technology games: Australian relocation dilemmas: Should you use a relocation ...

Consultant or not?

We started Mum?s gone 2 Aus five months after relocating to Australia. One of the reasons we started the blog was because we found our first months here very overwhelming, and before and after our arrival we spent a huge amount of time searching the Internet for information that just wasn?t there.

At the time, we didn?t know much about the services of relocation consultants. Using a relocation consultant didn?t occur to us when planning our move and had we looked at the options we probably wouldn?t have been able to afford it.

We relocated to Sydney off our own backs; we didn?t get job transfers and knew very few people in Sydney when we arrived. You might say we chose the hard option, and it has been an (overwhelming) adventure.

Why wouldn?t you use a relocation consultant?

We have now worked with and got to know several Australian relocation consultants and feel the service they provide to families relocating from overseas or interstate in Australia is invaluable.

If you are relocating to Australia through work you would be foolish not to convince your employer to add the fees of a relocation consultant to your package.

The only reason we can think of that you wouldn?t use a relocation consultant is if you can?t afford it, choose to spend your money on some other aspect of your move, or simply like an adventure.

What can relocation consultants help you with?

In our experience the two largest and most stressful factors of a family relocation are finding housing and schools, and the two go hand in hand because often you need to find a house the right area to access your chosen school.

The most common service offered by relocation consultants is a property search, whether you?re renting or buying. The search can be started before you leave your country of origin and by sharing photographs, videos and holding Skype conversations a great deal can be achieved before you arrive in Australia.

Jo and Dale Reardon run Settled In Home Search and Relocation Services and specialise in relocation to Tasmania, Jo points out that using a relocation consultant can save you money that would be spent on temporary accommodation. If a relocation agent runs the property search for you before you arrive, you might only need a few nights temporary accommodation before moving into your long term home. A quick transition to your long term property helps you settle more quickly so there are emotional benefits too.

In addition to helping with the property search your local relocation agent can assist with finding suitable schools and child care facilities. They will understand the catchment areas of local schools and be able to discuss their reputations. Many are experts in the Australian education system and can guide you and your children through the school transition.

What are the benefits?

Having a smooth and speedy property and school search has a number of benefits for your family; you?ll be less stressed and more able to enjoy your new home. This is particularly beneficial if your relocation to Australia is temporary ? if you?re only coming for two years you don?t want to spend the first six months finding your way.

Another benefit, relating to the property search, is that relocation specialists may be able to secure access to the best properties ahead of other buyers or renters. Sarah Kenaly is a Relocation Manager at Home Hunters Relocations, she says, ?Our clients are at the forefront of the marketplace because agents contact us first regarding their properties. We have a great rapport with hundreds of agents who want our clients so we often get exposed to properties before they hit the market!?

As well as providing assistance with the two big components of your move (housing and schools) a relocation consultant is a friendly face and invaluable resource for all the little questions you and your children might have about your move. Lesley Snell runs Northern Beaches Know-How a Sydney-based relocation service; she explains, ?I like to get to know the whole family and their needs. I think it?s important to include all members and encourage them to ask questions and for all of them to be confident about the move. Using a relocation guide gives you a person on the ground and someone you can connect with. This is especially ?important for families.? Lesley has relocated herself and her family several times and she knows the devil is in the detail, it?s all the nitty gritty stuff that makes a move go smoothly.

Anne Jacobson runs ConnectRelocate and helps people relocating to South East Queensland. Anne comments that the support from a relocation agent doesn?t end once your property has been found or the kids have started school. ?Many consultants will continue to support you through the tasks you need to complete in Australia, such as signing up to a financial institution, Medicare or Centrelink, understanding utility connections, the pros and cons of private and public health care and seeking referrals to doctors, dentists, specialists, hairdressers and beauticians.?

What are the services and how much does it cost?

The services provided by relocation consultants and agents that will help with your move to Australia are often bespoke. Agents we know will have an initial discussion with you via telephone or email to understand your requirements; they will then quote a few service options that suit your needs. In terms of the property and school search it?s hard to suggest a standard cost because needs differ. To give you an idea we interviewed four relocation consultants from different locations within Australia and they have provided us with an example services and costs. These prices are in Australian dollars and may change.

Example services and costs;

Home Hunters Relocations cover the whole relocation process from city orientation, the home search, selection and securing of a property, right through to assisting you throughout the lease and providing ongoing support. We also cater for more basic packages if you want to be more hands on ? similar to a DIY where we would organise the itinerary, and you make the time to view the properties. Full Service starts at $1500 + GST, DIY Service starts at$900 + GST.
Settled In offer a range of services for those relocating to Tasmania. A key service is the home search, for either a place to rent or a place to buy. Settled In ask you exactly what you need in your new home and undertake the search for you before you arrive in Tasmania. You can choose the timing so that either you are here for the final inspections of properties or you can base your decision on the comprehensive reports we will send to you (obviously a more popular option for a rental home). Our home search services commence from $1650 (including GST) with the price quoted based on the complexity of the search and the options you select.
ConnectRelocate save you time and eliminate your concerns by arranging all your relocation details, starting from the moment you arrive in Australia. The comprehensive and supportive Relocation Service provided for $2,310 is inclusive of assistance with airport transfer, area orientations, securing temporary accommodation, rental property search and securing Tenancy Lease, vehicle and furniture rental or purchasing, utility connection, assistance with Government registrations and settling in support over first 3 months.
Northern Beaches Know-How specialise in relocation to Sydney?s Northern Beaches suburbs. Lesley Snell aims to give you personal and practical help. Lesley is a qualified UK primary school teacher and an expert in the Australian school system. Lelsey offers a DIY Familiarisation Package for $500 that includes 2 x 1 hour Skype conversations and unlimited email access until you arrive. Included in this package Lesley will recommend of up to 4 schools to explore yourselves. Lesley also offers more comprehensive packages which involve personally taking you around schools, orientation of areas, and working with you to find a home. Prices start from $1,000.

What should / would you do?

We?ve explained what we did and the benefits and costs of using a relocation consultant. We don?t specifically regret not using a consultant but now we understand more about their services we feel there is no doubt that using a relocation consultant can take the stress out of your relocation and help you feel settled more quickly.

We feel that our blog, the support and information we provide in our printable action plans and Facebook and blog discussions, offer something of a middle ground between using a relocation consultant or not.

Having an local expert and friendly face wherever you?re moving to in Australia is incredibly useful. To ease the house and school search in particular, we suggest you consider using a relocation consultant or agent.

What do you think? What did you do? We?d love to hear your views and experiences. Thank you.

If you?re a relocation consultant based in Australia please feel free to describe your services in the comments below.

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