Dorsetbrit

Thanks for that, wish I didn’t bother posting and being honest about how stressful possibly loosing our life savings etc and it’s more like an insurance policy that wouldn’t of worked as it says you need to have it witnessed. Any way thanks for the advise sounds like some good spots there. So much to see and do and now we don’t have to rush around like loonies. Our first COVID tests are also negative so three viruses 1. Guess we should of accepted the results and not bothered!

Ok firstly we had COVID weeks before and did our self isolation for 10 days. The reason they don’t tell you to get tested before going back to work or shops is the virus can stay in your system for 90 days so it’s pointless. Your contagious for 6-8 days from first getting symptoms after that your not hence why your aloud out without getting tested. Then a week later she had a COVID NHS test which was negative. So we had no doubt that we were clear from it otherwise after 10 days half the country are going out reinfecting everyone. I know the test that came out positive was because it’s picking up traces of the virus and when you have £13k on the line plus our belongings were already in Oz and your jobless and practically homeless I really wasn’t worried and chances are that test may have not been accepted anyway but would of been worth the risk but it’s not a risk to others.

I have been on this site for what seems like forever and have put up all my families trails and tribulations on the huge task of getting to Australia. For anyone thats still in the “talking about it” stage this has been around 5 years in the making. It was always something my wife and I discussed as I was addicted to the English program “wanted down under” but three years ago after a terrible year where I lost a brother, my mum had a stroke and my wife lost a new born baby we decided life was indeed very short. After a month visit and indeed falling in love and not wanting to go home for the first time ever we made the choice to start the visa process. To cut a long story short after a couple of different emigration companies we found a great one in Go Matilda if I’m aloud to say it! They looked at all ways we could get there and helped with all the very complicated paper work that was required. We were granted a 190 state sponsored visa in November 2019. We planned a summer in UK then we would move then you can guess what hit? So 6 flights cancelled we finally had a flight that looked like it would go on 20th this month only trouble is we all had COVID 3-5 weeks earlier and my wife was still testing positive. We needed the negative test 72hrs before we left and drove from Bournemouth to Heathrow for a test, I was negative but the wife was positive. Bring on panic and tears. We new she was no longer infectious but the virus can stay in your system for 90 days, she even had a negative NHS test days before so it came as a real blow. I booked 2 tests in Southampton the next day one from the same company in London the other you pick the test up and do it in the car and return. This meant I could take the test in her name and hand it back, very naughty but when your desperate and at your wits end it seemed a plan. Turns out the proper test came out negative just 24 hrs after the positive so we had our negative tests both from the same company which they actually asked at the airport. At the airport after the assistant had to ring the Australian government to see if we were aloud in (common apparently) we made it through and of we went at huge cost! At the other end I was still worried as they were not sure at Heathrow if I filled out the travel deceleration properly but we sailed through and took on a bus for families and are now 4 days in to our quarantine in an amazing suit in Sydney CBD. The days seem to be going fast as we’re always trying to entertain the 3 year old boy or get things sorted for leaving such as air B&B and job hunting. Interview tomorrow for me. The wife already has a job so things seem to be going ok. Bit worried about the cost of rent but something we will del with nearer the time. The food is good or better than expected. We can order take away or beer and wine from reception and we have a balcony to boot. I know people on their own wont get the room size but for us we feel very lucky. This might change in a weeks time but for now we are doing ok. Happy to answer any questions as I’ve not got much else to do so feel free. What a journey but we made it and hopefully worth the sacrifice. ill keep updated on how things are and the procedures.

Update: did our COVID test today as we are within the 72 hrs of flying. Drive from Bournemouth to Heathrow just as a precaution as we used the one recommended by Heathrow airport. My friends mother and father in law has just flown back to Columbia and he said they had theirs done in Boots! I wouldn’t of took the risk. Had an email from Singapore airlines this morning so our hearts sank thinking it was a cancellation but it was just a reminder to get tested. Fingers crossed on the results as we have had COVID but both have had negative NHS tests so here’s to hoping. I’ll keep updated if we get through check in or any issues between now and then I’ll perhaps do a separate new thread about the quarantine to let others know what it’s like. Painful I’m guessing! ive also filled out the Australia travel declaration which must be done within 7 days but before 72 hours. This is about quarantine. When I did mine you could then add extra people without the need to do the whole form again. speak soon hopefully with good news.

Yes going to Sydney with Singapore airlines but the cost is huge. Money that would of brought car but at this stage we’d about do anything it takes.

We are from the uk but the airline has a deal with Singapore where we don’t get of the plane when we stop. They will keep us on the stand for 1hr 15mins which is much better as we were due for a 7 hr layover. I checked yesterday with Singapore airlines and so far we are still good to go so can only sit and wait and keep all fingers crossed. We also have our fit to fly tests booked for Wednesday which will be slightly less than the 72 hour deadline and to make sure we get the results in time. My wife has also tested negative now and my son doesn’t need testing to hopefully it will all work out.

Another update, the 8th was never going to go but since we were booked on that we were also provisionally booked on the 20&23rd of this month and with the Oz government upping the numbers aloud in we are confirmed on the 20th with Singapore airlines. We also got offered a repatriation flight with Qantas but by the time I called it was fully booked and that was to Darwin. So less than two weeks to go hopefully and I have tested negative and the wife has yet to do a test to see but it’s been a while now since we all had the virus so should be good hopefully. Going to book test for the 72 hrs before we fly today and will use the company that’s linked to Singapore airlines so there can be no issues we hope. So I think we’re in around 8th time lucky so once again fingers crossed. I know someone mentioned the form you have to fill out with Oz government but you can only do that within 7 days of flying. wish us luck!

So quick update, flight has been cancelled but after some begging with Singapore airlines we have been provisionally put on a flight for the 8th of Feb just waiting for confirmation. Ive done a little research and chances are we will test positive after having the virus first detected 12-14 days ago and a little less for the wife. I read on the Australian website that you can test positive but have a doctors note to say its been more than 14 days since a positive test and has had no symptoms for at least 72 hours. I’m trying to find out that the airline is aware of this and what I need a doctors not to actually say. We are now on our 6th flight!

It’s the trying to get our money back each time, Qantas took over 4 months and in the mean time we had to book more flights. This is the closest we have got to leaving and with what they put on the app today it is looking good for us but it’s costing us a ridicules amount of money that could of gone to months of rent or a new car. At this stage as long as the flight goes with us on it I don’t mind and don’t even mind the quarantine now!

We are booked to fly on the 4th and an update on Singapore airlines says that flights from the UK can go ahead as passengers will remain on the aircraft. This means the flight may actually go after five cancellations! It’s just getting the test done. We have had COVID over the last week so pray this gets out of our system. We are on the south coast and can’t see any other way other than driving to Heathrow for a drive through 2 days before then drive back again to fly. Has anyone done the test to fly or have any better solutions. At this stage I’ll do whatever it takes! Thanks guys and keep fingers crossed for us it’s been a long wait.

We are due to leave UK on the 4th Feb 4 flights canceled so far and our stuff already left for Oz. We will have a 3 year old in quarantine but after wait and let downs it’s a small price to pay for what could be the rest of our lives.

I’ve got to much to deal with without trying for compensation but Canada airlines were really good and paid back straight away but nothing from Qantas who said up to 12 weeks.

I’ll take a look at that see if anything comes up.

We have two weeks until our shipping container leaves and 3 until our house is rented out and our flights were due to leave. Our recent flights with air Canada have just been canceled as well as previous flights with Qantas now we are in a massive predicament trying to secure flights. If anyone knows a good way of getting there from London to Sydney I’d be very great full for any suggestions, I feel like I’ve gone through most and some I can’t get hold of. I’m worried we will lose our jobs or be stuck in uk with no jobs and no home. Any advise would be appreciated.

Just out of interest my wife and me are moving out in November I’m quite scared of snakes and the wife’s terrified of spiders, are there places where you can learn what to do if you encounter them or get bit? We have a 3 year old so I want to know what to do. When we visited when our boy was 6months old we were walking on a path in some bush ground that was in between beach and houses and we came across a eastern brown fully stretched sun bathing. I told my wife to stop as I froze but then it just went. Gets you thinking we should know what to do if all went bad. We siding even know the Emergancy number! The brown was in Brisbane but we’re going to Sydney.