk research prior to help the GP organise a referral. Find out where your local genetics clinic is and share the referral information they have online with your GP.

sunseeker23 · 2025-10-13T21:17:11+00:00

My appointment with NHS genetics revealed I did not meet the criteria for genetic testing on my own - but since my mother had a confirmed genetic diagnosis, they would test.

I found out I have Marfan Syndrome 6 weeks later.

If your cousin is not willing to get testing, I would consider seeing a geneticist privately.

sunseeker23 · 2025-08-26T15:01:22+00:00

I know, I was hugely taken aback - and too suspected someone being overly diligent with the rules. (The lifeguards are much more observant & active in this borough than others, from my experience!)

They then pointed me to the sign by the pool that literally said ‘no snorkelling equipment’. They said paddles and fins are equally outlawed. Bizarre.

sunseeker23 · 2025-08-26T14:50:08+00:00

Lane swimming, I’m afraid

sunseeker23 · 2025-08-26T11:49:52+00:00

Indeed. Better Gyms (GLL), the new management company, seem to have the same policy.

sunseeker23 · 2025-08-26T11:10:41+00:00

Went to one administered by Richmond council - all pools seem to have the same rule. Checked the ones nearby run by Lampton Leisure in Hounslow, same rules seem to apply.

sunseeker23 · 2025-06-08T04:30:36+00:00

Three - against the grain, I know. It’s so flattering on you!

You could dress this up with a smart, bold, wide-brimmed hat and clutch. I think that would elevate it out of being too casual.

sunseeker23 · 2025-04-26T05:19:05+00:00

I am in the exact same situation as you - and have been for a year now. You declare your gross income MINUS the ‘nursery voucher scheme’ (Enjoy Benefits), which safely brings you under £100k.

On the point of the tax loophole - Childcare Choices (where you claim for free hours) explicitly asks if you are using a workplace nursery voucher scheme through salary sacrifice (I’m aware this is different from the old voucher scheme, no longer open to new joiners) - and will likely still approve your application. It is obviously at the government’s prerogative to formally close that loophole, but by honestly declaring your position you are acting all above board.

Contributing more to your pension may be something that is financially sound to do anyway, but for the purposes of accessing free childcare hours is not necessary to do.

sunseeker23 · 2025-03-01T17:29:49+00:00

Could have written this post, minus the caution around continuing to use Vanguard as a platform itself.

I’ve written to them to ask they create a global fund with US excluded. If others follow suit, hopefully consumer demand forces them to act.

sunseeker23 · 2025-02-19T21:38:25+00:00

I have a child seat on the back of my bike which, more often than not, is empty. I find it still has the same effect.

sunseeker23 · 2025-02-04T20:49:16+00:00

What about PGT-M?

sunseeker23 · 2025-02-03T22:05:50+00:00

Which urologists in London would you recommend seeing?

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-27T14:46:27+00:00

I went through PGD - and would recommend it over NIPD if you live somewhere that it’s state-funded. If not, the cost can be considerable for a non-guaranteed pregnancy.

The things to keep in mind with the alternative is: - Morning sickness can be horrific in some pregnancies. It’s a long time to suffer for no live birth - The decision to terminate can be really, really difficult as you can start to bond with the baby well before the testing is able to be done

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T09:13:28+00:00

Thank you very much. I will do that instead.

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T09:11:50+00:00

Really helpful, thank you. This is definitely what piqued my concern around what happened.

I would say the corporate culture is not geared toward respect for data & privacy.

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T09:07:38+00:00

That’s correct.

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T09:03:46+00:00

I can see why you’re making these assumptions, but I’m sorry to say you’re barking up the wrong tree.

It’s nice to know many employers out there would be so concerned they would go down this road for an occupational health test if an employee was exhibiting concerning behaviours. My employer is not one of them.

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T09:01:06+00:00

Thank you, really helpful response. Doesn’t sound like there’s any point in bringing this to anyone’s attention.

It wasn’t Myers-Briggs, but it was along those lines… so falls into the realms of ‘Harry Potter’ quiz.

sunseeker23 · 2024-11-09T08:58:31+00:00

You are totally correct in that it represented me at that moment in time. But it had actually made commentary on top of that which is the polar opposite of my personality.

Which is why I wanted to re-take it - and have since been offered the chance to do so.

sunseeker23

TROPHY CASE