mrmash

Hi, In case anyone is interested I lodged my application on the 15/11/16 via the new online portal. Just received my approval decision letter this morning (23/11/16). Using the online tick list it applied for personal import and Australian Plated options for me (qualified for both). Approval came through based on Australian Plated option. Matt

We bought a car on finance on a 457 visa back in 2013, we didn't really need the finance but wanted it for some good credit history. Was only for a 12 month term so the interest was negligible. Our finance was through the dealer (St. George finance) as we had a 457 visa, the finance company initially wanted a 50% deposit, but agreed on 30% due to my salary.

Hi, I've just received my visa and applied for import approval to take back my Australian car with me to Oz. Has anyone received import approval recently and how long did it take? The standard timescale is 20 working days on the website, but is it close to reality? Thanks Matt

Hi, i'm returning to Australia in the next few weeks after only 11 months back in the UK. As we arrived about 2 months prior to our belongings we had a pretty good idea we weren't staying by the time the container arrived. About 90% of our stuff is still in a shipping container as there was no point unpacking. I'll be returning to my old employer as I left on good terms, but as it's less than 12 months since I left I have to pay for the shipping this time. I've got quotes from Letton Percival and Insure you move, based on feedback I was leaning towards Letton Percival. However reading the quote details, as our stuff is in storage they are unable to provide insurance as they only do residential to residential or residential to storage. Has anyone had an issue with this before. I could understand if there was no cover for mould/mildew but everything is still packed to professional standard (by Grace) and protected. Cheers

Thanks for the quick replies. I was hoping it was as straight forward as an ID check and RWC the same as another Interstate vehicle. The biggest unknown will still be the mood of the AQIS inspector on the day it arrives. Cheers Matt

Hi, Probably clutching at straws but wondering if anyone else has gone through the Australian Plated option for importing a car? We originally went to Australia in April 2012 on a 457 visa and due to various reasons returned in Dec 2015, bringing our VW T5 Multivan back with us. Realising it wasn't the right move I've just been offered a job in Melbourne and will be returning in November 2016 on another 457. As I'm still within the 12 month import window in the UK, I'll be liable for import duty and VAT if I sell in the UK so it's cheaper to take it back. Also for registration the car only arrived in the UK in February 16 and rego ran out in March, so for registration I'm not sure if it will be treated as a imported vehicle or interstate when it arrives in Melbourne (still have the QLD plates). Luckily my work are paying for a 20' so we'll just pay the difference to 40' (was only $2200 when we came back). Any advise would be appreciated. Cheers Matt

Hi, We're in the middle of sorting out the import approval for our VW campervan. Off to Adelaide next month to sort a new job. On the form it says that the method of importation can affect the subsequent registration process. Bearing in mind this is a LHD 30yr old campervan running on LPG we have enough barriers to get over. Does anyone have any experience of the difference in the 2 schemes with respect to getting your car on the road, particularly in SA. I'd much rather go down the pre89 route, but if it has an impact on the ADRs we need to meet etc. it might not be so simple. Thanks Matt

We both work in the Railway, luckily there are no shortage of rail jobs in Oz.

The current work situation is one reason we're heading the other way. My wife and I are both engineers and when she was made redundant in 2009 we thought another job would come up. She only got back into employment in 2011 when she was offered her old job back. We live halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh so could apply in both areas but I was shocked how poor the labour market is at the moment. For that reason we fly out to Adelaide next month.

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. Got offered a job back in January but the contract didn't arrive until the end of February. On a 3 month notice period as well which is a bit of a worry. I told my boss in January I'd been offered a job in Oz and my exact date of leaving would depend on the Visa timescales. Once my contract was signed I then put my resignation in writing as in my current company you can change your mind on a verbal resignation. The 457 paperwork went in last week, hopefully will get feedback by the end of this week. Finish work this Friday and start in Adelaide in mid April as long as there are no issues.

Shouldn't be a problem. The import and registration are totally different issues. We're bringing over our LHD Campervan this year, but as it is only 29 years old we can't register it until January 2013. Our plan is to get it transported to the house, then spend the next few months getting it ready for 'Rego'.

Hi, Great informative thread. We're moving over to Perth in April/May on a 457 with a view to go permanent. My wife has a 1983 Westafalia Club Joker campervan (Transporter) which she's owned for the past 6 years. Despite not being massively expensive she can't bare to part with it. Our only issue is the van is LHD, as it is only 28 1/2 years old we'll need to register it in WA and stay until its 30 before we can move elsewhere in Oz. Our main issue is how we'll be treated bringing a LHD vehicle in and also will any companies be willing to insure what will possibly be the only one of its kind in Australia. Thanks Matt

Thanks for the quick reply. I work in Rail Maintenance, my wife in design/construction. Bit frustrating at the moment, spoken to one agency in VIC who was convinced I'd get a job really quickly but that was a fortnight ago. There seems to be a few companies who'll sponsor a 457 at the moment. A lot of work colleagues have made the move in the last few years and there have been nothing but good reports so far.

Hi, Thought I'd post and say hi. Wife and I have finally decided to move from Scotland to Australia. Looking at Melbourne or possibly Sydney. We both work in the rail industry which still seems to be looking for engineers and project managers so hopefully won't take too long to find a job. Quite daunting looking at the list of things we need to do before we go, but exciting too. Looking at 3-4 years first while renting out our house in Scotland then see if PR is the way forward. Matt