Team Rennolds

Hi Steve Sorry haven't given you a call yet. Been a bit crazy with the house hunting and new job starting ths week. We found a place in Claremont Meadows which is perfect for our first place, we move in Friday. Feel much more settled now knowing that we'll have our own place shortly. I'll give you a call next week to arrange this catch up, will probably be over a weekend if that's ok? Speak soon Mark

Hi Karl We moved out here early April and have been looking further west than you but I would allow at least 3 weeks to find the right rental property. The way it is done in Oz is completely different as the agents book inspection days for the properties and that is when you can view it. If you like it you take an application form and then submit it for agents to filter out undesirable tenants before putting to landlord to make final choice. We viewed 20 properties in a week and then filtered it down to 4 that were up to the standard we expected. We applied for all and were accepted for 3, we then chose the one we wanted. Be prepared for lots of driving around, and keep in mind that the properties may be shown online 2 to 3 weeks before they are available to be viewed and then add another week on top before they are available to move in. That is why I said allow 3 to 4 weeks in your temp accommodation. Big tip is to go online every day and go direct to agents websites rather than domain or real estate.com which are like rightmove website in the uk - they are only updated weekly by the agents so are a bit behind what is actually available. Have a pack ready before you come over with references from employers, new employers ( if you have one) with salary expectations, landlord references if you have them, copies of passports, birth certificates. We put together a welcome letter introducing ourselves as a family and a bit about us as we were not conventional Australian applicants - that seemed to be liked by the landlords. Try and talk to the agents who are at the properties and get to know them. I think they have a big say when recommending you to landlords and also will tell you about new properties coming up. Big thing is, do not panic and wait for something that is acceptable to you. It will come along, it just can take time. If not acceptable tell the agent what you are looking for and be open to surrounding suburbs as they may give you what you want for a further 10 mins in car. Good luck Mark

Cheers Steve Will pm you my number later and arrange a catch up. In your opinion what do you think of Mount druitt and south st Mary's as possible areas to be living? Thought it might give us more choice if they were ok areas. Cheers Mark

Hi Flights went really well and got over jet lag quite quickly. Managed to get a car sorted and now doing viewing after viewing trying to find a decent house - not easy! We have been up your way a few times now and really like the feel of St Clair and Minchinbury. If you hear of any decent properties coming up for rent please let us know. We'd love to come and catch up for a BBQ if the offers still open? Would be good to catch up with someone for a beer and a chat. Cheers Mark

Been beautiful last few days, everyone in shorts and T-shirts and looking rather pink - typical Brits! We arrive on 7th April and have a 3 week holiday let organised in Parramatta. We are still looking around St Clair as a potential suburb so will take you up on that offer of a BBQ to get a feel for the place. Will drop you a PM when have got mobiles sorted after Easter weekend. Sister in law is meeting us at airport and are down for a few days from Queensland to help us settle which will be good. See you soon!

Cheers. Looking forward to catching up with everyone soon too. Hope we bring a change in weather for the best!

Almost there. 3 more shifts at work and 7 days till our belongings disappear for 10 weeks! Getting really excited now, the warm weather in UK has got us in the mood. Roll on 6th April!!

We will be arriving first week in April and will be staying in Parramatta for first 3 weeks while looking for a house around Minchinbury and surrounding suburbs as that's where I'll be working. Will love to catch up with everyone once settled.

Hope you all manage to get together this Sunday. Have fun!

Hi Joe I agree with your points as I think we both agree that it needs to be financially viable for all parties involved. Good to read some open minded views which don't just dismiss people's concerns as a fuss about nothing. Cheers

On a 457 visa you are currently entitled to claim LAFHA as it is a temporary visa provided you meet the criteria. On this visa you cannot claim education subsidies etc as you are a temporary resident. The debate is that these visa holders who are being actively recruited by companies looking to fill a gap in the market will be considerably financially worse off due to the gap between the cost of living and income. This gap has been filled by LAFHA ( albeit exploited by some people) and has made a viable option for all parties. Therefore in my opinion it's a success for everyone with the immigrants coming in and striving to succeed with their industry relevant experience. This helps their new employer produce more profits, the economy benefit from taxes paid by the immigrant and the higher profits generated by the companies. My thoughts here are straightforward. If a company want my skills and experience but I'm going to be considerably worse off by taking the role then I would not be doing the right thing for my family no matter how much better the lifestyle. I would expect to go home with the same amount or more financially each month. The question in some ways is do the recruiting companies pay more money to attract the workers from overseas or does the government keep LAFHA or other benefits to help keep the economy moving? Lots of posts on this and other sites comment on how these visa holders are now questioning the ability to stay in Australia as the figures just don't add up. LAFHA could be scrapped but the educational and other subsidies that permanent residents get will then need to be applied across all residents. The government has got a major decision here that will not be taken lightly as they still want to attract skilled workers to Australia over other competing countries.

First point i suppose is that people aren't moaning just expressing their views. Secondly it is obvious this does not affect you, so you have taken the blinkered approach of not seeing what the fuss is about. There are loads of examples of why this change in policy will affect people and how it could end up driving away and/or putting off skilled workers emigrating to Australia. If you don't see that as an error in policy when skilled workers are in demand by Australian companies then hey?! Not everyone is out to fleece the system, just would like the same benefits as an Australian taxpayer. With the proposed changes this will not be the case - that's what all the fuss is about.

Hi All. Been watching this post with interest as we are moving out in April to Sydney. As with other posts the removal of LAFHA will make a massive difference to our standard of living. Our kids are not at the age that school costs affect us but in 2 years time will definitely become a factor that we have to take into account. It's very true surely that the Australia government must treat all parties equally and give all tax payers same rights in terms of education etc if no tax breaks are to be had that balance out the financial equations? Here's hoping the companies who use LAFHA to attract skilled workers to Australia have stood up and strongly expressed their views and how it weakens their ability to attract in comparison to countries who have good tax relief schemes! Does anyone know when the final decision on this will be made, or what the likelihood is that the prior decision made to scrap LAFHA for temporary visa holders will be overturned? Thanks Mark

Hi Tracey Very excited now. Just starting to do some of the good byes now to family who we don't see that often. Only 6 and half weeks left at work. All removals / flights booked and have booked 3 week short term rental so feeling really organised. Glad you are in and settled now. Sounds like you're loving it! See you on the other side.

Thanks Steve Hope Mel gets better ( and a bit more human ) soon.

Hi Steve & Mel Researching pre school for Finlay who has just gone 2 and wondered if you could give us an idea of cost for a couple of half days per week? And any recommendations would be great in and around St Clair. Cheers Mark

-5 today! AbsolutelyFreezing!!

Will see you all soon for that beer! Flying out 6th April so not long now. Hoping we get a house sorted quickly like you Tracey! Mark

Great news Tracey. Glad it's all worked out for you. Where did you end up? Mark

Congrats! Enjoy yourselves - it's -4 here by the way! Brrrrr Mark

Cheers for the offer. Will take you up on that. Mark

Cheers Glenwood Getting a list together of agents now to visit when we arrive. Do you know much about St Clair? It's between the 2 suburbs at the moment as will be working in Minchinbury I've finally been told. Mark

Hi Tracey How awful for you. Keep your chin up - you should have asked him for a swig and then moved onto next viewing lol! You will find what you want. Our fingers are crossed for you. Weather is freezing here - will hit minus figures this week so that should cheer you up! Looking forward to you getting sorted. Mark

Hi Liz Cheers for that, thought that might be the case. I've looked into LAPHA but unfortunately it ends in June from what I've read so will only get one month of it. Gutted as would have meant a massive difference to our monthly costs. Mandy has said decision on it will be made in February - hope its good news!

Hi Mandy As you know we will be out in April too and will be looking around St Claire, Glenmore Park area we think. If you find a decent estate agent who doesn't lie then please let us know and we'll do the same. If anyone reading this has any estate agent suggestions please feel free to recommend! Cheers Mark