Tickled Pink

I first came to Australia as a backpacker in 2007, while doing some travelling in Melbourne/Adelaide area in a camper myself (not one of these) I met an older couple (early 60's) who had booked one of these for their trip and hadn't realised what it would have on it. I can't remember the slogan, but it was pretty bad. They were mortified. The company refused to refund their money so they had to just suck it up and do their trip... they parked it behind every tree or in every corner of a carpark they could find. I felt really sorry for them... especially since they'd also discovered it leaked and had a dodgy windscreen wiper.

Husband works in a very niche area, despite a search within Australia the company couldn't fill the role with anyone suitably qualified. Was offered two different posts in two different states after Skype calls. The 457 was used to get us over here quickly to start work (for 2.5 years I worked in same place also, they employed us both), we were fortunate that we were given a relocation package etc. too. Paperwork for permanent residency via employer sponsorship was in within 3 months of being here and we're citizens now.

In my area of nuero, finding a speechie that has knowledge and working experience of eye gaze/AAC is really hard. I end up stalking the few I know who are good at it to help my patients... if you're up to date on that kind of stuff and the modern technology on the market (e.g. Tobii) that'll put you ahead of many others and will be a selling point when looking for work.

The lump sum payment they are talking about may be standard. There are a couple of ways you can manage your CCR. You can either pay your provider by direct debit every week or fortnight your share and the other 50% is claimed directly by them so no money comes to you. Or you can pay the whole lot yourself in quarters and then a lump sum is paid back to you to the sum of 50%. I know some people do it this way so they get a lump sum every quarter for holidays or Christmas. I wouldn't expect to get a big lump sum for back payment, because its not a means tested benefit its processing time is really quick as the only criteria is eligibility like visa status/citizenship. I think ours took less than 10 days to process. We are citizens, but I don't think that'll make much difference as PR visa holders are no different for CCR.

Whooping cough has to be done again. Even from pregnancy to pregnancy it has to be redone.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think its impossible for a 5 and 4 year old to make a rational decision of their own on which country or parent to live with?? Even the older two... This is just an odd post.

What visa are you coming on?

Ummmm all those people could be Australian you know...

Absolute rubbish! My husband and I both have PhD's. He is a senior academic in a University. I work in a non University position, but with links to working with several. We have a large number of friends who are also PhD's. I would not have my job and he his without it. Majority of Universities are now not recruiting anybody in a position above level A without a PhD. Its a essential pre requisite. I work in both the academic and clinical field and am well known and highly regarded for my specific level of knowledge and expertise in a particular medical field. This knowledge was developed and gained directly through the PhD process. I was an invited speaker at a conference week before last... In a nutshell, and without going on, I would not be where I am without my PhD. It has opened doors for both my husband and my career that would have been exceptionally difficult/impossible to get through otherwise. My husband and I both have our PhD's from a UK institution. He was headhunted for his first job here 5 years ago because they could not find anyone in Australia to fill the position, and they tried for a number of months. As long as you pick your subject wisely, then yes, you could very well be sought after highly in Australia. As an aside... I'm quite upset that someone might think my qualifications and expertise are 'a waste of time/money' as I'm not working in academia... maybe you need to widen your view as to what this qualification means for people. I think the patients I work with are very grateful for what I know and how I can help, saving them a whole lot of time and money going to someone who isn't able to cut to the chase, trouble shoot and manage their condition as effectively.

I would cross off Mt Ommaney or Jindalee. The commute along the Western freeway can be annoying (I used to live at Kenmore and work towards Ipswich way). all the other places are worth looking at though. With a young family being near Springfield would be good. Big shopping centre and water park, lots of green space. But I've heard nice things about Ripley too. Good community/family feel with all those areas. Quite a lot of community/family events going on. We looked at Brookwater to buy, some lovely houses round there. I like Lowood and surrounds from my road cycling point of view, however, as a parent of a youngster I would feel a little isolated I think.

Unless you have a different situation (like stated above) you can order a full certificate online. Mine took about 3 weeks to arrive. You'll need it for both the 186 and citizenship.

By larger plots I certainly don't mean acreage. I don't have acreage. I have a nice sized garden to go with my property. Smaller plots tend to build the house right up to the fence line to maximise house space, whereby the windows are often looking directly into the neighbours, and due to close proximity of houses have what I would consider little privacy. The OP will be able to see this when they drive around. In the uk semi-detached houses don't have windows that look into each other and are usually double brick built so sound does not travel in the same way. Some of the more recent areas of Springfield were built mass produced and not with the same sound proofing in mind. Anyway, I've said my thoughts based on about 12 months research on buying, with this being one of the areas we included in the search (including lots of visits to area, research into houses built there and the building companies quality, reviews of people living or having lived there etc etc... only my views...

I don't want to say on a forum where I live, but in the end we chose somewhere closer to the city. We had the money available, so spent more and got what we wanted... Springfield is the older, more established area so the plots are likely to be bigger plots (that was the case where we ended up buying too) and during our ask about people commonly said the houses were more solidly built too. The Lakes are more modern, newer, but as you are seeing smaller plots, houses bunched together - hence the reviews and feedback we found. On some of the reviews we found hearing the neighbours flushing their toilet was mentioned... not for me that... We did our research over a 12 month period, so were pretty diligent I think. It paid off, we have picked the right place for us where we are and are very happy.

Be wary of the property you choose. We did a lot of research around the area before we bought in the suburb we are (not Springfield Lakes). The houses can be very close together, not all have been solidly built and if you google some review sites you will see frequent complaints of being able to hear your neighbours every move. We did a lot of drive rounds of various places at all different times of day and frequently saw groups of people just hanging about... we initially began to look at it as the houses seemed reasonably priced and large - the age of adage of it seems to good to be true, it usually is, held firm for us. We were buying rather than renting, so maybe as a non permeant move you'll be ok. From the research we did the older properties would be a safer bet. As for the amenities in the area, yes they are pretty good, but we are just a 12 minute drive from those so can still enjoy them easily.

I was under the impression that the 28 day rule had been extended to 90 days quite some time ago... if this is the case, that might buy some time.