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This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.

11.5.1 Advice for Australians in United Kingdom

Banks.

I tried the big five: Natwest, Lloyds, Midland, Barclays, and Abbey
National. Lloyds weren't interested in opening an account for someone who was
only in the UK for a short time (18 months!). Abbey National and Barclays
required the last six months' worth of bank statements from my Australian bank,
proof of income, a residential address, etc. Midland wanted proof of income,
or proof of employment, and to see my passport. NatWest just wanted to see my
passport.

I now bank with NatWest. When I opened my account I did not have a
residential address - this did not bother them, and they used my employment
address instead. The passport is merely used as proof of identity. Opening
an account took 10 minutes at the local branch. Within two weeks I had a
cheque book, paying-in book, and a "Switch" card. The latter is both an ATM and
direct debit card which saves me from having to carry large amounts of cash.

Transferring money from Australia to the UK is relatively easy. There is a
flat fee of $20.00 (I bank with the Commonwealth), and NatWest charge UKP 6.00.
per transfer. Therefore, it's best to transfer large chunks of money (many
$1000's) at a time. I've found that arranging the transfer by fax is easiest.
The whole operation takes roughly five working days from faxing the two banks
concerned to having the money in my UK account.

NatWest also offer a direct debit / standing order facility to pay regular
bills, and also support Cirrus / Maestro and Access (Mastercard) services.
This means that I can use my Com Bank cards (which were Cirrus / Maestro-
enabled prior to leaving Oz) in NatWest's ATM's. However, I believe every
Cirrus / Maestro ATM transaction of this nature carries a $4.00 flat fee.

General note: if you are an Australian taxpayer, and do not pay UK income tax,
then fill out the appropriate form to inform the UK bank of this (ask the bank
for it). That way, what little interest your money earns will not be taxed.


Calling Home.

I use Mercury Communications Ltd. to call home. They promise a 10% reduction
on standard BT rates for calls to Australia (and STD calls within the UK).
This rises to 15% reduction for four nominated UK STD numbers and one
international number through the "Your Call" scheme. To use Mercury, one must
subscribe to them (flat annual fee) - the numbers are in the phone directory.
The access code and pin are stored in memory in a Mercury-compatible phone
(available from many retailers starting at UKP 15.00 for ownership). (I use
my PC terminal software's phone number database and dial prefix function with
my modem, pick up the phone when the called number starts to ring, and then
disable the modem!)

Use BT for local calls in the UK - even Mercury admit that it's cheaper.


Health.

Upon arrival, contact the Family Health Service. Again, the numbers are in the
telephone directory. State your situation, and where you are residing, and
they will give you the names / addresses / phone numbers of local GP's. If
you're still an Australian taxpayer, then you are covered under the NHS /
Medicare reciprocal agreement. If any GP that you contact queries such
an arrangement, have them contact the FHS office that you contacted.


Other Services.

Organisations such as electricity authorities, British Gas, water authorities,
etc., may as for a deposit (e.g. UKP 100.00 from Northern Electric, UKP 90.00
from BT) unless you have a credit record in the UK. Many will waive this if
you set up a direct debit transfer with your bank (BT didn't in my case!).


Value Added Tax (VAT) (like GST :) ).

It's currently 17.5% for most (all ?) items excepting some exempt categories.
I believe that if one buys certain goods in the UK and plans to leave within
three months then one can claim back the VAT upon departure. However, I've not
tried it, and am not sure of what paper work is required apart from the VAT
receipt.


Visiting "English Heritage" Properties.

Many buildings / structures of historical / cultural / tourist significance are
operated by English Heritage. They have a reciprocal agreement with the
National Trust in Australia. If you are a member, this can reduce the entry
fees to many interesting sites.


Obtaining a UK Drivers License

Australians can legally drive in the UK on their Australian
licence, or an International Driving Permit, for 12 months
after taking up residence. (Note, this is residence, not
citizenship!) Beyond that period, a UK licence is required.

The task of obtaining a UK licence is fairly straight forward.
You will require the following items:

a) A valid Australian licence.
b) A completed application form (D1) obtainable from any Post
Office. (Pick up the D100 guide for completing the D1, as
well.)
c) A cheque for UKP 21.00 drawn on a UK (or EU) bank.


Send these items to the 'Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency' (DVLA)
in Swansea, Wales. DVLA advise that it takes approximately two
weeks after receipt of application to issue the licence. (Mine
arrived within a week.) The licence is valid until the age of 70 -
with no renewal fee! Physically, the licence is a green and pink
coloured A4 size sheet.

If you want your Australian licence returned to you, it is best
include a letter stating this with the application. All
correspondence from the DVLA is via Second Class post - I wasn't
happy with the security of this, and included a prepaid
"recorded delivery" envelope (it cost less than GBP 1.50). I'd
recommend recorded delivery both ways - it doesn't cost much
compared to the problems associated with obtaining a replacement
Oz licence!


A word of warning to those licenced in the A.C.T. - the rules
state that you must surrender your A.C.T licence to the issuing
authority once it is used to obtain a UK licence. No other states
and territories have this restriction. Note that on DVLA's D1
form the term used is "Exchange Licence" irrespective of the state
or territory in which you are licenced.


Renewing the Work Permit

Your employer must make an application to the Home Office to
renew your work permit. This process should begin no later than
eight (8) weeks before the expiry date of the existing permit.
Towards the end of the eight weeks, the Home Office will also
require your passport for stamping and validation.

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