Working in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is located off the north-west coast of mainland Europe and comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island.

Once the greatest empire in the world, the United Kingdom is still one of the world’s top economies and most developed countries. Its capital city is the metropolis of London, which is located in southern England.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. It is part of the European Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, the G7, the G8, the G20 NATO, OECD and World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A very culturally diverse nation, the UK has influenced the world through its language, arts, sport, development, financial system and more.

London is the centerpiece of the country and widely regarded as one of the greatest cities in the world. With a population of more than 8 million people, London not only represents everything that is great about British life, but it is also one of the most diverse destinations found anywhere in Europe.

It is primarily through London that the United Kingdom remains the most common destination for Australian working holiday makers.

In its current form, the working holiday option for Australians to the UK is known as the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme. In 2013, 35,000 places were allocated to Australian citizens under this scheme.

If approved under the Youth Mobility Scheme, applicants are permitted to do whatever work they like during a two-year period. Applicants are also able to study during their stay.

The Youth Mobility Scheme has an extensive number of requirement and restrictions to be successful in your application. It is suggested to do your research and read these carefully when completing an application.

UK working holiday visa summary

Visa:                     Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
Age:                      18 to 30
Length of stay:   Up to 24 months
Application fee: £200

Restrictions / requirements:
Points system                    (50 points required)
Attributes                           Points available
Nationality                         30
Age                                       10
Maintenance(funds)        10 (must have equivalent of £1800 in cash funds)

Other requirements:

• When applying, the following must be confirmed:
  – Have no children under 18 years old living with you or you are financially responsible for
  – You have never been in the UK at any time in the former working holiday category or under the youth mobility scheme. If you have been in the UK under another scheme you can apply.
• The full allocation of places on the youth mobility scheme for the year must not have been used.

Documents required:

Applicants must send one recent passport photograph. This will be used on your visa to be fixed into your passport. The photograph should:

• Measure 45mm x 35mm
• Be in colour
• Be taken against a white background
• Be clear and of good quality
• Not be framed or backed
• Not be digitally altered – for example, using Photoshop
• Be full face, without sunglasses, hat or head covering unless worn for religious reasons

Applicants must also send their original passport or travel document to confirm the score of 30 points for nationality and 10 points for age.

Maintenance (funds):

Applicants must provide documents proving they have £1800 cash in a bank account. Other accounts or financial instruments, such as shares or bonds, will not be accepted. Cash funds in your account will be assessed using the exchange rate published by OANDA on the date of application.

All financial documents provided must be original, on the organisation’s official letter-headed paper and have the organisation’s official stamp. They must have been issued by an authorised official of the organisation and be dated no earlier than one month before you apply for the visa.

If you plan to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, it must be named on the account with one or more other named individuals.

Acceptable documents include:

Personal bank or building society statements
These statements should clearly show:

• Name
• Account number
• Date of the statement
• Financial institution’s name and logo
• A balance, excluding any overdrafts, of at least £1800 in the account.

If you plan to send electronic bank statements from an online account these must contain all of the above details. A supporting letter from your bank on company headed paper confirming the authenticity of the statements will also be required.

Building society pass-book
The pass-book should clearly show:

• Name
• Account number
• Financial institutions name and logo
• Balance, excluding any overdrafts , of at least £1800 in the account

Letter from a bank or building society, confirming funds
This letter should state:

• Name
• Account number
• Date of the letter
• Financial institution’s name and logo
• That there is a balance, excluding any overdrafts, of at least £1800 in the account

Letter from a financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator, confirming funds
This letter should state:

• Name
• Account number
• Date of the letter
• Financial institution’s name and logo
• That there is a balance, excluding any overdrafts, of at least £1800 in the account

Applying for a visa:
You must be outside of the UK when you apply for a Youth Mobility visa. Even if you are in the UK on another visa you cannot apply for the Youth Mobility category.

Refusals:
If your application is refused, you have the right to ask for an administrative review of the decision.

Emergency

Emergency telephone services:
Police, ambulance, fire brigade and coastguard 999

Australian High Commission, London
Australia House
The Strand
London WC 2B 4LA, UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: (44 20) 7379 4334
Facsimile:   (44 20) 7887 5559
Website www.uk.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate, Edinburgh
Mitchell House
5 Mitchell Street
Edinburgh EH6 7BD, SCOTLAND
Telephone: +44 (0) 131 538 0582
Facsimile:   +44 (0) 131 554 3646
Office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9.00am –11.30am & 12 noon – 4.30pm

Tax system

The tax system in the UK shares many similarities to Australia’s. As is the case in Australia, income tax is taken from a worker’s employment. How much tax you pay will depend on how much income is earned, a progressive system.

The income tax rates and bands in the UK for 2013-2014 are as follows:
Basic rate 20% £0 to £32,010
Higher rate £32,011 to £150,000
Additional rate 50% Over £150,000

Bank Account

To work in the United Kingdom a bank account will be required. British banks will likely suggest you open a savings account depending on your circumstances. Make sure you have several documents of identification and proof of address available when you intend to open the new account. Once approved, applicants will usually receive a debit card to accompany the account.

The UK’s major banks include: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. With London being one of the world’s leading financial centres, the UK also has a branch for most international banks, including many from Australia.

Working in the UK

The United Kingdom, which comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island, has one of the largest economies in Europe and is ranked in the top 10 worldwide. London is the world’s second largest financial centre behind New York City.
A vastly globalised economy, working in the UK presents a broad range of opportunities for the job hunter. Some of the largest industry sectors in the UK include: agriculture, banking, electronics, energy, health care, media, telecommunications and tourism.
Expats on a working holiday could enter the UK looking to add experience in their chosen career or to pursue work that will conveniently supplement their stay in the country. This could range from working as a stockbroker for a major English bank on Liverpool Street to pouring beers at a pub in Shepherds Bush.
Another area of employment to consider, and also a great way to see more of the country, is to work in agriculture. This is a great way to explore the country, enjoy the outdoors and supplement your stay with a small amount of funds. Farms are operational throughout the UK and looking for cheap labour.
Like much of Europe, the UK struggled throughout the global economic crisis and experienced a rise in unemployment. However, by 2013 conditions had improved for the country’s economy.

Job websites:
www.jobs.ac.uk
www.jobsite.co.uk
www.reed.co.uk
www.monster.co.uk
jobs.guardian.co.uk/jobs/uk
www.fish4.co.uk
www.totaljobs.com
www.jobsearch.co.uk
It is recommended job seekers keep an eye on local print media after arrival in the UK. Most newspapers will include a weekly employment section.

Communication

The United Kingdom has outstanding telecommunications facilities and services. There are several mobile phone providers for expats to choose from in the UK. The major telecommunications companies in the UK are:

• O2
• Orange
• Vodafone
• Virgin
• T-Mobile

To sign-up for a phone contract in the UK, applicants will need to provide identification, such as a passport, proof of address in the UK and proof of employment.

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