0:00:02 > 0:00:04Having survived challenging times,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Gareth and Zoe Lloyd were hoping to make a fresh start in Australia.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11We've been through, you know, quite a lot at such a young age.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14But when their second son was born, it looked like an impossible move.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Riley was born with a condition called albinism.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Five years on, the dream was back.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23But when the trial week saw mixed emotions...
0:00:23 > 0:00:25- Wow, look at that.- I'm speechless.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27It's like it's all been snatched away, hasn't it?
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Did they decide there was no place like home?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32It's a bigger decision than what I thought.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35But where are the Lloyd family now?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38In the UK or Australia?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Famed for its pristine beaches and fabulous lifestyle,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Australia welcomes a new immigrant around every two minutes.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Add a thriving economy with plentiful work opportunities,
0:01:12 > 0:01:16and it's easy to see why for over 25 years,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19the country has been the top choice for British families
0:01:19 > 0:01:21seeking a happy and prosperous future.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Following a life filled with traumatic experiences,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30the Lloyd family was hoping Australia could give them
0:01:30 > 0:01:33the fresh start they were looking for.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35And so, back in 2014,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38we sent them for a trial week down under
0:01:38 > 0:01:41before they made the biggest decision of their lives.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Whether to stay in the UK
0:01:43 > 0:01:47or move to the other side of the world for good.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52The family's journey kicked off with a 26.5-hour trek
0:01:52 > 0:01:55flying from Manchester to Adelaide.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Eldest son Connor was relieved when they eventually touched down.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Really tired after the flight.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04I must've only had about four hours' sleep, but it was all right.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08And though it was his first time flying, Riley took it in his stride.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10The flight was good.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13So after years dreaming about Oz,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16how did Gareth and Zoe feel having made it down under?
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Feels brilliant to be honest.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Sun's shining, I'm really looking forward to see what's to come.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Now I'm here, so I'm really excited to see
0:02:22 > 0:02:24what Australia has got to offer.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28As the family set off into Adelaide, they knew their entire future
0:02:28 > 0:02:32was riding on what happened over the next week.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Meet the Lloyds who are from Ashton-in-Makerfield.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42They were Gareth, Zoe, then 14-year-old Connor,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Riley, who was five, and Mason, who was a baby at the time.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Gareth and Zoe met when they were 15 and 16 years old
0:02:50 > 0:02:53at a holiday camp in Gareth's hometown in North Wales.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57If I recall, it was Zoe who came over to me and asked for the time.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59No, Gareth asked me for the time.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Yeah, we'll agree to disagree on that.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04It was love at first sight
0:03:04 > 0:03:07and Zoe fell pregnant just a few months later.
0:03:07 > 0:03:08Zoe was 16...
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I mean, it wasn't planned. We were still kids ourselves.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Going into labour ten weeks prematurely,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Zoe dramatically gave birth in the back of Gareth's mum's car.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Connor decided it was time he was going to join us
0:03:22 > 0:03:24in the back of the car.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Mostly shocked myself, and out he popped,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and luckily I managed to catch him.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31You know, people argue I delivered him,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I'd say more of a, you know, certainly more of a catch.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It was an experience Zoe would never forget.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Connor was the size of Gareth's hand.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I didn't think he was alive, because he didn't cry,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44because he was so tiny.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48And I was really scared and panicky.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Connor spent two months in intensive care,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52but just after getting him home,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55the young couple were dealt another blow.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58They were in a fatal car crash with one of Gareth's friends.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Tragically, the driver lost his life
0:04:00 > 0:04:04and my other friend was seriously injured as well.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05As well as Zoe, who sustained
0:04:05 > 0:04:08serious injuries to her neck and her back.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10X-rays revealed an unstable fracture in her spine
0:04:10 > 0:04:13and Zoe was rushed to a specialist hospital,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16robbing her of bonding time with baby Connor.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I was in hospital knowing that I wouldn't be out of there
0:04:19 > 0:04:22for a couple of months. I was on me own.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25I'm going to start crying now.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Gareth's parents helped care for Connor
0:04:27 > 0:04:29while he split his time between studies
0:04:29 > 0:04:32to be a heating engineer and the hospital.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Finally, after learning to walk again, Zoe was allowed home.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I had to wear a full body brace
0:04:38 > 0:04:42and an Aspen collar for six months after I come out.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45The couple had experienced more trauma in a year
0:04:45 > 0:04:47than most go through in a lifetime.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But after returning to Zoe's hometown in England,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52life settled down until Gareth
0:04:52 > 0:04:55introduced his dream of moving down under.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59It's something that's been on my mind ever since I qualified.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02From what I've researched, and understood, you know,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04it's a better life, better weather.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07You know, potentially better opportunities out there.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09After everything they'd been through,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13moving to the other side of the world was too much for Zoe.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15About ten years ago, we mentioned it
0:05:15 > 0:05:17and I just dismissed it straightaway.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21He'd never been out there, I'd never been there,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23so I wasn't really interested.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Gareth finally persuaded Zoe to make the move and whilst preparing to
0:05:26 > 0:05:30apply for a visa in 2007, Zoe fell pregnant again.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33When their second son was born though,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36their hopes to move down under were dashed.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Riley was born with a condition called albinism.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Which basically means no pigments in the skin, in the eyes,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47in the hair and very, very sensitive to sunlight.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51So moving to one of the hottest countries on earth seemed a no-go.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53But online research about his condition
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and the Australian attitude to staying safe in the sun
0:05:56 > 0:06:01led the couple to believe it might not be as crazy as it sounded.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03We understand a lot about his condition now
0:06:03 > 0:06:05and what precautions are necessary
0:06:05 > 0:06:07to protect him from the warm weather.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Keep going straight. - Having discussed the move with him,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Riley was more interested in the wildlife than the weather.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I want to see the lovely spiders.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20And Connor saw the move as a way to fulfil his dream too.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I've always wanted to go to Australia
0:06:22 > 0:06:23to work in a zoo over there.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Australia could have been the fresh start the Lloyds needed.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30But Zoe worried about leaving her family behind.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34I'm quite close to my mum and I know that the children
0:06:34 > 0:06:37are really close to her.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Taking them away from her would be hard.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Having dreamt of the move for over ten years,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Gareth was determined to give his family a happier future.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50There's been that many events that happened in our lives since we met,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52it's just a fresh start.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54After a decade of discussion,
0:06:54 > 0:06:57the family were about to discover if moving to a country
0:06:57 > 0:07:00they'd never visited could give them a new beginning.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05I want to settle down now, I want to, you know, be wherever we are.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And hopefully spend the rest of our lives there together,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10whether that's in Australia or the UK.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12We need to come to that decision now.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20To find out if Australia could give the Lloyds their dream life,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22the family visited Adelaide,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26ranked at the time as one of the world's top ten cities to live in.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Their temporary base for the week was Clovelly Park in the suburbs.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Tired from the long journey,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35first impressions of the house left Gareth confused.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- Do you like it?- Two garages, hey? - No, that's a different house.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- It's just that. - Oh, is it two separate houses?
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Yeah.- Hopefully, one house was big enough.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- It looks small.- It does look small, doesn't it?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Or maybe not.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51But how did the inside rate?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- You like it? - Wow, it is, isn't it?
0:07:55 > 0:08:00Fortunately, the TARDIS-like interior won the Lloyds' approval.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02It's deceiving from the outside, isn't it?
0:08:02 > 0:08:07- It is deceiving.- It's a lot bigger than it looks, isn't it? Open plan.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Wow, wasn't expecting that.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12And the enthusiasm continued outside.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Imagine yourself sat out here and we're watching the kids play.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Barbecue on there. Reckon you'd fit a small pool in that corner?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22I don't think so.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27Whilst everyone felt instantly at home, Zoe was worried.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33It's really hot and with Riley, that is a big concern.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Even though we expected it to be hot,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39maybe we didn't expect it to be this hot.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The week ahead would see how Riley coped with the Australian climate.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45And Gareth knew his dream was at stake
0:08:45 > 0:08:47if the country didn't meet expectations.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53Australia needs to show me a good quality of work life
0:08:53 > 0:08:58and also how the children fit in with the life and the weather.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01This week needs to be the decider.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05It's either - "Yes, we're going to go"
0:09:05 > 0:09:09or we go home and you know, that's it.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11This has got to be it now.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Back in the UK in 2014,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Gareth and Zoe rented a three bedroom detached house
0:09:21 > 0:09:22in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Their wish list for an Australian
0:09:25 > 0:09:27house was nothing less than comprehensive.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35My dream property would be a four-bedroom detached with a pool,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37a cinema room, and all open-plan,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39within walking distance to a beach.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- Hopefully get a garage as well. - Oh, yeah, a garage for the car.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Quite a list indeed.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49With their budget of £1,200 a month to rent a home down under,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52we showed them three properties, two on budget,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55and a third which could be their dream home.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Only after they had seen each one did they find out the monthly rent.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01House-hunting began in Flinders Park,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05a well-established suburb west of the city centre.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09But was the house what they were looking for?
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Wow. Look at that.- Oh, my gosh.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Did the inside evoke a similar reaction?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Nice and bright, isn't it? - Yeah.- This is nice.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Riley was impressed and the spacious kitchen and living area
0:10:22 > 0:10:24scored more points.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25What a great room.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I'm really impressed with the style so far.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Yeah, I am as well, actually. I do really like it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33But, unfortunately, the garden didn't blow them away.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It is a little small out here, but it's cosy.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I would like a little bit bigger garden.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41However, the house did have the four bedrooms Zoe wanted
0:10:41 > 0:10:43which kept Connor happy too.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48I think I need a plasma on the wall, 50-inch at least.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50With an expansive bathroom and living quarters to spare,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53they were unsure what to do with all the space.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55It's not a bedroom, is it?
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Maybe a playroom. Yeah, like a second dining room.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Despite having a small garden,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02the house offered what the family wanted.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07But with £1,200 to spend every month, was it within budget?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Not too sure. - Maybe about £1,100 a month.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13I think about £1,000 a month.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Ohh.- It's bang on budget, isn't it?
0:11:20 > 0:11:25If this is on budget, what are the other houses going to be like?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29I thought it was going to be less than that, to be honest, but...
0:11:29 > 0:11:33It was achievable but not perfect. The family weren't sold yet.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The search continued in a suburb
0:11:37 > 0:11:41affectionately referred to as Little Britain.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42Close to schools and the beach,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Hallett Cove was popular with British expats,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49but did the house have the outside space Zoe dreamt of?
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- Wow.- Looks absolutely massive.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- It does, doesn't it?- Huge.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Whilst baby Mason was with a childminder,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00the rest of the family were awestruck.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Brilliant, isn't it?
0:12:02 > 0:12:03This is amazing, isn't it?
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Really nice.- This is my dream house.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10And the main bedroom pleased Gareth.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- Really taken aback by this, me. You?- I love it.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14I've only seen two rooms.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I know. And the balcony came with quite a view.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Look at that. - This would make me move.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25That and the open-plan kitchen, maybe.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- Oh.- Wow.- That... That's nice.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31I like it. In fact, I love this. I love this house.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33But Gareth had concerns.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34I'm being realistic,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- cos I think this is going to be way beyond our budget.- Hm.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41But, yeah, what a gorgeous, gorgeous house.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43And the best was yet to come.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Look at this pool.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Just imagine jumping in that and having a nice morning swim.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52This is like a millionaire's house.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57But with £1,200 to spend on rent every month, was it affordable?
0:12:57 > 0:13:01I think this is quite a bit above our budget and if I was to guess,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I would say around £1,500 a month.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05- Would you?- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08See, I think it's more. 2,000.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13I think it's probably about 2,500 a month, maybe more.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Go on, then, Connor. Let's have look.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21ZOE GASPS
0:13:21 > 0:13:23That is a shock, isn't it?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Right, we're moving!
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- Wow.- The reaction spoke for itself and staying in Hallett Cove,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35we found what should have been the family's ultimate home.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37A 2-storey property promising
0:13:37 > 0:13:40luxury living within walking distance of the beach.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Oh, look at this.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Whoa! No way!
0:13:44 > 0:13:47That is, like, a palace.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49It certainly stood on high.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Wow. Look at that. - With five bedrooms,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54there was a room for everyone and one for guests.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57And the spacious interiors were cause for more delight.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Certainly see myself relaxing here.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I can't get over how big they are.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Massive.- Huge, huge property, isn't it?
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Yeah. Like the previous one, this house had plenty of outside space,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13not to mention a pool with a Jacuzzi.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- Look. Wow. - Do you like this one, then, Riley?
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- Yeah, it's well better. - Is this better than the second?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Yes.- And just when they thought things couldn't get any better,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27a second-floor room surpassed expectations.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Wow.- Now, that's impressive. Cinema room.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Why would you want to watch the cinema, though,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34when you've got a view like that out the window?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Fair point.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38But Connor was more enamoured with the technology.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Don't need a 50-inch plasma any more.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44And the adjoining balcony was also worth a look.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46This is a dream property, this.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Yeah. It's like a millionaire's, celebrity's property.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Not one that we could afford.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It could have been the perfect base for a new beginning,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58but with a budget of £1,200 per month,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01was it really just for the rich and famous?
0:15:01 > 0:15:08I was way out last time, so I'd probably go with about 2,100.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10What do you think, Connor? How much?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12I think it's probably what I said on the last property,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15about 2,500 at least.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I'd estimate around £1,900.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- Wow.- It's a lot less than I thought.
0:15:29 > 0:15:321,540.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34It's a bit over budget, but...
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- I don't think it's that far. - It's within reach.- Potentially.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44The Lloyds' property search proved positive.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48House number one was big inside, yet small outside.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Though the family were relieved to discover it was on budget.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Property two had plenty of space and a pool
0:15:54 > 0:15:57and discovering it was affordable was a bonus.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01But house number three took everyone's breath away,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04with a cinema room and just a short stroll from the beach,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08it was definitely something to aspire to.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10So, how did they vote when choosing
0:16:10 > 0:16:12between a home in Australia or the UK?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Based on the properties we've seen today, our vote goes to...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- ALL:- Australia!- Yeah!
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Yeah, I don't think you'd get anything like the price in the UK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35This type of house with four bedrooms, pool.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38No, I think it went beyond our expectations today.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Really impressed with what we've seen.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46With the Lloyds' hearts set on luxury living by the beach,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49were they able to find the jobs to afford it?
0:16:49 > 0:16:53In the UK, Gareth was a gas technical engineer,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56servicing heating systems and boilers.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I've been in the industry since a school leaver
0:16:58 > 0:17:00and I thoroughly enjoy what I do.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Zoe was a part-time assistant in a pharmacy.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06She was keen to return to her previous career.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I would be looking into going back into care work
0:17:09 > 0:17:12which is what I've done for ten years,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15working with adults with learning and physical disabilities.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Gareth wanted to stay in a similar role,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20but with a greater emphasis on home life.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24I'm hoping for the hours to not be as demanding,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27the work-life balance will be a lot better,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29ultimately resulting in me having more family time.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Whilst the children were cared for by a childminder,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Gareth and Zoe investigated work prospects in Adelaide.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Gareth met Brendan Purdon,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44an expat now running his own gas services company.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46He was quick to point out that a move to Australia
0:17:46 > 0:17:49could mean a learning curve.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53As regards to finding your feet out here and getting work,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- how difficult was that?- It was...
0:17:56 > 0:17:58It was OK. There is work out here.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01The qualifications would be the issue,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03getting them sorted out first of all.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07This would have required around 18 months on-the-job training before he
0:18:07 > 0:18:10could work as a fully qualified gas technician.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12It was a setback for the dream.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14And for Zoe, she was meeting Lisa,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16a care worker at a residential centre
0:18:16 > 0:18:20for people with intellectual disabilities.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- Hello, I'm Lisa. I'll show you around.- Thank you.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24After a quick cuppa with some residents,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Lisa and Zoe discuss the likelihood of her securing work.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Are my qualifications transferable?
0:18:30 > 0:18:31When you come to Australia,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35you can have your qualification recognised by a skills recognition
0:18:35 > 0:18:37service and then that gives you a certificate you can bring
0:18:37 > 0:18:38to an employer to show them that
0:18:38 > 0:18:40you're qualified to work in Australia.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Fortunately, the transition for Zoe was easier.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Is there currently any job vacancies?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There is at such a large organisation,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51there's often a lot of prospects available.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55So someone with your qualifications would be a good candidate.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56That's good to hear.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58That sounded encouraging.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Gareth was also keen to address how
0:19:00 > 0:19:04the work would fit in with his hopes for more family time.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07As regards to working hours, how does that fare up with the UK?
0:19:07 > 0:19:11My typical working day in the summer would be 8:00, 8:30 start.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- Yeah.- Invariably you would be finished by 15:00 or 16:00.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18And I start at sort of 7:30, 8:00 in the winter
0:19:18 > 0:19:22and quite often you're not in before six.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Whilst summer hours were short,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26the winter would still mean long days.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28But what about the money?
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Until they sort out your qualifications,
0:19:31 > 0:19:32they might put you on...
0:19:32 > 0:19:34it's called an adult apprentice.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37I think the award wage for that is about 36,000.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Yes.- And then once you're qualified
0:19:40 > 0:19:43to work for somebody else, that goes up to 48.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47That was about £20,000, much less than Gareth expected.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50But Brendan pointed out that the self-employed route
0:19:50 > 0:19:54would have given him a greater income.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56If you're self-employed and doing 50, 60 hours a week,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59I wouldn't be surprised if you would
0:19:59 > 0:20:02be hitting 100,000 to 120,000 a year.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Eventually earning £65,000 wasn't bad at all.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09But he would have still needed to work around-the-clock.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Back at the residential centre,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Zoe checked out if she could work part-time.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18So we have casual part-time and full-time employment.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Night employment. - Again, it was good news for Zoe.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23All that remained was to talk about the money.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29A part-time employee on 20 hours a week would get 23,000 a year.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Wow.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Wow, that's a lot more.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It was almost double what Zoe currently got.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Long-term prospects for them both looked reasonable,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44but it would take time for Gareth to reach his full earning potential.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47With three children to care for,
0:20:47 > 0:20:51did they decide it was safer to stick with work in the UK?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Based upon the employment opportunities we've seen today
0:20:54 > 0:20:57we're going to vote...
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- BOTH:- Australia.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08I was a bit sceptical, but the earning potential,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12after jumping some hurdles, is a lot higher than I anticipated.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- And there was plenty of work. - I really enjoyed today.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19They all seem really, really friendly.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28With a full sweep of votes for Australia so far,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31it was time to give the Lloyds a taste of the Aussie lifestyle.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34We sent them to visit Monarto Zoo,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38where Riley was delighted to meet Maureen, a friendly rock wallaby.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40You think we should take her home?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- Yes.- Yes.- I think we should.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46They also got up close and personal with a black rhinoceros.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49You've been pretty lucky because he hasn't sprayed you all.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Sometimes he backs around.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54What's he spray us with?
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Have a guess. He sprays you with wee-wee.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Charming! Time to move along.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Given Connor's dream of working in a zoo,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07feeding the animals proved a hit.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09You couldn't ever do this in the UK.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14My friends would be definitely jealous of me feeding the giraffes.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Gareth was delighted with how the week was going.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I'm just really taken aback with the country.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23You know, the people, the lifestyle, the weather, everything, you know,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25it's what I dreamt it would be, and more.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29The day also showed how well Riley was dealing with the climate.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30You know, he's been fine.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34He's coped really well with the light, the daylight.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35That was one of my fears.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37But despite the positives,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40the distance from home was playing on Zoe's mind.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I keep changing my mind about, you know,
0:22:43 > 0:22:44I want to come and then I don't,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47and then I sort of think of family back home.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Gareth knew his wife had reservations,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53but had their day outdone enough to convince everyone of the merits
0:22:53 > 0:22:55of Australia's lifestyle?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Based upon the lifestyle activities we have undergone today our
0:22:58 > 0:23:00vote goes to...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- ALL:- Australia.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14The experience with the giraffes was just mesmerising.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18I was really impressed with that, really enjoyed myself today.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20What's your best bit about today?
0:23:20 > 0:23:23The best bit is the wallaby jumping around.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27I'm made up everyone's voted Australia. I'm not surprised.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28We have had a really good time today.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Four more votes for Australia
0:23:39 > 0:23:42made the fresh start the family wanted down under
0:23:42 > 0:23:45much more likely, but could they afford it?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48While the children played outside,
0:23:48 > 0:23:50the couple sat down to compare living expenses
0:23:50 > 0:23:53between Australia and the UK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56To help, we gave them a cost-of-living comparison.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58First up was the weekly food shop.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Yoghurt, nearly £5 dearer.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Baby jars, £6.50 dearer.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- Wow.- Food was generally more expensive down under,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10but their calculated weekly overspend
0:24:10 > 0:24:12of under £18 was manageable.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17However, once the bigger bills like rent in Australia were factored in,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19the difference could not be ignored.
0:24:20 > 0:24:27So we are £682.54 per month...
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Worse off.- ..worse off.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It wasn't good news.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34However, once they considered their joint salaries in Australia,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38were they able to pick up the shortfall in the final reckoning?
0:24:38 > 0:24:411,531...
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Worse off per month.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46It was a disastrous result,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49as the couple realised the move would see them out-of-pocket
0:24:49 > 0:24:55by an eye-watering £18,378 a year.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58There's no way of even moving anything on it,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00because I wouldn't work full-time.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I wouldn't come out here to work full-time.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06I'm really gutted about these figures, me.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10It's like it's all been snatched away, hasn't it?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I'm quite upset, actually. I didn't think I would be.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16It was a devastating end to the day.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19That led to an inevitable result when it came to the vote.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24- UK.- UK.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Has to, really.- Well, yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Couldn't vote anything else, really, with them figures.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33No. Major blow in the potential move.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39- Yeah, you can't argue with figures, I suppose.- No.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45The cold reality of a possible financial nightmare
0:25:45 > 0:25:47were they to move to Australia
0:25:47 > 0:25:50brought Gareth and Zoe crashing back to earth.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52But there was another cost involved
0:25:52 > 0:25:55that could have far outweighed any financial deficit.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Moving away from friends and family.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03The Lloyds decided to watch the messages from loved ones together.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Hi, guys, hope everything's going well.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Hi, Zoe, hi, Gareth, hope you've had a good time.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09Hope the kids have enjoyed it.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Hi, Zoe, hi, Gareth, hi, boys,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I hope you're having a lovely time in Australia.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15They've been through thick and thin
0:26:15 > 0:26:17together, they're stronger than stone, them two.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Zoe's a wonderful mother to the kids.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Them boys couldn't ask for a better mother, and I think Gaz, to be fair,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- couldn't ask for a better wife. - Connor's a good lad.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Me and Gaz took him to his first football match.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Oh, Riley's a lovely sweet little boy, I love him to pieces.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31He's my godson, Riley.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Little Mason, he's a lovely little boy.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36He's getting bigger every day.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41Gareth has always said, you know, he'd like to move to Australia,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43just for the lifestyle, for his kids.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44It's going to be hard,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47cos my brother's always sort of been my idol, like.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50You could say hero, I suppose, if you want,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52but I definitely wouldn't say that to his face.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57I've known Zoe all my life, and if she moved to Australia,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I would be very upset,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03because I would never see her again.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10We are such a close knit family...
0:27:12 > 0:27:15..but I understand why they want to do it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17It's entirely up to you now.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Think about it properly and we're all behind you.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23I hope you've checked all the things out that you wanted to
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and the decision is made for the right reason.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- You all right?- No. That was really hard.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- Mel...- Yes.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I don't know if she would be able to come over.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40It's quite a big distance, isn't it, from back home?
0:27:40 > 0:27:47Yes. And you only actually realise when you see something like that.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- I'd miss everyone.- Would you?
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Hearing from loved ones was a challenging moment for the Lloyds.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59But weighed against the lifestyle
0:27:59 > 0:28:01and opportunities Australia promised,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05were they able to overcome this emotional obstacle?
0:28:05 > 0:28:08I've just grown even fonder of the country by the day,
0:28:08 > 0:28:09to be honest with you.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I have done.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14If we ended up staying in the UK, I would be gutted,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18because we've come out here and I've really liked it myself.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21I like it when it's very, very hot.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25But for Gareth, the week revealed some unwelcome facts too.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29The reality of work isn't as straightforward.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Although there is potential to earn more money out here,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35there's a lot of hurdles on the way.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39And messages from home left Zoe contemplating the huge distance
0:28:39 > 0:28:43from loved ones, especially her cousin Mel.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46I think I would be all right, apart from Mel.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50And obviously my mum.
0:28:52 > 0:28:58Yeah, but I knew my mum could come and visit. Sorry.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02Yet at the same time, Zoe did see what Australia had to offer.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05We've been through, you know, quite a lot at such a young age,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07but I think the move to Australia
0:29:07 > 0:29:10is sort of like a new life, a fresh start.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13With their family's future happiness at stake,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16their upcoming decision had Gareth and Zoe torn.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18My family's happiness is paramount.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21And, yeah, I'm unsure whether
0:29:21 > 0:29:27it is going to be as easy as I first thought.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29You've got a lot to consider and it's a bigger decision
0:29:29 > 0:29:32than what I thought originally, yeah.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Gareth and Zoe had conquered challenge after challenge
0:29:35 > 0:29:36to reach where they were,
0:29:36 > 0:29:39but they face what could have been their biggest one yet,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41deciding whether Australia really
0:29:41 > 0:29:45could give them the new beginning they deserved.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47We've really enjoyed our time this week in Australia
0:29:47 > 0:29:52and after everything we've seen and experienced, our vote goes to...
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- Australia!- Undecided!
0:30:06 > 0:30:07Wow!
0:30:07 > 0:30:10I've had an amazing week, and really enjoyed it,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13but I think the finances worried me a little bit.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I understand that, I'm looking at the bigger picture
0:30:16 > 0:30:19although there may be a few hurdles to overcome,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23I believe in the long run that the salary is there to be earnt.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It's just a matter of time.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26It is an amazing country.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Or we could just leave you in the UK and we'd move.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- That's not very nice, is it, Dad? - No.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41It was an extraordinary week for the Lloyds.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Australia delivered everything they hoped it would and more.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47But at what potential cost?
0:30:47 > 0:30:52Zoe's undecided vote reflected this uncertainty at the time,
0:30:52 > 0:30:56but she was also open to further persuasion.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59So three years later since we last saw the Lloyds,
0:30:59 > 0:31:03will we find them living at home or away?
0:31:04 > 0:31:08It's 2017 and the Lloyds are living in...
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Ashton-in-Makerfield, but not indefinitely.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Plans are in place after their positive experience
0:31:15 > 0:31:19of the trail week to make the final move down under.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Australia was better than what I anticipated.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24I don't really know what I expected,
0:31:24 > 0:31:28but I just fell in love with the country.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31It reached all my expectations and more,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34it was everything I'd hoped it would be.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37The weather here it's, sometimes it can be nice,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39but it just changes all the time
0:31:39 > 0:31:41like it will just rain,
0:31:41 > 0:31:45but over there it's just constantly sun and nice weather.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I thought it was good, I really liked it,
0:31:49 > 0:31:55because it was like a whole country just for people like me,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58because it had like shades all over the park.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00The people out there were friendly,
0:32:00 > 0:32:05- I really enjoyed it, and I didn't want to come home.- No.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07But when it came to the vote,
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Zoe was the only one who didn't choose Australia.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14If the finances that we worked out was different
0:32:14 > 0:32:16and Gareth's wage was higher to start off with
0:32:16 > 0:32:20then it would have definitely been an Australia 100%.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22And I didn't want to vote the UK,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25because we want to go to Australia,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28so that's why it was an undecided vote.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32But I did get shouted at off the children afterwards.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35For not voting Australia.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36At the end of the trial week,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40the Lloyds stayed on to experience a bit more of the Aussie life.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42And with Zoe still undecided,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46they chose to use this time for a further fact-finding mission.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50We booked those hours into a hotel that was pre-planned in the town
0:32:50 > 0:32:54centre, just so we could go and do our own research.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56We went to a skills information centre
0:32:56 > 0:33:00and we went to a government visa information centre
0:33:00 > 0:33:04to find out what sort of visa and things we would need.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06So obviously we'd just done a bit of
0:33:06 > 0:33:09digging on to what the next step should be.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12However, it wasn't so much the research that helped Zoe
0:33:12 > 0:33:14to make up her mind,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17but rather a chance meeting on the plane journey home.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21We sat next to a lady on the plane on the way back, didn't we?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- Travelling from Perth. - With her little boy.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26She was travelling from Perth and it was her first visit home,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28they'd emigrated three years before.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Was it?- That's right, yeah.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34And she actually didn't really want to go home, did she?
0:33:34 > 0:33:36She wasn't looking forward to it,
0:33:36 > 0:33:40because she just loved it out in Australia, didn't she?
0:33:40 > 0:33:45And had told us and explained to Zoe how their lifestyle change
0:33:45 > 0:33:48had worked for her, yet it was difficult leaving family,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51but the lifestyle and the work-life balance they have now
0:33:51 > 0:33:53with the children and the family
0:33:53 > 0:33:55is a lot better than what they had in the UK.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57I think we'd made our minds up by then
0:33:57 > 0:33:59that we were definitely going to Australia.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Chance may have provided Zoe with the reassurance she needed
0:34:03 > 0:34:05to make the move down under.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07And no sooner had they touched down in the UK
0:34:07 > 0:34:10than they started the process of preparing to leave.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19We looked at agencies, didn't we, to help us get the visa?
0:34:19 > 0:34:23We'd actually got in touch and instructed an agency, hadn't we...
0:34:24 > 0:34:27to start the visa process?
0:34:27 > 0:34:30They told us that we wouldn't have any problems getting a visa
0:34:30 > 0:34:33with Gareth's skills and qualifications.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Before they invested any money into the visa process though,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41they were advised to research any possible difficulties
0:34:41 > 0:34:44that may arise from Riley's medical condition.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49My understanding of it is the immigration look at it to see
0:34:49 > 0:34:51if his condition is not degenerative
0:34:51 > 0:34:54and he's then going to be susceptible to state benefit.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58So in order to assess this, Riley needed a medical examination
0:34:58 > 0:35:00like the rest of the family,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04but also a number of further investigative measures.
0:35:04 > 0:35:05But there was a problem.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09When we looked further into it, it became apparent
0:35:09 > 0:35:12that they only do all of our medicals right at the last stage
0:35:12 > 0:35:16after you've paid all the money for all the other checks,
0:35:16 > 0:35:21employment skills, you know, the normal checks that they need to do.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25However, because Riley has albinism,
0:35:25 > 0:35:30they were worried that he may not pass the medical.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32So even though we know in the UK his condition won't get any worse,
0:35:32 > 0:35:37it's obviously having that document and immigration accepting that
0:35:37 > 0:35:39and obviously that was the stage
0:35:39 > 0:35:42that we were at where we're trying to get that approved.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46And because the medicals were not until the end of the process,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48money had to be spent which may have been lost
0:35:48 > 0:35:50had Riley's visa been turned down.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57It was several thousand pounds to secure a visa for Zoe and myself
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and the other two boys, but when it came to Riley
0:36:00 > 0:36:03we could've stepped into tens of thousands of pounds
0:36:03 > 0:36:06and still not secured the visa
0:36:06 > 0:36:11and that's what started the next process.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15With a limited nest egg, Zoe and Gareth were looking at a gamble.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20One which they could either all get visas and begin the move down under
0:36:20 > 0:36:22or fail the visa process
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and in doing so lose every penny they had saved.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28It was a stark choice.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Any money that we would have already forked out for his skills check,
0:36:31 > 0:36:36employment, police checks we would have then lost, you know,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39there was no way we could get that money back,
0:36:39 > 0:36:45so, you know, we couldn't really look into doing that at the time.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49In the end, they chose not to risk losing their savings, however,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52they were given some helpful advice about Riley.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56It was quite difficult to prove
0:36:56 > 0:37:00that when he was an adult he would be employable,
0:37:00 > 0:37:04so we were advised that as he got older, obviously,
0:37:04 > 0:37:10high school age, he would be doing exams, you can see his grades,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12what he'd be getting and that he would actually.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Because people with albinism, all adults go into university
0:37:16 > 0:37:17and go into employment,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to work.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22So the dream whilst currently postponed
0:37:22 > 0:37:25until Riley goes through secondary school, is still on.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28And there is a silver lining to the cloud that has changed
0:37:28 > 0:37:30all their lives for the better.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36The money we had in savings that initially we were going to use
0:37:36 > 0:37:38to make the move out to Australia...
0:37:40 > 0:37:43after we've discovered that the visa process
0:37:43 > 0:37:46is going to be slightly more complicated
0:37:46 > 0:37:48than we initially anticipated,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51we decided to buy a property in the UK.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55Due to us being in rented accommodation at the time,
0:37:55 > 0:37:59we felt that we needed to secure ourselves financially.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01I love the fact that it's our own,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05we've already done quite a bit of renovation work, haven't we?
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Yeah, we've done a few bits of improvements to the house
0:38:08 > 0:38:10to put our own stamp on it.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14And the house is not the only addition for the Lloyd family.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16This is Diesel.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22When I first, like, met him, like, when I came home from school,
0:38:22 > 0:38:28Mason came home from nursery and he was in his cage.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32He was just sat there because he didn't know who I was.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36But then we've grown up, he's been good,
0:38:36 > 0:38:42except like when other kids are here he starts jumping up sometimes.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47But none of this has given way to the dream of living down under.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51When we bought a house back here in England,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55I think some friends and family thought that that was it,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57in regards to the move to Australia,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01they thought we were staying put, but absolutely not.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06I did that purely just for security in the UK.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11But my brother, close friends, they know still I have every intention
0:39:11 > 0:39:15of trying to get out to Australia in the future.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19And Zoe is completely on board. She even has a plan.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Five years' time, Riley will be in high school,
0:39:23 > 0:39:27we will have a better understanding of his exams, etc.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32And in five years' time, I could sort of see us in Australia.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- It's just a waiting game. - The dream is still there.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- Yeah.- It's still there.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39And both Zoe and Gareth have changed their jobs
0:39:39 > 0:39:42with an eye to securing employment down under.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45I still work in the gas industry,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48but it's more of an emergency reactive role now,
0:39:48 > 0:39:53maintaining the gas network in the UK.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58The move I made I felt would benefit
0:39:58 > 0:40:02me more in Australia work-wise.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06The research I'd done, the cost of electricity
0:40:06 > 0:40:09was consistently increasing itself in Australia
0:40:09 > 0:40:13and therefore people were promoting natural gas
0:40:13 > 0:40:18and there was a lot of excavations and there is a network out there
0:40:18 > 0:40:23that carries out a similar role to what I do in the UK currently.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Zoe took voluntary redundancy from the pharmacy
0:40:27 > 0:40:30and is about to return as a care worker.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34I'm excited to go back into the care work sector,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36because I did love doing the care work.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40So when we went on the trial week in Australia,
0:40:40 > 0:40:45I did go to homes there that were for adults with additional needs
0:40:45 > 0:40:47and meet a few people there.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52And if we went to Australia, that's the sort of line of work
0:40:52 > 0:40:55that I would still want to go into over there.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57But it's not only Gareth and Zoe
0:40:57 > 0:41:00whose work is helping them prepare for the move to oz.
0:41:00 > 0:41:0317-year-old Connor has a cunning plan
0:41:03 > 0:41:07and he may just get there before them.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Since we came back from Australia,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11I got a plastering apprenticeship,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14I've been there for about seven months now,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I'm enjoying it, I do like the job.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20My boss has applied for a visa to go over there,
0:41:20 > 0:41:24he's just going through the final stages of it now.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29And hopefully in the future I'd go over on a work visa with him..
0:41:29 > 0:41:30And I think if he made the move,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34then that would push us that bit more to get over there ourselves,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37but he's certainly keen about getting out there.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40But of course there are still emotional attachments at home
0:41:40 > 0:41:42with both family and friends.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Lately, the only thing that was holding us back -
0:41:45 > 0:41:49the reason I didn't want to or haven't wanted to emigrate
0:41:49 > 0:41:52was just family, purely family and friends,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55cos we're quite a close family.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00And I think the thought of not just being able to go round
0:42:00 > 0:42:04you know, to me mum's or me brothers' or me friends'
0:42:04 > 0:42:06I think worried me quite a bit.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11But Zoe is nothing if not practical, so she dealt with the issue head-on.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14We went and spoke to family and, you know, we told family
0:42:14 > 0:42:20that we were going and me mum and dad were behind us 100%.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23They were really supportive
0:42:23 > 0:42:28and, you know, as long as it was what we wanted to do,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30they were happy for us.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- Kind of a light at the end of the tunnel.- Yeah.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36So in the future, after the plan has been put into play -
0:42:36 > 0:42:39where do the Lloyds see themselves living?
0:42:39 > 0:42:44I certainly see a life for Zoe and myself and the children
0:42:44 > 0:42:46in Adelaide in the future.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Fingers crossed that, you know,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51when we start the visa process again
0:42:51 > 0:42:53that we will be successful
0:42:53 > 0:42:58and if not then will just have to go on holidays to see Connor.
0:42:58 > 0:43:03I think as a family the future is - I do think it is in Australia.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10The path to Australia for the family has been scattered
0:43:10 > 0:43:14and strewn with untold obstacles.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17But through resilience and determination,
0:43:17 > 0:43:20the Lloyds have managed to navigate these barriers
0:43:20 > 0:43:23and hold on to a dream that could see them all living down under
0:43:23 > 0:43:25in the not-so-distant future.