LilMe1

Thanks both for the advice; I will certainly do what you've both suggested. I was begining to wonder what ACT's rationale was for sponsor someone like me, when their job market predominently comprises of jobs for the Australian government, which means I can't apply for the majority of vacancies until I've become or are in the process of becoming a citizen. Even the private companies seem to have the same condition, because they have connections with the government. I'm not trying to complain here, as I am grateful for my visa. I am just keen to understand...

LOL. This post has just made my day. :biglaugh:

As part of my visa application I had to provide evidence that there were a number of jobs that I could apply for. So I did my due dilligence and saw that there were a number of jobs that I could apply for, although some weren't necessarily the same as what I'm doing at present (I'm currently working as a PMO Manager). I'm now due to fly to Aus in the next few weeks and although there seems to be the same number of jobs around, I am struggling to find one that doesn't require me to be an Australian citizen. I did think that I would more than likely end up in a Government job, but all jobs that I'm qualified to do seem to require me to be a citizen. Can permanent residents get govt jobs? I'm beginning to wonder whether I researched the jobs well enough last year when I was providing my evidence ...

Thanks for the advice here. Was gonna take my current washing machine until I looked at the paperwork and realised it was actually 5 years old!:wacko: (also I don't have the transit bolts either). Time flies... Will think about buying brand new to ship over now!

That's great PollyGirl. Good luck with your move. And for those who are still waiting, yes it does feel an age but then it comes and hits you all of sudden. Best of luck too!

Thanks everyone for your posts. Think I'm now going to open the first bottle of the many bottles of champagne I'll probably drink before I go! :jiggy:

I have finally been able to tell management and my team at work that I'm emigrating to Oz in the near future. I've been fit to burst over the last few weeks, so now I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I have a great sense of relief that everything is out in the open. It's bloomin' marvelous! All I have to do now is started the countdown to my departure ... which is 74 days and counting! - Happy days! :jiggy:

Have you tried looking online for practice questions? If you keep practicing then you'll be totally relaxed the next time you come to do the real thing. Don't give up; you'll get there in the end!

You've used the analogy about your OH getting fat, but if your OH was fat in the first place would they really have still had the same appeal. Any problems from being fat at the start of the relationship would be there and may well put you off. All I'm saying is that under those circumstances would you honestly have taken the time to get to know them in the first place?

My immediate response was no because I want to be closer to family and I know that there is a better life for me over there; the weather for me is just a bonus. But what JohnDoe said got me thinking ... The weather really does affect so many things, including people's disposition. I know I'm a lot happier and relaxed when the weather is good, so I wonder whether it really would be as appealling if the weather was more like the UK...

For me, it was the type of visa I applied for. I originally applied for a family sponsored visa (who are Sydney based), but that was taking between 5-10 years to process (which for me was far too long!). In my opinion you can't underestimate the value of having friends and family close by when you're first setting up and finding out 'the lie of the land'. I guess you have to reflect on what made you decide to emmigrate in the first place and what you value the most. Best of luck with the search for your new home!

It seems hard for me to decide whether to take over my white goods and TV. For example, I have an ok washer but it's actually 5 years old... Will it be worth paying the shipping fees on something that old? Also, my TV is only about 2 years old, but I don't know if has a box? How can I tell? It is supposed to receive Freeview, although I use Sky - does that make a difference?

Hey Cass Thanks for the heads up about Singapore Airlines. I've just booked with them, so it's great to know that I will have up to 40 Kg allowance due to my 176 visa ... happy days! Re the paperwork for your 176 visa, I applied for mine through an agent and as part of the application process I had to send off my passport to them. When it came back it was stuck on one of the pages. Sorry to ask the obvious, but if you've had to do the same, have you checked your passport? Also, if you went through an agent it may be worthwhile going back to them to ask them about it.

I originally applied for a family sponsored visa, however part way through the process the Australian government changed the prioritisation rules and so I was told by my agent that my application could take up to 10 years to get approved! :cry: My Agent then encouraged me to apply for a state sponsored visa, which would they said would be guaranteed within 12 months. Following some research on the area I decided to go for it. Although my family are based in Sydney, I'm really looking forward to living in Canberra as I think that it is more me. I am now looking to move over later this year, but I find it really reassuring to have my decision validated when I continue to read such lovely positive things about it on PIO.