Gracie

Thanks to all for replys.

Hey all, I've been in Australia since last September on a 457. Due to that nature of my job I was required to move states last March. My employer didn't reimburse me for any of the costs. My question is are these costs tax deductible? I thought they were as they are directly related to my income but recently I've been told that they are not..... Has anyone else been in this situation, were you able to claim back any of your out of pocket expenses? Thanks in advance

Hi k8bug79, Thanks for your reply. If i'm understanding you correctly then he will join the 1st grade or is it Kindergarten 1??? (Junior infants) when we go over in May. I was worried that because he only turned 5 in March he wouldn't be able to start until January 2013. I really hope that's the case anyway. Thanks again.

Hi everyone, We didn't give up and by some miracle it's happening!!!!:biggrin: Should be touching down in Perth in May.... fingers crosses anyway. Thanks for all the encouragement. xx

Hi Guys, I'm a little confused and would be grateful if somebody could clarify what year my little boy will go into... He started Primary school here in Ireland last September age 4 and has since turned 5. I read somewhere that kids only start school at 5 in Australia... this worries me a little if it is true, as i don't want to have to keep him home until next January :confused:. He was in preschool here for two years before he started so i think keeping him back would actually be quite detrimental as he has been doing really well. Any light you could shed on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cannot answer your question just giving your thread a bump so maybe someone who can will see it. For what it's worth and again i am not sure but i think your visa application can be lodged without all documents being ready, for instance we applied in 09 for a 457 and if my memory serves me correctly our application was lodged weeks before we went for medicals.. What Agent are you using? have you researched them?.. Hope it works out. Good Luck

http://www.business.act.gov.au/skilled_and_business_migration/SMP_Occupation_List ACT updated list 01/02/2012

http://www.seek.com.au/Job/child-safety-officer/in/toowoomba-darling-downs-toowoomba-darling-downs/21548443 Hi Steve, This may not be exactly what you are looking for but they are offering 457, seems to be a government job and positions are available in many locations. Maybe your skills qualifications will match up.... Good Luck

Thanks everyone... Still alot to think about. I know saying we would go to very remote areas etc might sound strange but if that's what it would take initially to satisfy the terms of a visa be it 457 or state sponsored for regional workers then that's what we would do until such a time as we could apply for PR. Hubby is working in another country but for a local business so no he is not tax free... Al.. Congrats.. wow! You really have been on a rollercoaster!! It is stories like your that make me believe that it will happen for us eventually :smile:

Also meant to ask if any body sees any truth in the whisper that the NT is going to add occupations to its Skills list? Thanks

Thank you, Gosh 10 years. i thought we were bad heading for 5! I have thought of topping up my degree but with my husband away and the two boys, studying isn't a runner at the moment. All the very best to you both, i really hope it works out this time for you.:biggrin:

Hello again everyone! Ok so i'm back... well i never really left, i log on periodically and browse the posts looking for a glimmer of hope. For those of you who don't remember me, My husband (Heavy Crane Operator) and i had a 457 sponsor (Freo Machinery), contracts signed, medicals done, sent and approved.. our many ducks were in a row and we were weeks away from having that oh so coveted and (for us) extremely elusive visa in our hands. Alas it was not to be, as this was in May of 2009 when the big changes were made to the 457 and our application like so many others was just cancelled. So here we are January 2012 and we are still dreaming :yes: Maybe we're crazy... probably. You see, i do stop thinking about Australia every now and again but it is never too far from my mind. In fact, we never commit to anything here for longer than a few months just in case an opportunity presents itself and with two small boys this is not really ideal. We keep getting to a point where we start to say "ok, we'll buy a house" or "Lets plan next years holiday" but then we hear little things that again give us hope that Australia may yet happen for us. Like just lately we hear that Northern Territory State Sponsorship may be about to open up to Crane Operators and similar occupations. We are always sending resumes etc and there is no shortage of jobs being advertised. Getting the visa is the problem. We are willing to go to the less desirable places and put in the time and effort. Also FIFO for us would not be a problem as currently my husband is only home 4-5 days a month and is in another country working the rest of the time. We actually would have more time together on most of the FIFO rosters than we do now! So i ask you should we give up on our dream or keep living in hope? Thanks Guys, sorry for going on a bit!:smile: