AIBU to turn down Australia job offer because son has started A levels?

I would check fee implications for university, though if you’re going to lose your home that’s a second order concern. If he’s living out of the UK for too long he may have to pay international fees here. If he's not resident in Australia for long enough before university he may not be eligible for home fees there.

The IB is a great qualification and this is a good point to move. However only if your DS is open minded about a new education system and a new country.
If he's going to be pining for 3 subjects and the rain and his friends, it won't work.

Isn’t the Oz school year Jan-Dec so if he’s up for it he can start Y12 without losing any time?

I agree what he wants will dictate matters quite significantly but I wouldn’t rule it out without testing it with him. Some kids can be very adaptable and it sounds like an amazing adventure for a close family to enjoy together.

we aren’t in a great place in the UK right now with our economy and other structural issues and I see no reason why this is going to get better anytime soon. I regret not making a move while younger.

I personally wouldn't want to split up the family and would make the move all of you together. I keep telling my kids that life's a marathon, not a sprint. A year here or there is not as important as the bigger picture. It would be good to discuss the prospects of getting into an Australian university, what your son would like to do in general with his life (leaning science or arts etc) and what the prospects are over there for his preferred path. Also, is the job likely to lead to a permanent move or not? 18 post A levels is still very very young. Maybe your son would like to be closer to his parents long term. What does your extended social network look like in the UK? Is it better to keep it alive or just start completely afresh?... I'd say it's about a lot more than the A Levels, they'd be the least of my worries actually.

If you are going to move you need to do it sooner not later, otherwise it will really screw up his exam years.

Also confused as it would only be nine months until you son finishes exams (sept to may) for a levels? Why don’t you just live apart from your husband and then move out.

I don't see how it wastes a year. He presummably had fun and learned stuff. Some people went to pre-IB (like me) and some went straight to IB. I didn't see it as a waste of time.

australian term starts in January does it not? Go to australia, give your son a few months off to see australia and start his IB in January.

What a great opportunity. Dont turn it down. Your son is young and will soon catch up with the Australian ways. Given the opportunity I would be off there like a ahot

You don’t have to answer but how do you get offered a job I Australia when you live here? Did you dh actively apply for that and does he have all the necessary papers to move and work there?

If move wouldn’t be until summer 27 at earliest he’s only got 9 months to go. I’d seriously consider sending husband ahead and you joining when son leaves school May or June 28.

Two years unemployed and in danger of your home being repossessed is the most important concern. You could sell the house or rent it . New start in Australia could be a positive thing for everyone. Speak to your son immediately he may surprise you with his opinion. Lots of people have to change their circumstances for financial reasons . It doesn't always have to be traumatic.

I would say you and DH not having jobs and potentially losing your home would be way more traumatic than you all going to Australia and your son studying Australian Highers or IB.

If you want more info on the IB then that’s easy to get. Maths and home language (English in his case) are compulsory and then there is a series of options.

some of the options are from the beginning (eg he can take up a new language if he’d like) some are continuations (eg physics, chemistry).

it’s a good preparation for university.

you choose three subjects to do at higher level and four at standard.

standard is less than an a level higher roughly the same.

A levels are only 20 months. The job probably won't start immediately so you'd be apart for significantly less than that.

I think he should take the job, with regular visits home negotiated as per PP, and you should plan for an amazing extended summer in Oz all together from June 2027.

Ex teacher

I have taught both a levels and the IB.

many students are very successful with the IB. It’s not as well known in the U.K. but it’s based on the baccalaureate system that pretty much everyone on France or other European countries do.

this is a natural switch point and as others have said the Australian system starts the new academic year around Christmas which would give you time to get out there and a bit settled.

Will your son not need his own visa if he wants until he's finished A levels?
Personally. I'd make the move.

Why does he not just do HSC/VCE etc depending on where you’re going in an Australian school. Start year 11 January 2027.

Not necessarily. It's worth exploring and not writing it off.
It's actually a really big thing for travelling families or people who work overseas or who live really remotely. Or kids who do acting or professional sports etc

The lessons are all live and there are chat rooms and they do lots to make sure the children aren't isolated. You also have more opportunity to spend time with family or doing your own activities. Could get him joined up in some local sports or the gym for local friendship opportunities or volunteering

We’re a close family and either we all go or none of us go

That’s so silly in the position you are in. Your DH should go out for the year and then you and son go join him after A levels finish. It’s only a year, he wouldn’t even need to come home to visit in such a short time, will allow him to live cheaply (a cheap situation boarding in a room), save the pennies! You seem determined to be foolish about this though.

I think you need to think very carefully about how you want life to look. A neighbour emigrated when her son was 16, they were a close family 3 boys but he didn’t settle and returned to live with grandparents to do A levels. That was the end of them living together as a family she only saw him very occasionally after that.
If he gets uk fees and is at a Uk uni you won’t see him much. Then presumably he’ll settle here and you in Australia.
If you can’t bear thought of boarding and are a close family it’s not just next 2 years to think about.

Oh God, have you not spoken to DS yet? Well, get that done. Today.

How long would it take for all the visas to come through? ie When would the move realistically take place? Before Christmas, and assuming your son doesn't have a strong inclination to one area (eg my STEM kids fly with A levels, my brother would fly with IB, as he is equally strong everywhere), i wouldn't rule out IB in Aus fir your son.

If its going to take a year to move, id send DH on ahead, finish A levels with you un I the UK, then all move to Aus June 2027 (have you seen the final date for A levels - its something like 18 June).

How many rejections have you had from appplications? If lots, I think you need to find a way to make it work. If only a handful, maybe the rejection holds more weight.

I really understand why you don’t want to split the family. But it’ll be 18 months or less - and you’ll be together some of that time. It sounds like it’s fairly essential your DH takes the job, whilst your son’s A levels are also very important. I think this may be a short term pain situation.