You can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you:

• want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
• are aged 18 to 30
• have £1,890 in savings
• have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries

Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility/eligibility

What you need to apply for your visa

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel ID
• a bank statement showing you have at least £1,890 in savings
• your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
• a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa
• a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh

Things to organise before you board

Heading off to the other side of the world is an exciting time – but it is important not to forget some of the admin that accompanies a big move! Firstly you will need to think about travel insurance for both you and your belongings whilst you are away. It is also a good idea to review any memberships, subscriptions or contracts you currently have – for example, mobile phone, magazines, energy suppliers – before you leave. One key organisation to contact is your bank; let them know you are heading overseas to ensure they don’t block your cards or charge you excess fees unnecessarily.  It may also be beneficial to organise any last-minute appointments with your dentist or doctor in Australia before you leave as it will take time to register with new surgeries. If you are enrolled to vote you must register to be an overseas voter too.

What to pack

Everyone knows London is very different to Sydney, especially when it comes to the weather.  If you know how long you are staying you may not need to pack for all seasons so do some research online for average temperatures and rainfall in different months of the year. Don’t forget you are coming here to work so you will need to squeeze some corporate attire into your suitcase too.

Once you arrive

Bank account

Depending who you bank with in Australia you may be able to ask your local branch to open you a UK account. If this isn’t possible you will need to research which banks accept non-Brits and make an appointment to see someone in a branch as soon as you arrive. As with Australian accounts they will probably need proof of ID, your UK address etc. so be sure to ask ahead of your appointment what you will need to bring with you it is not a wasted trip.

Paying tax

You will need to apply for a National Insurance Number as soon as you get to the UK. You will need to pay tax on your earnings and this will vary depending on if you are employed or self-employed so it is worth checking how much you should be paying to make sure you do not pay too much and have to claim it back again.

Accommodation options

Accommodation options are in many ways similar to Sydney there is a mix of hostels, hotels, share houses and private rentals. The biggest difference is the size of London compared to Sydney; it is really worth researching which area you think you will work in (for example, The City, Canary Wharf or The West End) and then work out potential commute times. London has some very active expat groups and areas like Clapham, Balham and Tooting that attract Aussies in droves so you may want to check them out… or avoid them entirely! it is completely up to you!

Working

If you are the lucky winner of our competition you will already have a contact at Angela Mortimer in London. If not, please don’t worry… we will connect you with some of London’s best recruiters in the secretarial space who will help you transition into the London workforce with ease. It is worth getting your resume up to scratch before you leave and notifying your referees that they may be contacted.

Getting around

The two main forms of travel in central London are the tube and buses, both of which are frequent and easy to use once you get the hang of it! The cheapest and easiest way to travel is using an Oyster card which you can put money on and top up when necessary. Your Oyster card will also have a cap on it so if you do multiple journeys a day you will only be charged up to a fixed point. Go to tfl.gov.uk to plan your journeys. Once you are ready to explore outside of London there is an excellent website trainline.co.uk that shows all the overground trains around the UK. And if I can finish with an inside tip… try to book these in advance where possible to maximise your savings.

Thinking about undertaking a working holiday visa in London? We’re rewarding one lucky Aussie with return flights to London plus an amazing work assignment in the UK. Find out more at www.est10.com.au/london-competition