If you're new here, you may be interested to know that you can receive all of our latest articles directly to your inbox. Click Here for more info. We promise to keep your email safe and will use it for only this purpose

Fantasy Homes Down Under is a new series coming soon to UKTV and we’ve been contacted by Sarah, a member of the Fantasy Homes down under team, who are looking for people to take part in their new 5 part TV Series planned for 2009.

“We are looking for British expats who are living in Australia and looking to buy a property. They could be buying their first house in Australia, or just looking to move. We are looking for willing participants who would like the Fantasy Homes team to assist in finding them their dream home and filming the journey for Fantasy Homes (currently in its third series and the highest rating show on UKTV Style).” Says Sarah

It looks like the down under programs are proving  pretty popular with the Fantasy Homes franchise looking to follow in the success of the BBC’s popular Wanted down under TV Series. Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 16%

The federal government has announced a $10.4 billion package to help Australia counter the global economic crisis and first home buyers will be among the major beneficiaries.

The global financial crisis has entered into a new phase and Prime Minister Rudd’s Economic Security Strategy is designed to strengthen the Australian economy in the face of the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression.

First home buyers are already eligible for a grant of $7000, which is funded by the Federal Government and administered by the states.

Now anyone who signs a contract to buy their first home from yesterday until June 30 next will be eligible for a grant of $14,000 if they buy an established dwelling and $21,000 if they buy a new house or apartment. Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 16%

It was only a few months ago back in June when I wrote with a cheerful tone about the increase in the number of places available for wannabe Aussies during the 2008 – 2009 Migration Program.

A recent interview given by the Australian PM Kevin Rudd hints at a bit of a rethink which may have implication for many folks dreaming of a new life down under,

During an interview with the Fairfax Radio Network in Melbourne. The Aussie PM recognised that the current immigration rate was an increase on the previous year to meet employer demands for more skilled workers, particularly in mining and resource intensive Western Australia and Queensland.

He then goes onto say however that “as with all previous governments, and mine’s the same, whenever we set immigration targets we will adjust them according to the economic circumstances of the day,” Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 15%

Do you remember the ‘Where the bloody hell are you ads’ which became more famous for Lara Bingles use of the word ‘bloody’ instead of the content itself?

Well, the guys at the Australian tourism office have kicked off a new and (in my opinion) very fresh looking walkabout campaign which markets Australia as the antidote to the stresses and strains of modern day life.

The two new tourism advertisements, set to accompany the new film ‘Australia‘ and created by the same film maker Baz Luhrmann were revealed to the tourism industry this week.

Unlike previous ads which simply let the location steal the show, in Luhrmann’s advertisements, it is busy professionals and the transforming experience of a visit to Australia that form the narrative. Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 16%

Way back in March 2006 I mulled over whether or not a forum would be a useful addition to our site.

Back in the day, Getting Down Under was a relitively new site. We only had a handful of visitors a day (less than 20) but I still wanted to create a place on the site where members could interact with each other a little more.

On the 20th of April of the same year, I launched our Community Forums and we had 6 folks register to join our forums in the first week

Fast forward a couple of years and I’m delighted to say that we’ve now got over 5000 members, with 20 – 30 new wannabe Aussies joining our community every single day

Getting down under now attracts over 1500 unique visitors daily and it’s great to see some of the interactions and friendships starting to be formed within our community. Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 10%

OK, October is finally here so time to post this months update. There appears to be progress in quite a few of the visa classes. Unfortunately Sub classes such as the 136 seem to be dragging their heals. Still, progress is progress for some.

To Discuss the current update please use this thread in our forums.

Also, remember, if you have applied for your Australian Immigration Visa during the month of October then join other Getting Down Under Members who have applied at the same time by posting to this thread in our Australian Visa Time line Forum Continue Reading

Article Popularity: 17%