Holroyd Family Wanted Down Under

If your marriage was at breaking point because of your partner's job,

how far would you go to save it?

One woman feels her only option

is to uproot her family

and start a new life nearly 9,000 miles away.

But will life in Australia really be any different?

With dad Simon hardly home,

the Holroyds' relationship is in serious trouble.

-TEARFUL:

-To be honest, me and Simon have come to the end of the road.

When a week in Australia shows moving there could be the answer...

When I'm not away, it's bliss, cos there's never no arguments.

It's just been amazing, it has been great to spend some time together.

..will Helen be brave enough to sacrifice relationships in the UK...

I feel torn, I feel like I have got to choose between

you and the kids or my mum.

..to secure the family life they are desperate for?

It is just such a difficult...

Why does Australia have to be on the other side of the world?

More than 30 times bigger than the UK and the sixth largest country

in the world, Australia is a nation built on immigration.

With the warm climate, cosmopolitan cities

and an estimated 50% of the population living less than

five miles from the coast, it is easy to see why

thousands of British families emigrate each year,

in search of their happy ever after in the sunshine.

Simon Holroyd is living away from his family five days a week,

leaving wife Helen juggling work with childcare

and the pair's relationship in ruins.

All the couple want is some semblance of a family life,

and Helen has come up with a drastic solution -

moving halfway around the world to Australia.

Ahead of the Holroyds lies a week to discover

if the country is the answer to their problems and can save their marriage.

Their journey begins with almost 22 hours in the air,

flying from Manchester to Brisbane via Dubai.

And dad Simon is relieved

when they finally touch down in Australia for the first time.

I'm absolutely worn out. This one was sleeping on my lap.

Yeah, and she was snoring. You were snoring!

-You were!

-You were snoring!

Harry has already spotted a difference from home.

To be honest, it's a really hot country.

And Helen admits she's feeling overwhelmed.

I don't know how I feel.

I'm excited to be here, but I am nervous, I am scared.

It's decision time, isn't it?

Helen is absolutely right.

Ahead of the family lies a week that could change their lives for ever.

Meet the Holroyds from West Yorkshire.

They are dad Simon, mum Helen,

eight-year-old Harry and five-year-old Alexa.

-Yes!

-Aah!

Simon and Helen met in 2006, and after a whirlwind romance,

were engaged five months later.

Our relationship when we first got together was brilliant, wasn't it?

Simon's job as a full-time welder often took him away from home,

but becoming parents a year later made the time apart harder to handle.

I knew you worked away and I was fine with that,

but as soon as we had Harry, that's when it all changed.

Simon swapped welding for a job closer to home

in an attempt to be around more.

And I loved that because you were at home every day.

He was at home for his tea every night.

But the money just didn't work for us, did it?

After me first month it was basically...

What you earn in a week.

What I could earn near enough in a week from doing the job

which I do now.

With two children to feed, Simon returned to welding,

and for the past five months he has worked

in central London from Monday to Friday every week.

My alarm goes off Monday morning at 2.15, I generally leave the house

about 2.45, travel down to London, work until six o'clock at night.

It is horrendous, to be honest.

While Simon grafts down south, Helen relies on her mum's help

as she juggles work with looking after Harry and Alexa.

But despite the support, she is fed up being on her own.

I get irritated having to do

everything by myself all of the time.

The bills, the shopping - everything.

It is like being a single mum.

I know a lot of people who are in the same boat,

people that are single.

But I am not single, and it is not how it should be.

And Harry and Alexa are missing time with their dad.

I miss Daddy, because he works away every day of the week.

Simon is exhausted by the time the weekend comes,

and the ongoing situation is putting his and Helen's relationship at risk.

They have arguments sometimes because he doesn't come home

and she wants to see him more.

-I have just had enough of it. I just can't stand it.

-I know.

The situation has got so bad that Helen is even questioning

whether her and Simon have a future together.

I just sometimes think that rather than going through

all of the heartache, it might be easier if we're not together.

SHE SNIFFS

Obviously I don't want to split up, I love him to death, but...

..something's got to change.

Before it's too late.

Inspired by stories from friends who have made the move,

Helen now thinks Australia could be the answer to the problem.

Obviously, we want to go for the nice things, the weather and stuff,

but the main thing for me is just having you

-come home every day.

-Yeah.

That's why I want to go to Australia,

because I want you to be able to come home all the time.

Moving nearly 9,000 miles is an extreme solution,

but Simon's willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family together.

I do love my wife and kids, so much,

and this is one of the only ways

we're going to be able to spend that quality time together.

But much as she is desperate for change, Helen is also

torn at the prospect of being on the other side of the world from her mum.

I just don't how I would cope not having her on the doorstep.

She means the world to me, and I just don't know if I could.

I feel torn, I feel like I've got to choose between

you and the kids, or my mum.

And it's awful.

It's a heartbreaking choice, but after eight years of Simon

coming and going, the couple are pinning all their hopes on Australia

giving them the answers they need.

We're not really expecting miracles,

but anything has got to be better than the current situation.

The way that it has been, we could end up splitting up, I don't know.

I'm just praying that Australia...

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

..works out how we want it to.

For their trial week Down Under, the family are staying in

a rented property in Coolum Beach,

on the north end of Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

It's a quiet area popular with young families,

but will it be what the Holroyds had in mind?

-In you go.

-A swimming pool!

Oh, wow.

-It's a good start.

-Imagine having this to live in.

-I know.

-That is so nice. Patio doors.

-GASPING:

-Harry!

-Big barbecue!

-Guess what we're having for tea?

-AUSTRALIAN ACCENT:

-Shrimps on the barbie!

-"Shrimps on the barbie"!

Alexa has already got the lingo.

Inside, their home for the week looks perfect.

-Wow.

-Big open-plan.

-That what you want?

-Yeah. Look at the kitchen.

Come and have a look at the kitchen.

Helen is happy with her first glimpse of Australian living.

And as they check out the rest of the house,

Simon admits he is impressed, too.

Unbelievable. Massive.

Tour over, Simon and the children waste no time getting into the pool,

and Helen's quickly reminded of why she is considering moving

so far from home.

Seeing Simon and the kids like this is amazing,

it's what I have wanted for such a long time.

It is probably the happiest I have seen him in a long time,

because he is fed up with his lifestyle at home. Hates it.

This is perfect, this is what we want,

this is why we have come to Australia.

They have only been here a few hours

but Simon is already seeing the benefits.

To me and Helen, it would just mean the world.

That is what we are searching for really,

some quality time together.

But it is not long before Helen is reminded of reality.

Living a lifestyle like this will mean leaving her mum behind.

I would find it hard leaving my mum, but I have got to think of us.

Difficult choices lie ahead, but, ultimately, Helen knows

her and Simon's future happiness is riding on the next seven days.

To be honest, me and Simon have come to the end of the road.

If we don't...

If we don't do this, I don't know what is going to happen.

Back in the UK, Helen and Simon

rent a three-bed townhouse in Cottingley, West Yorkshire.

And they have clear ideas of what

they would be looking for in Australia.

Four bedrooms, open-plan, lots of space.

A garage, that would be nice as well,

-because we have always wanted a garage.

-Yeah.

Just to put your junk in.

South-facing garden for the barbecues in the summer.

Obviously, I would like the swimming pool, but that is not...

-That's a bonus, isn't it?

-It's not on my list.

With a maximum budget of £12,000 for rent each month,

a swimming pool might be out of the question,

but Helen is prepared to compromise.

Property is important, but...

-..it's more important that you come home every day.

-Yeah.

To find out what kind of house they could actually have in Australia,

today we will show them three properties - two on budget

and a third which could be their dream home.

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

First stop is Sippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast,

just an hour's drive from Queensland's capital city, Brisbane.

This family-friendly suburb has shops and schools on the doorstep

and is just ten minutes' drive from the beach,

but will this three-bedroom house be to the family's taste?

Ooh.

-It's got carpet, as well.

-Brilliant carpet.

Helen is obviously a carpet fan, but what does she make of the kitchen?

Oh, this is gorgeous! I could live in this.

-Couldn't you?

-Yeah.

The open-plan living area ticks another box,

but will outside have the space you want?

-All the gardens are so big, aren't they?

-The amount of land you get.

Do you like it? Do you like this house?

It's lovely. Compared to what we have got back home...

SIMON SCOFFS AND THEY BOTH LAUGH

-We could get a dog, as well.

-As long as you walk it.

HELEN LAUGHS

If you are home every night,

you will have plenty of time to take the dog out, Simon.

Meantime, the spacious master gives Helen something else

to get excited about.

HELEN GASPS

A big walk-in wardrobe!

SIMON LAUGHS

I have always wanted a walk-in wardrobe.

And next door, something to make Alexa smile, too.

Ah!

Aww. Aww, that's nice, int' it?

-Little girl's room.

-So will this do for you, Harry?

HELEN LAUGHS AND HARRY MUMBLES UNHAPPILY

They might need to negotiate on the decor to get Harry signed up,

but moving on, the bathroom is a talking point.

Do you know what else I have noticed?

The bathrooms are separate to the toilets, which is brilliant.

It's not massive, but it is nice.

Even with a tiny bath,

this house hasn't pulled the plug on the family moving.

But with £1,200 for rent every month, can they afford something like this?

-How much do you think it is worth?

-1,100.

-What about you, Alexa?

-Eh...£1,000.

£1,000 and £1,100. I'm going to say...

I don't know!

..about 950?

-I would say about 900.

-£900.

-£900 a month, yes.

-Right.

HELEN GASPS

-Wow.

-890!

-That's cheaper than we thought.

Gosh. You can have something like this for that. That's amazing.

-That is unbelievable, that.

-I think that is very doable.

-Yeah.

Shall we go and see what else there is?

-Yeah.

-What else we can afford. I'm excited about it.

-Shall we go?

-Come on, then.

£300 under budget is a great start,

and Helen is encouraged about the kind of house they could have.

This is going to be really nice.

Hopefully, the next place will prove a hit, too.

Also situated in Sippy Downs, this traditional four-bedroom house

promises plenty of what Helen and Simon desire.

This looks nice.

Nice big double garage there.

-Ooh.

-They did want a garage.

Stepping inside, Helen feels at home straightaway.

-This is gorgeous.

-You have got your little carpeted room.

-Yeah.

I love carpet, I would have to have carpet.

-It's a British thing. I bet this is more money.

-Do you think?

-Yeah.

-We have only looked in one room.

-It just looks expensive.

Fair point, Simon. Now, what about that garage?

And this is what we have always wanted, a big double garage!

-This is as big as our living area at home.

-It's bigger.

And what do you think to this, Harry?

-Yeah, would you like a boat?

-Would you like a boat?

-You'd be able to catch sharks.

-Sharks?

No, they're not big enough.

SIMON SHUDDERS

Hopefully, there are no hidden dangers in the rest of the house.

Oh, this is gorgeous!

I hate cooking, but I would probably quite like it here.

-I would enjoy it more.

-Is that a promise, is it?

-Well, no, but...

We'll see.

With Simon hopefully home for tea every night,

Helen could find herself busy in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, there is still more to check out.

-Ohh, what?

-It's gorgeous.

A dressing room again.

This must be an Aussie thing, having dressing rooms. It's got to be.

You wouldn't need that, because you don't have much clothes, do you?

-No.

-I could have it.

-Pair of shorts, T-shirt.

-I can't believe the size of this house.

-I know.

It's definitely not short on space, and when Helen spots

a potential room for her mum, it's the icing on the cake.

-This is Mum's style, this.

-Yeah.

I think if I got Mum to come out here and we were living here,

she wouldn't go back home!

And just when they thought things couldn't get any better -

a garden with a pool.

Oh, my God, I could cry.

This is just the sort of thing we would want to come out here for.

-It's amazing.

-Definitely, yeah.

-We won't be able to afford this, I don't think.

-No.

-This is going to cost a fortune.

-No way.

-I want it.

-Do you?

I loved the other house, but I love this even more.

Helen has really fallen for this house, but before she gets

too carried away, it is time to find out how much it costs.

-If we could get something like this, I'm coming. Definitely.

-Yeah?

It's a no-brainer.

The couple have £1,200 for rent every month.

I have got in my head, about, English pounds, about 1,350.

Maybe more.

-Maybe about 1,200.

-1,200?

-Yeah.

How much do you think it is worth, Alexa?

£199.

Whoa, we are definitely moving in then.

That is cheap! What about you, Harry?

-Erm...

-Do you think it is more than the other one or less?

-1,250.

-Right.

-OK, do you want to turn it round, Harry?

-Yeah.

-Oh, my God!

-I was so close!

-You're joking.

-1,165. Unbelievable.

-Innit?

Flippin' 'eck.

-That is amazing. Wow.

-Yeah?

-I'm really shocked.

I know, yeah.

The Holroyds are having a great day so far, and it is not over yet.

This has been a bit nice.

SIMON LAUGHS

Next stop is Buderim, a small town

overlooking the southern Sunshine Coast.

With excellent schools and close to retail and leisure facilities,

the area is increasingly popular with families.

But will this three-storey house hit the spot?

Wow. Goodness me.

Spacious and modern, this place is a real show home.

-Wow.

-This is unreal.

-It's massive.

SIMON LAUGHS INCREDULOUSLY

This is like where someone famous would live.

Helen is imagining a celebrity lifestyle,

and spotting a hot tub certainly helps.

Can you imagine getting in this on a night?

-HARRY:

-Every day.

-Every day?

Boasting extensive gardens, there's plenty of room for outside living.

-Look at the garden.

-You could have a golf course in there.

That might be a bit ambitious, maybe a pitch-and-putt course

for Harry and Alexa?

They would have a whale of a time, in all the woods and stuff.

This IS going to be expensive.

-EXHALING:

-Heh.

But when they move back inside, Helen casts cost concerns aside

and starts to worry about how big the house really is.

This is a bit...too big. Maybe. I don't know.

-A lot of cleaning.

-SHE CHUCKLES

It's a valid point, and there is more to look after upstairs.

-ALEXA:

-This bedroom.

-Oh, wow.

This will be the master bedroom up here.

My God!

Just the standard of everything is so much better than back home,

-isn't it?

-I think so.

This house has definitely impressed Helen and Simon,

but will its price tag put it out of reach?

-I like this one the best.

-Do you?

Because it has got a really big garden.

Yeah, I knew you would like the garden.

-They can run wild out there, can't they?

-It's got a hot tub.

It is nice, and it has got amazing views, as well.

Yeah, that is stunning.

Personally, I think it is going to be way over our budget.

Yeah. Alexa, how much do you think this one would be?

£3,080.

-£3,080?!

-What about you, Harry?

-£1,400.

-I will go with 15.

-I would say more. 17.

ALL: One, two, three!

-THEY GASP

-1,630.

-Mmm.

-ALEXA:

-Have we got enough money?

SIMON LAUGHS

-I think that is a bit over.

-More than £400 over budget

makes this house something to aspire to,

but Helen and Simon aren't too disappointed.

-Personally...

-No, I know.

-..I preferred the other house a lot more, and it's cheaper.

-Yeah.

Discovering the local property market has been a largely

positive experience for the Holroyds.

Property one didn't have the four bedrooms the family are after,

but it was well within budget.

Property two was a real hit, with the pool Helen wanted

and at a price they could afford.

And delivering the wow factor,

the final property of the day was the ultimate dream home.

Even discovering it was over budget wasn't enough to

dampen Helen's spirits.

So, how will the Holroyds vote

when it comes to choosing between property in Australia and the UK?

-Shall we vote for where we want to live, here or in the UK?

-Yeah!

-Let's go for it.

-Let's go.

ALL: Australia!

HELEN AND KIDS: Yay!

High-five!

-That second house that we saw, with the swimming pool.

-Yeah.

That is ideal, and we could have Mum come and stay,

she could come and stay for probably three, four, six months, whatever.

-Three, four or six?

-Well, six.

She'd have her own little area.

I would let her come for a few months a year,

-but I don't know about...

-You won't have any choice.

I get my own way all the time.

With a unanimous vote for Australia,

the Holroyds' week has got off to a promising start.

But Simon and Helen both know the Australia dream

could quickly fade if Simon can't find a job that enables him

to be home every night and fund the lifestyle they want.

Back in the UK, Simon is away from home every Monday to Friday,

working as an arc welder.

I really enjoy me job, I do.

When I started doing the job, I was single,

obviously, working away from home, it was brilliant.

But now with a family, the single most important thing is Simon

being able to do the same job closer to home.

I don't mind doing a lot of hours, as long as I could get to

go home on a night to spend time with my family.

That's the whole point of this.

Helen has worked as everything from shop assistant to air hostess.

Now a classroom assistant, she has finally found a job she loves,

but she is prepared to put family above work.

The most important thing for us is for Simon to get the correct job.

I am willing to sacrifice my job for us

to have the family life that we have wanted.

With so much at stake, the couple are nervous about what a day

exploring Brisbane's job market might bring.

At the end of the day, it's a make or break, Simon's job.

We need to find out what the wage is going to be like,

if there is much work for me out here. Hopefully, there is.

The majority of skilled workers on the Sunshine Coast

commute to Brisbane.

So, we have arranged for Simon to meet Joe and Martin Lewandowski

at their industrial welding firm on the south side of the city.

-Simon.

-Hello.

-Martin. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, Martin, I'm Simon.

-This is Joe, the director.

-All right?

Before getting down to business, the guys show Simon around.

Australian standards is higher standards, you know,

than British standards.

-Really?

-The pressure's on for Simon to make an impression.

Meanwhile, Helen is meeting

teacher's aide Helen Greoff at Matt Flinders Anglical College in Buderim.

-It is absolutely huge, this place.

-It is a big place.

-All the facilities here are pretty good.

-Yeah. It's fantastic.

So much different to where I come from, completely.

That's a good start for Helen, but back at the welding company,

Simon's isn't as promising.

What I see, you have just only very basic welding.

-From your experience, you are more structural tradesman.

-Right.

We do some structure, all right? But it is minimal, the structure.

His skills may not be a perfect fit for this company,

but Martin reassures him all is not lost.

There is a place here for everybody.

If we do take you on, we could get you to do TA work,

or labour around the yard, or in the workshop.

You know, we could ease you into the welding side of things.

Slowly, yeah.

Simon could work here as a trade's assistant while grading his skills.

But how would that affect the family financially?

So, if, erm, you were to give me an opportunity,

what would the wage expectations be?

A first start, you would be looking at probably 22 to 24,

because we have to really invest it with you.

The hourly rate would give him an annual salary of around £25,000,

but that would increase once fully trained.

Then you would probably look at

-between 28 and 38.

-Right.

Even long-term, Simon's salary is only slightly more than what

he already earns, but the big difference would be that he is

able to go home when his day's work is done.

I just want to be at home, I don't want to work away any more.

If you do get work here with us,

then you will be with your wife and kids.

It is exactly the news Simon wanted to receive,

and should make Helen very happy, too.

Back at the college,

she is getting a handle on her own prospects Down Under.

So, what kinds of qualifications would you need?

Most teacher assistants here have a TAFE qualification.

And is that something that I could do over here?

-You definitely could.

-Yeah.

And you might even find that you would get recognition for

your experience and the other course that

-you have already done.

-Right.

Qualifying could take up to two years, but Helen is not put off.

What we would normally suggest to someone is that they come in

and present us with their resume.

And also, it is always really helpful to just start volunteering.

That's great.

So assuming she can find a paid job, all Helen

needs to now know is how much she can earn.

OK, so what is the salary over here for a full-time teacher's assistant?

For a teacher assistant that works the full five-day week,

-we are at about 35,000 per year.

-Right.

That is quite a lot more.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

Around £17,500 is almost double

what she gets doing the same job in the UK.

All in all, Helen's school visit could be graded excellent.

I would love my children to come to a school like this,

and I would love to work in a school like this.

It's just amazing.

The Holroyds have had an informative day at work,

but when Simon reunites with Helen, he is quick to flag the fact

that he would initially be working as a trade's assistant, not a welder.

What would it be like to start from the beginning again?

To start from the beginning - probably about 24 an hour.

But that's at the beginning. The welders were getting 38.

-Is that good or...?

-Well...

I think it is a little bit more than what we were expecting.

-What about working hours? This is the question.

-Working hours were...

-..probably the same as what I do now.

-Not working away?

-Not working away.

-That's fine.

Compared to what you do now, that is great, isn't it?

What about you, how have you done?

Yeah, good, amazing school, you should see it. Oh, my goodness.

-Amazing.

-Really?

-Massive. And about 35,000 a year.

-Really?!

Which is double what I'm on!

-So, yeah, that's good.

-That means I might go part-time, then.

If you're not earning quite as much and I'm earning more,

-then it would work out, wouldn't it?

-Yeah, it would, yeah.

For Simon, achieving a better work/life balance

may come at a cost, but how will the couple choose

when it comes to work in Australia or the UK?

Our decision is going to be...

BOTH: Australia!

-Yeah?

-Yeah!

Taking a step backwards or having to re-qualify professionally

hasn't been enough to dent Helen and Simon's desire to make the move.

Simply having Simon home every night will be enough to

transform family life. To give them a glimpse of how

they could spend their new-found spare time,

the Holroyds head off on a typically Aussie day out.

And for Harry and Alexa, it is

a rare opportunity to spend time having fun with both Mum and Dad.

Making the most of their time together,

the family following the footsteps of typical Sunshine Coasters,

and take a ferry to Fraser Island,

the largest sand island in the world.

Massive.

Almost 75 miles long and 14 miles wide, there is plenty to see.

This is paradise.

Could easily spend a day on here, just with t'kids running about.

Ooh!

This is the proper jungle.

The island is the only place in the world where

rainforests grow on sand dunes, and after a short trek through it,

the family stop off for some lunch.

-So, what do you think to Australia altogether, then?

-Really good.

-Do you like it?

-I love it. Really do.

The day is rounded off on the beach,

giving the family the perfect opportunity to dip their toe

in the water and find out if typical Aussie living is really for them.

Definitely ten out of ten.

Back home in the UK, we've got Blackpool or Scarborough,

in the North Sea, and it is absolutely freezing.

It's just been amazing, it's been great to spend some time

together, cos that don't happen often back home.

And if we can get this every weekend,

it is a no-brainer, isn't it?

The afternoon also gives the couple a chance to reflect on

their relationship and how much the potential move could mean to them.

You sort of lose touch with each other, and, obviously, with him

working away, it is not the same, but being over here, it's...

kind of falling in love again.

When I'm not away, it is bliss, because there is never no arguments.

And as for the kids,

it's great to spend good quality time together as one big unit.

Yay!

Harry and Alexa would love this lifestyle every day.

If we lived in Australia, then we would like to play

on the beach a lot, and in the swimming pool a lot.

Everyone has fallen under Australia's spell,

and for Simon, the lifestyle they stand to gain far outweighs

the potential decrease in his pay packet.

If we were to come, we would have to have quite

a few cutbacks, like I say.

Just watch the pennies, or the dollars.

But as Helen relaxes into her surroundings,

it is not long before she is contemplating reality.

Living this life would mean saying goodbye to her mum.

I'm not going to start crying again, but...

It would be difficult.

The decision is huge, it is massive.

It is leaving everything that we know behind.

It is going to be difficult, very difficult.

Helen faces a heart-wrenching choice come the end of the week,

but for now, it is time for the family

to choose between lifestyle in Australia and the UK.

ALL: Australia!

-Have we all got the same?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Oh, that was going to be a definite, wasn't it? Fab.

The whole family are enjoying

what Australia could potentially offer,

but Simon and Helen know their chances of getting the life they want

could be washed out to sea if finances don't work in their favour.

While the children play outside,

Simon and Helen figure out how living costs

in Australia compare with the UK.

We have provided the financial facts, starting with their weekly food shop.

All right, 3p difference on carrots,

that's neither here nor there, is it?

But look at your butter - £2 cheaper.

-£2 CHEAPER?

-Yeah.

-That's a bonus, cos I love butter.

SHE LAUGHS

All right, do you want to work it out and see the difference, then?

A quick run through the shopping list reveals how much more

they would pay for food Down Under.

It is only £2.24.

I thought it was going to be a lot worse than that, actually.

That's not so bad at all.

-That is almost £70 every month.

-It is doable, isn't it?

That's nothing here or there, is it?

You change the way you eat, don't you?

-Well, yeah...

-Or you stop drinking beer.

Or you and your wine, more like.

There's no time for domestics.

-The couple move on to the bigger monthly bills.

-The rent...

going on that second house,

the one with the swimming pool that we preferred, is quite a bit more.

-It's about double, that.

-Yeah.

Council tax, they don't pay, which is a bonus.

-Gas, no gas.

-No.

Overall, the couple's outgoings will be £2,708 every month in Australia -

almost £800 more than they spend in the UK.

-That is a lot, and that's because of the house.

-Yeah.

It's a huge amount of money.

And with Simon's salary set to decrease, and Helen having to

take time out to boost her qualifications,

things go from bad to worse.

In the UK, they have £1,300 left over after bills every month,

but in Australia, they would be £20 in the red.

That's... Yeah, that's fine.

Well, it's not, but what about once we're qualified?

Once we're qualified...

To do the jobs that we both want to come out and do.

Desperate to make the finances work, the couple recalculate

based on Simon being a welder and Helen a classroom assistant.

And when the sums are all done, it is a much more favourable outcome.

That is £1,700 better off.

£415.73 more than what we have got back home.

-Yeah, more than what we already save.

-Right.

-That is good.

-So £415...

-Mm.

In the long run, the couple could be financially better off,

but have the figures done enough to

make them choose Australia over the UK?

OK, so, based on the information that we have found out today

and our reality check, we are going to make a vote.

Australia.

-Undecided?

-It's just the money, isn't it?

I know what you are saying there,

but I have sort of voted on the qualified side.

Yeah, and if I was voting just on that, it would have been

Australia, but...

It's not going to be that to start with, and...

You don't know, I could get qualified, I might not get a job.

-Do you know I mean?

-There is always that.

-So, that is why I am...

Helen and Simon have been united all week, but fearing for their

short-term finances has left Helen undecided about the move.

And there is another hurdle ahead,

as Helen faces the reality of being 9,000 miles from her mum.

The couple ask the children to join them

to watch messages from their loved ones back home.

Go on, then, get the remote, Harry.

-Hi!

-Helen and Simon.

-Hi, Harry and Alexa.

-ALL:

-Hi, guys!

We wish we could be there with you,

hope you have had a great time in Brisbane this week.

Alexa and Harry are always full of life,

they are always laughing, having a great time, running around.

As a family, I think they are pretty solid.

Helen is very family-orientated, the kids are very important to her.

Simon is one of me best friends.

He's a good lad, a really good lad.

Selfishly, I would hate it if they went,

but I think it would be an amazing experience,

and I think it would change their lives.

I think it will bring their family closer

and Harry and Alexa, they will have a very good childhood.

-HELEN'S FRIENDS:

-I think the main thing is going to be

-leaving her mum.

-Yeah.

Ever since she talked about Australia,

deep down I have known that she will do it, she will go.

And it's the right thing for them.

HELEN'S MUM SNIFFS

It doesn't mean it is the right thing for me.

I won't see them in real life...

again.

They said we can go out there for a holiday,

but my various health problems - no chance.

SHE SOBS

I don't want her to go.

But I know that's being selfish.

And I know that her father would say to follow her dream.

I know there is ways of seeing them every day,

but it is not the same as holding your child in your arms.

And holding your grandchildren.

Follow your heart.

If you think it is right, then do it. You've got to give it a go.

Just take this opportunity and grab it with both hands.

If your life is going to be better...

go for it, love.

We will support you every step of the way.

We'll support your family, so we'll support your mum, as well.

I know that is going to be one of the hardest things for you to do.

That would mean a lot.

-HELEN'S MUM:

-I will always be here.

I love you, all of you.

Bye.

SHE SOBS

Yeah? You all right, Alexa?

I would miss everybody so much. What about your mum and dad?

I didn't expect that at all, I thought...

I thought they would come over and see us,

but she's saying they probably won't be able to because of her health.

We're going to go back and see them, don't worry.

Hearing how loved ones feel has proved heartbreaking for Helen,

and with Simon facing the prospect of perhaps saying goodbye to his parents

for good, the couple now need to make the biggest decision of their lives.

As the family prepare to choose where

they will spend their future, will the human cost of moving mean

the dream life, and potentially Simon and Helen's marriage,

is over for good?

-Do you want to go and get an ice cream?

-Yeah.

Did you have a nice day on the beach?

When the Holroyds arrived in Australia a week ago,

it was with high hopes that the country would give them

more quality time together as a family.

And it has lived up to expectations.

Bringing the kids to Australia, it definitely offers

a lot more than what they are getting in the UK at the moment.

Yesterday just proved the sort of fun we could have.

The kids miss their dad.

That is why we want to come out here,

so we can spend more time as a family.

But while the week showed what life could be like,

it has also reinforced Helen's angst over choosing between

what is best for her family and leaving her mum.

I am so confused at the moment.

I feel if we don't make this move, then our marriage might end,

I really dread to think what might happen

because of the problems that we have had up until now.

But then again, if we come out here, am I going to be so devastated

that I'm away from my family that we will just argue anyway?

I just, I really don't know what the best thing to do is.

Ultimately, life in the UK has pushed Simon and Helen to breaking point.

To be honest, this is what we do really need.

We do need a definite change from the UK life, that is 100%,

we need something to change.

It is going to be so hard, it is going to

be such a hard decision to make.

It is just such a difficult...

Why does Australia have to be on the other side of the world?

For better or worse, it is time for the family to choose

once and for all if Australia really is the answer to their prayers.

-ALL: Australia!

-Yay!

Oh, I wasn't sure whether you would vote Australia, Alexa.

Thought you might say you wasn't sure.

-Definitely Australia?

-And you, Harry, yeah?

Brilliant.

I am glad we have all chosen Australia,

I do think it was a hard decision.

I'm going to start crying again in a minute.

-Do you think this has got everything to offer?

-And more, definitely.

-I think if we don't give it a go, we would regret it.

-Definitely, yes.

Definitely. We need to give it a shot, don't we?

Especially for these two, don't we?

Yeah, definitely. Come on, let's go.

Come on.

Fearful of what the future could hold

if they returned permanently to the UK, Helen and Simon have decided to

put their relationship and Harry and Alexa's future happiness first.

A real case of love conquering all,

and we hope the family go on to make many happy memories together

when they embark on their new life Down Under.