Moving to Darwin

Located on Australia’s northern coast, the city of Darwin is often compared to Perth. Up in Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin has a tropical climate and a relaxed way of life. As far as cities go, it is very small, and totally surrounded by the wild and rugged Outback.

For those who love the outdoors, Darwin is a dream. Many state the city offers a true Aussie lifestyle, with surging, barbecues and outdoor pursuits at every turn. It also attracts a lot of travellers and backpackers, which gives you an even greater picture of Darwin’s vibe.

Removal Services to Darwin

If you have decided that a life in Darwin is for you, it can be daunting thinking about packing and moving your possessions all the way Down Under. Whilst it may seem like an unmanageable task, with careful consideration and planning we can ensure that your worldly possessions arrive in Darwin safely.

At Britannia Movers, we are dedicated to making any move abroad effortless and smooth. Getting your belongings from A to B with us is simple. One of the Britannia Movers team will visit you in your home prior to your move, to work with you to create a suitable plan that works for your individual situation.

Shipping to Darwin

By far the most affordable way of transporting your belongings to Darwin is via cargo ship. Your safely packed items will be loaded into shipping containers. You can have an entire container to yourself or, you can save money and share a container with another person moving to Australia.

Your items will be allocated with a unique barcode to enable the tracking of them throughout the transportation process.  The journey can take around 8 weeks, but to make further savings you can opt for a shared container which takes roughly 12 weeks, thereby extending the journey by 4 weeks.

Once your items arrive in Australia, there is a weekly shipping service from all ports to safely transport your belongings to your new address. With forward planning, we can work together so you can receive your belongings shortly after your arrival.

Air Freight to Darwin

The option of air freight provides a much shorter timeline for you to receive your belongings. As you might expect, this service is more expensive, but it’s likely to be your preferred option if you need your items to arrive quickly in Darwin.

There is also the flexibility to use a combination of options, such as using air freight for essential items you need to arrive quickly and then sending the remainder of your belongings via cargo ship.

Additional Removals Services to Darwin

Whichever option you decide to use to transport your items to Darwin, Britannia Movers International will ensure your needs are met throughout the duration of the move.

We know that every single client has unique requirements and, as a result, we create a bespoke personal package for your voyage to Australia.

If you have a tight budget or require additional services such as arranging transport for your pet. Simply, give us a call and we can work out the best solution and plan for you.

Arriving in Darwin

Britannia Movers International aim to send items over in advance and get them ready for your arrival. It can take up to 12 weeks for your possessions to arrive in Darwin, so the sooner you contact us to make arrangements the better.

Our team will work with you one on one to make sure all of your visas and export paperwork is completed before your arrival in Darwin. Please be aware that there are further imports paperwork to complete once in Australia, this is standard procedure and your compliance with Darwin import officials is appreciated.

Most of our clients find their items clear Darwin imports in around two weeks. If you chose to go with our door-to-door service our removal team in Darwin will collect your possessions and take them to your new home.

If you are moving to Darwin and need removal services, then give Britannia Movers International a call today on 0845 600 661. Speak to one of our international removal specialists and find out how easy it is to move to Darwin. We’ll give you a full breakdown of the process and an idea of the costs of international removals as well.

Emigrating to Darwin

Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory. If you want to live an outdoor lifestyle and envisage weekends camping, surfing or horseback riding, Darwin is certainly the place for you. With a population of just 140,000, Darwin is much more relaxed than the population dense cities such as Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

Darwin is a coastal capital, with the Timor sea lapping at its shoreline. The city mainland side is surrounded by the Australian outback and this is where many locals spend their weekend if not at the beach.

Australian Imports

Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty-free entry into Darwin (and the entirety of Australia) if you have owned and used all items for at least 12 months prior to importation. Like all international moves, there will be lots of paperwork prior and post customs. However, Britannia Movers International will help you with the entire process.

You and each member of your family must hold a valid passport and visa to enter Darwin.

Australian Customs Restrictions

The Australian government place great importance on protecting the country’s unique ecosystems and as a result have stringent rules in place for what is or isn’t allowed into the country.

Prohibited items are as follows:

• Dangerous breeds of dogs
• Psychoactive substances
• Suicide devices

The following items are categorised as restricted and require written permission to bring these into the country:

• Antibiotics
• Cat and dog fur products
• Drugs and narcotics
• Endangered animals and plants
• Firearms and ammunition
• Growth hormones
• Fish and toothfish
• Hazardous waste
• Knives and daggers
• Money boxes
• Pencils or paintbrushes
• Tobacco

Moving Pets to Darwin

We understand pets are part of the family and why we work with a trusted partner to ensure your beloved pet can have a safe and stress-free transit to Darwin. Australia has strict regulations when it comes to import of animals into the country. Therefore, from vaccinations, permits and documentation required for import, our partners will be able to assist you and make the process as smooth as possible.

The following are required for most pets:

• At least 12 weeks of age
• Microchip
• Pet passport
• Rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Taking Your Car to Darwin

If you’d like to ship your vehicle to Darwin, Britannia Movers can make it happen. Your car will need to comply with Australian standards and be subject to approval for importation.  If approved, do be aware that duty charges will apply.

Money Transfer

To help you to transfer funds or perhaps make international payments when you arrive in Darwin, Britannia Movers International can recommend trustworthy currency exchange services to protect you from the exchange rate fluctuations.

Moving to Darwin from the UK

Flying from the UK to Darwin is quite the journey, taking over 19 hours. Qantas, Singapore Airlines, British Airways and SilkAir are the four airlines that transport passengers to Darwin. All flights take off from London Heathrow airport and have an overlay in Singapore. Sometimes these overlays can be extremely long, escalating total journey times to over 40 hours.

Visas for Darwin

To be able to live and work in Darwin, you will require an Australian visa. There are many visa options to choose from but thankfully the Australian Department of Immigration has a handy visa finding tool to make your life easier.  Britannia Movers International are also on hands to assist you through this process and any question you may have.

To live in Darwin permanently the following options are available:

• Skilled work visa (sponsored or nominated)
• Skilled work visa (not sponsored or nominated)
• Distinguished talent visa
• Invest or business visa
• Parent, child or family member visa
• Partner or spouse visa

If you are at all unsure about your visa options for Darwin, do get in touch with us today on 0845 600 6661 or visit the Australian Department of Immigration website.

Darwin Weather

Darwin has two distinct seasons; the wet season and the dry season. The wet season spans from November to April and is characterised by high humidity, heavy rainfall, monsoons and storms. Humidity is often over 80% and the wettest month tends to be January. Many people love the beginning of every year as Darwin’s rainy season has refreshed the landscape and enabled it to flourish.

From May to October is the dry season. The days are warm, dry and sunny. The humidity level drops to a much more bearable 60% and many expats get a better night’s sleep due to the crisp evenings this season brings.

Darwin Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Finding a Job in Darwin

Expats living in Darwin tend to enjoy the laid-back approach to work, there’s an unspoken rule that as long as work is completed to a high level, you can relax.

With a population of just 140,000, securing a job as an expat is relatively easy at any career level. There is more than enough work to go around and employers tend to treat their staff very well. However, it is worth remembering that Darwin is a mining and military city, and a small one at that. Therefore, sometimes jobs can be highly specialised.

Expats can expect to use the usual resources to find jobs, such as online portals, newspapers, local notice boards and word of mouth.

Education

The Australian education system is globally renowned and expats moving to Darwin can rest assured the city has plenty of high-quality public and private schools. Whilst there are international schools in the city, it is important to start the application process as soon as possible as places are limited.

Compulsory schooling runs from the ages of six to 16 with children attending both primary and secondary education.

Most children from expat families attend their local public school and benefit from integrating with their Australian peers and becoming part of society. The only reason some children attend one of Darwin’s private schools is for religious reasons.

Cost of Living in Darwin

Like Perth, Darwin is quite an Isolate city. It is actually close to the capital of Indonesia than it is Canberra! For this reason, expats sometimes find that the cost of living in Darwin can be more expensive than the likes of Melbourne and Sydney. Expats note that utilities and rent can be more costly than what they are used to.

Australian Currency

The Australian Dollar is the country’s official currency and is used in Adelaide and throughout the country. It is often shown as AUS, $A or $. Each dollar is made up of 100 cents and notes come as 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 AUD. Denominations of coins include 1 and 2 AUD and 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Opening a Bank Account in Darwin

Most major banks in Darwin will let expats open an account with them. Some even allow for an account to go live before you have even entered the country.

It is recommended that you open a bank account in Darwin within six-weeks of your arrival. During this period banks will give you grace and you won’t be required to provide proof of address and utility bills to open an account, after this period opening account might be more difficult.

Some of the most popular banks in Darwin are Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank.

Cost of Everyday Items

Take a look at some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Darwin below. Prices are shown in Australian Dollars and converted to UK pounds so you can see how prices match up.

Eating Out in Darwin

Most expats have found that eating out in Darwin can be a little more expensive compared to other Australian cities. Whilst Darwin has restaurants and cafes, most expats note that they tend to be towards the higher dining end and they note there is a call for less formal eateries, such as bakeries, delis and lunch spots. However, for weekend treats or special occasions, Darwin has a plethora of restaurants serving delicious cuisine from all over the world.

Public Transport in Darwin

Getting around Darwin is relatively easy thanks to taxis and public transport. Many locals use the buses as they are affordable, run seven days are week and are reliable. Also, all the public buses in Darwin are wheelchair friendly.

Taxis are plentiful in Darwin and locals tend to use Darwin Radio Taxis or City Radio Taxis to get around. Some expats also drive in Darwin as it is not your typical Australian city; the roads are quieter and there is much more green space.

However, the most popular modes of transport tend to be walking and cycling. Most expats can get to where they need for free and you can pick up a second hand bike relatively cheaply.

Renting in Darwin

A typical house in Darwin tends to be elevated, with louvered windows and ceiling fans throughout. Large outdoor living areas, verandas, decking and swimming pools are the norm. Most apartments have lush communal gardens, pools and gyms.

The average rental price in Darwin is $1,920, which is just over £1,000. Utilities can be expensive and expats should factor this in when looking for somewhere to rent. Most expats secure a lease via online portals or local ads.

Buying a House in Darwin

Only expats who have permanent residency can buy a home in Darwin. However, temporary residents staying in Australia for more than 12 months can buy one residential property if approval is given by the local government. However, it must be sold if it is not being lived in.

Prior to departure it is worth researching the different properties available online and deciding which one would be best suited to your needs. After that the process is fairly straightforward, mortgage lenders in Darwin will be able to walk you through the finer details.

Public Holidays Darwin

There are 12 national public holidays per year in D:

• New Year’s Day – 1^stJanuary
• Australia Day – 26^thJanuary
• Good Friday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• The day after Good Friday
• Easter Monday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• ANZAC Day – 25^thApril
• May Day – 7^th May
• Queen’s Birthday – 2^nd Monday in June
• Picnic Day – 6^th August
• Christmas Day – 25^thDecember
• Boxing Day – 26^th December