I believe everybody needs representation at the table. 

With thanks to Davidson Property Advocates for sponsoring this episode. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to Tonya Davidson from Davidson Property Advocates. 

We cover: 

• What is a buyer's advocate 
• How can a buyer's advocate help you
• The different suburbs and lifestyles on offer in and around Melbourne
• What does off-market mean? 
• What does the buying process look like in Victoria?

Additional resources

• You'll find Davidson Property Advocates Move to Australia Directory here
• Visit Davidson Property Advocates website 
• You can find the full show notes and transcript over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-22

Support the show

We are trying to make the visa journey as stress-free as possible for our clients.

With thanks to True Blue Migration Services for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to Joy and Maryanne from True Blue Migration Services all about visas for Australia. 

We cover: 

• Who are True Blue Migration Services
• Best first steps for somebody considering moving to Australia
• What does the future hold for migration?
• The best and fastest visas to come to Australia on
• Options for over 45s
• Options for parents wanting to move over to their kids
• Working holiday visas and transitioning to a permanent visa
• And all things visas! 

 Additional resources

• You'll find True Blue Migration Service and their free eligibility form in the Move to Australia Directory here 
• Visit True Blue Migration Services' website
• Listen to episode 12 about Chris who moved to Australia on a parent visa

The full show notes and transcript can be found at https://www.smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-21

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You need to plan ahead and know how your assets will be treated in Australia. You need to have a financial plan! 

With thanks to bdhSterling for sponsoring this episode.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks to Simon Harvey, Group Managing Directory of bdhSterling. We discuss: 

• Moving your pension to Australia
• Planning your long-term financial goals
• Thinking about your retirement plans
• What stage should you consider your financial plans
• Tax returns and international pensions
• If you’ve moved to Australia from the UK, is it worth topping up the UK state pension? 

There is a lot to think about when it comes to moving your finances to Australia. This episode is a great starting point to begin thinking about your financial future.

Resources

• Find bdhSterling in the Move to Australia Directory
• Visit bdhSterling.com and book a free one-hour initial consultation
• Find out about making voluntary contributions to the UK state pension 

Find the full show notes and the transcript here. 

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Support the show

Perth is so family-friendly. Everything is built for families...the parks, the beaches, everything is centred around families. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks to Charles who runs E-Sterling Services, a relocation agency that helps you move to Perth in Western Australia. In the episode, we discuss: 

• What is Perth like as a city
• Which are the best suburbs
• The things a relocation can help you with
• Things to do in Perth
• Choosing schools in your new city
• And so much more!  

If you're heading to Perth, you're going to want to listen to this one but equally, it has a lot of general advice around moving to any city in Australia.

Resources: 

• Find E-Sterling Services in the Move to Australia Directory
• Check out the blog on Charles' website for lots of articles about Perth

Find the full show notes and transcript over at Smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-19

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

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/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show

Customers can book as far in advance as they like and lock in the prices for the future... Don't pay an arm and a leg to take things with you!

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

SmartStepstoAustralia is an affiliate partner with Send My Bag and some of the links on this page are affiliate links. 

In this episode, Karen talks to Darren from the Partner's Team at Send My Bag. In the interview, we discuss: 

• What types of things you can you send to Australia with Send My Bag
• Why might you find it helpful to send a bag or box to Australia and how the service can relieve your stress
• What can't you send to Australia?
• How are bags tracked?
• How does packing and pick up work?
• What if you're travelling and want to arrive before your bag?
• And so much more. 

Don't forget to use this link to get 5% off your first order with Send My Bag!

Resources:

• Get 5% off your first order with Send My Bag when you click through THIS DISCOUNT LINK
• Read this blog post about Send My Bag's services
• Find Send My Bag's helpful videos on YouTube
• Read Send My Bag's guide to sending luggage to Australia

Find all of the show notes and the transcript over on SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-18

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

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/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show

Whale watching really is one of the most incredible experiences in Australia! 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast 

In this episode, Karen talks about the amazing experience of going whale watching in Australia. The episode covers: 

• Will you get seasick and how to prepare
• What to pack for your day trip
• The importance of sunscreen
• Can you swim with whales?
• What level of ticket to buy
• and more

Additional resources

• Read the blog post: Everything you need to know about whale watching
• (Affiliate link) Check out whale-watching experiences on Experience Oz  

 With thanks to Brisbane Whale Watching for hosting me on my recent whale-watching cruise from Redcliffe.
 
Find the show notes and transcript for episode 17 over on SmartStepstoAustralia

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

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show

When you connect with your 'why'  it helps you overcome challenges. It gives you a reason to keep going even when things are difficult and get challenging. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about identifying your 'why'. Why do you want to move to Australia? 

When you know why you are moving, it helps you stay connected to your dream and really helps you enjoy the journey so much more. 

Karen shares some of her 'whys' in the episode to help you get started writing your own list.  

Additional resources

• Read the blog post: What is your 'Why'

You can find the AI-generated transcript for episode 16 and all of the show notes at smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-16

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

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show

We thought we had more time but things changed very quickly. Information changes fast and sometimes you just need to trust your gut and travel back without all of the facts. 

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about her experience of losing her dad earlier this year.

This episode covers tips to help you prepare for when the worst happens. Remember, you aren't alone with this - it's something that everybody who moves abroad will go through at one point. 

The episode also includes a warning about a scam that targets people wanting to attend funerals online. Don't get caught out by this. 

Additional resources

• Read this article about planning a big trip back home (and get the downloadable checklist of things to do)
• Here is an article I wrote about losing my dad for Kidspot

You will find the transcription and more details over on smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-15

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

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/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show

The New Life in Australia is back! With new episodes dropping every Thursday, you can expect more inspiration for creating your new life in Australia.

The first episode of season two drops on Thursday 12th September 2024!

Discover past episodes here.

Support the show

It is just the most perfect time to start some new Christmas traditions for yourself. Your traditions from your home country probably came from family traditions. You do things in the way that everyone else in the family has always done them, and you’re following that process. But when you get here, you’re free to create your own brand new traditions…you can celebrate Christmas your way.

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen talks about how she has embraced Christmas in the sun. This includes: 

• Getting Santa photos (and how funny it is seeing Santa in Hawaiian shirts, board shorts and thongs!)
• Christmas carol events in the suburbs
• Enjoying the long school summer holidays over Christmas
• Christmas food traditions in Australia
• The Christmas dress code in Australia
• Celebrating Christmas how YOU want to (not having to do what is expected of you)
• Embracing a new kind of Christmas and creating your own new traditions

Additional resources

• Episode 11: Christmas gifting when you move to Australia
• Find out about Christmas in July
• Learn more about celebrating Christmas in Australia 
• Read this article about Christmas gifts for your final year in your home country 
• Read this article about why flowers are a special gift to send to someone living overseas
• Send cards online with Moonpig

You can find the show notes and transcript over at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-14

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

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com. 

Support the show