Same you. Better view.
Leave Australia properly,
without the overwhelm.
We’re Maddy and James. We packed up our Aussie life, and our two dogs, in 6 weeks.
Now we help you plan your move in the right order, with the right people beside you.
Free. The full leaving-Australia countdown, in your inbox in 2 minutes.
Not sure where to start? Find your starting point ↓
THE PROBLEM
It started as a dinner-table someday. Now it won’t go away.
Maybe it’s the cost of living. Maybe it’s burnout, or the 9 to 5 that’s eating the years.
Maybe you want more time with your kids, a braver life for them, or a gap year in retirement while you’ve got the energy for it.
Whatever’s pulling you, the next thought is always the same. Could we actually do this?
Then the questions pile up. Where would we go? What happens to the house, the super, the dogs? What do we do first?
Most people stall right here. Not because the dream isn’t real, but because the to-do list looks endless and nobody tells you the order.
It deserves more than another late-night scroll.
our story
We had the life we were supposed to want. Then we asked, is this it?
“When someone’s guiding you and cheering you on,
it’s GO time.” Maddy. Two or three photos alongside: leaving Australia, Dubai, Bali.
Maddy was a CEO. James was a CFO. We’d built a good life in Australia, but one question kept coming back: what’s out there that we haven’t seen yet?
For years it stayed a someday. Not because of fear, but because of the list. The tax, the super, the house, the banks, the visas, the phone, the mail and the dogs.
Then we finally said yes, and 6 weeks later we were gone. We left Australia in October 2025, spent 6 months in Dubai, and moved to Bali in May 2026. Today we call Seseh home.
Could we have done it with more breathing room? Absolutely. Six weeks is doable, but it's a lot of pressure you don't need. Start planning earlier than you think, and your future self will thank you. Then again, if you're anything like Maddy and believe pressure makes diamonds? Go for it.
Would we recommend moving that fast? Honestly, no. Start earlier than you think and your future self will thank you. Unless, like Maddy, you believe pressure makes diamonds.
Here’s what we learnt. The move isn’t the hard part. Knowing what to do, in what order, and who to trust is. What got us there was someone guiding us and cheering us on. Next Postcode is us doing that for you.
MEET US
The four of us.
MADDY
Your guide and cheerleader
Born in Townsville, 19 years in Melbourne, then the Sunshine and Gold Coasts before the big leap. I’m always the one organising the trip, the dinner and the event. These days you’ll find me at a new warung, over a long lunch or watching the sunset. I love Pererenan and Seseh, and mostly leave Canggu to everyone else.
What they do for you
Map out your move, keep you on track and celebrate every tick on the list.
JAMES
The numbers guy
who’ll chat to anyone
Former AFL umpire, so I’m used to making calls not everyone loves. Sports mad, out on a morning walk most days, and happy to chat with just about anyone I meet
What they do for you
Share what we learnt about the money side of leaving, help you work out the right questions, and point you to the licensed professionals we trust for your tax and super.
Hugo and Frankie
The real bosses
Hugo is our chill surfer dude. Frankie is full of sass. Both groodles, both have flown Australia to Dubai and Dubai to Jakarta, and both hold very strong opinions on beach walks and cafes.
What they do for you
Remind you that if your dogs are family, they’re part of the plan.
WHERE ARE YOU AT?
No age limit. No type.
Just pick your starting point.
Still deciding?
Talk it through
A free 15-minute chat about what you’re dreaming of and what’s holding you back. No pressure, just honest answers.
Ready to plan?
Onward
Everything involved in leaving Australia properly, in the right order. Tax, super, the house, the pets and the life admin.
Know where you’re going?
Postcodes
What life is really like on the ground, where to live, and packages to help you land. Bali now, Italy soon.
HOW WE WORK
We’ll always tell you straight.
We share what we’ve learnt from doing it ourselves, including the hard bits. We’re not tax agents, financial advisers or migration agents, so anything personal about your tax, super or visa comes from a licensed professional. Everything on the ground in your new country, from airport pickups to finding a home, is handled by vetted, licensed local partners. We only recommend people we’ve used ourselves or would happily use.
Our experience
Licensed advice
Vetted locals
Free starter kit
See the whole move on one page before you spend a cent.
The Next Postcode Starter Kit includes:
The Onward Checklist, our 12-month countdown from
first conversation to wheels up
What to sort first if you’re leaving sooner
Our favourite local spots in Bali
Free. No spam, just the good stuff. Unsubscribe anytime.
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STILL NOT SURE?
Good questions. Honest answers.
The questions we get asked most, plus a few we wish we’d asked sooner. Can’t see yours? Ask us directly on a free 15-minute call.
Getting Started
Who is Next Postcode for?
Anyone seriously thinking about leaving Australia, or already packing.
Couples, families, entrepreneurs, people leaving corporate life and retirees taking a gap year. No age limit, just curiosity about what else is out there.
Am I too old, or is it too late?
We hear this a lot, and the answer is almost always no. The right time looks different for everyone. A quick chat is often all it takes to see what’s possible.
Do I need to know where I’m going?
Not at all. Onward is for anyone leaving Australia, wherever they land. Plenty of people start with “somewhere warm” and work out the rest along the way.
Where should I start?
With the free starter kit. It includes the Onward Checklist, so you can see what’s ahead before you spend a cent. Or book a free 15-minute call and tell us where you’re at.
Do you actually live overseas?
Yes. We left Australia in October 2025, spent 6 months in Dubai and now live in Seseh, Bali, with our two groodles.
PACKAGES AND WORKING WITH US
Which package is right for me?
Rice Field suits confident planners who want the right information. Ocean is for people who want introductions and time with us. Sunset is for people who’d love it all done for them. Still unsure? A free 15-minute call usually makes it clear.
Who is Our Year in Bali?
Our Year in Bali is run by Simone, the relocation specialist we used for our own move. One of her packages is included in each of ours, so you get her practical Bali setup plus our Australian exit and insider knowledge.
Who delivers the services on the ground in Bali?
Licensed local partners. We plan, coordinate and brief them, and they deliver everything physical, from airport pickups to drivers and accommodation.
What are pass-through costs?
In Sunset, costs like rent, your driver and groceries are billed at cost by the provider. Our fee covers the planning and coordination.
What currency are your prices in?
Australian dollars.
Can I upgrade later?
Who doesn’t love an upgrade? If there’s time, we’ll do our best to make it happen. Price variations apply.
Can I pay in instalments?
Packages are paid in full up front. See open items: a payment plan on Ocean and Sunset could lift conversions.
What’s your refund policy?
The moment you commit, we get to work: planning your move, briefing our partners and setting aside time for you from day one. Because of that, we don’t offer refunds on packages. That’s exactly why we offer a free 15-minute call first, so you can choose with complete confidence.
Are you adding other destinations?
Yes. Bali is first and Italy is next. Get the starter kit and you’ll hear about new destinations first.
LEAVING AUSTRALIA
Do you give tax or financial advice?
No. We share what we’ve learnt from doing it ourselves and help you understand the questions to ask. Personal tax, super and SMSF advice comes from a registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser, and we’ll introduce you to people we trust.
Will I stop being an Australian tax resident when I leave?
It depends on your circumstances, and it’s one of the most important things to get right. It’s the first conversation to have with a cross-
border tax accountant, ideally well before you go.
Should I sell my home or rent it out?
There’s no one right answer. It depends on your plans, your numbers and how long you’ll be away, and the timing can make a real difference. Get advice before you list it.
How far ahead should I start planning?
Ideally around 12 months. We did it in 6 weeks, and while it’s doable, it adds pressure you don’t need. The Onward Checklist shows you what to tackle first, whatever your timeline.
What happens to Medicare and my other Australian accounts?
Some get cancelled, some updated and some kept open. The order matters more than most people realise, and it’s all mapped
out in the Onward Checklist.
MOVING WITH DOGS
Can I bring my dogs?
Yes. We’ve done it twice with Hugo and Frankie. It’s very doable with the right plan and the right people.
How long does it take?
Longer than most people expect. Vet work, testing and permits all happen in a set order, so start as early as you can. Ocean, Sunset and the Pawsport add-on take you through it step by step.
Who actually moves the dogs?
A licensed pet relocation company handles the journey. We help you plan it, choose the right people and stay calm while it all happens.
LIVING IN BALI
Which visa do I need?
It depends on how long you’re staying, whether you’ll be working and a few other things. Visa rules change often, so we introduce you to licensed visa agents who know them inside out. We don’t give visa advice ourselves.
Can I work while I’m living in Bali?
It depends on your visa and who you’re working for, and the rules matter. Sort it with a licensed visa agent before you go.
Which area should I live in?
It depends on how you want to live: surf and buzz, rice fields and quiet, or somewhere in between. We love Seseh and Pererenan, and Ocean and Sunset include a personal shortlist for your chosen area.
What’s healthcare like?
There are private hospitals and clinics across the island, and many expats use them for everyday care. Good expat health insurance is a must, and we’ll help you find the right cover.
What about schools?
There are plenty of options. Simone’s Bali School and Education Guide is in every package and covers schools across the island.
Is Bali safe?
We feel very at home here. Like anywhere, common sense goes a long way, and we’ll share the local know-how that helps you settle in with confidence.
Is Bali safe?
We feel very at home here. Like anywhere, common sense goes a long way, and we’ll share the local know-how that helps you settle in with confidence.
THE QUESTIONS EVERYONE ASKS US
How much does it cost to live abroad?
It depends on where you go and how you like to live, but for many people their money goes further than it did at home. Every Bali package includes a detailed cost of living planner.
Did you sell everything?
We sure did. And we haven’t missed a single thing in the storage unit we didn’t get.
Do you miss Australia?
Not yet. Maybe one day, but for now we’re too busy exploring.
“You’ll be back when you need free healthcare.”
If we had a dollar for every time. There’s good healthcare outside Australia, and in plenty of places it’s excellent. Expat health cover is part of the plan from day one.
What did you do with your super?
Super is personal, so we won’t tell you what to do with yours. We’ll introduce you to licensed professionals who can advise on your situation.
Still got a question?
Every move is different, and some questions are best answered in a real conversation.
Book a free 15-minute call and we’ll help you work out your next step.
Or get the free starter kit
You don’t have to work it all out alone.
Wherever your next postcode is, we’ll help you get there. Properly.
General information only.
Next Postcode provides education, planning and introductions, not personal financial, tax, legal, visa or medical advice.
Services on the ground overseas are delivered by licensed local partners.