Royle-Evatt/Rowley Family Wanted Down Under

Having spent almost half of your life in the Armed Forces,

you're ready to hang up your uniform and jet off

for another exciting new life in Australia.

But first there's one very important mission you need to achieve -

persuading the love of your life to join you.

After years on the move,

Mathew Royle-Evatt is searching for somewhere to call home...

I don't feel as a part of this house as the dog, to be honest.

..and believes that could be in Australia.

We're moving to Australia now.

-Let's go find a house.

-SHE LAUGHS

But will a week down under see fiancee Phillipa fight

for life in the UK...

I don't think Mathew appreciates the gravity of what he's asking.

..or buy into Mathew's vision for their future?

It's not as straightforward as, like, "Do you like the weather?"

It's so much more than that.

Whether it's the stunning natural scenery,

an outdoors lifestyle or the climate...

..Australia continues to attract people from across the world.

But it's the unique bond

the Commonwealth country shares with the UK

that sees over 30,000 Brits making the move there every year.

Mathew Royle-Evatt joined the Army when he was just 16.

But after ten years of active service,

he's ready to swap his military career for married life,

and thinks Australia is the place to do it.

But for fiancee Phillipa,

the thought of leaving everyone she loves in the UK

to start a new life on the other side of the world

is a scary prospect.

So, will a week sampling everything the country has to offer

be enough to help destroy Phillipa's defences

and secure Mathew the future he so desperately wants for them?

The journey begins with a 20-hour trek

from Manchester to Perth via Abu Dhabi.

And although Mathew's used to travelling,

both he and Phillipa are relieved when they finally touch down.

The flight was very long and challenging,

especially for Phillipa, because she couldn't sleep.

I am blaming Matt for that flight.

I didn't enjoy it, and at the moment, it's all Matt's fault.

All that time in the air has given Phillipa plenty of time

to contemplate being so far from family in the UK.

When my mum dropped me off at the airport, I was really emotional.

It's really far away,

and the flight definitely reiterated

just the fact that it's at the other side of the world!

But Mathew's got his eye firmly on the target.

But we're in Perth now,

so I've just got to push it to Phillipa

to tell her why we've got to live here.

-We'll see.

-HE LAUGHS

Meet Phillipa, Mathew,

and their pet doggie, Ollie.

Childhood sweethearts,

Phillipa and Mathew first met at school,

but with Mathew signing up to the Army a few months later,

their relationship got off to a rocky start.

Mathew's job has had, like, a huge impact on our relationship

because Mathew's away, like, 80% of the time.

As soon as we got together, I was off to Afghanistan for seven months,

didn't have a date of when I was coming home,

didn't know what was going to happen, did we?

True love blossomed, though,

and the couple are convinced they've found their soul mates.

I think we do complement each other quite well.

Like, we're good at what we're good at

and then the other is good at the stuff...

-They're good at.

-..the other isn't at.

No, that made sense.

-I don't... I'm not sure it did.

-THEY LAUGH

With plans for their wedding under way,

Mathew's now ready to give his Army career the boot

in pursuit of a more stable life with Phillipa,

and believes that could be in Australia.

I joined the Army to get away from England

and then somebody decided that she'd steal my heart,

and now I want to steal her away from her family

and take her to Australia with me.

Mathew fell for the country during a brief visit

with work nine years ago,

and Phillipa's been hearing all about it ever since.

I've never been to Australia,

but Mathew goes on about it all the time.

It's the most wonderful place in the world, according to him.

I just like the place, how warm it was, the climate,

everyone seemed really friendly.

But Phillipa's not convinced it's where their future lies.

I'm kind of the only thing, really, in his way.

HE LAUGHS

Besides the weather,

I don't think he's got any actual real-life reasons

how it would be better.

Mathew knows he'll have a battle on his hands

to get his fiancee onside.

In order for Phillipa to be convinced

to move to the other side of the world,

I need to have an all-singing, all-dancing job

where I can come home every evening,

have the weekends to ourselves

and it be for at least a little bit more than what I'm on in England.

And he's prepared to fight for what he wants,

not just for him and Phillipa,

but for future children they might have, too.

A family out there would benefit a lot more

from the Australian way of life than in England.

After we're married, at some point we would like to start a family,

so wherever we are, we need to be settled.

But the prospect of starting a new family

thousands of miles from the people she already shares her life with

is too much for Phillipa to comprehend.

Welcome to Matt's amazing quiz!

My life completely and utterly revolves around my family,

and theirs around me, as well.

-Oh, I know this!

-Oh.

-Do you not know it?!

-I don't know the name.

I don't think Mathew appreciates the gravity of what he's asking.

Who sang the song I Will Survive?

That's an old-person question.

I did have you in mind when I thought of this question.

'They've been here for me, this whole time.'

And if we now leave

and, just, I don't have them in my life at all,

I will find that really difficult.

-Here you are, Ted.

-Ted, come here.

-Ted.

-Ted.

Used to hanging out with her father regularly,

she knows leaving would break his heart.

My dad constantly jokes that I'm not going

and won't even enter into a conversation with me about it.

-You don't actually tell me anything.

-Nothing to tell.

'Every time I speak to him about it'

it's like "You're not going, you're not going!"

So I think it'll be difficult for my dad.

Ultimately Phillipa will have to choose

between the man she's about to spend the rest of her life with

and the family who've supported her this far.

'I think it would be very important

'for us to start married life on the same page

'rather than I'm kind of leaning towards one thing,

'she's leaning towards another.'

It's a big deal, really,

that I've got to make that decision for the both of us.

Do they have radiators here?

-HE LAUGHS

-No...

-Just stop being you for a minute.

-No, seriously.

To find out if Australia can offer the couple

the lifestyle Mathew's been dreaming of,

they're visiting the country's Western capital, Perth.

After picking up a hire car,

Phillipa and Mathew head to their base for the week

in the coastal suburb of Hillarys,

just a 30-minute drive north of the city centre.

-Stop.

-I know how to drive, Phillipa.

What will Phillipa make of her first taste of Aussie living?

-Oh, it looks really nice.

-It looks very nice.

First impressions are good.

Looks lovely.

So quiet and peaceful.

But can Mathew keep the peace inside?

-I'm happy. Are you happy?

-Yeah.

-You're never happy!

-THEY LAUGH

I'd probably just redo the whole thing.

Really?

Phillipa's lack of enthusiasm suggests

Mathew's Australian campaign could be struggling to get off the ground.

If this was all grassed off,

it would be much more appealing to me.

And I think everything as a whole has just been a bit like "Meh."

Like, it's not really done anything for me.

It's been nine years since Mathew was last on Aussie soil.

I'm concerned whether it's going to be as good as I remember it to be.

You're a different person now, as well.

-It's just different priorities.

-I wasn't thinking about properties,

I wasn't thinking about jobs or anything like that but now I am,

but I'm hoping for a good result in my favour.

And the week ahead will be his one and only chance

to make Phillipa share his dream.

For me to leave my whole family,

I know I can speak to them every day and see them over the computer

and whatever, but it literally has to tick every box.

In the UK, Mathew and Phillipa live in a two-bedroom terraced house

in the Rossendale area of Lancashire.

I don't feel as a part of this house as, maybe, Phillipa

or even the dog, to be honest.

With Mathew's Army career often taking him away,

he wants Australia to give him the feeling of home

he's been missing.

In the next house, when I'm actually living there,

I'll be able to command a bit more...

of a say.

So what would the ideal home look like down under?

I need a big garden, an outside seating area.

I'd like it a bit more modern

with a little kitchen-diner, maybe a separate lounge.

-Don't want much.

-Three bedrooms as a minimum, please.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Please, at the end!

At least you've got manners.

To find out what kind of house they could have,

we'll show the couple three properties -

two on budget, and a third which could be their dream home.

Only after they've seen each one will they find out its value.

Mathew and Phillipa have set themselves a budget

of between £180,000 and £190,000.

Go, go, go!

The search begins in the coastal suburb of Alkimos,

almost 40 minutes outside of central Perth.

They're viewing a house at the Shorehaven estate,

one of many new-build projects in the area.

So, will this three-bedroom house hit the spot?

The front garden's quite small.

I don't think we need a front garden anyway, do we?

No. I just hope that there's a back garden.

Hmm, fingers crossed.

First, inside.

-Nice, bright entrance, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Nice and big.

But it doesn't take long for Phillipa to notice something

she's not so keen on.

I find it strange that the main bedroom's at the front.

-Yeah.

-Is that just me?

I don't know how I'd cope without carpet.

If it's wooden or laminate,

you'd have to wear flip-flops or slippers.

I think it's a good start.

Hopefully it'll just get bigger and better from here.

Mathew's not giving up.

Hopefully the open-plan living area will help.

This is what I had in mind for an open-plan living space in Australia.

Much better shaped than our kitchen.

And you could be washing up while I'm eating my tea.

HE LAUGHS

You won't be getting any tea!

This is definitely not an upgrade to what we've got, is it?

You wouldn't move across the world for this.

Mathew could be fighting a losing battle.

Perhaps the master bedroom will improve Phillipa's mood.

This is more like it.

-Go through that door.

-Have a nosey.

Oh, it's got an en-suite.

Oh, well, that's just what we need.

I hope there's another bathroom, because I'd want a bath.

-Yeah, obviously a separate bathroom, shower...

-Yeah.

..for the potential children we might have.

One step at a time.

Steady on, Mathew!

It could be baby steps for Phillipa,

who's finding it hard to see herself living here.

This bathroom's quite small.

And when the bathroom disappoints,

even Mathew's enthusiasm is flagging.

The rental property's bathroom's bigger than this,

but that's not very big.

Moving outside, how will the garden measure up?

It's quite small, isn't it?

It doesn't feel like it's a garden.

-No, it's just like a little patio sort of situation.

-Yeah.

-I don't know, it feels quite claustrophobic, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

Phillipa's mind is made up.

We need better than this to move.

It's not a great start.

But the couple still need to find out if their budget of £190,000

would cover the cost of a house like this.

I'm guessing £156,000.

I'd be happy to pay about £140,000 for this.

Anything more than that,

I'd definitely be wanting more outdoor space.

-Shall we find out?

-Yes.

Wow! It's quite expensive.

That's at the lower end of their budget.

I don't really need to see anything else

cos if that's what we can afford, then it's not...

No point, is there?

-Disappointment all round, really.

-SHE LAUGHS

Oh, well.

Well, we can see the others.

-Yeah, thanks(!)

-HE LAUGHS

It may be affordable,

but neither Mathew nor Phillipa believe this house is good value.

Hopefully they'll see more for their money in property two.

It's in the much sought-after Vines area,

a wine-growing region around 20 miles from central Perth.

-Food and wine trail.

-Right, well, sold.

-I'd be happy, then.

But will this three-bedroom house harvest a better reaction

from the couple?

Much better than the last property already, isn't it?

-Yeah, loads better.

-It looks more like a home.

Sounds good so far.

-Well, it's got carpets, Phill.

-Oh, this is much nicer.

That is really nice.

It's got a fire.

It looks like it might be pretend, but...

-Yeah.

-..the fact that it's there is good.

Could this be the house to get Phillipa fired up

about Mathew's dream?

Yeah, this is definitely a million times more homely

-than the last one.

-Yeah.

Mathew's happy, too.

You cook, you eat, and you sit down and chill out, don't you?

-SHE LAUGHS

-Yeah, I suppose.

And then you go outside for a suntan.

I really hope that the rest of the house kind of...

-The theme continues.

-Yeah.

Oh, see, this is more like it, isn't it?

And it does.

En-suite.

The door's a bit annoying, how it's next to the shower and that, but...

I think I'd just remove the door.

I'd like a door.

All right, OK.

Slightly encouraged, Mathew goes in for the kill.

Would you move for this bedroom?

If all the other boxes were ticked, then yeah, this bedroom's lovely.

That's what we're after.

Unfortunately, the bathroom isn't washing with Phillipa.

-Oh, no bath.

-No, very small.

Do Australians just not like bathing?

I don't want a house where there's not a bath.

I didn't realise this was one of your things.

I didn't, but I didn't think there would be a house without a bath.

And outside, the mood's really taken a dip.

See, it...

-It's a bit small.

-It is a bit small.

Obviously, we've got Ollie, the dog,

so if we were to get chickens, as well,

then they'd need that whole area.

Well, we just won't get chickens, then.

Simple.

I want chickens!

I think this outside space is fine.

Just like the fact that there's no bath is fine.

I think we'd get over it.

-"We" would?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-I'd move out here for this house.

OK, bye, then!

THEY LAUGH

Well, that set the cat among the pigeons.

So will discovering what this house costs ruffle more feathers?

I think it's going to be about £211,000.

I'm going to say £195,000.

-OK.

-OK, let's have a look, then.

Ah, what did you say?

-Winner!

-THEY LAUGH

That's almost £6,000 over budget.

I think that's a decent price, especially compared to the last one.

-You're getting a lot more for your money.

-Yeah.

I don't know if I'd move to the other side of the world

for this house for that price,

but it's definitely an improvement.

Property two had proven to be better quality,

and with the right jobs down under, it could be affordable,

but it's still not quite perfect.

Do you know where we're going, dear?

No.

The next house might tick more boxes.

In fact, we think it could be their dream home.

These houses are a lot more modern.

-Do you reckon?

-Mm.

It's in the suburb of Aveley.

With a shopping complex and schools close by,

it could be a good place to start a family,

but will the house win over Phillipa?

-Wow.

-Oh, wow, this is lovely.

-That is really nice.

-Yeah.

-Oh, wow.

-This is massive.

This is much more what I expected from an Australian home.

Yeah, the expensive one.

Mathew's already fearful it could price his dream out of the market.

Let's have a look.

Wow!

This is unbelievable.

See, that's a kitchen.

-Very, very, very nice.

-Yeah.

This is the kind of kitchen I had in my mind

as to why we should move out to Australia.

Now Phillipa's wondering about the price tag, too.

This could be, like, if we worked really, really hard...

THEY LAUGH

We just won't be able to ever afford to have children.

-Or a life.

-Or a life.

They're equally impressed with the master bedroom.

-Wow.

-Oh, wow. That's really big.

And it leads out onto that outside patio area...

-Yeah, that's lovely.

-..which is really nice.

What's in there?

-Wow!

-That is massive.

I could have a belt collection, as well, if we moved here.

Why have you just decided you want a belt collection?!

-Cos...

-Just because you've got a walk-in wardrobe?

-Well, yeah!

So much for tightening their belts!

This is a dream house for us, isn't it, really?

I think this house is amazing.

They're both bowled over,

but is it enough to entice Phillipa to the other side of the world?

We're not just leaving the house,

we're leaving the family, the friends, everything,

so it has to be something pretty amazing.

Onto the main bathroom.

Oh, look, Phill, there's a bath!

Thankfully for Mathew, the house delivers here, too.

Yay!

See, it's not much to ask for, is it?

How can you not want this?

With the added feature of a gym, things are really shaping up.

That doesn't do anything!

But is everything about to change?

Ooh!

This is different.

In a good way?

Still no garden area.

No, there's no grass, is there?

We've not actually seen any gardens.

It's not what Phillipa wants, but is she prepared to compromise?

I do think this outside space lets the house down,

but I don't think it would put me off.

Before they get too carried away,

the couple need to find out if, with £190,000 to spend,

this house could be affordable.

I think this house is awesome,

however, I also think it's too far and away from our budget.

How much do you think it's worth?

210.

I'd say a little bit more.

£224,000.

-Shall we find out?

-Yeah.

-SHE GASPS

-Oh, my word.

Yeah, I think you were right. I don't think we could afford this.

-Right now, anyway.

-Maybe in the future.

Maybe.

At almost £100,000 over budget, it's not achievable right now,

but could be something to aspire to,

if they can secure the right work and salaries down under.

Property one came in bottom of the couple's budget,

but it lacked outdoor space

and they felt it wasn't good value for money.

Priced at almost £6,000 over budget,

property two had the right location,

but its narrow back yard got the thumbs down from Phillipa.

Despite another small garden,

property three got both Phillipa and Mathew excited,

but almost £100,000 over budget,

it's the kind of house they could aim for in the future.

So, how will the day impact on their vote

between property in Australia and the UK?

Based on the properties we have seen today, our vote goes for...

-Australia.

-UK.

Why have you voted for the UK?

I just think that we'd genuinely get so much more for that money at home.

I think we'd only get maybe a bit of outside space,

which we wouldn't be using anyway because the weather's so bad.

At the moment I just think we could afford more at home.

Phillipa's vote for the UK hasn't completely surprised Mathew,

but it places even greater emphasis on the importance of finding jobs

that could help them prosper down under.

Back in the UK, Mathew's an electronics engineer in the Army.

I fix, predominantly, the electrics on armoured vehicles.

I've been all over the world, including Ghana and Afghanistan.

But he's ready for change.

I've been in the Army since I was 16,

and I am actually looking for my next career.

Phillipa's also on the cusp of new things.

Soon to qualify as a teaching assistant,

she's hoping to work with children who have learning difficulties.

If you spent ten minutes, half an hour, speaking with a child

and you can see the difference that's made to them,

that you've actually spent that time,

it makes you feel like it's a bit more worthwhile.

As the main visa applicant,

the pressure's on Mathew to secure the right job.

Ideally one that will give the couple more time together.

My Australian job will hopefully be more nine-to-five sort of thing,

not have to travel as much.

Yeah, I just really want to spend more time with her,

and just have a better life, really.

Exploring work prospects in Australia is a vital element

in keeping Mathew's dream alive.

Hoping to work with life-saving medical equipment,

we've arranged for him to meet engineering manager John Pereira

at Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital.

How come that one's not yellow?

-Cos they're off-line at the moment.

-Oh, right, OK.

After a tour of the facilities,

Mathew gets straight to the heart of the matter,

to see if his skills are transferable.

Most of your English qualifications will be recognised over here,

but you have to apply for that recognition.

Knowing your skill level,

I'd probably look at being a field service engineer.

In a field service job,

would I be based here or would I be based somewhere else?

Field service, by its definition, is field services,

so then you would actually be moving from place to place.

That isn't good news.

While it's not international,

travel is something Mathew hoped to avoid.

What about the hours?

I'm currently working five days away from home,

so I don't get to see my partner very often.

What's it like being in Australia working?

We do try to keep the work-life balance correct

so that you do get your family time,

but if you're a field service engineer, it's a bit more varied.

You can probably be working some longer hours.

You might have to do some weekend work.

Variable hours are also far from ideal.

Meanwhile, Phillipa heads off to Hillarys Primary School

to meet with associate principal Gary Deere.

-Can you tell me a little bit more about the school, please?

-Sure.

-We've got about 560 kids at the school here.

-Right.

Within that we also have quite a few special-needs kids.

We have about 19 educational assistants here at this school,

looking after the kids who have special needs.

So, would my qualifications be transferable here?

You don't need a qualification to actually start.

Most of the educational assistants that we have here

would have started off as people who came in and did some relief work

-in the school.

-Yeah.

-Well, that's kind of how I started as well, so...

-That's right.

So, Phillipa will have to be prepared to take on

some casual work to begin with.

What about the salary?

Between 35,000 and 38,000 Australian dollars,

-which is probably about £18,000 a year.

-Yeah.

That's if it was a full-time job.

And we work on usually a six-and-a-half-hour day.

That's kind of what I was expecting.

£18,000 is the same amount Phillipa could hope to start on in the UK,

but what are her chances of getting a job down under?

I think, with your background, you would be quite a good candidate.

Your prospects are quite good to find employment here.

It's positive all round.

Back at the hospital,

Mathew's hoping his earning potential will soften the blow

of being back on the road.

Obviously you haven't got the direct experience,

so they'd probably put you on a junior level, about £45,000-50,000.

As you progress, £60,000-70,000.

Yeah. Even at the lower end,

that would be more than I'd be expected to get in England,

so that's really good.

-Well, this is Australia.

-THEY LAUGH

The potential to earn over £10,000 more

than he does in the UK every year is great news.

Now, that all-important question.

If I were to come to Australia today, would I get work?

Absolutely. The sky's your limit, really.

While not quite perfect,

Mathew's encouraged to know there are opportunities for him

outside of the Army,

and with a substantially higher wage packet.

Over at the school,

Phillipa's hooked up with education assistant and expat Jill McLaughlin.

So, you've, like, really settled in, then?

Amazingly so.

But my advice was to be, go straight in there,

just look at it as a big adventure, that's what we did as a family.

But we've certainly made the right decision.

-It's like I feel a bit of relief now that I've spoken to you.

-Absolutely.

-Especially because you've made the move, as well.

-Yeah.

It's like somebody has actually done it and it's gone OK,

and it can actually work.

Yes, it's awesome. We're a friendly bunch.

THEY LAUGH

-All different accents.

-You say "we" now, as well!

I know, I am, aren't I?! I just realised I'm doing that.

Reassured, Phillipa can't wait to tell Mathew about her day.

-Hi!

-Hello.

-You OK?

-You all right?

-Yeah?

-How'd you get on?

Yeah, really well, yeah.

I met one of the teachers at the school.

She come over from Scotland,

and she's been here about five years,

she's completely settled in, loves it.

I met the principal, as well.

He said my experience is completely transferable,

the job prospects are quite good.

Yeah, it seemed really positive, to be honest.

And despite mixed feedback at the hospital,

Mathew decides to focus on the positive news.

I spoke to somebody called John.

He's, like, the head of engineering in that hospital.

And he said I'd be all right for a job over here.

-Oh, right, cool.

-He said the salary was quite good,

about 90,000 Australian dollars,

which is about £45,000.

-Sounds really positive.

-Exactly.

Time to discover how the day's findings will influence their choice

between work in Australia and the UK.

So after our day looking at what jobs we could possibly get

in Australia,

our vote goes to...

-Australia.

-Australia.

I'm quite surprised you chose Australia.

I mean, mainly it's because of how positive YOU were about everything,

like, it's nice to hear you sounding so happy about something

outside of the Army,

like, looking forward to something else.

I'm just happy that you're happy, really.

Obviously you've got job opportunities as well,

so it makes it good for both of us, really.

With such positive news on the work front

leading to Phillipa's first vote for Australia,

Mathew's dream has survived another round.

With quality time together a rarity in the UK,

hopefully a chance to sample the healthy, outdoor lifestyle

Australia is famed for will add further ammunition

to his case for making the move.

As the couple head out to enjoy the sunshine in Perth,

Mathew is feeling confident about the day ahead.

Hopefully I can get another vote for Australia,

and normally we wouldn't get the chance to do this kind of thing.

Action man Mathew believes Australia will give them both

the opportunity to try out more exciting activities.

So what better way to get the adrenaline pumping

than a spot of jet skiing?

So this is how you start it,

this is the red one to stop the engine, OK?

After the required safety briefing,

it's time to speed off

into the lifestyle he's been promising Phillipa.

The day has gone off swimmingly

and Mathew's more enthusiastic than ever about a potential move.

We're moving to Australia now.

-Let's go find a house.

-SHE LAUGHS

And he doesn't give up over lunch.

So can we move to Australia now, please?

We'll see.

-Still no yes.

-SHE LAUGHS

Still no definite yes.

It's been a bittersweet experience for Phillipa.

'I've had a really enjoyable day spending the day with Mathew'

but it's just really, really strange to think that...

..like, I wouldn't be able to do this with my family.

Mathew knows what he's asking her to give up,

but he's not backing down.

She's always talking about contacting her family,

but I'm just trying to explain to her that this is better for us

and better for our future family.

I've just been brought up constantly around all these people.

I just think I don't want any children of mine to think,

well, I've took that away from them.

There could be trouble ahead

as, torn between her future husband and her family,

Phillipa contemplates the reality

of moving to the other side of the world.

It's not as straightforward as, like, do you like the weather?

It's just... It's so much more than that.

Meanwhile, has the lifestyle done enough

to get another joint vote for Australia?

Based on today's activities, we're going to vote for...

-BOTH:

-Australia.

Why did you vote for Australia?

It's important for me to think about us and our future

and the fact that we want to start our own family one day.

I just can't really think of a better place to do it.

Another vote for Australia is a great result for Mathew,

but he knows the move needs to add up in more ways than one.

To fund the lifestyle he wants,

the couple would be selling their UK home.

They believe it's worth around £95,000,

so we sent two estate agents round

to see if they're right

and the couple are about to find out the results.

I just don't want to be told that our house is worth less

than what we bought it at, to be honest.

I don't think that'll happen.

-I hope not, but I don't know.

-I don't think it'll be less.

I've got a feeling it'll be less.

Aw, look at the flowers.

It's quite a spacious kitchen, which is nice,

and nice, solid floors and wooden work tops.

I love that kitchen.

-SHE CHUCKLES

-Super garden.

It's quite unusual to find chickens in your garden.

-HE LAUGHS

-Ah, the chickens.

We're coming into the bathroom. Really nice and bright.

I think the only thing that would need doing

is maybe painting the ceiling.

You have done that now, haven't you?

-No.

-Have you not?

-No.

In today's market, I would value the property at £100,000.

For a quick sale, I would value the property at £95,000.

That's what I thought.

If the owners wanted to rent the property,

I would recommend a monthly figure of £475,000.

£100,000 is more than what we paid, so...

Yeah, slightly relieved now.

Yeah, definitely, it is a lovely house, so...

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-We'll get a better one over here.

-SHE LAUGHS

Mathew wants a move to Australia at all costs.

To help work out how they would fare financially down under,

we've provided a cost-of-living comparison

starting with a weekly shop.

What are basa fillets?

-Fish.

-Never heard of it.

-You have it all the time.

-Do I?

Well, once they can agree on what they normally buy.

-So, that's mushrooms, they're more expensive.

-£1.01.

We actually eat quite a lot of mushrooms, really.

So far it looks like our shop here would be more expensive, doesn't it?

When they tot it all up,

they discover they'll be spending more on food.

So in Australia we'll be £18.10 worse off.

Which isn't dramatic, is it?

But Phillipa thinks they might be overlooking something.

Our weekly shop at the moment isn't that much

because you're not there.

It would be more than that.

Next to look at the bigger monthly bills,

basing their mortgage repayment on the second property they viewed.

-What's the difference?

-The difference is £88.62.

OK. It's not loads more, but it is.

Water's a bit more.

Electricity is a bit more.

It's just when everything's a bit more, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It soon adds up.

All in, they'd be paying out almost £80 more per month in Australia.

But Mathew's higher earnings soon put a more positive spin on things.

That's £671.64 extra a month,

which is obviously a lot of money.

See, that'd make a huge difference.

Together, their joint income would be almost £1,000 more.

That's like another person.

I'm quite happy with that.

-Well, yeah.

-That will sort us right out, won't it?

The sums confirm they'd have

a sizeable amount of surplus cash down under.

Overall in Australia,

every month we'll be better off by £877.32.

-That's mad.

-Write that down on that piece of paper.

That's £10,000 more every year and Mathew's ecstatic.

I'll ring the estate agent now

-and I'll put a deposit down.

-OK, you go and do that.

-Make me a brew whilst you're there.

-All right.

Phillipa's staying grounded,

but how will they vote when it comes to finances in Australia or the UK?

After working out our earnings

and potential cost of living here in Australia,

our vote goes to...

-BOTH:

-Australia.

No-brainer, innit?

The realisation they could thrive financially in Australia

has been a real eye-opener

and could help Mathew lock down the life he wants,

but he knows messages from loved ones could prove to be an obstacle

Phillipa can't overcome.

Are you ready to see what our families think, then?

I'm ready, are you?

Yeah, I think.

OK.

-Hi, Phillipa, Mathew!

-Hiya, Mathew, Phillipa!

How are you doing?

-Hi, Phill. Hi, Matt.

-Hi.

Hope you're having a good time.

We've walked the dogs, fed the chickens

-so you don't have to hurry back.

-THEY LAUGH

She is my eldest and she's incredibly fierce.

There's no-one more loyal and protective.

She is like my second mum.

-HE LAUGHS

-'She looks after me.'

She's the absolute go-to girl.

If you need any help, it's Phillipa all day long.

Mathew would probably drive her crazy

because she's very, I would say, organised,

whereas Mathew, although he's in the Army,

is a little bit disorganised, isn't he?

-HE LAUGHS

-Cheers, Dad.

-'He can be.'

I think it would be really strange

if Phill and Matt do decide to stay out there.

So it'll be really strange not to talk to them day-to-day

and see how they're doing.

The thought of Phillipa having a grandchild of mine

and me not being around, it doesn't bear thinking about.

I'd hate to see her to go.

Just the thought of it...

We really are close and it will be such a big change,

that it will be hard to deal with it,

but I think it'll be a good change for Phillipa, so I'm happy.

Just make sure, Phillipa, that you think long and hard

about what you do and that it's right for you

and both of you.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

If Phillipa and Matt do decide to go,

I'd be really pleased for them even though I'd be devastated.

I just couldn't even think about it.

How do you feel about that, then?

It was...

Even though I know...

I obviously know how they all feel,

it's quite strange

to hear them saying it like that.

Everyone thinks we should do it.

Maybe on a personal level, your dad doesn't.

Yeah, it would be difficult, but I know we've got their support.

As their week draws to an end,

encouraging messages from home may have left Mathew feeling confident

about making his Australian dream their reality,

but for Phillipa, will knowing she'd be going with her family's blessing

make the decision to move nearly 9,000 miles from home any easier?

Before arriving in Australia a week ago,

Phillipa had never spent a day without seeing her family

and Mathew's worried messages from home could set her back.

Right now, I think Phillipa's...

seriously debating on whether we should come out here.

I think she's got more demons to wrestle with than I have.

I'm one of, like, 16, 17 cousins and stuff. There's loads of us,

and for my, you know, potential children to not have that,

I just think is really sad.

With marriage in front of them,

the couple are contemplating what a move could mean for their future.

'I think we have been on a journey this week.

'To come out here and see the job prospects that we have,

'the environment we could be bringing up our family in,'

our future family,

I think it's been invaluable.

Even with her doubts,

Mathew believes Phillipa could come to terms with the distance.

I still think she can be persuaded to move out here

based on the good positive feedback we've had

from the rest of the family.

Hopefully it's Australia.

That's where I think we should be.

I just hope whatever decision we both make,

we're both happy with it

and we just support each other in whatever we both decide.

The couple now have to choose.

Do they pursue the life in Australia Mathew wants for them

or stay close to Phillipa's family in the UK?

After a fantastic week in Perth, our final decision is...

-BOTH:

-Australia.

I didn't think you were going to vote for Australia then.

I don't know if I did, but, yeah, I want to do it.

I want to start this next chapter of our lives here.

Good. Me too.

Not just for me and you, for the future, obviously.

Yeah.

Mathew was confident he could persuade Phillipa

Australia's the best place to start their married life

and he's been proved right.

With the potential to find well-paid jobs

and enjoy more time together,

it looks like the couple have found the perfect place

to start the next chapter of their lives.

We hope they have a wonderful wedding day

followed by a very happy future down under.