A BRITISH policeman uprooted his entire family to Australia for work and now works fewer hours while earning £400 more per month.
John MacDonald, 35, worked for Staffordshire police for nine years before taking a leap and moving to sunny Australia.
The dad-of-three relocated his entire family to Redcliffe, near Perth, in August – and love it so much they don't plan to return, even for holiday.
When he was working in Staffordshire, John, dad to Neil, nine, Felicity, eight, and Noel, five, found himself working overtime every week and missing out on time with his family.
John said he'd also often end up working alone which "made for a lonely experience" as well as being "potentially dangerous."
John and his wife had often discussed moving to Australia or New Zealand if the opportunity arose, so when one was presented, they jumped at the opportunity.
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John said: "I absolutely loved my job in the UK and I never wanted to do anything else from the age of 16.
"But UK policing has been gradually hit by cuts over the years – less staff meant I was working alone and did lots of overtime.
"Not only is it tiring but it affects your family life – I was missing things at home that I shouldn't have because I was at work."
But now with the perks of the sun and sea down under, he earns £400 more each month than he did in the UK – despite working less hours.
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He gushed: "As a family we all love it out here – it's the best decision we ever made and I can't see us ever moving back to the UK."
John and his wife Debbie bought a car, rented a shiny new three-bed home as well and enrolled their three children at a local school.
They also joined plenty of sports clubs so they could make friends and get outdoors in the mid-thirties degree sun.
He said: "Staffing here is double what it is in the UK so there are less long shifts and more people to share the workload.
"I'm never working on my own here either, because they don't allow it, so it's a real comfort blanket.
"In terms of attitudes, I would describe UK policing as a bit demoralised – and I certainly don't see that when I look at faces round Western Australia Police.
"My take-home pay last year in UK policing was £52,000 including overtime.
"To put that into perspective, over here I earn £60,000 – working less hours than in the UK."
He also works on a tenure system in the force, so he'll have the opportunity to move to a new area so he never feels "stuck".
He said: "The best thing is the lifestyle, the weather, and the outdoor opportunities.
"The sport too – my eldest and I have got season tickets for the next cricket season. Where better to be if you enjoy cricket?
They've already planned for John's dad, another keen cricket fan, to fly over when the Ashes are on in November 2025.
John has also pitched the idea to his retired parents to move out to Australia permanently to join them one day.
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He added: "My only regret is that we didn't move sooner.
"Being here is a dream – it really is a dream come true."
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