ClaireandPilch

Thanks Bob. Really appreciate any news you can share. My hope is that they announce the 10 day quarantine asap. Reducing the stay will really help to offset the cost of the internal flight (I guess the internal flight is around GBP500)

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything more definite on the rumours that Byford (Perth) may not open again! I have heard from a creditable source that they are still to decide if they re-open Byford after the current bush fires. Apparently it is due to close soon anyway and this may just accelerate that process. I guess that means an expensive internal flight! Anyone have any more info on it?

Thanks folks. Appreciate the responses (even AJ's, althoug it is way off the mark) Shame that these shops like Ikea, John Lewis, M&S etc aren't able to handle this sort of stuff. Perhaps they are missing a trick!

Got a bit of a quandary and wondering what tips and great ideas the good people of PIO have. Moving to Perth in June and the container is leaving end of May. We have a huge party booked and I am sure our family, friends, work, clubs etc. are keen to buy us leaving presents. What great ideas do people have for leaving presents? We can give people direction on the party invites and, really not meaning to sound ungrateful, but I don't want to receive stuff (picture frames, ornaments, Champagne etc.) that I have to leave behind or ship as excess baggage! We are setting up a new home and spoke to Ikea about vouchers people can buy in the UK but we can spend in Oz. But they can't do it. Asking for cash is a little rude.

Many thanks Referred on 14th Sept. online application.

That's great ibbi. Really pleased for you that things are moving.

Yes, possible and simple. All you need is a state that will sponsor you and a few $$$

This morning we finally got our visa granted. It's taken over four years from initial Skills Test to Grant. One hell of a roller coaster!! You guys in this forum have kept me going and have been a constant source of information. THANK YOU ALL. That goes to everyone from the Mods who do a great job of keeing things in order to people like me who just read posts several times a day for 4 years! Keep up the good work and I wish you all the best. Good luck in whatever you do. Below is my full timeline. Hopefully it can reassure or inspire someone. Thanks Again. 13th Feb 2009 – Applied for a visa (176 Family Sponsored Skilled Migration Visa) 23rd Sept 2009 – DIAC (Dept of Immigration and Citizenship) change the rules from date order processing to a model were skills are processed based on criticalness. July 2012 – Made aware that my skill is sponsored in WA (Western Australia.) 26th July 2012 – Applied for WA sponsorship 27th July 2012 – WA confirm sponsorship and we inform DIAC 30th July 2012 – DIAC confirm we have changed to a 176 State Sponsored Visa. 6th Aug 2012 – Application is assigned to a Case Officer. 6th Sept 2012 – Medicals and Police checks are completed. All sent to Case Officer. 14th Sept 2012 – DIAC check and certify all of our medicals and police checks. ALL documents are “Met” with one exception which is my eldest sons medical forms. 12th Dec 2012 – Last Medical is Finalised 13th Dec 2012 – VISA GRANTED

Just letting you know that the golden email has arrived for me and my visa has been granted. Woohooo!! :xmas21: For reference I was an online app that was referred on the 14th Sept. I want to thank you all for your support and sharing of information. You guys rock and I wish you all the best. I will start a new thread with my timeline so that hopefully it can inspire or reassure someone like others have done for me.

Hi Ibbi, got your email and will reply very shortly. I got WA State Sponsorship in July 2012, before that it was 176 FS.

Yep, your right Leslie, moving along nicely now. What a difference a day makes!! I think we will be drinking Champagne this evening.

My last medical is now finalised and I am sure that golden email will arrive any time soon. After the frustration of last night and the phone lines being shutdown. It is almost time to get off this roller coaster :xmas18:

Just sat down to start another session of trying to get through on the phone and the answer message has changed to say the number is no longer in use and if you want an update then speak to you CO. Looks like they have shut down all communication lines. Nice work GH!!!

Sorry, it is really hard to not be cynical. Got to within a few weeks of being processed 3+ years ago (rented my house out and took redundancy) then the infamous 23rd Sept 09 rule changes when DIAC changed to skill instead of date order processing. Oh well. If GH do their job properly then the fun can begin. :biglaugh:

Not for everyone, unfortunately! :nah: