Episode 1 Wanted Down Under

If starting a new life halfway around the world could

give your family the time together they so desperately needed,

might you be sorely tempted?

But could you go ahead and make the move

if it meant having to leave one member of your family behind?

Pulling pints and being a travelling teacher means

James and Lisa Cornish hardly ever see their two little boys.

I would absolutely love for us to feel like a family again

and for me to feel like I'm a mum and a wife again.

So they're considering moving lock, stock and barrel

to the other side of the world.

I'll get more time to spend with the boys in the evenings.

I'll be less tired because I won't be working 100 hours a week.

While Australia could give them the lifestyle they want...

I can honestly say I've never really seen them

-that happy as they have been this week.

-..it would mean James

saying goodbye to his daughter for months at a time.

This week, really, is going to be really important, because

it's going to change our lives, really, whichever way we choose.

With more than a quarter of its population born abroad, Australia's

long been a dream destination for people in search of a better life.

James and Lisa Cornish are desperate for more time together with sons

Sammy and Louie and believe Australia could be the answer.

Moving, however, would come at a price.

James' daughter would be left behind in the UK.

The Cornishes' journey begins with a 10,000-mile flight from London

to Melbourne, via Dubai.

It's the family's first time in Australia

and the reality of just how far they've come has hit home.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what houses are like,

-what the areas are like to live in.

-Yeah.

We can actually now see everything in the flesh,

so we're looking forward to it.

When their time in Melbourne's up,

the family will face a life-changing decision.

In the UK, the Cornish family live above a pub near Sheffield.

They're James, Lisa, five-year-old Sammy, two-year-old Louie

and James' daughter Lauren, who's 13.

The family started running the pub in 2013,

after James took voluntary redundancy as an accountant.

While everyone hoped it would mean more time together,

the reality's been the exact opposite.

James works seven days a week and Lisa's job as an accountancy

lecturer at colleges across the country

means she's also missing out on quality time with the children.

The commuting, in general, is a real strain on family life.

And there's no let-up when it comes to the weekend.

As Lisa's drafted in to help James behind the bar,

Sammy and Louie have to stay with their grandparents.

It's a horrible feeling to feel like somebody else is enjoying

spending time with your kids all the time.

It's a situation that can't go on any longer.

It does upset me that I can't spend the time with the boys.

And my relationship with them is suffering because of it.

With the pub meaning the family have even less quality time,

the couple are now considering a more drastic lifestyle change.

One which could take them to the other side of the world.

But while Australia could reunite James and Lisa with their boys,

it would mean James leaving a daughter behind.

Lauren's my daughter from my first marriage

and she spends half the time with us and half the time with her mum.

If we do decide to move out to Australia,

she will stay here until she's 18.

I think my dad feels like he's abandoning me

if he does move over there,

but I want them to have a better life than over here.

James and Lisa will face an agonising decision.

Lauren could spend holidays down under,

but if she doesn't like Australia, Lisa and James' dream could be over.

I don't think that I could, um...

..spend my life without her.

The family will be spending a week in Melbourne.

Their temporary new home is a three-bedroom house in Williamstown.

-Ooo!

-It's lovely. Open stairs.

Yeah. It's really modern, actually. I like that.

-I like how it's open-plan.

-Yeah.

First impressions are good, but then...

I'm not so sure there would be enough space...

-No. We're used to more space than this.

-..long-term.

And the space inside isn't the only problem.

Not much of a view, though.

There's no real wildlife

or anything to look at.

They may have just arrived, but already, James and Lauren's thoughts

are turning towards possibly being separated.

It's something that we've,kind of, put on the back burner, to say,

"How do we all really feel about...

"spending four, five months apart at a time?"

This week in Australia's going to be really important,because

it's going to change our lives, really, whichever way we choose.

It's a case of Upstairs Downstairs back in the UK for the Cornishes,

who live above the pub James manages.

We've ended up with this big, long wish list of walk-in wardrobes,

ensuites, theatre rooms.

SHE LAUGHS

-Pool. On the list.

-We do need an extra bedroom,

-because we've got a long list of people that want to come.

-Yeah.

James and Lisa have a budget

of £250-£300,000 for a home in Australia,

but could possibly stretch further, depending on sand market.

Today, we'll show them three houses.

Two based on their budget and a third based on everything they want.

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

The search begins is Werribee, a suburb 20-miles west of the city.

It's a family-friendly area, which could be perfect for the Cornishes.

The outside might not impress much...

It hasn't got a huge amount of curb appeal for my tastes.

I like things that are much more modern.

..but appearances can be deceptive.

Wow!

This isn't what I was expecting.

Wow!

-Are we sure we're in the same house?

-THEY LAUGH

-I want to see the rest of it now.

-Yeah, I do, too.

The property's got the open-plan interiors Lisa's after,

but will it have the space the family crave?

I'm trying to imagine it without any of the furniture in

and what we would do with it.

I think once we get the kids' toys in here and everything,

I think we'd struggle for space and we'd feel cramped again.

And the kitchen's not perfect, either.

-Certain parts of it...

-Yeah.

..feel modern and updated and other parts don't.

To be honest, it'd need whipping out and starting again.

That's always possible, though,

and the house does have five bedrooms,

meaning not only could Sammy and Louie have their own room,

but Lauren, too, if she visits.

-I could see the boys in here.

-It's a good size for them. Ooo!

Oh, that's a nice little den.

Just put some cushions in and reading books on the walls

and everything and they'd love that.

That's the boys potentially sorted,

-and another feature manages to catch Lisa's eye.

-Wow!

This is a walk-in wardrobe and a half.

Everything at home's so cramped.

This wardrobe is the size of their bedroom.

So, does this house have all the space needed?

Oh, gosh! Wow!

Not in every sense. LISA LAUGHS

I don't know who's going to fit in that bath.

-Louie.

-Louie.

THEY LAUGH

I can't imagine what you would do with a bath this small.

No worries about you falling asleep and drowning.

Well, that's something, I guess. And so, it turns out, is the garden.

-This is far more what we were looking for.

-Outdoors-wise.

-Outdoors-wise.

-Yeah.

-For the boys.

-It's nice.

-You like this one, don't you?

-Yeah.

And from the windows upstairs,

you'll have a view of the garden and the trees and things.

This house could be somewhere Lauren could call a second home,

but could the family afford it on their £250-£300,000 budget?

-Oof!

-Oof!

-Oh, dear!

-Wow!

262. That's a lot more than I was expecting

-and a lot more than...

-Anybody was expecting.

-Anybody was expecting.

It's within budget, but it looks like James and Lisa

want a house that delivers much more for their money.

Will property number two fit the bill?

It's situated in Tarneit,

just 15 miles from Melbourne's central business district.

-That's way bigger! Huh!

-This looks nice.

-It's lovely.

-Straight away, this property's looking more promising.

Oh, gosh, James, it goes back quite a way, as well.

There's a lot of colour.

-Yeah.

-There's loads of space.

It's got three living rooms.

It's much bigger than the last house,

but is there now too much room to roam?

It's finding the balance between what space we need

and would like to have and then having this massive house

that A - doesn't get used very often

and B - needs a massive amount of cleaning.

-Mm.

-Can we afford a cleaner?

-THEY LAUGH

-There's one space James seems more than happy with.

-Oh, wow!

-This is my room.

-Yeah, you can live here.

THEY LAUGH

Yes, I can see sort of, like, a little bar area in the corner.

But the garden one.

It's possibly the one area that I don't like about the house.

Yeah, there's loads of space, it's just not two-year-old friendly.

The house inside, overall, is fantastic.

I'm a little bit disappointed with the outside.

Downstairs has provoked mixed reactions,

but upstairs has its own appeal.

EXCITED CHATTER

-You've got your walk-in wardrobe.

-I know, I know!

THEY LAUGH

It was definitely on my wish list.

The master bedroom also has a balcony with views to the front.

It's not like it's got an amazing view,

-but it's green and it's pleasant.

-It's a lovely en-suite.

-It's a really nice size, isn't it?

-His and hers sinks.

-His and hers sinks. I miss having an en-suite.

-Yeah.

Having one bathroom and one toilet to share between five of us is...

-Yeah.

-..hell.

And it's only going to get worse, the older they get.

That's a fair point.

This house would also give Lauren her own bedroom.

And that could seal the deal when it comes to persuading her to visit.

But with a budget of £250-£300,000, is it affordable?

Let's have a look.

-Whoo!

-HE CHUCKLES

Spot-on. 295.

You get a lot for your money.

I think if we had the dream, it would be a new build with...

this space and a bigger garden.

I'm really excited to see the dream house now.

Next up, the dream home.

We've found a property which could offer everything the Cornishes want.

But luxury living can come at a cost.

This four-bedroom bungalow is in Sanctuary Lakes.

One of 20 modern estates which make up the semirural,

but family-friendly suburb of Point Cook.

And first impressions are good.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

-Hm.

-Oh, wow!

-THEY LAUGH

-This place is stunning!

-Oh, James!

I'm so excited about this place!

THEY LAUGH

Wow!

-Oh, my God!

-Crikey!

-And this is just the en-suite.

-Yeah.

Further down the corridor, something everyone can enjoy.

-LISA LAUGHS

-Oh, wow!

Oh, it's a proper cinema room!

Just imagine when that's got projected, what that's like.

Looks like everyone could settle in nicely here.

I'd definitely come out and visit.

Well, I'd come out and visit, anyway, wherever you were living,

but more frequently if you were living here.

Lauren may be sold,

but James is already thinking about how he could afford it.

I think I'd get two jobs to get this house.

The kitchen is fantastic.

It's absolutely stunning.

Everything that we've looked at is to such a high specification.

-It is a dream house.

-It's perfect.

And outside, something else to keep them happy.

A pool wasn't top of the list or anything, that's just a kind of...

It's the icing on the cake.

At last, a chance for the boys to dip their toes

-into what life in Australia could be like.

-Too cold!

-How would you like to live here and have this in your garden?

-Yeah!

All the time?

You can just imagine yourself living here.

-I think we need to find out how much it is.

-I think we do, too.

See if we can afford it.

The house has won everyone over, but there's just one problem.

It may be out of financial reach.

-404.

-Oh, that's unbelievable.

That's £100,000 over budget. But...

-Oh, I could so have that.

-That almost makes me cry.

I'm completely and utterly speechless that we could get

this house in this location for that amount of money.

And it could be within reach, if the couple can get the right salaries.

I'm even more speechless now than I was when I walked through the door.

It's just...completely within reach.

It's been a day of real ups and downs for the Cornishes.

Property one was bang on budget, but short on space.

Property two had plenty of room,

but it just wasn't the house James and Lisa had based their dreams on.

And property three had everything the family wanted

and was somewhere Lauren could call a second home.

So, based on the houses that we've seen in Australia,

we're voting for...

-Australia.

-BOYS: Australia!

-Undecided.

It's no surprise that we've voted for the same,

-given how pleased we were with the last house.

-None at all.

We could never afford that at home.

Seeing their dream house got Lisa

and James excited about a potential future in Australia.

Even if they still have to persuade Lauren it could be her second home.

But to afford that property,

the couple would have to pull in a good income.

At home, Lisa spent 11 years as an accountant before becoming

an accountancy lecturer.

It's a job she enjoys and is hoping to continue down under.

If they do move, James plans to call time on being a landlord

and return to accounting.

Melbourne's a leading financial centre in Australia,

which should be good news for James and Lisa.

I'm feeling quite excited about finding out what

Australia can offer for me work-wise.

And see whether our expectations that we've got

meet up to the reality.

And Lisa knows just how much is at stake.

Unless we can find a job at the right salary level,

there's no way on earth we could be able to financially make the move.

We've arranged for visa-applicant Lisa to visit Box Hill Institute,

a college east of Melbourne.

She meets the head of the business department

and a senior lecturer and it's straight down to business.

To get a teaching job here, the minimum qualification

is a certificate four in training and assessment.

That will take you about a month.

You have got certainly more than the minimum

to get employed as a teacher.

However, in the current environment,

I would highly recommend more qualifications,

higher-level qualifications in breadth and depth,

and that will maximise your chance of employment

and also maximise your salary.

OK. So, what sort of demand would there be in Australia

for someone with my experience?

When we advertise for any lecturer role, you get

maybe 80% of applications that come through are people from overseas.

It sound like Lisa might be back at school herself

if she's to stand out from candidates chasing lecturing jobs.

And that would mean more pressure on James to find the perfect job.

To get to the bottom of accounting opportunities, he's meeting

Susan Drew from one of the city's prominent recruitment companies.

So, James, having a look at your resume,

you're a certified practising accountant.

Looking at your experience, your skills in government,

I believe would be very transferrable into

the state government here, or a public sector environment.

We've got a number of specialist consultants who work

specifically with the government and we recruit these roles

on a daily basis within the business.

James could be in demand.

Back at Box Hill, Lisa's keen to hear

her potential salary, if she found a job.

Some of the jobs I've been looking at were in the region

of £80-£100,000.

That sort of money as a lecturer, not as a manager,

is maybe at the top end of the university scale.

I estimate that you'd come in about the middle of the lecturer range,

which would be a salary of about 60-70,000 dollars a year.

That's a massive £50,000 less than Lisa was hoping for.

And that could mean the end of her and James' dream.

We'd want the standard of living that would offer the boys

and ourselves a much better lifestyle.

If we can't get the salary to enable us to do that,

then I'm not so sure that we'd move to Australia.

So, what sort of salary do you think I'd be able to command in Australia?

Look, I think, realistically,

you'd be looking at anything at about that sort of 80-100k mark.

Now, I appreciate that's quite a wide range.

It's very much depending on the nature of the role.

We were looking at 90-100,000 dollars,

-which converts to around about £50-£60,000.

-Yeah.

-Which, to be honest with you, is more than I was on in the UK.

-Yep.

But from what we've seen, we would need that extra

to be able to afford the lifestyle that we're hoping to achieve.

-Yeah.

-So that's perfect.

-Yeah.

-The day's definitely been more positive for James.

From speaking to Susan, I could see myself working in Melbourne.

Although it's a big city, it seems very relaxed

and very laidback and it's just what we're looking for.

Lisa and James have had completely different experiences today,

so, how will that affect their vote?

Will they choose work in Australia or the UK?

Based on our work experience today, we are voting for...

-Australia.

-Australia.

A return to practising accounting for Lisa

means the couple's dream isn't over yet,

but James still needs to establish

if the benefits Australia can offer his family

will outweigh the time he'll spend apart from daughter, Lauren.

And convince her to split her time between the two countries.

A day sampling Australia's lifestyle could make all the difference.

The Cornishes are spending the day at Latrobe Golf Park in Bundoora.

Before coming consumed with running the pub, James was a keen golfer.

And he's hoping that if he and Lisa could get more time

with Sammy and Louie, it's a sport they could practise together.

The afternoon also gives James and Lauren

some important father-daughter time

and the chance to discuss what moving would mean for

-their relationship.

-So, how would you feel, then, if we came out here?

Well, I'd be upset, but...I'd be happy for you, as well.

You'd be happy to see us for two or three months a year,

rather than every week?

Ooo! I'd get used to it.

Just like I got used to not seeing you and Mum together.

I want you to move out here. I've told you that.

-And you're not abandoning me.

-I know. But I don't want you to feel

like you've got to say that, because that's what...

-I don't feel like I've got to say that.

-..you think I want to hear.

-Are you sure?

-I'm saying that because that's how I feel.

It's been a fun and thought-provoking day

for the family.

So when it comes to choosing between lifestyle in Australia or the UK,

what will they opt for?

ALL: Australia!

An unanimous vote for Australia's all well and good,

but with Lisa's projected salary much lower than expected,

the family now need to find out

whether they can actually afford to make the move.

We've provided a breakdown of their living expenses,

starting with their fortnightly grocery shop.

Quite a lot of the vegetables and things double.

Beef's a lot cheaper.

Chicken's a lot cheaper.

The yoghurts are loads more expensive.

Crikey!

Looks like Sammy and Louie may have to forgo their fromage frais.

Most things are more expensive, though, aren't they? Let's face it.

As we go down the list, most of the things on there...

Shopping's £67.18...

More in the UK. 73% more expensive.

There's no hiding these two are accountants.

£135 a month more on food isn't a deal-breaker,

but how will the bigger figure stack up?

James and Lisa based their calculations

on the second property they viewed.

Gas is half the price.

The childcare would be more expensive,

because we wouldn't have grandparents looking after the kids.

£470.15.

Added to the extra grocery bill,

Lisa and James would spend £600 more per month in Australia.

The dream could live or die on their potential salaries.

My salary would be £543 more.

Your salary would be £2 less.

Huh! £2 less.

-And this is based on...?

-Teaching. So, overall...

-Yeah?

-..we would £70.85 better off a month in Australia.

If Lisa lectured down under,

the family would be around £70 better off each month.

Not bad, but not enough to pay for regular flights for Lauren.

If I went back into accounting,

we'd be £10,606.20 a year better off.

And even if we had the dream house,

if I was in accounting and you were, too,

then we'd still be £5,326 better off a year.

-It's a huge difference.

-I can't believe that.

-It's a huge difference.

-It's a massive difference.

A return to accounting for Lisa changes everything.

LISA LAUGHS

I can't put into words how that makes me feel.

Lisa and James could afford the life they're desperate for

with their sons and flights for Lauren.

So, how will they vote?

BOTH: Australia!

The financial cost of Lisa and James' dream seems achievable,

but what about the emotional cost?

While Sammy and Louie are looked after by a childminder,

the rest of the family sit down

to watch messages from their loved ones in the UK.

-Hiya.

-Hi, Lisa, James.

We don't want you to come back with a tan,

because we don't want to look pasty next to you.

As a family, Lisa and James are a really hard-working,

dedicated family to their kids.

Lisa doesn't just do something, she overdoes it,

if you know what I mean? She really looks into things.

If they do move to Australia, I think it's going to absolutely

crush them all, in the sense of leaving Lauren behind.

I can honestly say that,

since I knew...

..I've been the saddest that I've ever been in my life.

I'd miss the physical contact

and, although we'll be able to see them on Skype

and talk to her and everything like that, um...

..I would look forward to the cuddles when I do see them.

It's a fantastic opportunity and if you think you can make it work,

-then do it.

-Yeah, definitely.

Because it might be one of the best decisions you've ever made.

We've told you we'll miss you,

but we've also said that we wouldn't stand in your way, if you went,

if you made the decision to go.

Just make sure, James and Lisa,

that you look at everything

before you make any decisions whatsoever.

And come back safe.

They do seem to...

-Be accepting.

-..be accepting and have our best interests at heart.

I can see now how much it is going to affect me

and everyone else, but I could see that before.

It's just... how well we'll cope with it.

Lauren may have given her blessing

for the family's move to Australia,

but it's now time for James to decide if the lifestyle

he and Lisa are yearning for with their sons

is worth the time he'll lose with his daughter.

Has Australia lived up to the dream?

The thing for me, with the decision, is Lauren.

Um...she's my daughter,

she's my first-born and she means everything to me.

And...it would be a huge change in the dynamic of our family

to not have her around every week.

Obviously, I'd be sad if they did choose Australia,

but I'd know what it would be doing for their lives.

I think James has probably been more positive

than what I've been across the week.

I think his main concern always has been,

and always will be, how it affects Lauren.

It's now time for the whole family to decide where their future lies.

So, after spending the week in Australia,

we've had some ups and some downs,

but our final vote is for...

ALL: Australia!

-Did everyone vote Australia?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-JAMES CHUCKLES

-Cool!

Wow! Well done!

It's been a fantastic week and I think it's, er...

The writing's on the wall for us to come out here.

It'd be silly for us to not try.

I voted Australia for you and for coming out here twice a year.

Maybe when I turn 18, I could come out and have a year out.

-Did you vote UK, or did you vote Australia?

-Australia.

Australia? Shout it out!

Australia!

With Lauren happy to spend months at a time in Australia,

James has decided a move down under will give the rest of his family

the time together they've been missing in the UK.

We wish everyone well.

And, who knows? On turning 18, Lauren might join them full-time.