RickyB

Cars being cheaper here or there, Aussie earning more than Spams, second hand resales more than expected all valid points...... But don't forget they (the Victorian government) add stamp duty to car purchases too. Yes even second, third, etc hand vehicles. Vic roads adds on 4.2% to the purchase price (more if it's a premium brand - which includes minis) when you register the car in your name. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Like the post above, it's possible to do it last minute. I booked on a Tuesday for the following Monday (18th July 2016) and then flew out on the Friday (22 July) I suppose it all depends where you live, if you're in a city then you may to book well in advance but I was in sleepy North Cambridgeshire. The good thing about the process is that you track where your cube is. My cube was in storage in Birmingham for week before being loaded at Thames docks. It then went to Rotterdam and then back to Felixstowe! It's currently on its way to Suez - and due to arrive middle of next month. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My name is Ricky and am residing in Melbourne with an Aussie wife and two young children. I've been here two years now basically looking after the kids whilst my partner works full time as a teacher. I've done a few contracting jobs but none permanent as yet but now the children are in full time education, I'm starting to look a bit more seriously for full time work. My background is in aviation engineering with 12 years in the RAF and a further 6 at Rolls Royce at Bristol. I know there is not much work of that nature in Victoria, but if anybody knows something..... Anyway onwards and upwards!

Hi there! As the visa is electronically attached to your passport it is checked and validated automatically when the passport is scanned. My experience was this; after arriving at Melbourne airport I approached the long line for immigration. To my left though were those automatic gates that can be used if you have a biometric passport. Knowing that may passport had a chip in it, and totally forgetting that I really needed conformation that my spousal visa was indeed valid by an official, I scanned my passport, the machine took a picture and the gates opened with the display message 'Welcome to Australia'. I followed the signs to baggage reclaim, where my bags were already there and then onwards to boarder control. I gave my card that I filled out on the plane stating that I didn't have any Marmite on me, and was directed to a lane that ended with an opaque glass panel which moved aside as I approached and straight in to the arms of my wife and kids who had been in Australia for a few months previously. Very impressed. It was only in the car to my new home that I suddenly thought ' oh hang on'! Anyway, a nice Scottish lady did confirm that my visa was valid when getting my Medicare card a few weeks later. Hope this helps and enjoy. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk