abz123

I would say that LinkedIn is totally different in that it is more factual career stuff that is no different from the contents of your CV typically (mine certainly is) whereas FB is the "warts and all" life history that your idiot friends (okay I'm generalising) have plastered all sorts of crap on. As for HR departments, wasteful but evidence suggests they do just that: http://socialraise.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/how-employers-use-social-media-to-hire-employees/

that's okay if you are savvy but there are too many naive people out there who still don't realise that prospective employers, amongst others, scan profiles to see whether your "private" life fits their criteria.

Get the correct paperwork. Lying to get a visa is seriously not a good idea and may result in you being denied any visa in the future (including tourist visas)

Sad fact of life but anything on social media is not private regardless of what you think. Saw a news article recently about a class action against FB or maybe Google that "private" messages were being regularly accessed without consent. I have a FB account solely to belong to a group but never use it for anything else and it contains the minimum personal details possible. Edit: it was FB http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25584286

Thanks guys. Glad it's not just me and not just a WA thing. Maybe the battery manufacturers are in cahoots with electronics suppliers to make product obsolescence happen even sooner!

Is it the heat in WA or do they just not build them like they used to? I can't say I ever remember having seen a battery leak in the UK even when it was left in something for years but it seems to be happening frequently now. Found a "strange" spiky thing on the floor one morning that turned out to be the top terminal from a AA battery that had self destructed and blown the kitchen stereo remote control apart!

And what skills do you have to offer to an employer?

I could count my real friends on one hand (probably without needing my thumb!) and certainly can't be bothered with trying to reconnect with people I knew at school/uni via social media. I have acquaintances who I socialise with but who I know are never going to be the "thumb". Our family unit is far more important to me than transient friendships.

Think that's quite typical for most employers but good on you for taking the proactive route - just keep your cards close to your chest.

Yep, Double D's in WA too. the difference it makes to the way people drive is startling

Did our 175 by myself. Never even considered using an agent as the DIAC website was pretty clear as to what I needed to provide. Again, depends on your own situation but there are lots of successful applications from people who have done it themselves and saved a lot of money by doing so.

Seek.com.au is a good place to start looking but you are unlikely to get much traction until you actually arrive, unfortunately.

Yes, we're in Perth. Came me out in 2010 when accountants were on the critical skills list and I was primary applicant with CIMA qualification (and a degree) hence the banter between us. Perth is not bad at recognising ACCA due to the number of UK migrants who know what it is but we both have oil and gas backgrounds which is why we chose to settle in Perth. Can't comment on Adelaide but had an ACCA colleague who found work in Sydney without any problems.

I don't think anything has changed for "us" Some countries do not allow you to hold dual citizenship so I think it is a polite warning to applicants that holding a UK passport may result in them losing their original citizenship. "May" is quite different from "will"

My OH did ACCA without having a degree too, it's quite common. Still pees her off to this day when people say, "what do you mean you don't have a degree?" I also wind her up as they give you automatic fellowship after 5 years just for paying your subs! ACCA does get some blank stares from people even though you can apparently sit the exams here.

Maybe approach some of the mining companies as they operate privately owned rail networks. BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto are probably the main two for your side of the country. I know Roy Hill were advertising a senior railway role recently so may have other opportunities too but that would be WA but I guess FIFO

Did you buy it from one of the big chains? I know Harvey Norman can pull previous purchase details from their system based on the phone number you gave at the time or at least that's what they told me so maybe other stores can too.

Is your wife an accountant Of a recognised body e.g. CA, CIMA, ACCA or similar? Just holding positions with the title "accountant" is not going to be enough for a skills assessment.

Any way you can teleconference etc instead of travelling at least part of the time? Worth having the conversation with your boss as they obviously think you are capable of doing the new role and are also supportive of getting you your PR. I used to travel in a previous role and had to keep a very close eye on my days out of the country.

Hi Jill - welcome to PIO Thought they had changed their mind on charging school fees for 457 people but someone will be along shortly to confirm. don't do anything too hasty until then.

Mima Shaw Settlements did ours. Friend of my in-laws when they lived out here. Everything can be done by phone / email so need for face-to-face visit. My understanding is there is a fee structure table depending on your property value. All of them will do it for less than the recommended price, or if they won't you will easily find one who will. Alternatively the selling agent or your mortgage broker (if you are using one) will recommend one to you - not sure if they get a backhander for doing so though!

Did he fill her cavity? Sorry, couldn't let an easy opportunity like that go past.

I have claimed my UK accountancy body fees every year. ATO require that you can provide evidence of deductions if required but has never been questioned so far. Other option may be to ask your employer to pay your subs

Tourist visas now allow you to stay for up to 6 months instead of three, but don't tell my mother-in-law!

PQ, keep us updated once he has seen the immunologist. I am sure everyone is interested to hear how he goes and how things work out. :hug: To you all.