calNgary

We set up an on line account months before we moved with the ANZ. Doing it allowed us to send money over when the exchange rate was good. As someone mentioned earlier, you couldnt withdraw any funds from it until you were here and went into a branch to proove ID etc. Cal x

Goodna has some nice areas but does have lots of areas/ streets that are prone to flooding so be very careful. It does have some rougher suburbs but prices and property photos should alert you to this . Spring Mountain and Brookwater would be 2 of the areas i would look at if moving out that way. Close to everything,shops, train to city, highways, they also have newer property and are not flood prone. Cal x

Ah didnt realise the OP was 45 (or almost 45). Cal x

ummmm, you haven't been banned ???????????? You were placed on moderated due to the content of some of the posts YOU posted. But lets not take a posters thread off topic anymore Cal x

Its only 2 years before they can apply for a 186 now from what i have read (if i read correctly) and last month they also opened up the application to those on the STSOL too as its used to be only medium and long term stream that were elgibile so many more people will now be elgible in proffesions that have shortages. Cal x

Appologies to the OP but this thread is wandering wayyy of track, so i have moved it to the Aussie chat section. Cal x

I just found this for you - What are the employer obligations for 186 visa? Employer/Sponsor Requirements Offer the visa applicant a skilled position in the applicant's occupation that is full-time and ongoing for a minimum period of two years. Pay the visa applicant a market salary rate, which must be no less than A$70,000 base. Comply with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws.

In QLD , he would start Yr 12 in 2025 unless you held him back a year (which isnt unheard of here) to start in YR 11.. You would need to speak with the school you are looking to enrol at. Cal x

What does he want to do when he leaves school? Doing yr 11 and 12 or UK A levels isnt the be all and end all for every child. Lots of kids leave at the end of Year 10 and go to TAFE or on apprentiships etc, especially if your son is looking at a trade . Cal x

As we seem to be getting off track and this isnt CTF i thought id post a reminder of the OPs post. Thanks guys Cal x

A lot still do manual here too, my kids included and the majority of their friends. Its probably around 50 / 50 overall i would guess. We preffered they had a manual licence as some jobs do require a manual licence. 4wdriving is also popular and manuals are much better for that type of stuff too imo. Cal x

Ive sorted it for you. Cal x

If they were relatively minor issues and dont affect you in any way now it is highly unlikely your visa would be refused because of them so its not worth hiding the issues if asked. Cal x

Why wouldn't it? Mackay has grown massively over the last few years. Its not a little backwater town in the middle of woop woop ,lol Kerry may want to contact these guys as a starter point - https://autismqld.com.au/locations/mackay/#:~:text=Located in the coastal eastern,parent and professional education%2C telepractice There is also a support group on Facebook that could be helpful , it is called Mackay Autism Support Group (facebook links are against site rules so cant provide that sorry). Cal x

Not quite sure what tests you mean they pay for? for 15 years i have regually undergone tests here, be it, Blood tests, Scans, Endoscospys, biopsys etc and most of these are repeated every few months. I have never yet had to pay. I have appointments with the specilast in person and via tele health and it doesnt cost anything. Of course if you opt to use the private system you will pay. (Hubby did this for a procedure last year ) Cal x P.S... The Dr's and care recieved in the UK prior to moving here were also excellent and i have no complaints there.

I think the issues you have come across must be area specific. I cannot really fault the Healthcare in QLD, both public and private. There is no charge here in QLD for Ambulances. Dr appointments cost around $86 then you get the Medicare rebate so ends up cosring you very little. I have noticed over the last few years when you ring the DR its normally a day or two before you can get an appointment (unless its an emergancy) compared to years ago when you could get in on the same day. . The public hospitals i have been in both as patient and vistor have been clean and the staff great, same for Private. Cal x

Paul who answered you is an agent, his contact details are at the bottom of his posts. Cal x

Your daughter wouldnt need to do YR12 at school here to go to TAFE . Have a read of this website it will explain it all for you - https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/apply-and-enrol/entry-requirements Cal x

I think schooling and the Medicare system were 2 of the main things that took some adjusting too for me, lol, after a while you realise its just the way its done here,haha.. Cal x

This happened on the Gold Coast a month or so ago, it is quite funny and at least its a good lockdown tune,haha (maybe not so good if you live next door) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12383695/Living-nightmare-residents-Men-Works-blasts-loop-night-local-high-school.html Cal x

HaHa , i was confused at the lack of dinner hall when we first moved,lol....There is no dining hall but Tuckshops and undercover seating in any schools i visted. My kids flicked between packed lunches and Tuckshop and always had an Ice Pole (ice lolly) at the 3rd break in summer. Tuckshop normally has to be pre ordered or paid for at school drop off. The quality of food can vary dependant on the tuck shop manager/ cook our primary school had a great cook who made batches of spag bol etc the night before. High school was more sandwiches , wraps,toasties, pies etc Wait till your kids have been through a lock down practice, that was something else that blew my mind at first,lol Cal x

Hi you have only been back 5 months so everyone is still adjusting, i would try to give it a little more time before making any permanent decisions. Your husband is incorrect stating 'well its done now', yes it is done but it doesnt have to be forever if none of you are happy. Taking a hit finacially is nothing compared to your hapiness and mental health. LOTS of familys succesfully Ping Pong so you wouldnt be the first. I would have a chat with the grandparents to see what they have to say (mine stated we were not to stay in the UK for them but they had planned to move here years before and didnt due to their parents, a regret they always had) i would then sit and have a chat with hubby about staying a few more months and things still havent looked up for you all ,moving back to Aus. This would also give you a few months to save like crazy to get some funds behind you. Im unsre how old your children are BUT what if in a few years they decided to upsticks and move back here, would you and could you be happy in the UK if that happened? More than anything if you are feeling down, please see a Dr, your health is more important than where you live. Good luck with everything and we are always here if you need to vent, yell and scream,haha Cal x

It all depends on the area , probably a month but its hard to say if you wont have proof of employment to show agents for a longer term let. Personally if you can narrow down some areas i would start touching base (and kissing butt) to some agents, explain where you are what dates you plan on arriving etc etc and see if they can find you something, just don't committ until you have seen a priperty in person (unless its an inner city apartment in which case your probably pretty safe). Cal x

Hi Yes we are from Manchester (Bury), moved just over 15 years ago when the kids were little and have no regrets yet,lol. @ali lives in Perth so hopefully she can give you some advice. Its a place i havent yet been but do want to visit. Cal x

LOL. We are like you, the weather played a part in us leaving Manchester, so we wanted heat and sun, thankfully we werent disapointed in QLD. Cal x