Steph01

I just did all the paperwork myself. I did loads of research before hand of all the info I needed so felt confident to do it myself. Getting the right paperwork together is crucial! If you don't feel confident then I'd get an agent to help you. Lots of people on here will be able to recommend agents on here.

Hi, I have epilepsy and I got a PR visa, they didn't even question it, so I'm sure you will have no problem with your child. I really researched this an apparently they are looking for more serious conditions. Don't get me wrong epilepsy is serious to us but it can be controlled with meds so they are ok with this. Just on a side note, epilepsy meds are not cheap here so just a heads up with that. Also, there's lots of support groups here if you need any help etc.

Hi, I am in HR here in Sydney. I was like your daughter fully qualified with a degree and worked for a similar size firm. I came out here on a permenant visa so didn't have a job when I arrived. I have to say I was shocked how difficult it was to get a job in HR. As soon as they learned I was from the UK they turned me down for not having any experience here in OZ. To stop this problem I took loads of courses in HR here and got certified by the Australian Human Resources Institute. But they still kept turning me away. In the end I had to take a big step back into an HR advisors role just to gain the ozzie experience. I dont want to put you off just want to give you a realistic picture of this industry. The recruitement agencies dont help much, they would rather put people with australian experince for HR jobs first. I know I will get some comments from people saying thats discrimination but its still reality unfortunatly. Also I'm sure there may be some people that have walked straight into a Managers role and I say well done to them. I wish you luck.

I've just built one for work on Wix.com. It's free, has hundreds of templates and looks very professional! For a small fee they will also do the hosting and web address.

I admit, I cried my eyes out watching that last night. What a brave family and all credit to them for letting us in on the special moment.

No, I've not been missing the Saturdays they've just been deciding to hold a lot of them on a Wednesday. The agents told me that they are getting more than enough people on a Wednesday that they don't need to do a Saturday, especially when that's a day they are not normally open. I've also tried getting private viewings but no joy. I'm sure I'll get lucky somewhere along the way!

Hi everyone, brace yourself for the moan off! Lol ! :arghh: Finally got a job and now looking for a place to live either in Manly or Cronulla. However, most viewings for places are always on a week day! What a pain in the butt if you are working, which I presume they want you to be so you can pay the rent! I've missed out on so many places because I just can't get there on a week day. How is everyone else managing it? Tried calling them to make alternative arrangements but they are not interested, especially in Manly they already have more than enough people fighting over apartments there! Rant over, thanks for listening. Steph

Anyone else fancy joining me and Bev?

Hi Bev, would love to meet for lunch. I'll message you today in my lunch break and we'll get something sorted. Steph

Hi everyone, I'm a young 40 year old working in Sydney CBD. I work in Castlereagh St near the Westfield shopping centre. Any of you workers out there fancy meeting for lunch? Been here 6 months and just started work so would really love to meet some new people. Plus I need sane conversation! Lol Let me know if your interested. Steph:biggrin:

Thanks Rupert, I'll give the bus ago then when I move there.

Hi everyone, Does anyone commute from Manly to CBD by bus each day? It's a lot cheaper than the ferry but am just wondering if it's worth it and if the traffic makes you late a bit occasionally? Thanks in advance, Steph​

Kez, you must be my lucky charm!!!!! Talking about it with you and yesterday I got a call saying I had the HR Managers job! So relieved!!!

Kez, I'm in Sydney and have been here about 5 months. I have to say I'd love to know your friends secret because I'm finding it tough to get a job. Don't get me wrong, there are loads out there but people keep turning you down because you don't have local knowledge. Apparently my CV is great its just that I've never worked here before. I know a few other people on here in HR and they are having the same troubles too. I think you just have to keep applying and soon something will come along. I'm on my 80th application this week so as you can imagine getting a bit fed up now. But don't let me put you off, as you can see your friend has had no trouble so I'm sure its different for everyone. Really pleased your BF managed to get you guys in of a 457. You going to love it here! Steph

Kezzles, hang in there it will be fine. Just thought I'd mention that I just got my CIPD certified by Australian Human Resource Institute and it states that my CIPD is equivalent to the Australian one! Get this done when you get here as it makes a difference when looking for jobs, although I won't lie........it's tough in HR.

I'm with Diane on the hair moisturiser! 5 months after I came here I had to have 4 inches cut off my lovely long hair because it had dried out so badly it was dead! Now I put hair moisturiser on my hair before I go in the pool and out in the sun, it has worked wonders. I use Oasis as it has solar protection too. You can get it from most salons. Also on hot days I protect it with a hat and even when I'm playing tennis. Steph

thanks Rupert, that's given me some hope!

Thanks Adonna!

Hi everyone, Well I've been here 5 months so far and I have to say it’s had its ups anddowns, so read on for my story so far! Arrived in mid August after being a Cat 5 applicant and waiting 4 years for avisa. I have to say it seemed like a long slog but it gave me time to save somemore money and get some other things in order. After much deliberation Idecided not to sell my house as the market was so bad and rent it out instead.It wasn't what I wanted but couldn't afford just to let it go for some rockbottom price. I leased it for a year and the estate agents manage it. Therehave been a few issues with repairs and communication but nothing too drasticso far. I'm just praying my house stays in one piece, note to onesself...........add that to my Santa request letter! lol I booked a Virgin business class flight. Can you believe it was cheaper to buya return than a one way! So being crafty I booked business one way and economyon the way back knowing I was never going to use it. They gave me 3 x 32kg forluggage, yes that's right folks I could hardly believe it myself. Suddenly mymassive shoe collection was getting on the flight with me! Imelda Marcos would havebeen proud! lol I have to say the flight was fab. Was greeted with pajamas andchampagne and my eyes sparkled when I saw the fully reclining bed. I'm not surehow I'm ever going to go back to economy but I'll cross that bridge when I cometo it. I'm lucky that I'm lodging with friends so the accommodation was all sorted. Imust admit they have been my life line and helped me with more local knowledgethan I can ever imagine. First day I ran around to get my Medicare card anddriving license. Got there only to find they wanted proof of address and I had nothing.Had to run to NAB bank and get them to print off a statement with it on andthen go back. Once they had that the Medicare card was no problem. Just filledin a form and two weeks later it turned up. I quickly realised that a lot ofplaces want to see your Medicare card for id so my advice is to get it as soonas possible. The driving license was easy, they just took my old one andswapped it for a NSW one. Bit of a tip though, get there nice and early as itgets packed pretty quickly and you could be waiting for ages. Then set out to get myself a car. I didn't realise that you get charged stampduty on second hand cars so be careful as this can really bump up the price. Ibought a new car in the end and be prepared to haggle. I managed to drop them12k so be ruthless as cars aren't cheap here. Also the car front had a fewsurprises in store for me...........yes, one speeding fine and a parkingticket! lol Be careful folks they drive a lot slower out here! Now for the not so nice bit! Since I've been here I've applied for over a 100jobs and haven't got a lot to show for it. Had a couple of interviews but gotturned down for not having local knowledge. I have to say I'm fed up hearingit. I'm a well qualified professional and I never envisaged it would be thishard to get a job. I've tried applying in my current profession, lower paidjobs, retraining jobs but to no avail. If I go for lower paid jobs they justsay I'm over qualified and I'll go once I find a job that matches my skills.I'm not fussy, I'm happy to accept contract work and even lower paid, I justwant the chance to get in somewhere but it’s proving difficult. Seek, well Ithink that's a bit of a joke and a complete waste of time. I've foundrecruitment agents not very helpful and one told me they'd take the CV butprobably won’t put it forward for anything as they have Australian candidates.Also I have noticed a lot of recruitment agents are British, pleased don't befooled like I was that they'll go that extra mile as they understand theposition you’re in, they have probably been the least helpful! I've had loadsof great feedback that my CV is great and I interview well so I'm just going totry and hang in there and apply as much as possible. I won’t lie, there havebeen days where I have just cried with frustration and I feel for people when Iread their posts on here that are the same. Also money is going through myhands like water so will have to get something soon. At this point my advice to people that are coming out here on PR with no job ismake sure you have plenty of money to see you through the long haul. Finding ajob is not as easy as people think! Moving here was my dream and at 40 a chance to start over. I'm sorryAustralia but you aren't going to get rid of me that easily, so tomorrow I'mgoing to wake up with a new fighting spirit. Let’s hope 2014 brings jobsgalore and Brad Pitt to deliver them! lol Merry Christmas everyone and have a great new year.

I'm East Hills way but hopefully moving to Manly in the future. I love Sydney, it has a lot to offer!

Hi, from Steph 01! Lol

Hi, I can so recommend 'Wildfire' on Sydney harbour. It's on the ground floor of the cruise ship terminal 'opposite side to the Opera House'. My friends were very impressed and the menu is fantastic!

Thanks llessur, I found your post really helpful. It's given me a few ideas of things I could change. I have to agree with you about Seek, I'm finding that course of action not very productive!

I'm having no luck either. I'm in Sydney on a PR and more than qualified in my field but keep getting turned down for no local experience. It's getting really frustrating and like most people my funds are dwindling rapidly. I suspect now I will have to hold out until the market picks up after Xmas!

Hi, I don't have diabetes but have epilepsy and it wasn't a problem. As soon as they got the letter from the GP they were fine. They just wanted to know it was all under control. I know you probably know this but remember you have to pay for prescriptions in Oz. Like me you probably got them for free in the UK!