Any military families?

[bevkirkham]

Hi All
Im new to all this......my husband is in the British Army (has been in 11 yrs and is a sergeant). We are interested in him transferring to the Australian forces within the next couple of years. We have 2 boys aged 4 and 1 and have been talking about moving to Oz for a while. I am training to be a nurse and will qualify in 18 months time, which is when we were thinking of 'taking the plunge'.
I'd just like to ask if there is anyone either in a similar position or who knows of any military families living over there.....if so I'd like to know what the housing is like, if the children go to mainstream or military run schools and if the soldiers spend much time away from home??? Lots of questions I know but I really want to be sure it is the right thing for all of us (especially my boys - who are our main reason for wanting to leave Britain!)....
Hope all is well for everyone
xxxx

[Sam&Si]

Hi Bev,

Just noticed your post, welcome to PIO! Sorry you haven't had any replies to your question, I wouldn't have a clue I'm afraid but have you had a good search on this site for previous military-themed threads? If not, you could try the British Expats website/forum which seems to be much bigger than PIO and I'm sure someone on there will be able to help.

x

[Itchy Feet]

Hi - we're RN, but I have little knowledge of how the army is situated. TBH you might get more tips/pointers through the ADF website - try google (that's how I found this forum and the expats one)...Good luck.

[seaangel]

Welcome to PIO.

My husband transferred to the Australian Army February 2007. We live on a camp about an hour north of Melbourne. We have 2 children, 10 and 6, who both go to school on camp. It is not a military school although most the kids that go there are defence kids. There is also a kindy (pre-school) on camp as well.

There are lots of new houses on camp altough we do not live in one of them. We have a 4 bedroom detached house with a garden. All the houses are detached. I am pretty sure that this is the case with most army houses in Oz.

I have sent you a PM so you can ask whatever other questions you like.

Hope this helps!

[Anderson]

My OH joined the ADF in July 07. We are in Brisbane we live in a new house which is a 4 bed, most houses are 4 beds and detached. If i can help in anyway please give me a shout.

Tracey

[bevkirkham]

Just a quick not to everyone...thanks for your messages, the 4-bed detatched houses are swinging it for me already lol!! Will keep in touch re how we are getting on with our applications etc
Thanks again
Bev
xx

[Fawcett]

Hi there
My OH is joining the RAAF. We're almost at theend of the Visa process, but there's a new labour agreement holding us up. First it was anew immigration minister (December 2007) and now this. They say, the 'greement is nearly done. Looking forward to being in Oz, but a bit scared things might go wrong red-tape wise.

Carol Fawcett

[thistles and gum trees]

Hi :) We tranferred form the RAF to the RAAF over a year ago. Love it!!!! We came from an RAF overseas posting to Australia so that was interesting but the move went well - even though we had shipments from both overseas and the UK arriving!!!! We love our house. Have a 5 bed "troppo" style house in 1/3 acre overlooking the sea. Kids (3 of) go to public and private schools and have had good experiences with people across the board. Have already had a posting to Victoria and are now on our 2nd Australia posting up to NT - and LOVE Darwin!!!!! Australias best kept secret!!! :) Shout if we can help with anything.

[oddsinoz]

Hi There

We are a military 'lateral' family living near Sydney and transferred in Sept. 07. We live in a modern 4 bed townhouse in the Sydney suburbs for pretty much the same rent that we paid in the UK.

It is up to you where you send the kids to school. There are people who are supposed to help military families when they relocate, but I think they are more set up for moving within Australia rather than for 'laterals'. It's best to go on forums like this and dig a little.

Generally you get well looked after here - no real complaints so far.

Anyway, hope this helps - give us a call if you need any other help or advice.