So your moving to Perth and dont know what to pack?
WHAT TO PACK AND WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND WHEN YOU MAKE THE AUSSIE MOVE
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU OR LEAVE BEHIND
When deciding what to pack consider its size & value. If it’s BIG not sentimental and cheaper to replace then there is little point in taking it to the other side of the world. Oh and make sure your aware of any customs or quarantine regulations
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO TAKE?
Check out John Mason you can get an idea of what things cost to ship with just a click of a button.
We left our beds behind because it would have cost GBP 220.00 to ship them. As they were already a few years old we thought it best to buy new when in Oz. We got a new good quality double bed from a discount warehouse for $700 that was about half the retail price. Its worth considering that when renting an essential you’ll need while waiting for your furniture to arrive is a bed.
TV’s
Most models of UK TV’s wont work over in Australia (no sound or picture). But if your UK TV is on a PAL system although it won’t receive sound frequencies the picture should be fine so it could be used as a monitor to watch DVDs and Videos . Some TV’s may be converted but I have no idea if this is a cost effective exercise so be sure to check out its compatible before you ship it. If you are moving over here from North America then you are not as lucky. Telsat explains it in more detail.
DVD’s/VIDEO
If not a multiregional DVD player your DVD must be de-regionalized.
COMPUTER
If you have a Computer then ship it in the container with everything else, it will work fine. Also feel free to bring your fax machine and any other office equipment you may have.
FRIDGE/FREEZER
I would not recommend taking your fridge and freezer.
• UK Fridges and freezers are not built to withstand the temperature we get over in Australia. Apparently over here fridges and freezers are built with larger motors so that they can withstand the heat. You are likely to find that your UK fridge will burn out in the first year leading to expensive repairs. Check out this link to see how much you can expect to pay for a new fridge in Perth. and remember when you are looking that fridges tend to be larger in Perth than you are used to in the UK so when comparing cost be sure to be comparing size.
• April 2004 saw new legislation concerning Ozone Protection places restrictions on the type of refrigerative equipment that can be imported into Australia. Legislation comes into play 1 March 2005 so if you do decide to bring them with you check out if you will be able to bring your model in first save it being impounded by customs.
OTHER WHITE GOODS
Once you have paid the shipping cots you will probably find it cheaper to replace large goods once you arrive in Australia (depending on the age of the appliance). It’s worth noting that when you are buying a new washer that yet you can get front loaders over here at a reasonable cost and on some models you can even get a water rebate.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT DON’T TAKE MUCH SPACE
Take anything which is nearly new, small and will be used. Items such as:-
In Australia they use the same voltage as the UK 240v so there should be no problem bringing your electricals with you. Europe is 210v and North America 110v so if you can’t switch between voltage you may find that they burn out (if voltage to high) or don’t work properly (if voltage to low). So when you arrive in Australia all you need to do is change the plug so pop down to your local Bunnings (Australias version of B&Q) and buy a few dozen plugs. You will be surprised just how many you will need.
AUK Multi-plug extension leads will be very useful so be sure to bring a few of them with you.
We have a lot of English plugs still in use in our home all we did was put an Australian plug on the extension lead then plug the English stuff into the extension lead.
VACUME CLEANER
Remember to remove dust bag and give a good clean.
TELEPHONE AND MOBILE PHONE
If you have one of these mobiles with all the bells and whistles bring it over to Australia with you (unless you have a US phone as they will not work) and just get a new SIM card. Thats what we did with our mobiles, we found Vodaphone RedSim We use RedSim and pay as you go as it offers a much better deal than the pay as you go deals in the UK. Of course if you prefer you cab get a contract insteas and with most contracts you get a free phone or you can upgrade for a fee. YOu will find that minimum contracts tend to run for 24 months.
BULKY FURNITURE
Good quality furniture is generally expensive in Australia and in Perth the choice is limited (well to thr choice you are used to anyway). Having said that you can get some good bargains if you shop around. When deciding what to bring weigh the cost up of shipping it verses leaving it behind. Beds and Sofa’s are large and bulky and will cost a lot to ship. Bring the good quality with you but consider leaving the not so good stuff behind.NB: If you are paying for a container for yourselves and it fits then you may as well bring it anyway but if the space is going to cost then think.
WOODEN FURNITURE
Tables and bedroom furniture probably OK but beware of wooden furniture like cane or wicker as it will most likely be fumigated at your expense by oz customs inspection people.
GARDEN TOOLS AND FURNITURE
All garden stuff needs to be spotless – no dirt or vegetation.
IMPORTING PETS
Moving a Pet to Australia is a long way to take them and although it is possible I would seriously consider finding your Pet a new home to move too. How about asking a friend or neighbor. Taking them with you would be very distressing for them. The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service have put together an information sheet.
VEHICLES
Bringing your vehicle is not recommended. Import taxes and duties are steep and by the time you have modified the vehicle to meet with the Australian standards so that customs will release it you would have spent a small fortune. Of course if you have a vintage car then it will be worth making further enquires before you make the decision not to ship.
IMPORT TAX
You’ll potentially have to pay import tax on anything less than 12 months old.
SHIPPING COST
Expect to be paying about GBP 5,000 for shipping and insurance.
