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Thanks @Toots good to know

First of all good luck with your interview. Hope it is successful. There are certainly suburbs to avoid in Launceston. Two that I can think of are Rocherlea and Ravenswood. They are both on the rough side. I live in Devonport and go to Launceston for a bit of shopping now and again. I like the place. It has a bit of character.

When my family moved to Brisbane, we had a conversation on this as well. We visited a few schools, and what stood out to us was the emphasis on specialized programs and extracurricular activities in the private sector. While state schools offered a solid education, we found that private schools often had smaller class sizes and more tailored support for students. Ultimately, we chose a private school that aligned with our values and priorities for our children's education. It's been a positive experience so far.

Hi all Considering a move to Tasmania, and have a job interview with Launceston council. Any thoughts/opinions on suburbs in Launceston? Ones to avoid? Don’t need schools The house prices in TAS really appeal and we could release a big amount of cash if we sold here in Melbourne and bought in Tasmania. TIA

It sounds like you've got a big move on the cards. Yeah, you're spot on in the Vic education system, kids typically start school a bit earlier compared to the UK, so your son might end up dropping back a year. Since he's halfway through Year 5 in the UK, he'd likely slot into Year 4 when you make the move. It's a bit of an adjustment, but kids are pretty adaptable, and he'll settle into the Aussie school groove in no time. Just make sure to chat with the schools you're eyeing up to figure out the best fit for him. Good luck with the move!

It's totally natural to be torn about your kids' schooling, especially with a big move on the horizon. If they're acing it academically, sticking them in a lower year might feel like a bad idea. Plus, there's the worry about them falling behind if you head back to the UK later on, right when GCSEs are looming. But hey, kids are resilient, and they're pros at making friends across age groups. Maybe chat with the schools you're eyeing up – they might have some wiggle room in terms of placement based on academic readiness rather than just age. Bottom line, go with your gut and what feels right for your kids – they'll thrive wherever they end up, as long as they're supported and happy.

Selling your old Golf for scrap might seem like a quick fix, but it might not be the best deal in the long run. Sure, it's convenient, and you'll get rid of the car fast, but you might not pocket much cash for it. If you're up for a bit of online selling, eBay could be a solid choice. You can list your old Golf there, detailing its condition honestly and setting a price you're comfortable with. Sure, there might be some haggling involved, but it'll be nowhere as difficult as selling the car offline. Plus, these online platforms give you a wide audience of potential buyers, so you might snag a decent deal without too much hassle. Just make sure to factor in any fees and logistics for arranging pickup or delivery.

Sounds like you're after a bit of the Sydney vibe without the hefty price tag, yeah? I reckon you might want to give Brisbane a try. It's got that city buzz with heaps of bars, restaurants, and all that jazz. Now, if you're keen on beaches like the Gold Coast but want somewhere quieter, you could also consider living in the Sunshine Coast. Places like Maroochydore or Mooloolaba have a good mix of city life and beach vibes, and the rent might not sting as much as it would in Sydney. Just keep your eyes peeled for listings and maybe do a few weekend trips to scope out the areas. With a bit of luck, you'll find a spot that feels like home without blowing the budget.

If you can't decide which team to support, just slag off Collingwood. You'll be backed up by most of the state... and more than a few Collingwood supporters, too.

Actually the hardest and most important part will be deciding which AFL team to support. Life revolves around AFL 365 days of the year…

Hi Marisa, we have no investments back home. Ive a private pension and our two state pensions. We didn't ever do a tax return in the UK.

Add in usual caveats and warnings about 482s being temporary, no guarantee of permanent residency and the need to potentially go home on expiry here, etc.

To be specific nowhere is going to be a bad commute to Deer Park/Caroline Springs because he won't have to enter the city. It's just a case of deciding how long a commute he wants. However Quoll makes a good point. If, as you say, your visa will "move quickly" it must be a 482 temporary visa, in which case you won't be able to access the apprenticeship scheme. I'm sure your husband will want to apply for a more permanent visa asap, but that can take a year.

Do you still have other investments in the UK? I'm wondering why you're still doing a tax return.

If you are on a temporary visa though, apprenticeships aren't available - you didn't say if your visa is temporary or permanent.

It was a by-law when they started building the estate: no pet cats to protect native fauna.

Shouldn't your tax code be NT (no tax) as tax is paid on all world income in Australia if that is where you are living.

Your coding is based on how much you can earn tax free, it isn't reflective of your income, so it changes each year based on 1) the agreed tax free amount from GOV 2) any tax you owe previously 3) any other benefits you have or income from dividends etc

Is that because of all the witches looking for a co pilot? Seriously though what's the issue with cats out there?

We applied for the onshore visa 143 visa 3 years ago and have now decided after 17 years travelling back and forth to see our only son who has now a 1 year daughter to sell up and finally move to Oz and apply for the Visa 864. We are now in our seventies and travelling to Oz is now getting to be a bit of a problem. Do you lose your queue date when apply for the contribution aged parent visa 864. Also I know contributory 143 applicants are now have a 12 year time date but don’t know when ours would be approved after 3 years. We could apply for the cheaper visa 804 wait time 30 years and spend the £50.000 plus on getting premium health insurance. Would be nice to hear people’s views on the choice for 2 seventy year olds a 864 or 804 (We are both very fit maybe due to all the walking done in Oz) Best wishes and good luck to all parents.

P.S. Kudos on Angular; less so on .Net I've been fighting a losing battle with Vue/Nuxt 3 uplifts over the last few months... Eurgh.

Drop me a private line, mate. Happy to take this into the back channels and see if I can hook you up with any contacts.

Yes we actually initially were going to move to the Coast as hubby had a job offer in Newcastle. But it fell through shortly after we arrived and so ended back in sydney. I just found my BRP and it’s actually expired last year and it wasn’t indefinite leave to remain, only leave to remain I got the terminology wrong doh! Does this mean I need to apply for the leave to enter visa and start the 5 year route again?

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but as you are in the business! Do you know what the market is like at the moment? Angular\.Net Developer landing in Adelaide towards the end of the year. Spent the last 20 years contracting in the UK, but I appreciate it's more permie based in Oz.

Absolutely. We're more on the same page than not, mate. End of the day, I want tickets moved and products built. If people can't do that, they need to move on.