kevkim
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Hi Blueray, we got all our requests from DIAC via email but via our agent who forwarded them to us. good luck with the process. Kim
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Hi Deejee, I've been living here since September and our situation is slightly different as we both work. However, I find that by shopping around, things are not quite so expensive as we first expected them to be. This includes food as well as medication. I take tablets for microvascular angina every day and took my script to quite a few chemists. I now buy a months supply for $15 despite being quoted up to $30 for exactly the same capsules. I have to see the Dr every 6 months and the out of pocket cost for this is approx $35 a visit under Medicare. that gives me approx 15 minutes with him and is much more relaxed than the appointments I had in UK which were in and out with a full to overflowing surgery. Blood tests and X-rays have been free too. If I can help with any other questions, feel free to ask. Yes, this can be an expensive, lengthy old process but I don't regret a single penny so far. Seeing the grandchildren and our daughter regularly and feeling the sun on my back is priceless! Kim
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Hi, Try this thread http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/77756-brand-new-pio-parents-visa-thread.html lots to plough through but loads of good comments to which might help you. Kim
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Hi Tab, This is a difficult one but here is a brief rundown of some of our costs. We've been here 3 months now so the spending is steadying somewhat. Here goes... Rent for a 2 bed unit next to Lake Macquarie - $351 per week :err: Electric $74 per month Petrol $65 to fill up the car - lasts approx 1 week Weekly shop - around $150 - $200 depending on the week Car insurance $492 per year including breakdown cover Phone and internet bill $80 per month Mobile phone $39 per month on contract Household insurance $40 per month Medical prescriptions $40 per month Gap on doctors visit - $35 per visit No private health insurance as yet. We both have found jobs which pay better than expected but sadly they are only temporary at the moment. If you have anything specific you want to know the cost of, I can try to find out for you. Hope this helps. Kim
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looking for friends in newcastle nsw :) x x x
kevkim replied to kayleighmarriner's topic in Socialising Hobbies Clubs Sport
Hi Kayleigh, We've been here a couple of months now and loving the area. I'm from the same area in UK as you by the looks of it. My grandkids are the age of your kids (approx) but happy to say hello some time if you like. We live in the Eleebana area by the lake. Kim -
Dear Phoebe, Life throws some dreadful curved balls! Dig deep, best of luck for the test results and remember we are all thinking of you both. Kim and Kevin
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Hi Lemongirl, Did you know that the outdoor Friday night live music seasons start at 6pm next Friday in Warners Bay? They are based around the band stand there. Take chairs, an eski and join in the fun. It is great for families! Kim
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hi again, We are used to setting our clock up ourselves now. It very much depends on the shippers re this. we had a few companies out to quote for the move. Some would dismantle furniture etc in UK and set it up again here in Aus so this could apply to the clock but would not include regulating it if needed. Others stated we had to dismantle ourselves. from memory, Crown did say they would dismantle/ assemble, worth checking to see if this applies to the clock. It takes us a couple of weeks to readjust the clock after a move, can't imagine life without it now! Kim
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Hi, We've shipped our grandfather clock. Our shipment (John Mason) is awaiting AQIS right now so not sure whether everything has travelled well. We took the mechanism out and had it wrapped separately of course. We have moved the clock many times (Army) and it is still going strong - if a bit battered and bruised! The shipping companies will build a crate for it for around £80-£100 if you wish. We had ours export wrapped but no crate. I hope this helps. Kim
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A quick update, 7 weeks in and I've got a job! We've been applying for work from about 2 weeks in. It's a slow and laid back process and it seems to take ages to hear anything after the closing date for applications. But I am delighted to be starting work on Monday. OH is still looking and applying but we are confident he'll get something soon. We had our grandsons for the day yesterday and it was wonderful. They are loving seeing us regularly and my daughter and SIL really enjoy having us around to help out. It is so worth the wait! Our container has arrived in Sydney, exactly 2 months after leaving York. AQIS is looming and then hopefully we should have delivery in 2+ weeks. More on that later. Kim
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Hi Lyn, We've just arrived in NSW on a CPV 143. As Pam says, get onto 'the brand new PIO parents visa thread' on the migrations issue forum. It really is great. We couldn't book our medicals until we were asked to do so by the Parent Visa Centre. It is all done electronically and a HAP ID is needed. The CPV 143 is quite different to many other visas and doesn't allocate a TRN apparently. We managed to book a medical in Manchester within a few days of receiving the instruction to attend a medical and it was a painless process if you don't factor in the cost. Occasionally some people still manage to do medicals ahead of time with a clinic which does not use the electronic system but I think that is becoming increasingly rare. It might be worth you looking at the AOS soon though as a few of us have had issues with time frames with Centrelink. See you on the other thread. Kim
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Hi, We had something very similar with centrelink which I posted about a few months back. All very frustrating when you have the finishing line in sight! Keep the faith Moira et al - it's worth it! Kim
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Fantastic news Val, many congratulations! Kim
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Welcome Val and Matt. So glad you're here safe and sound. Enjoy! We're babysitting tonight and loving it. So worth the wait!
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Wishing you a safe journey Val and Matt. I have to agree with John and Eirian, it is wonderful to be here. Three weeks down the line and we are still grinning too! Kim