Cerberus1

A couple of changes I'd like to make members aware of with the new forum.

Firstly, the entire site is now served via https. This adds a blanket of security over the connection between members and the website (Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security). This connection encrypts data to prevent eavesdropping, protects the integrity of data to prevent corruption in transfer, and provides authentication to ensure communication only with the intended website.

Secondly, the forum now supports Two Factor Authentication. To set that up and add extra security to your account, follow the screenshots below:

Please use this thread to feedback about any forum problems you encounter.

Problems we are currently working on are the inability to upload an avatar using an ios device (clicking on the button) doesn't do anything - this fault has been logged with the forum software company.

Also, visitor messages and some threads currently have html tags in them such as '<p>' again, this fas been logged as a fault and I'm awaiting a response.

Also, the site is very much a work in progress and additional functionality will be added over the coming weeks, however, it was important to reopen the site as we can work on these issues with the site 'live'.

UPDATE:

It looks like the server hosting company has moved the site over the weekend without telling me. If I'd have known, I'd have closed the site on the old server so people couldn't post on it. Unfortunately, people have still been posting on the old server which should have been inaccessible. It looks like the hosting company took a backup on the 01st and restored it yesterday or today. Absolutely ridiculous that they didn't tell me when they were moving it but as things stand, it may be more problematic if I try to restore the missing 2 or 3 days data, so a big apology to anyone who has lost posts from the last couple of days.

Still, onwards and upwards, at least the site has been moved now, so touch wood, I'll be upgrading it next weekend. Whilst this will result in some more downtime, I promise that no posts will be lost.

But will the 'like' button return?

Yes, 'like' functionality is built in, unlike with the current forum which required an add-on

It's up to you, tapatalk will still work, but the website will display in a mobile friendly format anyway.

In the next few days, I'll be moving the forum to another server in readiness for the planned site upgrade. The site will be offline periodically whilst it is moved and again whilst we are moving the site to a new software platform. (Invision Power Services forum software)

I understand not everyone will like the change, however, the current software is outdated, features add ons that are no longer supported, isn't mobile friendly etc along with a host of other problems.

The new platform will have a fully responsive design (mobile friendly) and will be secured using HTTPS.

There will no doubt be a learning curve with the new forum software for users, moderators and admin but we feel we can no longer carry on with the site in it's present state.

Thanks

Rob

Admin

The forum will move to SSL when we change the forum software - it's on the cards but can't give you an exact date yet.

Sunset Townsville this evening

Sunset over Lake Havasu, Arizona a couple of nights ago

Sunset a couple of weeks ago, from the View Hotel in Monument Valley

and only slightly off topic as it wasn't quite sunset (but was going dark) when the sun broke through the cloud and illuminated the West Mitten Butte.

Sunset this evening, South rim of the Grand Canyon

and this morning's visitor

Some birds spotted in the Front garden over the last few days.

Common emerald dove

Pied Imperial Pigeon

Native hen ?

We've been asked by AHPRA if we could post the information below.

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Hi all, I work in the communications team at AHPRA and we thought we might answer a few of the questions and ongoing issues that seem to have cropped up throughout this thread.

First of all, our apologies to those whose applications have been delayed as a result of the changes that have happened. We are working as hard as we can to process applications. However, due to the complexities of each individual application, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (National Board) needs to review all documents with each application to make sure that our assessment is fair and consistent.

We understand your frustration and hope you appreciate that the assessment process takes time.

We’ve looked through the comments and discussions in this thread and would like to answer the ones that seem to be your core questions.

For starters, the latest information is available on the National Board website. You may also want to visit this page about the stages of an application which gives a lot more information on the application process.

The National Board’s website will always contain the latest information and our aim is to update the online information, particularly on the assessment process, with current information based on community feedback and any changes that happen.

Much of the material below is directly from the National Board’s website, so do check it out. If you have any questions please feel free to contact AHPRA or your registration officer.

Thanks to those sending in questions via our Twitter account – we’re working to reply as quickly as we can where possible. Keep in mind that, for privacy reasons, we can’t really discuss specific cases but we can talk to you about general stuff.

As mentioned, the National Board website is the main source of information, so we’ll generally link you to the right page(s) on that website for more information.

You will understand that the 140 character limit on Twitter makes it difficult to answer detailed or complex questions, or those about your specific circumstances. So if you have a question that needs a detailed answer it’s usually easier to either call us or make a web enquiry.

Which criteria will my application be assessed under?

The new criteria apply to all applications that were complete or received after 7 October 2013. If your application was fully complete before this date, the previous framework that existed at the time will apply.

This means that if your application was not complete by 7 October, you will be assessed under the new model.

Assessment of qualifications was put on hold while the new model was being implemented. The new model was finalised on 10 February 2014, and assessment of qualifications resumed at that time.

More info on the new model is available here on the National Board website.

Why is there a difference between ANMAC’s assessment and AHPRA’s?

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) is an independent organisation that assesses the skills of overseas nurses and midwives who want to migrate to Australia under a general skilled migration program – see International services on the ANMAC website.

The National Board, in partnership with AHPRA, assesses eligibility for registration as a registered nurse, enrolled nurse or midwife in Australia in accordance with the National Law.

Acceptance for skilled migration by ANMAC does not guarantee that you will be registered with the National Board.

Read how applications are assessed on the National Board website.

I have a DipHE (+/- experience as a nurse). Will my application for registration be approved?

Your qualification must be assessed to be substantially equivalent to a Board-approved Australian qualification. For example, for registered nurses this must be equivalent to a bachelor degree as defined in the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Level 7.

A Diploma of Higher Education alone is generally considered to be AQF level 6 (along with advanced diplomas and associate degrees), which is below the required level for general registration. You may be eligible for a bridging program, which you will be referred to if your qualifications are assessed as AQF level 6.

For more information on the AQF and how it is used in assessment, visit this page on the National Board website.

Where your qualification leading to registration does not meet all eight qualification assessment criteria, the National Board will take into account any relevant subsequent nursing qualifications that may allow you to meet all requirements.

You can read about composite qualifications on the National Board website.

How long will my application take?

If you have already applied for registration and are wondering how long it will take to process your application, we regret that we are generally unable to give a reliable estimate of processing time. We will give clearer timeframes individually where they are available.

This is because we assess and process each application on an individual basis. The unique circumstances of your application will determine how long we take to process it.

Our goal is to resume our previous target of 4-6 weeks as soon as possible to assess and determine applications from internationally qualified nurses or midwives that are both complete and straight forward. Applications that are complex may take longer.

More information on processing time is available on the National Board website.

To enquire about the status of your application

To find out details about the status of your application, contact AHPRA directly or speak to your registration officer.

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Emu somewhere near Mt Isa on our last trip

Red-eyed Tree Frogs - Our back garden

Golden Orb - back garden

Ulysses butterflies - front garden

Blue Fairy Wren - Back Garden

Common Eggfly (?) butterfly - Cloncurry

(?) butterfly - Cloncurry

Caper White (?) butterfly - Cloncurry

(?) butterfly - Cloncurry

Just photographed this Kookaburra swimming in our pool. Must have spent around 10 minutes diving in and flying back out again.

Another few sunsets from our recent trip with Bob

Ranken (NT)

Churchill's Head just off Stuart Highway (NT)

Darwin

Darwin (Mindil Beach)

Sunrise near Richmond

Sunrise near Richmond

Hi

Not sure exactly what info you require but

Indian Higher Education providers are broken down into 3 sections in the CEP. Section1 - 'Very Good Institutions', Section 2 - 'Good Institutions' & Section 3 - 'Satisfactory Institutions.

Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut falls under Section 2 (Good Institutions)

hi can you tell me when you have to import a car by? we have a car we're thinking of bringing with us, we've owned it for over 12 months. Do we need to ship it the same time we go over or is it ok to put it into storage for a while and ship it over at a later date eg. 6 months later? is there a time limit as to when it has to come over?

 

thanks

For the Personal Imports Scheme, applications may be made up to 6 months after you arrive in Australia. - http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/import_options/pis.aspx

A quick reminder, if anyone has any questions about transporting your Car to Australia, then Kristian (Iron Chef) from IronLadyImports is available in our webchat until 10pm

To participate, click on the 'chat' menu option at the top of the page. Clicking on chat will launch the chat software. There will different 'rooms' for each of the different companies.

Unregistered guests can participate by following this link - Chat with Industry Experts, then, once the chat software has loaded, tick the 'Guest' option at the top of the chat window, then choose a username and click 'Login' and enter the 'IronLady Imports' chat room.

A quick reminder, if anyone has any questions about:

• Retirement Planning (including Transition to Retirement for those over 55 years of age);
  
• Superannuation and Pension Advice;
  
• UK Pension Transfers;
  
• Investment Planning (including Margin Lending); and
  
• Risk Insurance (including Income Protection, Life, Total and Permanent Disability Insurance and Trauma Insurance).
  

then, Andrew is available in our webchat until 10pm

To participate, click on the 'chat' menu option at the top of the page. Clicking on chat will launch the chat software. There will different 'rooms' for each of the different companies.

Unregistered guests can participate by following this link - Chat with Industry Experts, then, once the chat software has loaded, tick the 'Guest' option at the top of the chat window, then choose a username and click 'Login' and enter the 'Vista Financial Services' chat room.

VISTA FINANCIAL SERVICES – EXPERT UK PENSION TRANSFER ADVICE

Andrew Williams

Andrew is a UK Expat who migrated to Australia in November 2007 and qualified as an Australian Financial Adviser and Mortgage Advisor in March 2008.

Andrew opened Vista Financial Services in February 2009 and has since helped countless Expats transfer their UK Pensions, purchase their first Australian homes and arrange and implement their financial planning affairs.

Andrew has been a member of Poms in Oz since May 2008 and has assisted many Poms in Oz members either directly as clients or just through his many helpful and informative threads and posts.

Andrew has been in the Financial Services Industry for over 10 years and in the UK was a qualified Financial Adviser for Nat West. Prior to this he was a qualified Mortgage Adviser and Branch Manager for Alliance and Leicester. Click here for Andrew’s Profile.

Vista Financial Services

UK Pension Transfers and Australian Superannuation

Whether or not you transfer your UK Pension(s) to Australia is a big decision. The Australian and UK Pension systems are very different so taking advice from someone that has a thorough understanding and knowledge of both is essential.

Every situation is different and Vista’s advice will be tailored to your individual needs including advantages and disadvantages of transferring your pension(s), benefits that will be lost and gained for you personally and projections to help you understand where you money is best placed for your retirement.

If a transfer is in your interests Vista will administer the whole process for you including the opening of an appropriate Superannuation Fund in Australia to receive your pension together with an individually tailored investment portfolio within your new Super fund that suits you and your Risk Profile.

We have access to a very large range of providers and are not tied to or owned by any Banks or Financial Institutions therefore you can be rest assured we pick the right Super Fund for you.

The investments that we can recommend for you within Super are vast and range between Term Deposits and Managed Funds to Exchange Traded Funds and Direct Shares.

Vista will keep you updated every step of the way and is on hand throughout the whole process.

Financial Advice

Vista can also assist you with Investments, Superannuation and Risk Insurance (Life, Total and Permanent Disability, Trauma and Income Protection Insurance).

Andrew can also assist in Wealth Creation and Retirement Planning advice and enjoys many long term relationships with clients who consult with Andrew annually to assist them in reaching their retirement goals and objectives.

Poms in Oz and Vista Financial Services

Exclusively for Poms in Oz members, you will receive a $50 gift voucher on successful completion of a Pension Transfer and we also provide a $50 gift voucher for referrals that proceed to completion.

For more information Please visit our website www.vistafs.com.au or email Andrew at Andrew@vistafs.com.au alternatively contact Andrew on 08 8381 7177

Financial Planning Services are provided by Andrew Williams as an Authorised Representative (322874) of Professional Investment Services (Australian Financial Services Licence No: 234951, ABN 11 074 608 558). Mortgages and Home Loan services are provided by Andrew as a Credit Representative (of Australian Loan Company (ACL 377711)

Vista Financial Services Pty Ltd, ABN 70 135 609 022.

If you are moving to Adelaide and want to know about schools in the area, suburbs or need help finding accommodation or friends in the area, then why not take a look at our sister site: Poms in Adelaide.

If you are moving to Queensland and want to know about schools in the area, suburbs or need help finding accommodation or friends in the area, then why not take a look at our sister site: Life in Queensland.

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