Hi everyone a bit of advice please if anyone can help.
We are moving to Aus permanently in Jan 07 but will be visiting in Sept 06 for 2 weeks only to validate our visa.I therefore presume we will not become Australian resident until Jan 07?

At the moment we are in the process of selling our house. We are planning on opening a Westpac Aus $ account now, and then transferring the money proceeds from the sale of the house to the Westpac account when the exchange rate is good, using Ozforex. We will do this before we become Australian resident in Jan 07.

I understand that until we become resident,we will only pay Witholding tax of 10% on interest received in Australia, but that we can claim this back in the UK as a tax credit, and then pay UK tax on the interest? Can anyone confirm that this will be the only tax that we will be liable for on our Westpac savings? I have read other info saying that you can be taxed on any gains made on foreign exchange, but is this just for transactions made after you become resident?

At the end of the 06/07 tax year, I understand that in the UK we will have to fill out form SA109, and will be treated as UK Resident, but can use the split year treatment. Does anyone know how our tax return will be calculated in Australia- will it be a similar split year treatment?

Any info/advice would be gratefully received...
Cheers
Stewart