Genghis Khan

I recommend the Lal Qila on Cleveland Street, it's close to the Norfolk Hotel. It's staffed with Pakistanis so the food is closer to the Pakistani and Bangladeshi we are used to in the UK.

Thanks for replies all, will have a look at Cheers and The Paragon.

With the cricket getting nearer and me getting keener, anyone know where the best pub/venue is for late night cricket watching with a partisan English crowd? I live in Alexandria/Waterloo, I'm thinking maybe the Royal Exhibition / The Maddison / The Aurora or just the casino. Anyone know from last time around?:yes:

What's wrong with the Aurora? The Maddo is hardly the classiest place either.

Scotinho, I've worked in Redfern with a few people who live down in the Shire as it's called, and nice place it is too. Maybe 35 mins communte in absolute best case 3AM in the morning all lights green and no traffic scenario to Darlinghurst. From my time driving a van around Sydney for 9 months, I'd say 45 mins - 1 hour is more realistic in day times and more than that at peak hours commuting time. I'm on similar wages to your Aussie ones , rent a 330 a week one bedroom place in Alexandria, sharing with my girlfriend (no kids) and still lifes far from a picnic if you want to save some money to buy a place!

"I was thinking I should leave a spare set in one of the pubs as they are open almost 24X7 around where I live in Surry Hills." Useful if you ever go senile and this becomes a habbit! Maddo one week, The Strawb the next, then Aurora and Royal Exo. That way you can save face...

It's a terrible thing, I've heard of it happening more often in India/Pakistan and also in Colombia / South American countries.

I think you'll be ok, me and my girlfriend were in a de facto on a 457 and we got the pr visa a few months ago, we had joint lease, joint electricity, joint bank a/c paying the rent and bills and a few photos, 3 stat decs from friends.

I've tried Bishops finger, Pedigree, Landlord and London pride (and most of the 4 pines beers, pale ale, kolsch, hefeweizen). They're all darker and less fizzy than 4 Pines Pale Ale. Nearly all commercial Aussie beers (in Sydney at least) are cold, pasteurised and carbonated so there is less variety than in the UK. In general, you don't get cellar temperature non-fizzy beer here. If you're into your British beer, bitters, ales and so on, you're going to be left wanting if you move to Oz or brewing your own. Until the last few years, nearly all Sydney pubs are supplied by two big companies, Fosters who own Carlton Utd Breweries who supply Carlton Draught and VB. Lion Nathan who supply Tooheys New. James Squire brewery (owned by Lion) have hit the pubs with an invented heritage but at least some much needed variety Pale Ales, Amber Ale, Pilsner, Stout, but most pubs will only have a couple of these on if any at all. If you want variety you have to find the speciality places, not the mainstream pubs, or the big off licences. The microbrewers tend to go for German, Czech and Belgian styles (pilsner, wheat beer) and American Pale Ale that suit the weather here more than British style bitters and ales.

Why were you feeling guilty? Lack of exercise?

Coming here alone is probably the best way imo.

I'd guess he/she means Sunshine Vic, in the West of Melbourne.

Don't know about the other areas, but having lived in Redfern for about 4 years it definitely improved in that time, cafes, small bars, restaurants, its not what it was in the 80's/90's. Plus you've got all the benefits of living in the centre of Sydney. There are many suburbs in Sydney that I'd say are worse imo: Mount Druitt, Rockdale, Campbelltown, St Marys, Blacktown.

Ok, here's the advice booklet for 457 visas from Immi: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/books9.pdf Page 32, Standard Business Applications has under Assessing Your Application: "if required to do so, that you have the relevant licensing and registration required to perform the duties of your nominated occupation in Australia." So, in my opinion, that means if he is being brought in as a licenced electrician (his company has in his visa application he is a an Australian licenced electrician) he must meet the licencing requirements. The obvious way round this is to bring him in as a trades assistant or apprentice so he can still work for the electrician company doing whatever he is actually/physically able to do. You have to qualify for an Australian electrical licence. You can do this by gaining a licence in Australia or by skills assessment/recognition of prior learning (RPL). Just because you have a UK/German/Canadian/French licence don't mean jack.