Wooba

Thanks Wrussell. I'm aware of that, what I'm looking for is clarification if the 12 months or more is from the date the visa was issued or the date you first arrived in Australia.

Hello, We both got 189 visas in Dec 2015. We entered Australia in Feb 2016 for 2 weeks. We returned to Canada until Nov 2016 and have been in Australia since, but we have taken holidays. I was initially relieved to see that we wouldn't need police checks in Canada since the time we've been out of Australia since Feb 2016 has been less than one year. But I read again and think I'm wrong and that the time period of 1 year actually starts from the issue date of the visa. Am I reading this correctly? Thanks

I arrived in the Gold Coast in Nov 2016 from Canada (originally from the UK, immigrated to Canada as a child) and I felt like I was "home" the first morning I woke up here while staying in a temporary AirBNB. There's things I miss from Canada (mostly food products/restaurants) and my old job as the standards for electrical here are so horrible. But I don't miss Canada, especially the weather. I don't have that many friends here, but I'm pretty good friends with a British family that I met through this website. My partner has met a few Brazilian friends here who by default have become my friends, but they are good people. We don't have children nor do we have a super active social life. But to be fair, it's not really any different from where we came from. I once had a very active social life but most of my friends had kids and once that happened I hardly ever saw them. Both of us are very happy living here and neither of us are interested in going back to Canada. I would though if something bad happened here like a prolonged recession. I would never return to the UK though.

Since starting this topic, I've tried the costco brand. They are indeed softer than quilton, but I found it not as strong and needed doubling up. I didn't like it and was glad when it was over. I've gone back to quilton and will be sticking with that. That said, I was in Japan not that long ago and fell in love with the bidet toilet seats there. They will be part of my everyday life soon!

Hello all, I'm a 189 visa holder (Canadian/British) along with my partner of 6 years (Brazilian). Her 32 year old sister would like to come here for 6 months or a year to learn English and hopefully work a part time job. She's been talking to a Portuguese speaking migration agent who's giving her some options. She just has enough funds to meet the requirements for a 6 month visa. The agent is saying there's a reasonable chance it will be denied because of the economic situation in Brazil/her age. That said, I'm encouraging her to apply for a 1 year visa. She doesn't have enough money for that, but we are going to have her stay with us where she won't have any rent to worry about and I'm happy to write a letter to immigration explaining that. However, the agent is saying that because I'm not married to my partner, the letter will be meaningless. I find this difficult to believe. We got a 189 visa together and we jointly own a house here. I just can't see that being meaningless. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Additionally, the agent has suggested that she might be better to apply for a short tourist visa, then apply for a different visa when arriving here. I realize most here are British, which would be quite different to a Brazilian applying due to the economic situation in Brazil. Any thoughts on this would also be welcome. Thanks..

I'm with Woolworths mobile. Their $45 month plan ($40.50 with points card) gives free calling to 10 countries including UK. If someone in the UK or Canada wants to call me, they just send a Google hangout, SMS or email and I call them back. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

Try a mortgage broker. We recently got a mortgage as fairly new migrants only 1 week after I started a new job. The broker knew exactly which banks would finance us and it all went through easily. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

Anyone know a very rough estimate of home insurance in gold Coast. Pacific pines, Oxenford area. 4 bed, 2 baths, double garage. I've got a quote for about $1400 and I have no idea how good that might be. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

We've just purchased a house and need to arrange an inspection. Does anyone have any recommendations/suggestions on one that's good? Thanks..

Best rates and fee combination I've seen is transferwise. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

I flew air Canada and they were allowed, just had to be in hand luggage. Check your airline rules. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

I brought all mine in my luggage. I had no issues. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

I was looking at the immigration website last week and there was a notice that said the new rules would apply retroactively to April 20th (or whatever date it was announced) once the legislation has been passed. So if you had not applied by that date then you're subject to the new rules. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

Your number is for life Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

In Canada the amount you can import without paying any tax/duty is a value of $20. I kid you not. They will gladly take the time to charge you a few dollars plus the handling fee. I've paid more in taxes/fees than I actually paid for the item. Never underestimate the greed and stupidity of government. Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk