Working Overseas
Ever considered a career in Recruitment in the UK or Dublin?
Would you like broaden your recruitment career overseas? We are dedicated to assisting those wanting to work overseas in the United Kingdom and Ireland before leaving Australia and have alliances with a number of Industry Job Boards.
Arriving on the other side of the world can be daunting. In recognition of this we have established relationships with industry specialists to offer co-ordinated recruitment services between Australia and your destination, for those who hold a valid work visa or Passport.
We ensure you are provided with up-to-date specialist knowledge, not only within local markets but in-depth insight on economic trends affecting the types of UK employment opportunities available.
Getting Started in the UK
Visas Before you consider a career in the UK it is essential that you acquire a relevant visa or British/ EU passport from The British High Commission based in Canberra. For further visa and passport enquires and important immigration rules log on to britaus.net
NI & Tax
The National Insurance (NI) number is the equivalent to your Australian Tax File Number. It is important if you are planning to work in the UK that you apply for your NI as soon as possible (it can take up to three months). Your NI number will enable you to obtain Government benefits such as free medical services and can make life a whole lot easier when applying for your tax returns. To apply for your NI contact The Department of Work and Pensions on 02077122171, or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/.
PAYE vs. Limited Company
There are two main ways to receive your pay while working in the UK. PAYE is generally the easiest and most straight-forward payment method, straight into your personal bank account (with standard tax applied).
Using a limited (Ltd) company is another method for temporary / contract candidates although it is certainly a more complicated method and will need to seek professional advice.
When considering a limited company the preference is for individuals to set up their own Ltd company and work through that, however there are known composite or umbrella companies that seem to be quite popular and whilst they don’t offer the same tax savings, they are easier to administer from the contractor’s perspective. Ltd companies are designed to reduce the amount of tax owed, however please note there are a mountain of pros and cons that should be considered. For further information log on to inlandrevenue.gov.uk.
Bank Account
As you have probably heard, setting up a bank account in the UK is not the easiest of tasks! A couple of ideas that have worked for our candidates in the past are;
- Requesting a bank reference from your local branch as well as three months of statements.
- Getting your name on your utility bills as soon as you arrive (as a priority)
- Presenting a statement from your British landlord confirming your current address.
Accommodation
Finding a flat or apartment in London can really stretch the pennies so make sure you allocate part of your savings for your bond (usually upfront payments for the first and last months rent). An average price for a flat obviously depends on size and location, but you could expect to pay 80-120 pounds pp per week. Some popular sites to help your search for shared or private accommodation are www.gumtree.com and www.loot.com.
VisitBritain
The official tourist board for Britain can provide you with impartial advice to help you get the most out of your working holiday. VisitBritain can provide you with free brochures, maps and local knowledge. Talk to the experts and find out what makes Britain great! For further information, go to: VisitBritain.com.au or call 1300 85 85 89.
