“Relocation is like a puzzle, so there are many pieces, and they all need to come together. One missing piece and the puzzle is incomplete.”

Thanks to Homeward Australia for sponsoring this episode.

This week on the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen speaks with Suja from Homeward Australia, a relocation support service helping families navigate the complexities of moving to Australia and securing rentals.

Suja brings a unique blend of experience to her work, combining a corporate background, property expertise and firsthand experience moving countries with children. That mix shapes how Homeward Australia supports families who are planning their move to Australia and trying to navigate all of the admin at once.

Suja's big goal is to remove a layer of stress from your shoulders when you're making the move, because she remembers how it felt when she made the move with her family.

What you’ll learn in this episode

Throughout the episode, Karen and Suja explore:

• Why securing rentals in Australia can feel so competitive (and why it varies so much by suburb and price point)
• How vacancy rates and local data can help families make smarter location decisions
• What makes a strong rental application stand out to property managers
• The added complexity of moving with children and pets
• How relocation support works in practice, from suburb selection through to inspections and applications
• Why timing, job planning and preparation are critical before arriving in Australia

The episode also covers the practical realities many new arrivals underestimate: limited rental supply, the importance of complete applications and how small details can make or break a property outcome when competition is high.

If you’re planning a move to Australia, this episode is packed with real-world insight from a professional who has also lived through the experience herself.

Additional resources

• Find Homeward Australia in the Move to Australia Directory
• Visit the Homeward Australia website

Support the show

"Nobody has set out to move to Australia for a worse life. We've all done it because we believe this is a really good move for the benefit of everybody in our family."

Moving to Australia with children brings a whole layer of complexity on top of the usual relocation admin, from visas and schooling to helping your kids find their feet socially and emotionally in a completely new environment.

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen sits down with Sam, founder of Courageous Girls Club, who moved from the UK to Bribie Island in Queensland with her husband and two boys in 2019, just months before COVID hit. Sam shas plenty to share as she has lived through the highs and lows of relocating with young kids, and through Courageous Girls Club she now spends her days helping children build confidence and resilience.

It's a warm, honest conversation covering the mistakes to avoid, what resilience really looks like in kids, how to help children settle socially and what it takes to build a business from scratch when you land.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why Sam and her family chose Bribie Island over the bigger cities
• The costly visa mistake Sam made early on, and why getting the right migration advice from the start can save you thousands
• Why checking for Wi-Fi at a rental property matters more than you'd think when you're moving with kids
• How Sam's two sons experienced the move completely differently, and what that reveals about children's need for routine after a big transition
• Simple, practical ways to help settle children quickly, from local clubs and activities to getting them into kindy or school as soon as possible
• What resilience actually looks like in children and how to support kids through friendship struggles, new school systems and unfamiliar Aussie slang
• How to let go of parental guilt about the decision to move
• Sam's experience setting up a business in Australia as a migrant, including the support and networking opportunities she found when she looked beyond her local area
• Sam's one big piece of advice for families preparing to move

Why this episode matters for your move to Australia

Relocating with kids means managing your own settling-in process while also supporting theirs, and the two don't always look the same. Sam's story is a reminder that children can surprise you (her nine-year-old was desperate to get back into a school routine within days of landing) and that resilience in kids is built through discomfort and repetition, not by hiding from the challenges. Whether you're still planning your move or already navigating the early months in Australia, this episode offers practical, reassuring guidance for the whole family.

Additional resources

• Find out more about Courageous Girls Club, with clubs popping up across Australia to help girls build confidence and resilience.
• Find Courageous Girls Club in the Move to Australia Directory.
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Find the full show notes and transcript at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-51

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

“You don’t accidentally build your dream life. You build it by noticing when you’re drifting and choosing a different direction.”

Moving to Australia is often framed around big goals, new beginnings and exciting possibilities. But what happens after the move? When the dust settles, routines take over and life starts to feel like it’s running on autopilot again?

In this episode of the New Life in Australia podcast, Karen follows up one of the most popular episodes of the last series - Episode 48: Create Your Vision, Plan Your Life and Future in Australia, and takes it one powerful step further.

Instead of focusing only on what you want out of life, this episode introduces the concept of your anti-vision: the life you consciously choose not to drift into.

It’s a practical, reflective episode designed to help you gain clarity, reset direction and make more intentional decisions about your life in Australia, whether you’re still planning your move or already here settling in.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• What an anti-vision is and why it’s just as important as having a life vision
• How to identify the feelings you don’t want to define your everyday life
• The hidden patterns and routines that may be shaping your future without you realising it
• How to recognise what you don’t want your daily life in Australia to look like
• The sacrifices you may be making (and whether they are still serving you)
• How to identify who you don’t want to become
• How your anti-vision becomes a powerful decision-making filter
• How to use it when choosing jobs, locations and commitments
• A journaling exercise to bring clarity and direction to your next chapter

Why this episode matters for your move to Australia

When you first arrive in Australia, life is often driven by logistics - managing the admin, getting the kids settled, finding a job and home and so much more. But over time, it’s easy to slip into survival mode and lose sight of the bigger picture of why you moved in the first place.

This episode helps you step back and ask a different kind of question: Am I building the life I actually want, or am I just living a life where I respond to routines? Do I even know where I want to go?

Your anti-vision acts as a compass. It helps you notice when something doesn’t feel right, so you can adjust course before you end up somewhere you didn’t intend to be.

Additional resources

• If you haven’t already listened, this episode pairs perfectly with: Episode 48: Create Your Vision, Plan Your Life and Future in Australia. That episode focuses on building the life you do want, whereas this one helps you define what you don’t want, so the two together create amazing clarity.
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to explore services and connect with businesses that support your relocation journey.

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

"Creating a vision for your new life begins the moment you start imagining what's possible for you."

In this final episode for 2025, Karen talks about how to intentionally design your life in Australia, whether you’re still planning your move, deep in the admin, or already settled. Moving to Australia is a huge achievement — but building your dream life here goes beyond just making the move.

This episode covers:

• Pausing to evaluate where you are, where you want to go and what matters most to you.
• Using journaling prompts to understand your vision for the life you want to create in Australia.
• Identifying your core values and understanding how they shape your decisions, priorities and actions.
• Identifying the steps to move you towards your vision — whether it’s career, lifestyle, education or family goals.
• Celebrating milestones and recognising the achievements you’ve already accomplished.
• Tools and resources to help map out your next steps.

Additional resources (contains affiliate links)

• Leonie Dawson Planners – Life & Business Workbooks
• Kristina Karlsson – Your Dream Life Starts Here Book and companion Journal
• Listen to the what is your 'why' podcast episode

Journaling prompts

Vision:

• What does a perfect day look like?
• How do I want to feel?
• What matters most to my family’s happiness?
• If anything was possible, what would I want my life look like one year from now? Five years?
• If nothing changes, where might I end up in five years?
• What am I moving toward?
• What is the biggest emotion I want more of next year?

Identity:

• Who do I want to become in this next chapter?
• What parts of myself do I want to leave behind?
• What parts do I want to bring with me — or evolve into?
• If I met the me who is thriving in Australia, what would they tell me about how they got there?

Values:

• What are your top 5 values?
• What are your non-negotiables?
• What do you want to prioritise?

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.

Find the transcript and full show notes at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-48

Find out more about TorFX and get the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Find all of the migration & relocation services you need in one place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

“We helped to move just over £300,000 to Australia and were able to achieve an additional $18,000 Australian dollars into her bank over the UK bank she was using. That's huge!”

Moving to Australia is exciting, but it comes with challenges - especially when it comes to transferring your money internationally.

In this episode, Karen chats with Brett from TorFX, an international money transfer specialist, about how to move your money to Australia safely, efficiently and strategically. Whether you’re transferring a large lump sum or smaller regular payments, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of your money.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How TorFX helps you move money to Australia or anywhere in the world.
• The differences between using a bank and a specialist FX provider, and why it could save you thousands.
• Common mistakes to avoid when transferring money internationally.
• How to maximise your transfer with tools like forward contracts and rate alerts.
• What documentation and compliance you’ll need to set up your account quickly and safely.
• How to handle regular or smaller transfers once you’re settled in Australia.
• Tips for planning your transfer in advance to make the most of the current exchange rates.
• Brett’s personal advice on making smart, informed decisions when moving your money.
• And so much more.

Get the $100 one-time introductory offer

SmartStepstoAustralia receives a commission if you use the link below and transfer funds, at no extra cost to you. This is not financial advice - always do your own due diligence before using any financial service.

To take advantage of TorFX's offer for New Life in Australia podcast listeners:

Set up your account using this referral link, and log into the TorFX app or online platform.
Complete your international transfer for at least $2,000 (in one or more trades)
You get $100 credited to your TorFX account!
>> Get started here

Additional resources

Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find TorFx's listing

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find the AI-generated transcript and full show notes at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-47

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

“Is Australia affordable? I think it is definitely more expensive than the UK in many ways but there are areas where life is cheaper, so it's swings and roundabouts as to which one is actually cheaper.”

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode about the real costs of living in Brisbane in 2025, Karen breaks down everything you need to know to budget confidently for your new life in Brisbane, including.

• Housing costs: Rent, utilities, insurance and more
• Transport & registration: Car registration, fuel, insurance
• Lifestyle expenses: Food shopping, take aways, eating out, clubs, subscriptions and attraction passes
• Other bills & subscriptions: Internet, phone, streaming services, and miscellaneous regular costs
• and so much more.

Additional resources

• Get the Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle
• Related podcasts about costs: Episode 10: Australia is expensive: True or false, Episode 30: How much do you really need for your move to Australia...and is it worth it?
• Podcasts about buying a home: 37 How the Olympics is going to shape Brisbane's property market, 35 Strategies for buying and negotiating property, 33 Rent, buy, invest in Queensland, 27 Buying your home in Queensland the smart way, 22 Buying a home in Melbourne
• Blog post: The cost of living in Brisbane
• Blog posts: Guide to schools in Australia, Choosing a high school in Australia
• Visit the Move to Australia Directory to find buyer's agents, mortgage brokers and more.
• Comparison sites: iSelect, Compare the Market, Finder, Energy Made Easy

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find the AI-generated transcript and show notes over at https://smartstepstoaustralia.com/episode-46

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find out more about TorFX and find the details of their $100 credit offer for New Life in Australia listeners at https://directory.smartstepstoaustralia.com/places/torfx/

Get your Ultimate Emigration Checklist Bundle at MovetoAustraliaToolkit.com.

Support the show

With thanks to Rental Search Australia for sponsoring this episode.

“More people in this industry is great but you really need to do your research. Do some background checks by looking at reviews and social media.”

Welcome to the New Life in Australia podcast

In this episode, Karen chats with Jade from Rental Search Australia about everything you need to know to secure a rental in Australia. If you’re moving to Australia or planning to relocate within the country, this episode is packed with practical tips and insider advice, including:

• The current rental market in Australia – how challenging is it really?
• How to create a compelling rental application that stands out.
• What life is like in Melbourne – insights into the city and lifestyle.
• Whether you need professional help to find a rental, or if you can do it yourself.
• Common mistakes renters make – and how to avoid them.
• Plus, Jade shares extra tips and hacks to make the rental search process smoother and less stressful.

Additional resources

• Find Rental Search Australia in the Move to Australia Directory
• Fill out Rental Search Australia's questionnaire to get started
• Download Karen's free Relocation Dream Team download to help you do your due diligence when choosing relocation and migration services

Found the episode helpful?

Buy me a coffee to say thank you here!

If you enjoyed listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. All positive reviews would be really appreciated!

Find all of the migration and relocation services you need in one handy place in the Move to Australia Directory.

Find the transcript and show notes at SmartStepstoAustralia.com/episode-45

Support the show