Lisababy

Easter break at Agnes Water and 1770

Hi Andy, I have recently moved to Queensland, Rockhampton (been here 5 weeks) and can say that it is more expensive than the UK but not massively so but $75k I imagine will not be enough sadly unless your wife works too as you will be short but you are entitled to more benefits as someone has already said on a 189. Just for advice, what I found is that I looked for jobs from back home in areas I imagined that I'd like to live but it never worked out like this as I had to go here the job was so just be prepared to be open to this idea too. Regarding nice areas though, I can't advise about this but others will be able to. The Aussie's here have been good on advising areas to avoid while here which is good and they say they they don't suffer from gang cultures like U.K. This is from those that have lived in Rockhampton, Melbourne and Far North qld though so not sure about the Gold Coast. Definitely do lots of research and be prepared for the weather and humidity... It's hot... very hot :cool: Tom

Hi, I did my IELTS in 2014 and the academic one and didn't find it too difficult mainly because I prepared like any other exam. The best material I used was totally free and online and also watched a video of a guy who talked through an essay structure. Try these; http://www.ieltsbuddy.com - had loads of tests that you can take and can submit essays for an expert to review and give you pointers to improve. IELTS Ryan on YouTube does lots of really good videos and helps with the essay structure and offers really good pointers of how to structure what the IELTS service want. I got an average of 8.0 and these are the only ones I used and not terribly academic myself. Hope this helps, Tom

Hi everyone, I am after some advice regarding the potential to prescribe in Australia as I was a nurse prescriber in the UK before the move over here. My current manager doesn't seem to know and suggested pointing me in the direction of nurse practitioners (UK equivalent to a prescriber) but I spoke with one today who also had no idea. I have started as a Clinical Nurse Consultant and keen to keep hold of this qualification as I did really enjoy this part of my job in the NHS. Is there anyone who would know anything about this or be able to offer some advice. Tom (and thanks in anticipation) :wink:

Thank you all for responding. I am not currently homesick or pineing for home, and i feel that i am going to settle well. I am with my husband who is very supportive. I am going to give it my best shot to settle here. My thinking was more it would be nice for them to know when they will see me again. Thanks again. Its all really helpful. Lisa

HI all, So we finally made it and having been living here for two weeks now. We were so busy getting ready to move that I put off dealing with saying goodbye to my family until the last moment. I found this very difficult and emotional and it hit me that I didn't actually know when I would see them again (it's unlikely for lots of reasons they will be able to visit). I'm already considering returning to the UK during 2017 for a 2 week holiday to see my family as I thought if we had a date in diary to see each other again it might make the move easier for everyone. Does anyone have any experiences or opinions on this please? Lisa

Hi everyone, I just thought I'd post an update REGARDING ahpra registration as I know this is a topic that brings about much discussion (and usually frustration) I am a qualified mental health nurse, initially diploma level but completed my degree top up 12 months ago. I did Non medical prescribing, psychopharmacology, leadership and evidence based practice. I had applied to ahpra in May and was granted registration in principle in June. This is only applicable for 6 weeks but I emailed my case officer and was extended my another 12 months (I think I was lucky because he replied to all emails and I had no issues at all - his name was Phoenix Leonard) We arrived in Australia on our permanent visas on 31st December and presented to the ahpra office yesterday at 2pm, by 4.30pm today I was on the register so really quick!!! And start my job on Monday as a nurse consultant ? never been higher than a band 7 back home so really nervous. If anyone needs any help, just send a message or reply here and and if I can help, I will do. Tom

Thanks everyone for great advice. will do that. Love pomms in oz.

Hi all, we are due to land in Brisbane tomorrow and hoped to go to a phone store and get mobile contacts. can anyone recommend somewhere to go to organise this? best mobile provider - will be living in Rockhampton are the contracts 12 months

Hi there, I'm a nurse too and battled this minefield. If your last cogs for AHPRA reg was less than 3 months old then you need another from them ASAP. I have heard of people asking the likes of pharmacists signed an ID declaration but please don't rely on this as I am not even 50% sure. The best bet in my eyes would be to contact the NMC and pay the £34 hoping it gets there in time which I admit is cutting it very close. Hope someone else can offer better advice or assistance and good luck. Tom

So it's all coming together. Formal job offer in Queensland, flights booked and notice given to employer... 7 weeks til we will be in oz! im feeling a little bit overwhelmed with everything we have to do and will be working full time until we go. if anyone can share to do lists I would be so grateful and would save us time. does anyone have a list of people we need to notify that we are moving abroad? lisa xxx

Can I ask, my husband is presenting in person and it's been longer than 3 months so he will need a new fit 2 work. How do ahpra link this to his registration in principle? Do fit 2 work send to ahpra or do we need to take a copy when presenting?

Hi, Me and my wife considered an agent and went to a couple of shows where we met various ones and the one that we considered strongly was immigration2oz. The guy who did the talk at the Birmingham down under live was called John, very friendly and explained things in a very easy way. In the end due to finances we opted to go it alone and sought help and advice from this very forum which was priceless. If you are going to use an agent, ensure that they are MARA registered and reputable as there are stories of people losing a lot of money in 'agencies' going bust. The website for the one we considered using is http://immigration2oz.com/ Best of luck Tom

Hi Lise, I am a type 1 diabetic being diagnosed in 1990 at the age of 8. Although I don't have specific health issues as a result of this, I am unable to offer the advise you may need. With diabetes, we are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems like high BP for example. I would have thought that if he is well controlled, there wouldn't be issues regarding obtaining a visa as I was granted one with absolutely no issues at all. Sensible advice would be to try and get this under control but medication I can't imagine being an issue. Hope this helps and if my advice isn't wholly accurate, I'm sure someone will come along and correct me but this is based on personal experience. Tom

Hi All, we are emigrating 29th December and we pay for a bank account for holiday insurance, phone cover etc. was going to cancel after we have completed the flight over but I'm thinking will we be covered on our annual holiday insurance policy anyway? lisa:wink: