Moving to Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the most popular cities in Australia to move to, so it’s easy to understand why so many Brits are heading there to start a new life. With stunning beaches and the warm enclosure of Port Phillip, Melbourne offers a contemporary, busy atmosphere. It has been voted the most liveable city in the world and the people consistent moving there are a testament to that award. If you’re planning to be part of Melbourne’s expat population, why not enlist Britannia Movers International to manage your removal?

For those moving to Melbourne from the UK, the logistics of getting your belongings quite literally to the other side of the world can be daunting. However, with the help of Britannia Movers International, you will spend far more time planning your new adventure than worrying about the removals process. We have been helping individuals and families move all over the world for over 30 years and we can assure you that your move to Melbourne with us will be an easy experience.

Removal Services to Melbourne

Moving to Melbourne is a big step, so you’ll want to get some help from the professionals to ensure you get everything done properly. Britannia Movers International specialises in moves to Melbourne and can take care of the whole process from start to finish. We’ll initially visit your home to establish all the details of your move to Australia. A comprehensive questionnaire will be filled in by our team who will ask various questions about when you want to move, whether you need anything putting into storage, if you’d like help packing everything and what your budget is. From this, we’ll create a bespoke moving plan with you, so that you know what will be happening at any given point of the move to Melbourne.

If you’d like, we’ll provide a packing team, who will carefully wrap all of your belongings in high quality packing materials and they’ll then load them onto the shipping containers for you. We can also just provide the packing materials if you’d rather do your own packing. Before your items are admitted to Melbourne, a detailed inventory will need to be handed over, so Britannia will create one as we go. We’ll also barcode everything, so that it can be monitored throughout the journey and easily sorted upon arrival.

Shipping to Melbourne

The most affordable option for transporting your belongings to Melbourne is via a cargo ship. If you have a shipping container to yourself this can take around eight weeks. If you are sharing a container (a great option to save money if you have fewer possessions) this is extended to 12 weeks.

There is a weekly service running to all major ports in Australia, including Melbourne, and shopping is the safest and most affordable way to get your items to your new home. Giving us as much notice as possible about your move to Melbourne will ensure your items arrive in Australia shortly after you do.

Air Freight to Sydney

If you need any items urgently, we’ll arrange for air freight which cuts down the delivery time quite considerably. This alternative can be costlier than shipping, but Britannia will work with you to establish which method is most effective for specific items. When your items arrive in Melbourne, they may be stuck in customs for another couple of weeks, so we will ensure you have all the necessary paperwork to avoid any delays.

Additional Removals Services to Melbourne

Regardless of whether your items are being shipped or flown to Melbourne, we know our customers have alternative and extensive requirements. Not limited to removals, we will help you with every single aspect of your move to Melbourne, including all paperwork and visas; you will never feel lost at any point with Britannia by your side every step of the way.

Need some safe storage? Want to take your pet to Melbourne? On a tight budget? Get in touch with us today or check out a sample of our additional removal services below.

Arriving in Melbourne

Your items can take up to 12 weeks to reach Melbourne, so we will arrange to have them sent across far in advance of your arrival. Getting in touch with us as soon as possible will enable us to lay concrete plans to ensure your items are with you when you need them.

At Britannia we will help you with all visa and necessary export paperwork before you leave the UK. However, please expect to complete further paperwork when your belongings reach Melbourne. This is completely normal and your patience and assistance will be appreciated by the officials who deal with Melbourne imports.

Most items clear customs in Melbourne within 14 days of arrival and, if you have selected our door-to-door service, our removal team in Melbourne will transport your belongings from the Port of Melbourne to your new home and help move them in.

If you are moving to Melbourne 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 Melbourne. We’ll give you a full breakdown of the process and an idea of the costs of international removals as well.

Emigrating to Melbourne

Expats from all over the world love living in Melbourne. Despite it being a city and having a vibrant centre, its coastal location means you are never far from beautiful beaches and stunning wildlife. Head inland to wineries and hiking opportunities or hit the vibrant city centre to bask in the café culture, enjoy a meal or indulge in some shopping.

Australian Imports

Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty-free entry into Melbourne (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 Melbourne.

Australian Customs Restrictions

Australia has very strict rules about what can and cannot be brought into the country, including Melbourne. The government import guidelines are out in place to protect the ecosystem as Australia has a high dependence on their crops and harvests. Furthermore, they are dedicated to protecting the citizens of the country. The following items are prohibited:

• Dangerous breeds of dogs
• Psychoactive substances
• Suicide devices

The following items are restricted. This means you will need written permissions to bring the goods 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 Melbourne

Living in Melbourne without your pet isn’t an option you need to consider. Your pets are part of your family and Britannia would never expect you to leave your child or spouse behind! Your pets will enjoy their new life Down Under just as much as you which is we work with trusted partners who are dedicated to helping animals relocate around the world with their families.

Our partners in Melbourne will be able to help bring your pets to Melbourne, including all required vaccinations and documentation needed. Australia is very strict about the import of animals so utilising the skills of our trusted partner will save any issues.

Most pets will require the following:

• To be a minimum of 12 weeks of age
• Microchip
• Pet passport
• Rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Taking Your Car to Melbourne

The Britannia team can help you ship your car to Melbourne. However, you may want to do some research beforehand to assure that your car is compliant with Australia’s standards – we can help with this too! If your vehicle is granted approved for import you will be subject to duty charges.

Money Transfer

Before you arrive in Melbourne you will likely need to make payments, such as deposits on accommodation. Furthermore, you will need to have money available on your arrival. Britannia International Movers can recommend reputable foreign currency exchange services to help protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

Moving to Melbourne from the UK

Travelling from the UK to Melbourne takes 23 hours at the very least. All flights require at least one stopover, with many taking a break in Dubai, Doha, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and New Delhi. Most people heading to Melbourne tend to choose a flight option with a short stopover, giving them enough time to freshen up and stretch their legs before heading on to the last leg of their journey to Australia.

Airlines carrying passengers to Melbourne from the UK include Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Air India.

Visas for Melbourne

Any foreigner who wants to live or work in Melbourne will need an Australian visa. Despite the Australian government being perceived as strict when it comes to immigration, the process of obtaining a visa is clear and concise. The Australian Department of Immigration website has a clever visa finder tool that will help you whittle down all the visas until you find the correct one for you. However, this is also something Britannia International Movers can assist you with.

To live in Melbourne permanently, expats have the following options:

• 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 confused about your visa options for Melbourne get in touch with us today on 0845 600 6661 or visit the Australian Department of Immigration website.

Living in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most multicultural locations. The city’s history has seen lots of immigration and there are large Italian, Vietnamese and Greek communities which bring incredible food, festivities, arts and customs to Melbourne. The unique immigrant and expat population of the city make it an exciting place to live and it is championed for being an extremely welcoming and friendly city.

Melbourne Weather

Due to its coastal location, Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate and is known for its changeable weather conditions. During the spring and summer the city can be subject to cold fronts, including everything from epic thunderstorms to heavy hail.

This being said, generally speaking, weather in Melbourne is outlined as a perk by expats. The summers can get extremely hot and residents tend to hit the beaches, some popping for a surf during their lunch breaks.

Melbourne Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Jobs for Expats in Melbourne

Being Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne has ample opportunities for expats. Australia in general are constantly on the look out for skilled expats and many find work in the manufacturing, education, IT, biotechnology, construction, and finance industries.

Finding a Job in Melbourne

If you are not arriving in Melbourne with a job offer or have been relocated by an employer securing employment is likely to be something high on your to do list. Networking is the most powerful job finding tool throughout Australia. Often jobs are not advertised straight away. Contacting employers and companies you’d like to work for directly is a great option, as well as asking neighbours and friends if they know of any opportunities.

Other options for expats include scanning the local newspapers – although this is outdated in the UK it is still very much alive Down Under. Also, job websites and agencies are fantastic places to aid the employment hunt too.

Also, make sure your LinkedIn account is up to date and use their job search functionality.

Education

The Australian education system is one of the best in the world and Melbourne is home to a mix of outstanding public and private schools. There are a number of Catholic schools should that suit your needs and there are international schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) which is recognised globally. However, parents will be hard pushed to find an international school which teaches the curriculum of another country.

Due to the government’s focus upon education there is little discrepancy between public and private schools throughout Australia.

Cost of Living in Melbourne

Sydney is considered to be an expensive city to live in compared to the UK, however, prices in Melbourne are comparable and often less compared to London. Living in a cosmopolitan coastal city is assumed to come with a high price tag but many expats find that living comfortably in Melbourne.

Australian Currency

The Australian Dollar is the country’s official currency and is used in Melbourne and throughout Australia. It is often shown as AUS, $A or (most commonly) $. 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 Melbourne

Opening a bank account in Melbourne is an easy process if you do so within six weeks of arriving in the city. After the six weeks grace period some banks may require your to provide proof of identification, such as a utility bill, which you may not have access to yet.

Customer benefits and interest rates between providers vary and some Australian banks have expat specific accounts. It is best to shop around when you are looking for a bank in Melbourne to make sure you are receiving a service that is best suited to your needs.

Some of Melbourne’s popular banks include Westpac, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ Bank, and National Australia Bank.

Cost of Everyday Items

Check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Melbourne below. Prices are shown in Australian Dollars and converted to UK pounds so you can see how prices match up.

Eating Out in Melbourne

Due to its immigrant population Melbourne is a culinary hotspot and many restaurants serve Greek, Vietnamese and Italian food in light of this. From diner-style burger joints to lavish award-winning eateries, there is something for all budgets and occasions in Melbourne.

Fast food or street style meals can often be snapped up for around $10 (£5.50), with burritos and burgers being huge hits. A main course at an inexpensive or chain restraint will fall between $16 and $20 dollars. If you’re heading out for a nice dinner for two you can look to spent upwards of $84 (£46) combined for three courses.

Public Transport in Melbourne

Like London’s Oyster card system and zoned transport areas, Melbourne’s public transport works on a similar principle. Passengers can purchase a myki card for $6 (or $3 for concessions) from a multitude of different locations and top up online, via the telephone, at myki machines or in some convenience stores. Passengers simply touch on and off trains, trams and buses when alighting and disembarking and the cheapest fare will be taken from your myki account.

There are also free public transport options in Melbourne. The Free Tram Zone operates along Spring Street, Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. Additionally, the tram routes along Victoria Street, William Street and Elizabeth Street that surround Victoria Market are also included as well as the Docklands area.

Additionally, Route 35, the City Circle Tram, is another free service which runs ever 12 minutes around the perimeter of the city centre. It is primarily used by tourists as it takes in many of Melbourne’s landmarks and is a great way to see the city when you first arrive.

Renting in Melbourne

The best and most common way for expats to find properties to let in Melbourne is through a real estate agent. They tend to have excellent knowledge about the city and will be able to set you up with viewings of properties that haven’t hit the market yet. It is worth remembering, however, that they will charge upwards of 10% of the rental cost.

Other options include scouring local newspapers, securing private lets through family and friends, or using property sites.

Buying a House in Melbourne

Only expats who have been granted permanent residency in Australia are able to buy a home in Melbourne. Like many cities around the world, property prices are highest within the city centre and get cheaper the further you head to the outskirts and suburbs.

Expats will need to pay a 4% stamp duty to the government when buying a home.

Public Holidays Melbourne

There are 12 national public holidays per year in Melbourne:

• New Year’s Day – 1^stJanuary
• Australia Day – 26^thJanuary
• Labour Day – changes annually (usually 11^th/12^th March)
• Good Friday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• Easter Saturday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• Easter Sunday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• ANZAC Day – 25^thApril
• Queen’s Birthday – 11^thJune
• Friday before the AFL Grand Final – changes annually (late September)
• Melbourne Cup – changes annually (early November)
• Christmas Day – 25^thDecember
• Boxing Day – Friday 26^th December