Better off in Sydney

Nurse Wendy Londal quit the NHS to go and work in.

Fed up with 12-hour shifts in London hospitals and long commutes, the 26-year-old found she was welcomed with open arms in Sydney.

Like many English nurses, she signed a fouryear business sponsorship contract. Although offered less than the ?12-?14 per hour she earned in this country, her wages go further in Australia.

"Sydney is an expensive city, but not as expensive as London," she said.

Ms Londal, who nursed for only 14 months in London, added: "It took me an hour or more to travel to work, so I was away about 15 hours a day - not much of a life."