Goldilocks Sutcliffe

I'm selling my Berghaus backpack 60l +10 as I've hurt my back and can no longer carry it around. The backpack is in nearly new condition, well cared for and has been a great use to me for the last 10 months. It comes with a smaller detachable backpack for carrying around with you during the day. I bought it in the UK for £190/$340 so I'm looking for something in the region of $300, or minimum $250. If you are interested please contact me ASAP, as I'm also advertising this elsewhere.

No, I never did my regional work so it's a one way trip back to the mother country for me. Has anyone had much luck with STA travel's multipass for getting flights changed pretty quickly? I'm hoping to get a flight back in the next week but worried that might be unrealistic.

I've decided that I'm ready to go back to the UK, cutting the trip a little short. Is there anything I need to consider in my preparations to go home? One thing I am unsure of is whether I need to apply for a tax and super rebate before I leave or afterwards? Any and all advice would be very welcome.

It's nearing the 1 month since I arrived and I'm really struggling to find work. A few people have said to me to look for bar work, or hospitality but can anybody tell me if someone like me with no experience in these jobs has a chance in actually getting a job? I'm thinking of doing the RSA course, but if I'm not going to be able to get a job from it I'm not sure I want to waste my money. Has anyone been in a similar situation and did you get any luck finding work with little or no experience?

Honestly, I feel the same. I'm not enjoying myself and considering going to Melbourne. I've been looking for work for a few weeks but I'm really fed up. Anyway, you're not the only one.

I'd be happy to meet up with you when you arrive. I'm flying out on Wednesday (4th Sept) so will (hopefully) have settled in by the time you arrive. I'm planning on staying in Perth until new year as well, looking for work almost as soon as I get there. I'm also into rock music so a beer and a gig sounds good. If you want to send a PM to me to make any arrangements please let me know

Thanks that puts my mind at ease slightly. I've got copies of visa, bank details, will have insurance docs shortly and also a copy of the flight itinerary which includes details of my return flight as I know they like it that you have a way to go home. Looking forward to it, slightly nervous and excited because this has been a long time coming.

I'm not sure if I need police checks if it's a working holiday visa? Nothing said about it on any web pages I've seen. Shouldn't matter as I'm all clear, but I hope they won't charge me for any checks.

Hi All I arrive on Thursday in Perth for my WHV. I was just wondering if anyone can give me some advice as to what to expect when going through immigration. I've pooled together all my paperwork - got paper copies of important docs, my visa, my aus bank account and a record of the money I've transferred over. What sort of process do I go through on entering the country? Will the staff go through my bags? How long does it usually take? Has anyone arrived in Perth for their WHV, as I know most people tend to make their first port of call either Melb or Sydney? When I came last year I was on a tourist visa and they just inspected my card and waved me through. Thanks :smile:

I'm also headed to Perth in September, also travelling alone. Have friends out there that I'm seeing but mostly staying in hostels to start off with.

I'm arriving in Perth on 5th September

Just wanted to give you all an update. My visa was granted today, so I can now started planning and making arrangements. So excited!

Thanks I bobbed into the docs to book an appointment yesterday. and asked about obtaining the report. I can't see the doctor until next Friday, so I guess I just have to wait it out now.

(this is going to be an abridged version of the post I was going to submit, because the page glitched out on me for some reason and I lost my post - grrr) My original intention was to travel down the east coast, covering the major cities. I especially want to see Brisbane. I don't particularly want to stay in Sydney or Melb for longer than a few weeks, but I have friends I want to visit and I'd love to see the cities. I have a flexible approach. I'd like to do some camping, stay in hostels and a house share once I get to Perth (where I'm intending to settle the longest, as I have friends there). Duration - I'd like to do the 2 year visa, so was intending to try and fill the criteria for qualifying for that one soon after I arrive. My job at the moment, and for the last 10 years has been in admin, highest qual is uni cert in business admin/admin management. I'm not sure and very much doubt I could stay longer because I'm not qualified for anything under the skilled jobs list. I doubt I could study because I know I'm not entitled to student loans/tuition fee loans over there and couldn't afford to pay it myself. Questions - just a couple. I received my first email back from immigration last night which slightly worried me. I declared that I suffered from depression and they need a physicians report from my doctor. The depression in question was 2 years ago, and I was off work for 3 months, on meds and seeing a counsellor. The doctor said I was fit to return to work and I stopped taking meds a couple of months afterwards. My main worry is that I went to see them again a couple of months ago. I felt I was suffering from SAD at the time, and felt it was manageable. I agreed to try meds again (a very mild dose), but felt I didn't need them, and was referred to a counsellor for a refresher. I never received my referral from counsellor and stopped taking the meds about a week and half after prescribed because they made me feel ill. I didn't go back to the doctor because I didn't feel I needed a follow up, as I was feeling better. But, because it was so recent, do you think it could affect my application, or do they just want to know if I'm going to be 'costly'? Also, re: money. How many of you had your bank statements/financial paperworked checked on entry to the country? I've heard that not that many people get checked and it's usually random. I'm well on the way to saving what I need but because of uncertainty with one avenue of money (severance payment that I've applied for and is being assessed), I'm worried I might be a little short.

I did it! I finally took that step and sent through my application for a WHV, with the intention of arriving in Aus on 1st July 2013. I have a few questions that might help me with with my preliminary plans over the next few months: How long on average did it take you to hear back on your WHV applications? Did anyone have any issues with the medical/health type questions. I have suffered from depression in the past and put that down on my application. Does that affect the application at all? I've no convictions, never deported from any countries etc, good record, working person etc. I'm well on my way to getting my minimum funds of $5k so that's not too much of an issue. My biggest thing really is knowing where to start, should I plan my route or wing it? I know some people out there in Perth, and have friends dotted around the country, so I'd like to visit them. My two initial ideas were to start in Victoria and travel up the coast to Sydney, Brisbane, up to Darwen, to Alice Springs and Uluru (which are absolute musts to see on my trip - of course ) and then travel across to Perth. The other idea was to make base in Perth and then travel from there. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me how they planned their trip.