New Life in Australia

“It’s just a no from them. And actually if you know to talk to a broker that knows different banks that it’s a yes with, then you’ve got more opportunities.”

Moving to Australia and hoping to buy your first home? Understanding how mortgages work here can be challenging, especially when you’re new to the lending system or are working in a temporary role.

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen speaks with Anish from i Lend Finance Solutions about how to finance your first home in Australia, including what lenders look for when assessing new arrivals and how your visa, employment and deposit can affect your options.

Having helped Karen and her family secure their home loan just eight months after arriving from the UK, Anish shares practical advice on getting a mortgage when you're new to Australia, even if you're working on temporary contracts.

They also discuss government schemes and grants, the costs of buying a property and how to prepare financially if you're planning to buy when you land in Australia.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How soon after arriving in Australia you could be eligible for a home loan
• What lenders look for when assessing your employment, income and deposit
• How temporary contracts and temporary visas can affect your mortgage options
• Why speaking to a mortgage broker can open up options beyond your own bank
• How to work out your borrowing capacity before you start house hunting
• What to know about credit cards, car loans and other expenses before applying for a mortgage
• How construction loans work if you want to buy land and build a home
• What deposit you might need and how mortgage insurance works
• Government grants and schemes that may help eligible first home buyers
• And so much more!

One of the key takeaways from this conversation is that different lenders have different policies, particularly when it comes to contract workers and new arrivals who haven't yet established a financial history in Australia.

Anish also explains why it's worth understanding your borrowing capacity early, before committing to big purchases such as a car or furniture that could affect how much you can borrow or reduce your available deposit.

Affiliate disclosure: This listing contains an affiliate offer. If you use Anish’s services and quote Smart Steps to Australia, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This is not financial advice. Please do your own due diligence.

Special offer for Smart Steps to Australia readers

If you're planning to buy a home in Australia, Anish from iLend Finance Solutions is offering eligible Smart Steps to Australia readers a $200 Visa gift card when they arrange their home loan through him.

To qualify, your home loan must be for $200,000 or more, and you must tell Anish you're a Smart Steps to Australia reader when you first contact him. The gift card will be sent by Anish two weeks after your mortgage settles.

Find Anish's contact details and read the full offer terms in his Move to Australia Directory listing here.

Additional resources 

• For more financial planning episodes, check out: episode 20 with Simon from bdhSterling about planning your financial future in Australia and episode 47 with Brett from TorFX about transferring your money to Australia.
• Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory. 

More from New Life in Australia

If you’re planning your move to Australia or settling into life here, have a look around Smart Steps to Australia for more practical advice and resources. If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to New Life in Australia wherever you listen to podcasts and, if you have a moment to leave a review, I’d really appreciate it.

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory. 

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“I live in Australia, I love Australia and this is my home.”

Have you ever heard the term ping pong pom? It's used to describe people who move back and forth between Australia and the UK as they try to decide where they really want to live.

In this episode, I'm sharing my own thoughts on why I'll never be a ping pong pom, even though I know plenty of people who have made the move back and forth. I'll also be talking about why there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding where home is for you.

In this episode

I chat about:

• What a ping pong pom is and why some people move backwards and forwards between Australia and the UK
• Why I love visiting the UK but have no desire to move back there permanently
• Why there's a big difference between loving somewhere as a visitor and wanting to live there
• How my children have grown up in Australia and the opportunities they have to live, work or study in the UK in the future
• Why you can love both countries without feeling torn between them
• How I approach big life decisions and why I spent years thinking about our move to Australia before we made it
• Why being a ping pong pom can be the right decision for some people
• Why you shouldn't feel pressured to choose a particular path when deciding where you want to live

If you're living in Australia after moving from the UK, wondering whether to return home or trying to work out where you belong, I hope this episode helps you think about what home means to you. There's no single right answer, and what works for one person or family won't necessarily work for another.

Additional resources 

• Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory. 

More from New Life in Australia

If you’re planning your move to Australia or settling into life here, have a look around Smart Steps to Australia for more practical advice and resources. If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to New Life in Australia wherever you listen to podcasts and, if you have a moment to leave a review, I’d really appreciate it.

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-57

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

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“You’re not just going on a holiday. You’re returning to your old home while living somewhere new.”

After travelling between Australia and the UK quite a few times, I’ve gradually worked out my travel essentials, so I wanted to share them in this episode. 

This is my ultimate travel essentials checklist for long-haul travel, including the things I always have in my hand luggage, what I’ve learned about packing for very different climates and a few things that have become essential parts of my travel kit.

I’m also sharing my tips for going back to visit friends and family after moving to Australia, including the mistake we made on our first trip back and the one thing we now do instead.

In this episode

I chat about:

• The travel documents and essentials I make sure I have organised before every trip
• The things I always pack in my hand luggage
• Some of the health and technology essentials that have become part of my travel kit
• How I approach packing for long-haul flights
• Why travelling light can make a big difference
• My tips for travelling back to visit family after moving overseas
• Why your first trip back to your old home may not be quite what you expect

Whether you’re travelling to Australia or heading overseas from Australia, I hope this helps you feel more prepared for your next long-haul adventure.

Additional resources 

This list contains affiliate links. 

• Find out about travelling to the UK as a dual citizen and read the Smart Traveller website for advice about ETAs and dual citizenship
• Check out Revitalise electrolyte drinks and get 10% off by using code KarenB: Visit Revitalise Daily
• Find out about Medic Alert medical jewellery 
• Check out No Pong natural deodorant - my fav travel (and everyday!) essential

More from New Life in Australia

If you’re planning your move to Australia or settling into life here, have a look around Smart Steps to Australia for more practical advice and resources. If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to New Life in Australia wherever you listen to podcasts and, if you have a moment to leave a review, I’d really appreciate it.

Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We'd really appreciate any positive reviews!

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-56

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

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“When it comes to purchasing a property, the biggest thing is finding the right location. You don’t want to put your money into the wrong street or the wrong property.”

 Thanks to Buyersagents.com.au for sponsoring this episode.  

Moving to Australia and trying to buy property can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unfamiliar with suburbs, pricing and the fast-moving nature of the market.

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen speaks with Leon and Eugene from buyersagents.com.au about how buyer’s agents can help you navigate the Australian property market with confidence.

They break down what buyer’s agents actually do, how they differ from real estate agents and why they’re becoming an essential part of the buying process, particularly for new arrivals to Australia.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• What a buyer’s agent is (and what they are not)
• Why buying property in Australia can be risky without local knowledge
• The biggest mistakes newcomers make when purchasing a home
• How emotional buying can lead to costly decisions
• The importance of suburb knowledge, schools and lifestyle fit
• How to choose the right buyer’s agent for your needs
• How the buyersagents.com.au platform works

One of the key themes in this conversation is that Australian property isn’t just about finding a house; it’s about understanding location risk, timing and negotiation.

From flood and termite risk to rapidly changing suburbs and competitive auctions, there are many factors that aren’t always obvious from online listings.

A buyer’s agent acts as your advocate, working for you, not the seller. They're there to help you:

• Avoid overpaying
• Understand hidden risks
• Access off-market opportunities
• Negotiate more effectively

How to Find a Buyer’s Agent

You can explore, compare, and connect with verified buyer’s agents across Australia via buyersagents.com.au. You can also find a range of buyer's agents listed in the Move to Australia Directory.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone planning a move to Australia - it could help them avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in their property journey.

Additional resources

If you'd like to hear other episodes where Karen interviews buyer's agents in Australia, be sure to check out the following episodes: 

• Tonya from Davidson Property Advocates is a buyer's agent in the Melbourne area and is featured on episodes 22 and 35.
• Dianne and Jack from Buyers Collective work across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and down to Byron Bay and feature on episodes 27 and 37.
• Janice from Minihan Group Australia covers SE Queensland and has appeared on episode 33.
• Listen to the buyersagents.com.au podcast or watch it on YouTube.

Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. We'd really appreciate any positive reviews!

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-55

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“You spend so much time researching your visas, houses, schools, jobs, the costs. You don’t really think about all of the things that you can’t put into a spreadsheet.”

This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen shares five things she wishes she had known before moving from the UK to Australia with her family.

Before making the move, Karen had done plenty of research. She'd watched Wanted Down Under, read magazines, searched online and spent time on forums, so she thought she had a pretty good idea of what to expect.

But some of the biggest surprises were the things she couldn't have researched beforehand.

From discovering that she actually loved Australia from the moment she arrived, to realising just how important networking can be when looking for work, Karen shares five lessons from her own experience of the past 12 years living in Australia.

What you’ll learn in this episode

Throughout the episode, Karen explores:

• Why you might love Australia immediately – even if you expect to feel terribly homesick
• Why you shouldn't assume you'll feel a certain way about leaving your old life behind
• Just how many Australians have connections to other countries and why that can make settling in easier
• Why networking and personal connections can be so important when looking for work in Australia
• How getting involved in your local community can help you build valuable connections
• What to expect from Australia's public transport compared with the UK
• Why having a car can still be important, even when public transport is inexpensive
• The incredible opportunities available for children in Australia
• How playgrounds, parks, beaches, sporting activities, libraries and community events can shape family life
• The unexpected things about moving countries that you can't put into a spreadsheet

If you're planning your move to Australia, this short and practical episode offers some personal insights into the things you might not expect – and a reminder that not every surprise is a bad one.

Additional resources

• Join the Move to Australia Facebook group
• Related episodes: Raising resilient kids in a new country episode 51, tips for moving with kids episode 38, overcoming homesickness episode 4

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

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“You don't arrive with a network in Australia, but it's something that you actually build and cultivate yourself.”

This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen talks about one of the biggest challenges of starting over in a new country: making friends and building a support network.

Leaving behind friends and family can be one of the hardest parts about making the move. Karen shares her own experience of arriving in Australia with three young kids and explains how saying yes to opportunities, getting involved locally and continuing to show up can help you build meaningful friendships.

What you’ll learn in this episode

Throughout the episode, Karen explores:

• Why building a support network is an essential part of settling into Australia
• How to make friends as an adult when you’re starting from scratch
• How school, kids’ activities, sports and playgrounds can create natural opportunities to meet people
• Why volunteering and getting involved in your local community can help
• How libraries, clubs, hobby groups and networking events can lead to new friendships
• How online communities can turn into real-life friendships
• Why saying yes to small invitations can make a big difference
• Why consistency and repetition are key to developing friendships
• Three practical tips for starting to build your own social circle in Australia

If you’ve recently moved to Australia and are feeling lonely or unsure how to meet people, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you start building your own community.

Additional resources

• Join the Move to Australia Facebook group
• Find migration and relocation services in the Move to Australia Directory

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-53

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

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“Relocation is like a puzzle, so there are many pieces, and they all need to come together. One missing piece and the puzzle is incomplete.”

 Thanks to Homeward Australia for sponsoring this episode.  

This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen speaks with Suja from Homeward Australia, a relocation support service helping families navigate the complexities of moving to Australia and securing rentals.

Suja brings a unique blend of experience to her work, combining a corporate background, property expertise and firsthand experience moving countries with children. That mix shapes how Homeward Australia supports families who are planning their move to Australia and trying to navigate all of the admin at once.

Suja's big goal is to remove a layer of stress from your shoulders when you're making the move, because she remembers how it felt when she made the move with her family. 

What you’ll learn in this episode

Throughout the episode, Karen and Suja explore:

• Why securing rentals in Australia can feel so competitive (and why it varies so much by suburb and price point)
• How vacancy rates and local data can help families make smarter location decisions
• What makes a strong rental application stand out to property managers
• The added complexity of moving with children and pets
• How relocation support works in practice, from suburb selection through to inspections and applications
• Why timing, job planning and preparation are critical before arriving in Australia

The episode also covers the practical realities many new arrivals underestimate: limited rental supply, the importance of complete applications and how small details can make or break a property outcome when competition is high.

If you’re planning a move to Australia, this episode is packed with real-world insight from a professional who has also lived through the experience herself. 

Additional resources

• Find Homeward Australia in the Move to Australia Directory
• Visit the Homeward Australia website

Find the show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-52/

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"Nobody has set out to move to Australia for a worse life. We've all done it because we believe this is a really good move for the benefit of everybody in our family."

Moving to Australia with children brings a whole layer of complexity on top of the usual relocation admin, from visas and schooling to helping your kids find their feet socially and emotionally in a completely new environment.

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen sits down with Sam, founder of Courageous Girls Club, who moved from the UK to Bribie Island in Queensland with her husband and two boys in 2019, just months before COVID hit. Sam shas plenty to share as she has lived through the highs and lows of relocating with young kids, and through Courageous Girls Club she now spends her days helping children build confidence and resilience.

It's a warm, honest conversation covering the mistakes to avoid, what resilience really looks like in kids, how to help children settle socially and what it takes to build a business from scratch when you land.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why Sam and her family chose Bribie Island over the bigger cities
• The costly visa mistake Sam made early on, and why getting the right migration advice from the start can save you thousands
• Why checking for Wi-Fi at a rental property matters more than you'd think when you're moving with kids
• How Sam's two sons experienced the move completely differently, and what that reveals about children's need for routine after a big transition
• Simple, practical ways to help settle children quickly, from local clubs and activities to getting them into kindy or school as soon as possible
• What resilience actually looks like in children and how to support kids through friendship struggles, new school systems and unfamiliar Aussie slang
• How to let go of parental guilt about the decision to move
• Sam's experience setting up a business in Australia as a migrant, including the support and networking opportunities she found when she looked beyond her local area
• Sam's one big piece of advice for families preparing to move

Why this episode matters for your move to Australia

Relocating with kids means managing your own settling-in process while also supporting theirs, and the two don't always look the same. Sam's story is a reminder that children can surprise you (her nine-year-old was desperate to get back into a school routine within days of landing) and that resilience in kids is built through discomfort and repetition, not by hiding from the challenges. Whether you're still planning your move or already navigating the early months in Australia, this episode offers practical, reassuring guidance for the whole family.

Additional resources

• Find out more about Courageous Girls Club, with clubs popping up across Australia to help girls build confidence and resilience.
• Find Courageous Girls Club in the Move to Australia Directory. 
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated! 

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-51

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory. 

Support the show

“I think the service can just relieve you of an additional weight physically and mentally whenever you first arrive in a country.”

Moving to Australia is an exciting new adventure, but the practical side of relocating your life across the world can feel really overwhelming.

What should you bring? What should you leave behind? Is it worth shipping your belongings, or would it be easier to replace things when you arrive? And how do you avoid arriving exhausted after a long-haul flight with more luggage than you can realistically manage? Especially if you are travelling with little kids!

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen chats with Darren from Send My Bag about the practical and emotional side of moving your belongings to Australia.

Darren shares his expert advice on shipping luggage and boxes internationally, including how to decide what is worth bringing, how to make the arrival process easier and how luggage shipping can help reduce some of the stress that comes with starting a new life overseas.

Whether you’re still planning your move, preparing for your flight or already living in Australia and looking for ways to send items internationally, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you make smarter decisions about your belongings.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How luggage shipping services can help when moving to Australia
• Whether it’s better to ship your belongings, travel with extra luggage or do a combination approach
• What types of items you can send to Australia, including suitcases, boxes, bikes, golf clubs and sporting equipment
• How to decide what belongings are worth bringing with you and what may be easier to replace after you arrive
• The key questions to ask yourself before shipping your belongings internationally
• Whether you should send clothes, toys, books and personal items ahead of your move
• How familiar items can help children settle into life in Australia
• How sending luggage ahead can make your airport arrival much easier, especially when travelling with children
• How to prepare your luggage or boxes for international shipping
• How to travel with sentimental and irreplaceable items
• How shipping extra luggage can save money compared with airline excess baggage fees
• How luggage shipping can still be useful after you’ve moved, including sending care packages or bringing items back from overseas visits
• Why speaking to the customer service team early can make the whole process smoother
• Why this episode matters for your move to Australia

When you’re preparing to move countries, your focus is often on the big decisions: visas, jobs, schools, finding somewhere to live and saying goodbye to your old life. But the smaller practical decisions can have a huge impact on how your first few weeks in Australia feel.

Arriving after a long international journey is exhausting enough, especially when you’re travelling with children. Managing multiple suitcases, oversized items and everything you need to start your new life can add unnecessary stress at exactly the point where you’re already dealing with a huge amount of change.

In this episode, Darren shares how planning ahead and thinking strategically about your belongings can help you arrive feeling more organised and settled. The goal isn’t necessarily to bring everything or get rid of everything. It’s about making intentional choices about what will help you feel at home, what is worth the cost of shipping and what you can replace once you arrive.

About Send My Bag

Send My Bag provides door-to-door luggage and box shipping services for people moving internationally, travelling, studying overseas or sending personal belongings between countries. They can help with everything from extra suitcases and boxes to larger items such as bikes, golf clubs and sporting equipment.

Karen has partnered with Send My Bag for ten years and they have helped many readers and members of the Move to Australia community with their international moves.

Get 5% off your first Send My Bag booking when you use this referral link > https://www.sendmybag.com/smartstepstoaustralia

Additional resources

• Listen to Darren’s previous interview on the podcast: Episode 18: Sending your luggage to Australia 
• Read more about Send My Bag here
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated! 

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-50

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory. 

Support the show

“You don’t accidentally build your dream life. You build it by noticing when you’re drifting and choosing a different direction.”

Moving to Australia is often framed around big goals, new beginnings and exciting possibilities. But what happens after the move? When the dust settles, routines take over and life starts to feel like it’s running on autopilot again?

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen follows up one of the most popular episodes of the last series - Episode 48: Create Your Vision, Plan Your Life and Future in Australia, and takes it one powerful step further.

Instead of focusing only on what you want out of life, this episode introduces the concept of your anti-vision: the life you consciously choose not to drift into.

It’s a practical, reflective episode designed to help you gain clarity, reset direction and make more intentional decisions about your life in Australia, whether you’re still planning your move or already here settling in.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• What an anti-vision is and why it’s just as important as having a life vision
• How to identify the feelings you don’t want to define your everyday life
• The hidden patterns and routines that may be shaping your future without you realising it
• How to recognise what you don’t want your daily life in Australia to look like
• The sacrifices you may be making (and whether they are still serving you)
• How to identify who you don’t want to become 
• How your anti-vision becomes a powerful decision-making filter
• How to use it when choosing jobs, locations and commitments
• A journaling exercise to bring clarity and direction to your next chapter

Why this episode matters for your move to Australia

When you first arrive in Australia, life is often driven by logistics - managing the admin, getting the kids settled, finding a job and home and so much more. But over time, it’s easy to slip into survival mode and lose sight of the bigger picture of why you moved in the first place.

This episode helps you step back and ask a different kind of question: Am I building the life I actually want, or am I just living a life where I respond to routines? Do I even know where I want to go? 

Your anti-vision acts as a compass. It helps you notice when something doesn’t feel right, so you can adjust course before you end up somewhere you didn’t intend to be.

Additional resources

• If you haven’t already listened, this episode pairs perfectly with: Episode 48: Create Your Vision, Plan Your Life and Future in Australia. That episode focuses on building the life you do want, whereas this one helps you define what you don’t want, so the two together create amazing clarity.
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

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