Army wife needs info

kmartgibbo · 23-02-2007, 09:19 AM

Hi all,

I have noticed all the info about joining the ADF and it may all be useful to my family if we decide to sign up. We have recieved our application form but have absolutly no info! The my husbands unit have refused to give us any info at this time due to current commitments, and although we have been on the ADF web site and others, it is so difficult to find out about Pensions, Transfering pensions, Pay scales, Housing ( and the quality of it), cost of medicals and moving, much much more, untill we return our application form. Obviously with 3 children all this info is very important before even signing the application form. Does the British/ Aussie army have general info packs? Is our unit within their right to refuse us info? Is there any way not to involve the unit untill the last minute? Any ifo in helping us make this decision would be fantastic, we would love to go as my husband is sick of another Afghanistan deployment. 2nd in 18 months!

Many thanks.

Kim

nev_n_angie · 23-02-2007, 10:07 AM

Hi KIm - there's loads of information!!!!!! OK - where do you want me to start???
Pensions - Will your Hubby receive a Pension from this end - or would he PVR beofre his time??

Transferring Pensions - I don't think that's an option?? As far as I'm aware depending on the time served vs pension due date - any pension that he should receive at 55 will still be paid - there is an agreement between Ozzies and UK Tax Office that means that he can have it paid as a gross amount and pay the tax over there.

Pay scales - this will depend on his rank now and the rank that he would be offered in Australia. My Husband is in the Navy and we are just aboout to submit our VISA Paperwork. We have gonethrough the whole process - Job Offer/Conditions of Service - Labour Agreement - Medicals - Police Checks etc. He has kept his rank and seniority - some people lose a rank.

Housing is excellent. - Musch better then UK. Go onto the Defence Housing Australia site!

Cost of Medicals etc - they pay for all of it - although you have to take the hit with the costs up fron for meds and Police Checks etc. Keep all receipts of postage and all other expenses - they pay it back to you. They require a return of service side of things though which is usually 3 years.

We have 3 kids - the REDLO (regional Education Liason Officer) has been more than excellent! They guide you through the whole thing step by step and discuss all options.

You are under NO obligation by applying - until they send a letter of offer - generally after 12 months of applications and checks etc - that's when you're commited. GO FOR IT!!!!!

Aussies are not involved in as many of the worlds 'vconflicts' as we are - that's a bonus in itself! Whatever salary you see - multiply it by 75% - that's your spending power in Australia. My brother - in -law lives in Brisbane and has been there for about 3 years. He's an accountant and he gave us that as an indicator. My Hubby is taking quite a drop in wages - BUT you get more for you money.

There are Pros and cons - but as far as we're concerned - they pros far outway the cons!!!!!!!!!!!!

PM me for more info - unfortunately, I am a little sad and have researched far too much at this end!!!!!!!!!! :)

Angie

kmartgibbo · 23-02-2007, 10:59 AM

Thanks so much angie,

Its a big commitment and we realy want to go for it but as we know NOBODY thats even visited Australia, never mind lived there its very very scary!

My husband has been in the army for 14 years and is a SGT so he will qualify for Half pension. And apparently they are screaming for men with his experiance and qualifications ( i hope this is true!) so praying he doesn't take a full rank drop!!

I think the way the British forces are so undermanned and over streched at the moment they are trying to make it difficult for people like us to get "official" information 'cos they know that everyone will be going!!

You have definatley settled a few questions for me we are going to keep thinking and getting our facts till after Afghanistan then if we still feel the same way, start applying. We will hopefuly be posted back to the uk then as we are in Cyprus at the moment so medicals etc should be easier ( if he gets accepted).

Many thanks. I will show my Husband your info and im sure he will be as pleased as me. I Feel like there is someone out there now!

Kim

Marie and Paul · 23-02-2007, 07:47 PM

Hi Kim

We are leaving for Albury/Wodonga on the 16 Apr, unfortunately my OH has taken a drop in rank going to be Sgt now he was WO2 here in Catterick, just completed 22 yrs. He is going to get his pension transferred over when we get there, there is quite a few tax complications and paperwork to be done but beats it being tax twice'd. We get put into temp accomodation first for up to 6 weeks, which is just as well as my OH has to go away the 1st week we get there to transfer his quals, he is actually going over now as an instructor teaching recruits medical practices in field and off. Our process took nearly a year from start to finish, the interview in London was 24 Apr last year.

If you are living overseas as we have done numerous times, you need a civilian police check for every country you have lived in for the last 10 years, I would suggest to get one done before u leave Cyprus as we had a hard time trying to get ones for Brunei, Germany was easy, UK easy so just bear that in mind, or at least get the details as they like the police check to be in date by a year.

Housing side, depending on where you are posted to, depends on how much contribution you have to pay towards the house, also availability. If there is DHA property available in your area you have to take it, if not then you can look for somewhere private and they will still give you money towards the rent. Money is a lot less but with the pension and cost of living this balances itself out.

At the end of the day we didn't want to settle in UK and Australia was always a dream and now reality.

Good luck in your thought process and if you need emails, addresses etc let us know and I will email it all to you all our stuff goes on the 28 March.

Marie

kmartgibbo · 24-02-2007, 10:10 AM

Hi Marie,

Many thanks for answering. if you have email addresses of any further info please pass it on. This may be one of the biggest decisions of our life. Any info is a bonus to us.

Kim

uksniper · 24-02-2007, 12:10 PM

Kim before you get worked up about the whole thing my advice would be to put the application form in to see if your husband has the skills they want. The reason I say that is because the Army had 1800 applications last year and only took on 140. That is a small percentage of the overall total and I am sure a lot of those people were devastated that they did not get through.

You may be worrying about something you won't get. See what your chances are then all the time and effort of chasing up the information will have been worthwhile.

If you get selected for interview they answer 80% of the questions you have there or give you places to get it from. The interview process is excellent. You are not committed until months after the interview when you sign and return your formal offer.

Apply now and see what happens. Go for a better future and more relaxed lifestyle for you all.

IrishPost · 26-02-2007, 01:15 PM

Also, check out this Thread

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/17461-adf-transfers.html

seaangel · 06-03-2007, 04:14 AM

Just wanted to say that we went the ADF route. My husband is in the Army. We are based about an hour north of Melbourne. My husband also went from a WO2 to a Sgt!

I cannot fault the travel arrangements. Travelling business class and using the business class lounges were great! Thought we have better savour it as we wont be doing it again!

As regards housing, we looked around 5 or 6 DHA properties before we chose one. It is always worthwhile perservering with the DHA so that you do not get fobbed off with any old rubbish! The DHA here have been very helpful and understanding.

Our airfreight arrived very quickly and our sea freight is due to arrive at the end of March but furniture and kitchen stuff etc gets hired for you so you can move into your house straightaway.

Our children have settled into school well. We have emus and kangaroos most days on the front garden!!

If you have any questions, let me know!