UK

Moving to the UK from Australia
The path to the UK is a well-trodden one for many Australian lawyers, but the familiarity doesn’t make the prospect any less attractive and many more still make the move each year.

The market and the opportunities are constantly changing, but a recent trend to emerge has been the lack of Aussies coming back home after a standard two year stint. Increasingly many are building a longer term career there, putting paid to the idea that Aussies are drafted in by the larger firms essentially as fee-earning machines to be used, burnt out and discarded – all whilst earning the kind of money simply not available in Australia. More firms are investing in their training and development and there are now Australian partners at most of the leading firms.

Qualifying in England & Wales
The good news is that in general a firm would not expect you to be qualified before you join the firm, but most stipulate that you re-qualify as soon as practicable after joining them. For the most part this is done with the full support of the firm and they will in most cases pay the costs of study and sitting the exams.

Coming from another common law and Commonwealth jurisdiction Australian lawyers can sit the Qualified lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT). You need to have at least two years practical experience gained within the last five years. Although there are four Heads under the test, eligible Australian lawyers are currently only required to complete Head III, Professional Conduct & Accounts. You will need to apply for a certificate of eligibility for the Law Society and at that time will be advised of the Heads you are required to sit. The other Heads are Property, Litigation and Principles of Common Law.

Contact the Law Society of England & Wales or the College of Law for more information on the QLTT. It is worth knowing that you can take it in Australia if you wish to before you travel over.

Visas
Unless you have a British or European Union passport you will need an appropriate visa to work in the UK.

The most common visa is through your employer under a sponsorship scheme. These visas are relevant to a specific role and not transferable to another employer. Your new firm should be of assistance in acquiring this, as it is them applying on your behalf, but is important that this is all confirmed before your arrival as it is a requirement that it be presented to the immigration authorities when you enter the UK. The same applies to any dependent spouses or children whose immigration status is reliant on your valid visa.

More recently a Highly Skilled Migrants Visa has been introduced which is not attached to a particular employer or job and gives you more freedom as to the roles you undertake and means you can travel to the UK without a job already secured. The advantage of this visa over the Working Holiday Visa is that it gives no limit on the maximum period you can work for any single employer, nor does it place any restrictions on ‘developing your career’ whilst you are in the UK.

The UK Immigration system is currently under going significant reform and so it is advisable to get as much up-to-date information as possible to assess your eligibility and make the process as painless as possible.

Healthcare
Australia has a reciprocal agreement with the UK to provide emergency medical care for its citizens or those who are ordinarily resident in Australia whilst they are in the UK. As well as no charge applying for emergency treatment, non-emergency in-patient treatment is provided at no charge to those who have worked for more then 12 weeks during their stay. All of this is provided under the UK’s government subsidised National Health System (NHS) and if you are planning to take up residence in the UK it is advisable to register with the NHS so that you can receive the full range of medical services and subsidised prescriptions.

Useful Information
www.timeout.com/london - for all the latest on what’s on in London.
www.thisislondon.co.uk – this is associated with the Evening Standard newspaper and includes good links about accommodation in particular.
www.easylondonaccommodation.com – information on landlords and letting in London.
www.lawsociety.org.uk – The Law Society of England & Wales.
www.collaw.edu.au/cla/transfer_test.asp - The College of Law, information on the QLTT.
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk – Immigration.

For more information about a move to the UK please contact Kirsty Spears on +612 9237 2305.