I'm intrigued because the level of risk-aversion displayed in the comments is much higher than I was expecting. My motivation for telling my boss now was to do the right thing by him and allowing him more lead time to arrange a replacement (as well as taking the opportunity to have a difficult conversation in person rather than by phone or email). There is no particular urgency in leaving from my side (other than the level of travel in my current role is poor for my health) I just think we are all better off if the transition is planned.

If I line up my new job first I would probably only be able to give my current employers the statutory four week notice period.

I've done it, but only once. And I was in a position where I knew I'd be able to find one without any real issue. My sister did the same and really struggled, narrowly avoiding having to move back in with our mom.

That having been said, since you're asking for advice, I'd recommend telling your boss about your frustrations, but not that you're planning on leaving. If he's worth his salt, he'll work to make improvements so either you will be happier or your replacement will be. Promising conversations are nice, but talk is cheap. Life is not. If one of those conversations leads to a new position, preferably in writing, you're golden. I'd just be leery in today's economy.

If your boss is flying to Australia to meet with you I am assuming your position is essential in that area. To leave them, without the respect of training a replacement, is not full adult.

Unless you have several months of savings or can go feral and live in the wild, hunting game and scratching up roots.

You need another job in hand.

you wrote that your boss is on the other side of the world, but you didn't mention what kind of relationship you have with him. My boss is a multiple hours flight away from me, but we talk & e-mail enough that the relationship is very solid. If I decided to leave this job, I'd let him know why & my time-line, in order to help him get someone else in place & train my replacement (which I've done at 2 previous jobs as well, leaving on very good terms with amazing references and confidence in my replacements )...
However, it all comes down to how much you trust the company (historically, do they immediately show someone the door if they say they're unhappy or plan on leaving?) and how much you trust your boss vs how much you need to be a good person for your own psyche's sake.
As everyone else has pointed out, there is a downside risk, here. If you can't afford to be without the income, you may need to hold on longer and have the conversation when you're actually at the point of leaving.

Do what’s best for YOU! Worrying about THEM finding a replacement is very generous BUT your boss may simply do things you don’t expect. I don’t know the type of business, but I’ve seen many bosses pay back with a “oh, don’t wait till next month, today will be you last day”.

You may think you are doing them a favor, and being a professional exemplary employee. But you are putting the company’s interest before yours and risking losing more paychecks than you planned to for them. If they loved you, they’d care about your health and reduce your traveling time, they don’t because that’s against their interest. It’s business. You should treat it like business also.

I’d only tell the boss when I am ready to give my 2 weeks notice over the phone.

I’d start looking for a new job in the meantime.

Nope, I am hanging on to my job as long as I can. My manager and I have decided I am not working out, so she is going to see what is available in the company that I can move to. They do want to keep me and it is a big company. If nothing is available they will give me a few weeks to find something else. I could end up unemployed in a few weeks. I do have some savings and I'm over 60 so could hit my retirement savings. But it is scary as hell.

No way I would quit without having other income.

Actually I always quit my jobs without having another lined up.

I've done it before, but I don't recommend it. Unless you've saved enough to keep you afloat for a few months, you're putting yourself in a position to be homeless or borrowing from family/friends which indebtment comes at a cost sometimes too.

It's more irresponsible to quit without a plan. Just flat out is.

However you are in charge of your own life. Best of luck.

I have done it, a couple of times. Once the job I thought I had wrapped up was cut. And once I took a buyout that included a year's pay, but still didn't find a good job until after the money ran out. Sometimes the satisfaction of quitting a job you hate is worth it. But it never seems to affect your employer as much as you think it will.

I would only quit if I had enough financial resources lined up to help me through the transition. That would be another job, enough money in the bank, or some other access to funds to tide me over. Otherwise, I'd save up and/or wait until I had that in place.

Do not quit or give your notice until you have the other job....

I'm telling you from experience not to do it. It's much easier to find a job when you have one plus if for some reason it takes an extended period of time for you to find one you'll have to answer for that gap on your resume. You should be prepared for your boss to, assuming you're a good worker, offer you more money, say he'll change things, and you should be open to those things. Having lived through it and currently in it, you can always quit once you get a job, there's no reason to quit before you get the other job. No matter how bad it is. I was in a job for six and a half years and thought I'd get fired every day of that six and a half years so I saved money which has allowed me to live for four years without any income. If you can afford to do it then you can do it but I'm telling you that the hole in your resume will haunt you forever..

Only once in my working life have I had the perfect opportunity to tell a boss "Take this job and shove it (up your arse)" Woulda Shoulda Coulda. Well, I did quit to his face but I didn't use those exact words. Missed chances in life.....

But in answer to your question. I have done it many times, but only when I had sufficient 'fuck you' money to carry me. <- thanks to Yanya for that gem. I work in an industry that has plenty of opportunity for moving elsewhere. Even around the world.

And don't sweat the 'gap' in employment. You were travelling OS, finding yourself, in prison, (maybe not that one) plenty of legit reasons why you were not working.

I did it a couple of times when I was in my twenties. I had no debt, didn't need much, and knew I could get a job waiting tables (side job since high school) if I needed the money. I never regretted it.
Now, no. Too many responsibilities, a mortgage, and a fairly comfortable lifestyle that I'd like to keep.

i don't know whether or not it's a good idea, but i've done it more than once! some things are just that important.

g

You are far too trusting, he will not hesitate in dropping you from the roster in a heartbeat. You should never give up a paying job without having your backup plan ready to go in it’s place. Your boss won’t want you in the company of other employees or customers as long as you are heading out the door.

Absolutely not. Never ever ever.

Not unless you have a sick nest egg

Hustle and get your exit plan tight pre-seeing the boss. If you are going to adhere to a principle of doing it face to face, then make sure your exit plan is square prior. Otherwise, I'd go 21st century and exit via email or phone call.

I probably would not. I'm risk adverse to that situation. In my experience it's easier to find a job when you already have one. I have the impression that the unemployed job seeker can have a certain air of desperation about them,, like actors auditioning.. especially the longer you are on your job search. I absolutely applaud your desire to be respectful and I understand that the opportunity to have a face to face is in front of you.. but ask yourself.. if your boss was considering terminating you in the next month or so do you think he would mention it in your meeting? Save yourself the stress of no money coming in with payments piling up. Good Luck!!

Imagine the Pope … Despite affirmations to the contrary he never meets with his boss!!!

I wouldn't, but if the job was bad enough and morally questionable, I very well might.