Hmachanick

Makes me even more homesick today But gorgeous pics!!

This is a great post and shows that home is definitely where the heart is. I have to admit I am very jealous that you have found it

Thanks for all your responses, input and for the understanding No-one said it would be easy to move countries lol. We are down to excel spreadsheets of pros and cons and hopefully can make some sort of decision based on that. I would either need to be here to have the baby or back in the uk, as I wouldn't be covered by medical aid in south Africa. Our visa was granted in December 2012 so we have five years from then I gather?

I sometimes wonder why on earth we left the UK. We both had good job opportunities, great support network and lifestyle. So now we sit in perth, which although hubby likes, I really dont. I have also just found out i am pregnant again and tbe idea of a toddler and a new baby scares the you know what out of me... So one of our options is to go back home to south africa after bubs is born here - family, friends, support, chrap childcare etc are all the benefits. Only thing i am not sure of is on a 175 visa, can we come back to oz at some point in the future if we need to escape SA. Ie, is it valid for 5 years? Any advice appreciated here ​and apologies for the whine and moan

Hi, this is the same move that we are thinking of making. Are you definitely going to go for it?

Yeah its hard to have to make new friends twice!! We are lucky that we have a few sets of friends there already, but still keen to expand horizens. At least Perth has given me some practice in new friend making I am not sure where in Melbourne we would go to, haven't done much research yet. I have also thought about the UK (found myself wondering why on earth we left) but my husband hates it and would never go back We lived in South West London, how about you? Life is a journey, they say..... not a destination???

Thanks Surfy Brit, will definitely get in touch with them

Also looking into this, would be interested to see what others respond...

We used Transfur to come to Perth, am sure they can do the other way too. They were great and very reasonably priced

I feel the same as you... its very quiet and very expensive (not really sure what we are paying for...) We have a lot of friends in Melbourne with young familes and seeing as I just found out I am pregnant again.... the idea of being isolated here is a very scarey thought for me. Also when I am ready to go back to work, at least there will be more options there, whereas Perth is just giving me nothing. However that said, we want to do a trip to melbourne first to see what we think, and if hubby can land a job before we go... When are you thinking of going?

Hi Sumbler Thanks for the info, are you also making the move then? I will contact crown too. I had a look at taking the car and it seems Great Southern Rail can do it (without insurance) for 676. We have been here 4 months, how about you?

Sounds great, currently SOR but happy to travel

Hi all I am hoping for some advice on shipping between states (Perth to Melbourne) and hoping someone can help? Is shipping furniture and boxes the cheapest way of getting our stuff to perth? Can anyone recommend any companies? Also, we want to to take our car, on the train I assume? Anyone got any recommendations? Its still all in the initial investigatory phase as Perth hasn't really worked out for us. Any help appreciated!!!

Oooh boy, I can relate to this. We have been in Perth 3 months, and just found out I am pregnant (I have a 10 month old too). I am really not happy in Perth and feeling really alone and isolated. We have friends in Melbourne, and could consider moving to melbourne, but concerned we still won't like it there. Worse still, being originally South African, our UK visa expires this year in June.... decisions decisions decisions. I do know I don't want to stay in Perth. ​I hope things work out for you, whichever way it ends up...

Hi all We are just looking into travel insurance as we are going to Oz via South Africa - does anyone know of any good insurance companies that cover multiple destinations? Thanks in advance

Just an update, finally got it all done, even the South African police clearances (used an agency to get these quicker), shew Now just waiting for referred medicals

Hi Frogstercouk, apologies if this has already been stated above, but what kind of cancer did your OH have and is the person in remission now? My OH has been referred, he had cancer 5 years ago, am feeling quite worried...

Hi all, sorry to butt in on this post... Roger2shirts, my oh has just had medicals referred, which we guess is because he had cancer 5 years ago, but is now all clear... I see you mention cancer above as a possible problem one - do you know what they look for in cancer cases, or previous cancer cases? Feeling a bit worried here

I read up before my test and got some tips like: 1. Make sure you have an introduction paragraph, body and definite conclusion paragraph 2. In the body, try to link each paragraph to the one before. 3. Try not to repeat words Hope thats helps...

Hi all Just thought I would give an update on where we stand but still some frustrations ahead... Our 175 application was on hold while we waited for a passport from South Africa for our baby, born in May. We finally got it on Thursday and have now been given the go ahead to get the medicals done - yay! We got the police checks done a few months ago. The frustration now is for our cat. She had to have all the rabies shots and blood tests to come to the UK from South Africa and now we are trying to find out if she has to have them all again to go down under. She is still within the timelines, but we have been tasked by the AHVLA to ask our vet if what she had in SA complies with this huge long document they provided. Our vet is not really keen to give an opinion:( It would be great if she doesn't have to have all the tests again as we can get down under sooner... Well, hopefully doing medical tests in the next 2 weeks - does anyone know if the forms can be filled in online or must be printed and filled in? Thanks all :biggrin:

Thanks Cal Felt a bit better after venting Everything else seems to have gone quite quickly and smoothly so cant complain

Just need to vent - after all the hassle of filling in police clearance , getting photos signed and writing checks - it now seems to have gotten lost in the post so we have to start all over again!!! Note to anyone else submitting these, get them couriered!!! Sorry for the vent...

Thanks very much lebourvellec, that really helps! We have let the case officer know I am pregnant. So you think we should wait with the pcc as well?

We bought the ielts practise book on amazon and went through it a few times, I think it really helped us with what to expect...

Hi all Woke up to a fab email this morning on our 175 application requesting police clearances and medicals (hip hip hooray!):biggrin: However there are a few questions based on the fact that I am 7 months pregnant... I have read on previous posts that you can ask your case officer to put your application on hold until baby is born, and then add him to the application (so as to avoid paying the extra $2000 for a baby visa) - has anyone done this? Secondly with regard to police clearances, can we apply for those now or do we need different ones as "parents" in 8 weeks time? My only concern is we have lived part of the last 10 years in South Africa, and the police clearances can take quite a while and we want to get down under asap, so I would love to start those now! Any help or advice would be a huge help! Sorry if these questions seem a bit silly. Thanks Heather