0:00:02 > 0:00:05Fond memories of time spent abroad can often plant the seed
0:00:05 > 0:00:07of something more permanent,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12but are they enough to convince your family to move halfway around the world?
0:00:12 > 0:00:17And what if you believe that emigrating wasn't just your dream, but your destiny?
0:00:17 > 0:00:21For Lucy Jackson, Australia offers a chance to live the life she dreams of.
0:00:21 > 0:00:26- If we're meant to be there, we just will be. - But her partner Lee isn't so sure.
0:00:26 > 0:00:32- I don't want to be at the other side of the world feeling trapped. - And if the numbers don't add up...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- The cost is quite a bit higher. - ..they won't be going anywhere.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41I really don't know. I really, really don't know. I am genuinely torn.
0:01:03 > 0:01:09For thousands of new arrivals every year, Australia offers the chance to live an ideal family life.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Watching your children grow up in the sunshine
0:01:12 > 0:01:16amidst the great outdoors can seem like a dream come true.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22But for many, life down under doesn't deliver the paradise they hoped for and they return home.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25The McGrath-Jackson family have one week
0:01:25 > 0:01:28to experience the reality of living in Australia.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32At the end of it, they'll face a life-changing decision -
0:01:32 > 0:01:36whether to stay in the UK or to make the move down under for good.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43After three plane changes, 12,000 miles and 72 hours' travelling,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47the McGrath-Jacksons touch down on Aussie soil.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53After a very long haul, they're tired, but looking forward to the week ahead.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The journey was long and it was different with children.
0:01:58 > 0:02:04I'm feeling good about the week ahead. I'm ready for the surprises, see what hits us.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10A little bit apprehensive, but feeling good, feeling positive. But I think the jet lag's kicking in.
0:02:10 > 0:02:16Thankfully for Lee, it's just a short drive to their rented accommodation.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Back in the UK, the McGrath-Jackson family live in the village of Burghead near Inverness
0:02:21 > 0:02:24on the Moray Firth.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28They are Lee, manager of a local charity,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Lucy, an alternative therapy practitioner,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35and their three children - Rosie, aged 11,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and twins Poppy and Jack, aged nine.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46For Lucy, the idea of emigrating first took root in the 1990s
0:02:46 > 0:02:50after a fateful meeting changed the course of her life.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55Originally, I was a costume designer-maker in Norwich in England
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and I kind of felt lost, I didn't know where I was going.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Although I had a great job, I just didn't feel right somehow.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07So I saw a friend who was a clairvoyant
0:03:07 > 0:03:13and he said, "You need to be in Australia. You're in the wrong area. You need to go there."
0:03:13 > 0:03:17And I absolutely, 100% knew he was right.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23I went out to Australia to study Australian bush flowers, which he said that I had to work with.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28I travelled across Australia and I studied lovely courses and it just all flowed.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30And it all came together.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Lucy brought her alternative therapy experience back with her
0:03:34 > 0:03:38and now runs her own flower remedy sessions at home.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43But returning to the place that inspired her has always been her dream.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49I'd like to go out into the bush and work with the flowers one to one and see them in their natural habitat.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52There's nothing physical that says, "Go now."
0:03:52 > 0:03:56It is definitely based on energy similar to the flowers.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59It's like... Yeah, it's based on a feeling.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Australia may be Lucy's passion, but for Lee,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06following it to the other side of the world has him torn.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12I wouldn't say I've been seriously considering emigrating, but I've been thinking about it
0:04:12 > 0:04:17because obviously, I'm living with a lass that's really keen on the idea of emigrating.
0:04:17 > 0:04:23We have children together and we love each other to bits. You know, I want to be with her.
0:04:23 > 0:04:30At this present time, I'm prepared to go out to Australia. I'm prepared to look at the options out there
0:04:30 > 0:04:34and decide if this is going to be feasible for us.
0:04:34 > 0:04:41Lee has two jobs. He runs a social enterprise, reconditioning computers for disadvantaged communities,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45as well as tutoring others starting up their own business.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50Australia would mean leaving a work life he loves, but he knows what that would mean to Lucy.
0:04:50 > 0:04:57Lucy's passion for the flowers is up there with her passion for her children and her family,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00so it's something that Lucy lives by day to day
0:05:00 > 0:05:05through her work and also through her own personal life as well.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Australia could also signal big changes for the children.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12At the moment, they are home-schooled
0:05:12 > 0:05:18and moving down under could mean giving up an important part of the family's lifestyle.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22They learn all a spectrum of learning, rather than just academic.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Academic is covered too, of course. It has to be.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32But they're learning the everyday things that you need in order to move, fly the nest...
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- To the next stage, yeah.- Children can do that whilst going to school.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42The major difference is the relaxed atmosphere when you walk in the home. It's so much more relaxed.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46But Lee's not the only one who needs convincing about moving down under.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Me and my dad are kind of the ones who are not as keen to go.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55It's more the twins and Mum who want to go the most.
0:05:55 > 0:06:01I'd like to go to Australia because it's great to have new experiences.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05I would like to go to Australia to surf.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14The family is split down the middle, but they all know what they stand to lose if they decide to emigrate.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20I know that my mum and dad would be very upset if we left the area
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and I would be very upset to leave them.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26And the opportunity we have at the moment...
0:06:26 > 0:06:31We can go and visit Lucy's folks and Lucy's family down south three or four times a year.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35It won't be that possible if we're on the other side of the world.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Lee's roots run deep in Scotland, but if he can't face letting go of them,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Lucy knows her dream will be over.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47I would never drag him across there, leaving all his family and things.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50He has to feel it or it won't happen.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52I will go as far as...
0:06:52 > 0:06:57I'd move to the other side of the world, I'd move to the moon to make Lucy happy,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00as long as as a family unit, we're all happy.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04I think if you just really let go and jump,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07sometimes amazing things come.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12I don't have many worries about it because I know if we're meant to be there, we just will be.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The McGrath-Jacksons face a test of faith.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25Lucy believes that a move down under will be the start of a bright new adventure for her family,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29but Lee knows that making such a huge choice could cost them dearly,
0:07:29 > 0:07:34so will they choose their future with their hearts or with their heads?
0:07:35 > 0:07:41The McGrath-Jacksons are visiting Ipswich, a growing city 25 miles inland from Brisbane.
0:07:41 > 0:07:47With Australia's third biggest city nearby, there should be good work opportunities for Lee
0:07:47 > 0:07:52and plenty of chances to enjoy the benefits of the Aussie outdoor lifestyle.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56They'll stay at this traditional, four-bedroom Queenslander house.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Hopefully, it will get things off to a good start.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- Wow!- Oh, wow!- Very colonial. - That's lovely, isn't it?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Yeah.- Yeah, impressive.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08Really nice.
0:08:08 > 0:08:16- For me, if we look at this as our move-in house, it's too dated for me. - Yeah.- I like mixing old and new.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I just want to find out how much it costs.
0:08:19 > 0:08:26Although Lucy has been here before, Australia is a new experience for the rest of the family
0:08:26 > 0:08:30and as the unpacking begins, thoughts soon turn to the week ahead.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35There's certainly an excited feel about it, but I've got to work out the difference
0:08:35 > 0:08:40between holiday excitement and "new things" excitement and the practicals of it,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44but it's certainly feeling quite exciting at the moment.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's not really a fact-finding thing for me. It never was.
0:08:47 > 0:08:53It was really based on a good feeling. I always follow whatever feels like the right thing to do.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57It is a new thing for all of us. That was the joy of coming.
0:08:57 > 0:09:04It's for everyone. We can all look at this area and say, "Is this a possibility for our family to live?"
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Back home, the McGrath-Jacksons rent a three-bedroom modern house.
0:09:13 > 0:09:19Lucy also owns a plot of land near her family home which could help to raise funds for emigrating.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23They have a budget of £125,000 in mind
0:09:23 > 0:09:26if they can find the right property.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31I'd love the kids to have a bedroom each. The twins have never experienced that.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35That would be fantastic. And some space to work where we could in the future build on
0:09:35 > 0:09:41and make something for me to work from home and also somewhere for people to stay.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- That's really important for people to stay, but the absolute dream is all made of wood, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- I kind of go with that, but... - A beautiful swinging seat on the veranda.- Yeah.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Today, we'll give the McGrath-Jacksons a taste of Brisbane's housing market.
0:09:56 > 0:10:03We'll show them three options based on what they want from their ideal home and what they can afford.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08After seeing for themselves what's on offer, they'll find out how much each house costs.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Ipswich is known for its old-style Queenslander houses.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17For years, they were a cheap option for families emigrating on a tight budget,
0:10:17 > 0:10:22but as UK exchange rates have fallen, property prices in Australia have rocketed
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and the days of bargain basements are a thing of the past.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29So will Lee and Lucy's budget be able to keep up with their hopes?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36The first house is a classic Queenslander design.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42According to the estate agents, it's an inviting family home, but will the McGrath-Jacksons agree?
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- It's massive.- Look at this, Dad.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Whoa!- It's like a cabin.
0:10:49 > 0:10:55- That wasn't expected, was it?- Wow! - Let's have a look out here. It's nice to come out on to a balcony.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Oh, my God, this was like a kind of dream of ours, having a balcony!
0:10:59 > 0:11:03This was our wraparound balcony, wasn't it, guys?
0:11:03 > 0:11:07No, that's a really... I'm not so sure about the road.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12But it's a doer-upper, isn't it? It's a real doer-upper.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18That's not a bad start, although at more than 60 years old, this house could definitely use some TLC.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22For the children, it's their first taste of an Aussie backyard.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28- We definitely don't get these plants in Scotland.- Definitely not. - They don't grow a lot.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37The house also has plenty of Aussie character, but with only three bedrooms, it may be short on space,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39at least upstairs.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- OK...- Oh, my gosh!
0:11:43 > 0:11:44Wow!
0:11:44 > 0:11:47This is a shock. I didn't realise this was underneath.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52I mean, this makes up for not having the fourth bedroom upstairs.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57Yeah. The other thing you could potentially have here as well is your healing.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02It's quite a bit of work, but if you had enough money left over, you could do it.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04It all comes down to the price.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It may be missing a fourth bedroom,
0:12:06 > 0:12:13but the feel and the downstairs space are what the McGrath-Jacksons were looking for in an Aussie home.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17The big question is, can they afford it on their £125,000 budget?
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Shall we have a look at the price, guys?- You can have a look.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24You turn it, Poppy.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26£196,000.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30196,000. OK, yeah, I reckon...
0:12:30 > 0:12:36- We couldn't afford that. - For everything we wanted to do in the house, it would be 30 to 50 K.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38It's a tough start to the day.
0:12:38 > 0:12:44This house may be what the family wanted, but it's at least £70,000 over budget.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It is more than I would pay for it.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- Definitely.- We might have to find a slightly poorer area to shop around for a house.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01Lee is staying positive, but finding a house the McGrath-Jacksons can love and afford
0:13:01 > 0:13:04looks like it could be a real challenge.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10The second property is ten minutes from Ipswich city centre, close to local shops and schools.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It's another doer-upper which should help its price,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18but can it lift everyone's spirits after the first home?
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Well, it's, um...a nice colour!
0:13:22 > 0:13:27Maybe not on the outside, but what about indoors?
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- It's quite dark, isn't it? - Very dark.- It is very dark.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- It's like pitch-dark in here. - You need disco lights!
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I'm not picking up good vibes in here at all.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44- It doesn't give a nice, warm feeling in your belly.- It's freaking me out, standing in this room.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48I don't know what's gone on in here, but I don't like the feel of it.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Let's have a look about, guys, and we'll get a feel for it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- It's not as positive as the last one.- No, no.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57OK, let's have a look about.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04That's not a great sign. The house does have front and rear gardens.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08But turning it into a family home will take some work.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11That's if Lee and Lucy are willing.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- Oh, my God!- I'm not getting that lovely, warm feeling.- No.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- I can't even stand in that room. I'll have to go out the room.- OK.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- It's the nicest feeling room yet. - It's a big room.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- It's because the light's coming in. That side of the house is quite dark, physically dark.- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29It's still scary though.
0:14:29 > 0:14:35- Yeah.- It's freaking me out. It's really freaking me out, this house.- Yeah.
0:14:35 > 0:14:41For Lucy, Australia is all about finding a house that feels right and despite her hopes,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43it's clear that this one simply doesn't.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- Let's head out, shall we? - We'll head out and have a look in the garden and see.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51There's something out there. I don't know what it is.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- It's not a bad-sized garden. - It's quite a good size, yeah.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I'm not sure about the bar area.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02And Jack may have hit the nail on the head.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06It looks like a bachelor pad, even worse than a bachelor pad.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09They're into alcohol, a lot into alcohol, actually.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13More than I've ever known somebody to be into alcohol. Two bars!
0:15:14 > 0:15:18It's been an uncomfortable experience for Lucy.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20It just freaks me out.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25It's just a freak-out feeling and I wouldn't want to even try clearing that.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27It just feels freaky.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Converting this house into a family home would require a lot of work.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37But could all its shortcomings be made up for in its price?
0:15:37 > 0:15:42With finances looking tight, how will it fit into Lee and Lucy's budget?
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- Jack, are you ready to turn it over? - Let's look at this price. - "Find the price" time.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52I think it's going to take a while to sell at that price.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It's set up as a bachelor pad.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00If you're aiming to sell a house, you have to neutralise it and give it a bit more of a feel
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- because it just doesn't feel right at all.- No.- It's not somewhere we'd want to live.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10Despite its failings, this house is still £20,000 over budget
0:16:10 > 0:16:16and it's looking like this move might not be about feel, but exchange rates instead.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22After another disappointment, the family head out of the city to a far more familiar setting.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Glamorgan Vale is a rural community in the outback.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31With fewer than 500 residents, it's a quiet backwater with a similar feel to home.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Like today's other houses, this three-bedroom property needs renovation,
0:16:37 > 0:16:42but its wrapped-around veranda looks out over ten acres of land,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45offering a peaceful alternative to life in the city.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49OK...
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- So we've come in here to the kitchen, I think.- Mm-hm.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- It's a reasonable size.- Yeah. - Yeah, it's a reasonable size.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Wow, yeah!- Yeah...- Wow!
0:17:02 > 0:17:07The features are really nice like these things and those doors.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- It needs just lots of love and care. - Yeah, this is all right.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Although it needs a lot of work and renovation, I really... I feel better here.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- Definitely.- It's got potential and I like the location.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25It's a bit further to travel, but you'd be willing to travel that distance
0:17:25 > 0:17:29to have somewhere to live like this sort of area.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35That's a far happier Lee and Lucy and the children are already getting to know the locals.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Don't touch it on its head. It doesn't like it.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41You're a good horse. Yes, you are.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46Pets, large and small, wouldn't be a problem here.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49In fact, there's plenty of room for everyone.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- There's a lot of potential here. - Mm-hm.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57But faced with a tight budget, is this a house not for now, but perhaps the future?
0:17:57 > 0:18:02- Ready? Shall we turn this over and see how much it's worth? - Are we going to get a shock?
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Oh, wow!
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- OK.- Yeah.- So it's a little bit less...- 215,500.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Yeah.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Although it's a renovation project,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16it didn't really put me off.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18It wasn't like a bad feeling.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It was just... It was a good... It felt fine, didn't it?
0:18:22 > 0:18:27It felt nice going round and having a look round at the possibilities
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and getting a bit of inspiration about what we could do.
0:18:30 > 0:18:37It does put a lot more pressure on me for the work, which is a little bit worrying.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I'll be working a lot of hours and I'll be away a lot,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44having to earn the money in order for us to have this.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49But in saying that, you sometimes have to do that in order to get what you want.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Despite being way over budget, this house impressed everyone.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01And after seeing how tough a move may be, Lee has ended the day on a high note.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06The first property had the right feel and plenty of potential,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09but its price tag came as a nasty surprise.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14Although cheaper, the second was definitely not wanted down under!
0:19:16 > 0:19:19And even though it may be out of reach for now,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21the final house showed everyone
0:19:21 > 0:19:24a glimpse of what outback living is all about.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29So we've looked today at three properties
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and now it's time to vote, guys.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- OK.- OK.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- UK.- I don't know!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Australia!
0:19:50 > 0:19:56- The houses ultimately didn't appeal to me. The land at the last house did.- Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01But when I'm looking at the costs,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05that's where I kind of sat, based on what we've seen.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Seeing those three properties, it's not finalised whether I could vote one way or the other,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12so that's why I chose "I don't know".
0:20:12 > 0:20:15OK. Yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- So a bit split.- We couldn't be more split if we tried, guys, could we, really?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23We've got a mixed bag.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26A mixed bag. A mixed bag of fruit.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28A mixed fruit bag.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37Those high property prices got the week off to a difficult start for the McGrath-Jacksons
0:20:37 > 0:20:43and affording a new life down under already looks like it's going to be a tall order,
0:20:43 > 0:20:48so could their work prospects in Australia make up for a very disappointing day?
0:20:49 > 0:20:53At home, Lee is the manager of a charitable company
0:20:53 > 0:20:56that reconditions computers for the disadvantaged.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00It's a job he loves that offers more rewards than just salary.
0:21:00 > 0:21:06It's the other half of my life. If I'm not with the kids and Lucy, I'm in work.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09It's very important that I'm in a job that I enjoy,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13I get that sparkle, I get that lift in the morning going to work.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18It's his skills that hold the key to getting a visa and living Lucy's dream.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22And finding a job that could pay the bills and fulfil his passion
0:21:22 > 0:21:25would be a big step in the right direction.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- Hi. Lee?- Yes.- It's Mark. Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you, mate. - Come with me for a chat.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32OK, thank you.
0:21:32 > 0:21:39Mark Simms manages a company similar to Lee's, but can he offer some much needed good news?
0:21:39 > 0:21:45Mark, you've seen my CV. Do you think there's an opportunity for someone like me with my skills
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- in this area for that type of work? - I think so.
0:21:49 > 0:21:56Looking at what you've achieved, it's great. We're looking to set up a second branch in Logan,
0:21:56 > 0:22:03- the next city to Brisbane.- OK. - Doing a very similar thing, trying to reach out to that community.
0:22:03 > 0:22:10- OK.- So it's quite good that you came at this time because your skills could be utilised in running that.
0:22:10 > 0:22:17That's an ideal start. And across town Lucy's hoping for more of the same.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21While the children are being looked after by a child minder,
0:22:21 > 0:22:27she's meeting Kelly, a fellow practitioner to talk about their love of Australian flower therapy.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31We've got enough people who understand us now
0:22:31 > 0:22:37that there's a really solid footing, but we're still on the ground level, with lots of room for movement.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42And lots of people are starting to become interested and engaged,
0:22:42 > 0:22:46not only in this medicine, but the actual bush flowers themselves.
0:22:46 > 0:22:53A lot of people I work with are doctors and physiotherapists. That's really taking off,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56that understanding of working together.
0:22:56 > 0:23:03It sounds like both could find work, but making Lucy's dream happen depends on how much they'd earn,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07particularly Lee, who's the main breadwinner.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12So what sort of salary would you be looking at for a role such as that?
0:23:12 > 0:23:20- Typically, we'd pay 40,000-50,000 per year.- Yeah?- There's a lot of potential in developing the business
0:23:20 > 0:23:24that could certainly help you bring that figure up a bit.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28No, that sounds very reasonable. Superb.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31That's comparable to what Lee earns at home,
0:23:31 > 0:23:36but would working Down Under give him time to spend with the family?
0:23:36 > 0:23:41In the UK, it's quite heavy-going on workloads. Is it similar here?
0:23:41 > 0:23:46Yeah, I guess it probably is. I'm pretty passionate about what I do,
0:23:46 > 0:23:52so I tend to put quite a few hours into it and we do a fair bit of work overseas, so there's timezone issues
0:23:52 > 0:23:56as Australia doesn't match up to a lot of other countries.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00So Lee could end up working long hours for a similar wage.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04It's not really what he wanted from a new life in Australia,
0:24:04 > 0:24:08but could Lucy's earnings offer a silver lining?
0:24:08 > 0:24:13If you're going to do consultations, most people charge 50-60 an hour.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Then usually 10-15 per essence on top of that.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23So if you're doing four consultations a day, you could do that. Or if you do one a day,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27you're still pulling in quite good money.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Finding clients may take time, but the figures sound good.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36However, for Lucy, the day's been about far more than money.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42It really is special to hear it from someone who lives here who is Australian born and bred
0:24:42 > 0:24:45and really has a connection with plant life here.
0:24:45 > 0:24:51Just to know that the amount of money you'd earn is the same as I'm earning in Scotland,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54that's great. It's really good.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57While the children round off the day with a picnic,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Lucy catches up with Lee to hear his news.
0:25:01 > 0:25:07Yeah, really, really positive. Hopefully with the possibility of work there as well.
0:25:07 > 0:25:13- And what about the finance? Did that pan out?- Again, the finance was quite good,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17comparable to the UK, probably a little bit more.
0:25:17 > 0:25:24It's flipped my head around. I'm a little bit pickled in my brain because I didn't expect it.
0:25:24 > 0:25:30- But it's certainly something that's looking pretty positive, yeah.- That's great.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- That's really great. - Yeah, it is. Yeah.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38For Lucy, it's probably the easiest decision of the week,
0:25:38 > 0:25:43but once again Lee is cautiously positive about living in Australia.
0:25:43 > 0:25:49So has he seen enough to convince him that working down under could be worth leaving the job he loves?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- Australia!- I don't know!
0:25:55 > 0:26:02- Yeah, makes sense. Makes sense. That's where the flowers are. - It wasn't a surprise.- It wasn't.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07The flowers grow here. It's like a dream to me, so being with them would be brilliant.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12- Agreed, yeah.- So it's a definite, 100%...- Australia.- What about you?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- I still can't...- Can't decide. - I can't decide at all.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18The offers that I had were superb.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25- I still worry if it's going to be enough, financially. It's the unknown a little bit.- Yeah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29There's a little bit of fear there, but brilliant
0:26:29 > 0:26:34and I'm moving round! The UK flag is slowly disappearing. Yeah, cool.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44Lucy's passion for her therapies was never in doubt, but Lee's prospects have him in two minds.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48As much as this move was about fulfilling a dream,
0:26:48 > 0:26:53it looks like hard facts will decide whether it can come true or not.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58To help Lucy and Lee figure out the cost of living Down Under,
0:26:58 > 0:27:03we've prepared a comparison of their household expenditure in Australia and back home.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08One thing that has really shocked me here is 4 litres of milk.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- Organic milk. - Yeah. £7.40!
0:27:12 > 0:27:16That would be a problem for me. I wouldn't drink...
0:27:16 > 0:27:21normal milk, nor would the kids. So that's a bit of a problem.
0:27:21 > 0:27:27- That's hugely different. We eat organic a lot, don't we? - Yeah.- And we did wonder about that.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32- We didn't know how accessible things were.- We know it's expensive. - It would be, yeah.
0:27:32 > 0:27:39Organic food is an important lifestyle choice for the whole family, but will it add up here?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- That week was £92.36.- Yeah.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48- But it would be £148. - We're getting close to 50% higher. - That's... It is, yeah.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53- Rent or mortgage... - This is the UK, isn't it?- OK.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59Lee and Lucy pay a low rent on their family home, so to make the figures comparable,
0:27:59 > 0:28:04they've based their mortgage payments on the cheapest property they viewed.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09Let's add this up and see what it costs to live in Australia.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16- OK, so we're down in Australia. - Minus.- Yeah.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20- £198.49- OK.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25So there's a difference in there of £600.
0:28:25 > 0:28:32In theory, I think that impacts in a way which makes you start questioning your whole lifestyle,
0:28:32 > 0:28:36which would be questioning would the kids have to go back to school,
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- would I have to work full-time. - To be honest, yeah.- I would.
0:28:41 > 0:28:48- We'd have the choice to home educate the kids.- You can't just put them back because of money.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53- No.- We've just got to earn more money. Just earn more money.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00The numbers don't lie and living in Australia could mean making big changes to the lifestyle
0:29:00 > 0:29:07the McGrath-Jacksons love. But is that a price they are willing to pay to live here?
0:29:07 > 0:29:11We've done some figures for cost of living and now it's time to vote.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20- Don't know.- Don't know.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22OK.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26It's stacked up against us, but then it didn't feel like it did,
0:29:26 > 0:29:32- even though it did on paper. - On paper it didn't look that hot, but there are things you can work on
0:29:32 > 0:29:39- to balance it out. - So not giving up just yet. Not based on money, never.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53Lee and Lucy are staying positive, but a jump in living costs could mean facing some hard choices.
0:29:53 > 0:30:00With question marks hanging over this move, Lucy must show her family what inspired her dream.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04A taste of the Aussie lifestyle could be just the ticket.
0:30:04 > 0:30:10Back in the UK, Jack, Rosie and Poppy are home educated.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16It's an important part of their way of life and one Lee and Lucy would be keen to continue in Australia.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23They're used to having a network of home educators and family to support them,
0:30:23 > 0:30:29so today they're visiting a local community centre to meet like-minded mums and dads.
0:30:29 > 0:30:36So you were happy home schooling in Scotland and obviously that's been a good experience for you.
0:30:36 > 0:30:43- Were you worried about coming out here and continuing to do that? - I don't think we're worried.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47If it's meant to be, it will be and it will all sort of fall in.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52It's good to find places like this to share and not to feel alone.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- We're coming out here, there'll be no family.- Yeah.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01- Which is a concern. - It's like anything. You can be as involved as you choose to be.
0:31:01 > 0:31:06If you want to do a lot in the community, you can do that.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09You can make it cater to you.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15Making friends would be vital in continuing the lifestyle Lee and Lucy believe in.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17It's no problem for the children.
0:31:17 > 0:31:23Is it true that some people say that there's a magic leprechaun that lives in Scotland?
0:31:23 > 0:31:27They came from Ireland. In Scotland,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31the thing you might not know about is the Loch Ness Monster.
0:31:31 > 0:31:38While the zoology lesson continues, Lucy reflects on how her thoughts about Australia have changed
0:31:38 > 0:31:40since she last visited.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43It's been really different coming out with a family.
0:31:43 > 0:31:50I'd been looking to come here so much and when I got here, we still have to wash up, cook,
0:31:50 > 0:31:56all these things we do in the UK. It's shown me that - this sounds cheesy -
0:31:56 > 0:32:00but happiness comes from within, not from the outside world.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05If your family are happy, you could live anywhere and it wouldn't matter.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07That's been good for me to see.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12But have Lee's eyes been opened, too?
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Everything's as I'd pictured it.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Has it changed my mind about living in Scotland? I'm not sure.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23It's great to know there are networks like this to support you,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26but they're not my family.
0:32:26 > 0:32:32Meeting like-minded families would be crucial in building a life so far from home,
0:32:32 > 0:32:39even if they could never replace those left behind, but has the Aussie lifestyle won their vote?
0:32:39 > 0:32:44Based on Australian lifestyle, we are now going to vote.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Australia!
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Middle.
0:32:52 > 0:32:59- Why did you choose 50/50, Rosie? - I chose 50/50 because I still like playing in Scotland.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03- You do like playing in Scotland. - That's a first for me.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07First Australian win for Lee!
0:33:07 > 0:33:13- The lifestyle feels... more relaxed and more in my favour here.- Yeah.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18It's almost a full house, but now Rosie's in two minds.
0:33:18 > 0:33:24I don't know. I just would miss... Because it's so far away, I'd miss my family and my friends mostly.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Yeah, hmm.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36A day sampling its lifestyle showed the family all the benefits of living in Australia
0:33:36 > 0:33:41and, much to Lucy's delight, nearly everyone was won over.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46But Rosie's words could be a warning as they watch messages from home.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51Lucy and Lee have decided to watch the DVD together with the children,
0:33:51 > 0:33:57- so everyone can share what's being said.- OK, everybody ready? I'll press the button.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04- Hi, guys!- Hi, guys! How you doing?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Hi, Lee, Lucy, Rosie, Poppy and Jack! Gammy and Gampy here.
0:34:08 > 0:34:15Hi, Lu, Lee, Rosie, Poppy and Jack! We're sure you've had a fantastic time out in Australia.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18I think one of two things will happen with Lee.
0:34:18 > 0:34:24He'll either go there and think, "I should have done this 15 years ago,"
0:34:24 > 0:34:30or I think it's going to reinforce the fact that he's always lived in Scotland,
0:34:30 > 0:34:35he does like Scotland, he's a home bird, Lee. A home bird.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38I think if they decide to stay in Australia,
0:34:38 > 0:34:44it'll be great for the children to experience an outdoor life.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51It would be totally different here without them. Yeah, it would be a big hole, really, to fill,
0:34:51 > 0:34:54which you probably couldn't.
0:34:54 > 0:35:00- You know if you did go out there... - Don't worry at all because we'll be over to see you.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05- We're missing you... - And we will miss you.
0:35:06 > 0:35:14Staying out there, if you decide to stay out there, it's your choice. Nobody else's.
0:35:14 > 0:35:21I just hope that you make it for the right reasons and take everything into consideration
0:35:21 > 0:35:25because it will be very difficult for us. We will miss you.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- And, er... - And we don't want you to go.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34But if you do, then...that's for you to do.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40OK, hug for Daddy.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46It was always going to be hard with your parents, wasn't it?
0:35:46 > 0:35:52- No, no...- You've got a thingy on the end of your nose. It was always going to be difficult.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56We knew that, you know, we knew that,
0:35:56 > 0:36:01but...they knew we weren't always going to be in Scotland forever.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06Yeah, I know. It's just it's the other side of the world.
0:36:06 > 0:36:12- I know. It's a bit far. - It would be easier...- In the UK. - Somewhere in the UK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22Lee's tears came as a real shock to the family and showed just how much loved ones mean to them.
0:36:22 > 0:36:28But if they can't face the pain of leaving them, it could be the end of Lucy's dream.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33With their future in the balance, it's time to make their final vote.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42The experience we've had out here so far,
0:36:42 > 0:36:46it's obviously a beautiful place to live.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52But then there's home. And home is home to me. I really, really don't know.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I am genuinely torn.
0:36:55 > 0:37:01There's no point coming across the world for Lee to be miserable and missing home.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06At the same time, if Lee doesn't try something new, he might spend the rest of his years in Scotland
0:37:06 > 0:37:11and think, "I wish I'd done that when I was younger."
0:37:11 > 0:37:17At first I didn't want to go to Australia, but now I've been here I like it much more, yes.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21I really do like it. You've got to try something first.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25It's more sunny, so you can go out more and have an adventure.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30I don't feel like I'm going to live in Australia
0:37:30 > 0:37:38and then I don't feel like I'm going to live in Scotland. So it's going to be a bit awkward.
0:37:38 > 0:37:44Lee started this adventure daunted by the prospect of leaving home and loved ones.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47But now Lucy's dream rests in his hands.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52So after seeing all the McGrath-Jacksons could gain and lose by emigrating,
0:37:52 > 0:37:59- where will their final vote take them?- All right, guys. We've had a lovely week Down Under.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02And now we've got the final vote.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- Are you ready?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07OK, go.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Australia!- Don't know!- UK!
0:38:29 > 0:38:35- So why did you vote, well...? - I think it's been probably kind of obvious the whole time.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40There's no problem with it here. There's just a problem with...
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- do I want to be at the other side of the world, away from my friends, family?- You know,
0:38:45 > 0:38:51you don't have to see it as the rest of your life. It could just be an adventure, something new.
0:38:51 > 0:38:58- It's a difficult one. We need to get back, sit down as a family... - And process it a bit.- Process it.
0:38:58 > 0:39:05You never know. Come back and speak to me in a couple of weeks and it might be that way. I don't know.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14After experiencing the highs and lows of living Down Under,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18the McGrath-Jackson family still have plenty of thinking to do.
0:39:18 > 0:39:25So has Lucy managed to win them all over or has being home been too big a reminder
0:39:25 > 0:39:29of what they'd leave behind? I've come to find out.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34'Since we last saw them, the family stayed on in Australia and did some more research.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37'They returned just a few days ago.'
0:39:37 > 0:39:43When we last saw you, Lee, you said you wanted just a little bit more time
0:39:43 > 0:39:46to mull it all over, take it all in.
0:39:46 > 0:39:53It was quite a short period of time to absorb everything, especially when I wasn't pro-Australia.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57And my heart was still held in Scotland.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02That's the big tie I have back in the UK. Friends and family.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08So we used Skype over there back to friends and family, which was great.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14- And that did again break me slowly into the Australian lifestyle. - That makes a big difference,
0:40:14 > 0:40:19- being able to see grandparents, they see grandchildren.- Absolutely.
0:40:19 > 0:40:25It does open it up, but if you can't afford that lifestyle, it's not going to work.
0:40:25 > 0:40:32Absolutely. I think it would depend greatly on what I'm doing with my work also.
0:40:32 > 0:40:38But in terms of Lee's job, he would hope to earn a bit more than what was on offer.
0:40:38 > 0:40:45- There are lots of opportunities that will allow us to be out there. - So there are avenues
0:40:45 > 0:40:49- that you're exploring, shall we say? - Very seriously.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54That extra few weeks has given me the time to absorb everything,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57take it on board and do my practical thing.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02- Shall we get the children back in and do it one last time?- Definitely!
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Kids, are you there? Fancy a final vote? Come on in.- OK.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Would you like to vote for the final time?
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- ALL: Yes.- OK. Let's get the flags.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19There we are. We'll get Mummy and Daddy to join you.
0:41:19 > 0:41:25This is it. For one final time, is it going to be the UK or Australia?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- UK!- Australia!- Australia!
0:41:33 > 0:41:38- UK!- Oh! So it's still a split vote, isn't it?- Split still.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39Yeah.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44- So who's changed their mind? - You stayed the same. I've changed.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48Daddy's changed. So, Lee, this is a huge change.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52It is, yeah. Some of the things we were looking at doing
0:41:52 > 0:41:58was getting out there for short periods of time and living there 3-6 months,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01maybe some sort of consultancy work.
0:42:01 > 0:42:07- So mine is on the proviso that... - We can do that.- That way. - And come and go a bit.
0:42:07 > 0:42:13If I can do it in those bite-size pieces and get more of a feel, living and breathing it,
0:42:13 > 0:42:19working there, then it may become more permanent. I don't know.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23It shows the way forward. Anything's possible.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27And what about you guys? Are you surprised Daddy voted Australia?
0:42:27 > 0:42:32- Yeah!- If it all goes to plan, you'll pop back to the UK as well.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37Best of both worlds! We wish you all the very best. Let us know how you get on.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- We will.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- Bye!- Bye!
0:42:43 > 0:42:45That's great news.
0:42:45 > 0:42:52After doing some more research, it seems they can afford the life they want in Australia.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57And Lucy's dream is one step closer, this time for everyone.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd