Thinking of Moving to London?

Although dress codes within the workplace are shifting depending which sector you are working in, London can be a suited and booted city. As a recruitment agency that specialises in office support staff we would recommend both men and women packing a couple of suits to get you started when you arrive.

You will be expected to be corporately presented when interviewing with most recruitment agencies as they will need to see how you will present yourself to their clients. Alternatively, once you are in London you can pick up a cheap suit from Primark or H&M to get your corporate wardrobe kick-started.

It is a good idea to have some money changed into Pounds Sterling (£) before you arrive as you will need to purchase an Oyster Card when you land in order to travel on the tube.

London is a big city, it is usually best to wait until you arrive in the UK to start your search for somewhere to live, this way you can find a job, know your budget, and be close to the necessary transport.

Be warned, rent in London can be very high and this is why many people live in house shares when they first arrive in the city. When you arrive, you will most likely base yourself in a hostel or on a friend’s couch until you find your new home. Living in a house share in London can be a great way to meet new people and can be a lot of fun!

A recruitment agency or employer will need your bank account details to deposit your pay and setting up a bank account can be one of the more frustrating tasks when setting up your London life. If you are registered with Australasian Recruitment Company, our recruitment consultants can provide you with a letter of confirmation if the bank requires it.

If you can open an account before moving to London this can save you a lot of headaches. Australasian Recruitment Company are proud to partner with Unizest, with Unizest you can download and open your UK e-current account wherever you are in the world, in minutes. You can open it anywhere in the world, before you arrive in the UK or when you get here.

What do you get?

• An e-current account app to manage your money, payments and more
• Contactless debit card for use in all places that accept Mastercard
• Exclusive discounts on everyday spending when you shop through us
• Access to advice and information on living and working in the UK

To find out more visit www.unizest.co.uk

One thing employers and recruitment agencies in London will need from you is a National Insurance Number for taxation purposes. To apply for a National Insurance Number visit the GOV.UK website to start the process. You will need your passport, proof of address in the UK, evidence of work in the UK or evidence that you are in the process of looking for work. You can start work before you have received your National Insurance Number and you are not taxed at a higher tax rate for not having one.

One of the first things we recommend you do when you come to London is to register with a GP. Foreigners who are ordinarily residents in the UK and are seen to be settling in the country will be able to take advantage of free healthcare, with the exception of prescription charges, dentistry work and optical services. Always check with your GP to see if there are any surcharges or fees as this might vary from practice to practice.

The NHS also has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries, including Australia. Check if your country of residence has an agreement with the UK to receive free urgent treatment if needed.

Check your eligibility for free healthcare in the UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care/how-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care

Most workers in the UK receive an annual tax free allowance which is calculated on a weekly basis, this amount changes with each new tax year but you can expect to pay 20% tax on any earnings above the weekly tax-free threshold.

Another amount that is deducted from your pay is Employee’s National Insurance Contributions which are around 12% of your earnings above the weekly NI-free threshold.

When working in the UK you will be automatically enrolled into a UK pension fund which means that pension deductions are taken from your pay. You have the right to opt-out should you choose to do so, or equally you can remain enrolled in the pension fund.