Business as usual while uncertainty prevails seemed to be the theme for Australians set to be affected by Brexit – for good or bad.
End to 'odd rules'
Ben Hodges, associate partner, St James's Place Wealth Management
Australian Ben Hodges from St James Place Wealth Management lives in the Netherlands with his family and shuttles to London for work during the week.
Mr Hodges said Brexit might force changes to his living arrangements as well as his work but played down the prospect of major upheaval.
The financial sector relies heavily on Britain's EU passporting – a system allowing businesses to offer financial services in many European countries.
But the EU's own rules could be detrimental for the sector as well.
Mr Hodges said the EU imposed "odd rules" on the financial services sector like the gender equality-driven requirement to price insurance policies for women and men equally even though they have vastly different life expectancies.
"But it was generally accepted that these anomalies were worth setting aside in pursuit of the greater ideal of access to the EU single market.
"Now these arrangements appear to be ending, and everyone is anxious about what the new deal will look like," Mr Hodges said.
Hodges' shuttle to work may be under review once Brexit begins.
But he said there were some fundamental truths to keep in perspective.
"The UK will continue to trade with Europe. That trade might be impeded somewhat … but it won't cease," he said.
"The terms of trade is all up for renegotiation and will take years to figure out.
"But that means we've got time.
"In the meantime, however, most if us will continue to go about our lives, business as usual, me included," he said.
'Cultural affinity'
Christopher Hume, director Thames Teachers
Christopher Hume specialises in placing Australian teachers in schools in London and south-east England.
His agency, Thames Teachers, was founded about five years ago and places around 150 Australian teachers per year.
The Vote Leave campaign promised an Australian-styled points-based immigration system which it said would favour Commonwealth citizens over non-English speaking EU migrants who currently comprise about half of Britain's total annual migration intake.
Mr Hume says demand for Australian teachers has been historically high and is only set to gain after Brexit.
"Australian teachers are very, very popular," he says.
A Portuguese PE teacher might be great at their job, but what will they know about cricket, Mr Hume jokes.
"English schools have historically always preferred Australian teachers because of the cultural affinity and mother-tongue English," he says.
"And that demand is going to increase if the rule changes and there is no longer a preferential system favouring the EU."
Mr Hume wants to take his business national and believes Australian teachers could be the lucrative key.
"Our goal is to go nationwide, if we can get more Australian teachers we can go bigger," he says.
But he stresses it's all hope and guesswork until any changes begin.
"I think it's almost certainly going to be a good thing for Australian teachers. It's a question of the degree of positivity."
'Flexibility would entice people'
Alice Stephens, Melbourne teacher recently turned from teaching in London
Alice Stephens was looking for a change of scenery and a personal and professional challenge when she decided to take leave from her primary school in Melbourne to set up in Britain.
"I had taught at the same school for five years and they were supportive of me gaining international experience," she said.
She successfully applied for a two-year visa to work in Britain and was taken aback at how many jobs came her way.
"Australian teachers are really sought after in the UK," she says.
"You could be quite picky and turn down jobs which I did, but was not expecting."
She ended up working at several schools during her 12 months in England.
"My Australian experience really allowed me to do that," she adds.
Ms Stephens returned home after a year because her job in Melbourne could not hold her position any longer.
She says she would like to return to the UK but the two-year visa allowance has to be used in one go.
"It would be good to have a flexible visa where you could come back rather than have a two-year block," she says.
"The flexibility would entice people." In 2016 the British government began deporting non-EU citizens earning below £35,000 ($70,000) in a bid to curb soaring migration numbers.
A teacher in London can expect to earn £27,819 - £37,862).
"That would have affected me definitely," she said.
