WelcomeIf you are new to Poms In Oz and migrating to Australia or currently living in Australia feel free to say hi to all the other either in or moving to Oz.
We are Geoff & Katherine, with three children Jazmin (15), Ysobelle (13) and Dominik (10). We currently live in Berkshire, UK.
About 2 months ago the opportunity to work in Sydney arose, and since the job offer came through, our lives have been turned upside down, something I am sure you have all been through.
We have completed the 457 Visa application, have had the medicals and x-rays.
It's now the "waiting game" that I am sure you have all been through
Until the confirmed "yes" we are on the limbo state where much depends on that answer!!
In the meantime, our house is upside down as we sort through 20 years of junk, paperwork and memories. Plus redecorating before having new flooring throughout in order to sell before leaving the UK. Also, deciding what to ship or not is a pain!!!
Very stressful , but also very exciting !!!!
There are so many questions that remain unanswered which I am sure we will post over the next couple of months.
Our planned leaving date is 23rd November.. ..whoohoo!!
Will be glad to receive any advice from people who have emigrated recently, especially what to do beforehand and what to do immediately after arrival.
I have also set up a blog to try and record our progress.....trouble is it's hard to find any time to update!!!!
Location: From Bury,Manchester To Jimboomba, Brisbane
Posts: 7,941
Thanks: 135
Thanked 208 Times in 160 Posts
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Hiya guys welcome to Poms In Oz ,,i remember only too well ,sorting,selling,decorating!!!i dont envy you,lol.Have you decided if to bring a container full or just the necasaties?I wish i'd brought my fridge freezer and tumble dryer,the kids outdoor toys,my dyson,oh and wellies!!Luckily i packed my dressing gown and fleeces,,how niave was i thinking it wouldnt be that cold here!!!Dont forget to claim any tax back you can ring the local tax office for a form and give the council tax a call as we got some money back!good luck with everything and post away with your questions ,someone will be able to help
Cal x
Looking at shipping costs I think we are looking to bring bare necessities and memories. Customs seem to be too hot on anything with potential soil contamination so bikes, garden stuff will not be going.
Do you have any idea how many people actually have their containers opened, as it sounds (a) a real pain and (b) bloomin costly!!!
I think my main concern is the cost of rental in Syndey. People must be earning a fortune as they seem to be paying upwards of 50% of their salary on rent, just to live within 20kms of the CBD!! Also calculating cost of living is hard...I have found lots of different details as to weekly/monthly expenditure but many seem to contradict each other!!!
Does anyone know if Medicare is compulsory for a temporary resident (457 work sponsored) and what are rough costs for Private Medical for a family of 5. Recommended insurers would be a bonus!!
Banks....can you open one before you get there. Or can you use work office as a temporary address as it's likely we will have to rent furnished for 6+ weeks until the container arrives and move again!
Credit Cards...how hard is it to get one in Oz? We have 20+ years of perfect ratings in UK but I hear this counts for nothing.
That will have to do for now as I am currently translating costs into $ to work out my baseline rent!!
Location: From Bury,Manchester To Jimboomba, Brisbane
Posts: 7,941
Thanks: 135
Thanked 208 Times in 160 Posts
My Mood:
HIYA
I only shipped necessaties we used Crown Relo as Shippers ,not the cheapest but very good both sides.I believe customs are quite on the ball so dont try smuggling anything,lol
Rentals in the city do seem quite pricey although rental prices are rising all over.Most folks here think nothing of travelling half an hour or so too work .I presume Sydney is the same.Not sure about credit cards ,my bank have strated sending me mail this last month or so and ive been here nearly a year.Dont know if thats coinsidence or not.We still use our uk one if we need too..Your credit rating does start at zero when you get here thou.
Hope that helps you a little bit
Take care
Cal x
You can open a Bank account when you get here ,you will need an adress thou.You can buy a pre paid mobile easy ,but if you havnt a job may struggle getting a contract one.
I think Medicare is compulsary and it is also asked for as ID alot of times.Not as many people as i thought have private cover ,i have spoke to many and i think it boils down to personal financies and the majority i know /have spoken too dont have any.The bigger company around here is Medibank,but i guess there are loads.
Hi, welcome to PIO, you will love us all on here as we are all friendly and nice, you will be a PIO Addict by time you finish and find yourself rushing around to get all done on the last minute as you just wont be able to peel yourself from your computer just looking at posts and replying to others etc you will beging to look like this
Have spent about 3 hours researching properties this afternoon. So many delicious pads we can't afford!!!! Hey ho! Onwards & upawards! Afyer the recomendation from "The vicar of Dibley" i'm on my second glass of "holy water" and a large kebab is winging it's way to me as we speak......all is well in my world!
Decorating should be complete by the end of the week.....i'm looking forward to dressing like a girl again! Then we just have to get the floors layed, rehome the cats, sell toooooo many things at give away prices and find out about some financial bits.
Haven't been on a plane since 1986 but i have to say a 20 hour flight is just what i could do with right now!
Good luck honey! We're just finishing off our decorating this weekend and the house has just gone on the market I know how you feel! Am sure everything will go smoothly!
Have spent about 3 hours researching properties this afternoon. So many delicious pads we can't afford!!!! Hey ho! Onwards & upawards! Afyer the recomendation from "The vicar of Dibley" i'm on my second glass of "holy water" and a large kebab is winging it's way to me as we speak......all is well in my world!
Decorating should be complete by the end of the week.....i'm looking forward to dressing like a girl again! Then we just have to get the floors layed, rehome the cats, sell toooooo many things at give away prices and find out about some financial bits.
Haven't been on a plane since 1986 but i have to say a 20 hour flight is just what i could do with right now!
Have you any idea where you're headed?
X Katherine
No Kathrine i aint looking like that cat as i have gone past that stage and now look like this:
We are heading for Sydney when ever it all happens again unless something comes up anywhere else in OZ as not fussy where we end up as long as it is in OZ
hi im paul, myself wife and 15 yr old daughter,will be heading to mellbourne about the same time as you. we have allready sold our house got a quote for our container,all were waiting on are the visa/s.
its the rest of our family/s,there finding it a little hard coming to terms with us leaving.but they are coming around slowly. but we can/t wait to start our new life down-under. we had our medicals,june.we should be getting our vivas. anytime...please don/t hessitate to drop me a line anytime.. all the best to you all from us in ipswich....
, but also very exciting 
!!!!
Have you decided if to bring a container full or just the necasaties?I wish i'd brought my fridge freezer and tumble dryer,the kids outdoor toys,my dyson,oh and wellies!!Luckily i packed my dressing gown and fleeces,,how niave was i thinking it wouldnt be that cold here!!!
Dont forget to claim any tax back you can ring the local tax office for a form and give the council tax a call as we got some money back!
good luck with everything and post away with your questions ,someone will be able to help
