Laguna

Sorry but in the end we couldn't make it as we went away for a few days. Will definitely try and make the next one.

We are a family of five new(ish) to Canberra and would love to come.

I can totally confirm this as my family and I activated our visa a few years before we actually moved to Australia in January 2012. Unfortunately my husband's mum passed away and he had to go to DIAC to get a temporary visa to leave and be able to get back into Australia. Whilst we were at DIAC they confirmed that we would be able to apply for citizenship in January 2015 three years after arriving in Australia as we only had to live three years out of the four years. They actually gave us the exact date in January 2015 when we could apply. Hope this helps.

Where abouts are you living in Australia. I am going through a similar thing with my 14 year old daughter. We moved to Australia last January 2012 and lived in Brisbane for one year. She went to two different schools. We have now moved again to Canberra two weeks ago and she seems so unhappy at the moment. I am quite worried as she seems to be developing some odd characteristics. Having trouble swallowing and doing repetitive actions. I feel it is connected with keep moving around. Not sure what to advise but thought it might help that you are not alone.

After a physical assessment at the ballet school my 14 year old daughter is joining I was told some worrying news that she may have scoliosis and need to get it checked out. Having only been in Canberra for just under two weeks I am struggling to find a bulk bill doctor that we can go and see. Can anybody please point me in the right direction. To be honest I cannot afford to pay $80 each time I take one of my three children to the doctor and only get $36 back from Medicare as that is what has been told to me by two doctor's receptionists. Before moving to Canberra we were in Brisbane and went to a bulk bill doctor. Many thanks.

I can make it tomorrow at 1.30 pm and then perhaps we can make another date for the week after.

Have managed to get my oldest daughter (age 14) into Telopea school. She is joining year 9. Only she is joining the school as they have to be in year 7 to join the Australian stream unless they joined the bilingual stream between years Kindergarten and year 6. I hope this is the right decision. She was studying French at High School in the UK for nearly two years before we moved to Brisbane a year ago. My other two children have to wait until we find a rental so we are in the catchment. Koko Blacks sounds good to me. I will have my other two children with me so I can meet you either Monday or Tuesday. Would you prefer to meet with or without your three year old. I don't mind either way. Hope to see you soon.

Hi Would love to meet up with you for a coffee. I have managed to get my oldest daughter into a school starting on Monday but will still have my other two a son who is 11 and a daughter who is 9. At the moment I am in a temporary apartment looking for a rental. Where would be a good place for you to meet up. I can travel up your way if you prefer. At the moment I am staying in Barton.

Hi what about Melrose High School.

Hi Freckleface Have been looking on allhomes.com.au and have so far visited approximately 15 homes. Will take a look at Gold Creek school and area. Thanks.

We arrived in Canberra (myself, husband and three children ages 14, 11 and 9) on Tuesday and are desperately trying to find a nice four bedroom house in a good location with access to good public schools. Our main problem is our chocolate brown labrador who is at the moment in kennels. One Estate Agent said we have ruled out 80% of rentals by having a dog. So if anyone knows of any dog friendly houses for rent could they please let me know. Also interested in good areas and schools (or areas to avoid) as now driving around and seeing where everything is. Would also be interested in meeting up with any other families that are new to the area or who have been here a while as have very limited social life at the moment. Many thanks.

I telephoned the Canberra High School and unfortunately this year they are not taking out of the catchment area as they are full. So trying to find rental in the appropriate areas and looking at other options.

Family of five (plus chocolate brown labrador) arrived Brisbane 17 January 2012. Husband couldn't get job in Brisbane although skill on shortage list. Husband ended up getting job in Perth May 2012 and rest of family stayed in Brisbane. Now we are all moving to Canberra beginning of February as husband has job there so definitely staying another 11 months as husband has job still open for him in UK then we have to decide what to do. At the moment not sure as moved to Australia and not really been together as a family yet.

One year on the 17th January. But since May husband has been in Perth and me and kids have been in Brisbane. Going to all be together in Canberra from beginning of February. Have one more year to decide whether to stay longer or go back to UK as husband's job is still open for him at moment.

Oh no don't say that. My husband will be devastated if he doesn't get tickets. What about getting tickets for the test games. Is that the same?

When is the British Lions match on. Me and my family are moving to Canberra at the beginning of February and my husband is a big fan,

Sorry to see the pictures of your poor dog's paws. Our dog was also in Sydney quarantine centre and I think we used the same dog walking company. We were still in the UK when our dog was in quarantine so like you we were unable to visit him. Unfortunately because our dog was in over Christmas they could only visit our dog two out of the four weeks as it was closed to even the dog walkers. Even though the dog walkers say they couldn't inform you about what was going on with your dog the quarantine centre should have told you what was happening and maybe even called in a vet. Hope Buster gets better soon and please keep us informed of what happens with the phone call.

Hi Wendee I tried to PM you twice before on another thread and for some reason it wouldn't send.

Unfortunately cannot afford private schools at moment. We are on a permanent resident visa. As children have already been to two schools in Brisbane in just less than a year I need to get good schools for them. Problem is I know you have to be in the catchment area for the school so was wondering what are the areas with good schools I should look at. Also is February a bad time to look for rental houses?

Hi to everyone living in Canberra. I am moving to Canberra at the end of January with husband, three children and a dog (chocolate brown labrador). We are going into a rental apartment for three weeks and then need to find a rental after that. Is this a difficult time to find a rental. We need to find somewhere near good schools for my three children. My husband is working in the CBD. Thanks for any advice on good areas and schools. My children are 14, 11 and 9.

Wendee I have tried again to send you a PM but it just doesnt seem to be working.

Wendee I just tried to send you a PM but it says you cannot take PMs. I do not really want to bore everyone on here about my questions about Canberra. Can a message you another way. Thanks. x

What do you do for a living. To be honest the salary you mentioned sounds a bit on the low side but it depends on what the job is. I think you might find it a bit of a struggle especially if you are the only one earning money.

I arrived in January with my husband and three children. It took my husband four months to get a job.. We were seriously thinking about returning to the UK when in May he was offered a job in Perth. We are actually in Brisbane. We arrived on a Permanent Resident visa and are not entitled to Unemployment Benefit for two years. Fortunately though we were able to get the Family Assistance Benefit and rent assistance from Centrelink which kept us going in those first few months to be honest. The job in Perth is not really working out and my husband now has a chance of a job in Canberra. So hopefully we will all be together in January. But I just want to repeat what others have said above it takes a little while to get a job and you shouldn't give up on your dream and at least your husband has a temporary job with money coming in. If you decide that your husband should return to the UK you might always think what if. At least your children are quite young. Mine are 14, 10 and 8 and have already been to two schools in Oz and now maybe a third.

Hi Wendee It looks like we are moving to Canberra sometime in January or February. So will send you a PM probably not tonight but tomorrow. Thanks.