Phoenix16

Thank you for the nice comments, to be honest the relationship has never been particularly close, however, after venting last night and getting it off my chest (and feeling much better!!) we have sat down with them today and asked if they are struggling financially as we are very happy to give them some money to enable them to really enjoy their time here and get out and about and see this wonderful place. Unfortunately my husband has started a new job in recent months and cannot take any time off, I am doing a placement for my degree that I cannot change and daughter is at school, they knew this before they came but tonight an open and honest discussion has taken place, they now acknowledge the impact of them Living with us while we have to go to work and come home tired and then manage their expectations of us, and they have confirmed they have ample funds to do more and that perhaps they should, we acknowledge we should be less selfish and appreciate them more while they are here, I guess what I have learned (and thanks to some of the criticism on this thread, I have listened!) is that instead of festering and whinging behind their backs, sometimes confronting the issue and actually saying how you feel is the right way to deal with things, it's not all hunky dory and we will think twice about their next visit but we are now getting through this visit in an honest and more productive way, thank you for everyone's comments, good or bad they have helped me to look at the situation more objectively xxxxx

I can appreciate how my comments sounded, I was raging and not rationalising but had had a day of it and vented on here. NO I'm not a snob, I do shop in Kmart, I did shop in Sainsbury's and Tesco's fir clothes when I lived there, and loved them actually, I was reacting to posts I thought were just being provocative, I should have counted to 10 first!! To some I do sound like an unappreciative DIL so I will explain, when we go to UK, they refuse to pick us up from the airport (unlike when they come here and we're talking same distances), we are not invited to stay with them, we pay expensive flights and expensive hotel bills, then we are considered to be the 'rich' visitors (which we truly are not) and every trip out, every meal out etc is on us, in fact it was even suggested to us before our last trip that we treat them all (along with us of course) to a family holiday in the Greek islands as I had been saying how much I missed the Greek islands, obviously we didn't appreciate the suggestion and certainly didn't not have that kind of money, so as far as I'm concerned we are used and abused when they come here and we are used and abused when we go there, hope that balances my frustrations to you a little more xxx

Absolutely spot on, exactly what I'm doing and thank you for understanding xxxx

I did but a lovey dress there 2 summers ago, I really loved it but after washing it it didn't fit me anymore, I chose to believe it was cheap nasty fabric that shrunk not me putting on any weight , bought a TShirt there this summer and inexplicably every time I wash it it keeps itS shape but it's getting baggier, I'm besides myself thinking I might be actually losing weight, but I dare not burst my bubble by actually getting on the scales, I'm just thinking ignorance is bliss and I'm happy!!!

OMG I am actually shocked, someone stole money from your child??? Gawd that is scary, someone on here who clearly built up trust with you, did you get the police onto them, did get ever bloody explain their actions? How can you trust people again? This is the reality, I'm shocked at how we are being used by family at the moment but bloody hell, I'm so sorry this happened to you but so amazed that you still show such trust in PIO members, you're a lovely lady xxxxx

Totally down hill, totally agree, So glad I'm not the only one thinking this!! I used to live target, could rely on it for my staple items, not now though

PS clothes in Australia are rubbish?? Totally disagree, Myer has amazing clothes for kids, they now do the Ted Baker range amongst others that I used to buy in Debenhams, the smart way to shop in Myer is to wait for the 30% weekends they have every other weekend, I get quality for good prices. Totally agree with you though that Australia is rubbish if your clothing your kids form Kmart or target, but then if you were in the UK you'd be looking at primark which is equally rubbish so I'm not sure what your problem is???

Hey Sammy1, I will send them over to yours for a week see how you get on, I don't appreciate your facetious, smug comments, I was making a humerous post about a stressful situation, they have significant amounts of money to buy clothes at Myers, they are pretty affluent and there is no need to buy 'tat' for my lovely daughter, I chose to clothe my daughter in quality stuff, I believe in the long run it lasts longer and is more cost effective, I have bought crap before but it lasts days and in the long run you spend more money buying more crap, plus it doesn't look nice and I want my daughter to look nice, fact. Thank you for your comments, but perhaps keep them to yourself in future unless you have a worthy comment to nmake xxxx

Just had a 3 week visit from the in laws, they actually managed to spend less than $100 on their 3 week visit, they managed to borrow cars that eternally fill themselves with petrol, their version of lunch in Freo was to pack some sandwiches and sit outside little creatures, they asked if they could take my little girl shopping but when I said she loves the clothes in Myers they changed their mind because they'd thought Kmart (was sopposed to be their Christmas treat to her, alas she's now going to receive some primark stuff through the the post), smiggle is out of bounds, far too expensive, dining out is fabulous, as long as we are paying..... 3 weeks in Australia for nothing and a no expenses spared stop off in Dubai on the way home (thanks to the cheapest Aussie holiday!!), they mentioned coming next Christmas for another 'free' holiday, I can't put on this forum the words that came out of my mouth, but basically NO, not in a million years xxxxxxxx

We came to OZ very unexpectedly, we didn't plan it, it happened so quickly, we had quite a few loans and stuff, we continued to pay them from OZ, we actually paid off all out debts, exactly the same as we would have in the UK, we just continued to send the monthly repayments, exactly as we would have done if we lived in the UK, we paid them all off. i don't get your problem, just keep paying your debts, you will sleep better, trust me xxx

Hi! So I now know officially we do have to move to Sydney in the next 24 months. We have a house in WA and as you know it's a declining market so not looking to sell the house, very possibly the house we want to retire back to! But in terms of living in Sydney, initially we will rent, I would estimate a budget of $1500 per week, we want a good school, Jess goes to St hildas in WA, but I spend 1 hr driving there and back each trip, 2 x a day!! just want a decent school that is close to home so she can have play dates, a nice house and obviously has to be accessible to the city for the breadwinner!! I'm about to resister as a nurse but jobs for me will have to fit in with the family dynamics unfortunately xx

Agree...but I really do think the damage is done, there really is no going back.

age limit increased I think but check the points you need, no idea here just assuming they're tough!

Thank you Northernbird, as I suspected just looking for the proof!!

Ok im hoping you can help me! I have a friend over here on a 457 for 12 months (no aspirations to stay, just enjoying the big adventure!) so they are on a UK driving license, he is a big biker and has treated himself to a motor bike whilst over here, unfortunately he didn't realise/understand the double demerits system that operates on public holidays and has received 6 points for going 101 in an 80 zone. he's feeling very embarrassed and mortified but also wondering how this affects his UK license (has no WA license), would really appreciate your advice and also any links to the licensing dept that would indicate the penalties he's facing with a UK license only, e.g. can they allocate points to it??? please no comments on his being irresponsible, i know him well, he's a law abiding citizen aged 55 who just got over excited on his first day out on an aussie bike in oz!! He's learned his lesson ha ha!

i remember when we bought our house we just put $1000 down and you can put any subjects into the agreement, we did pest report and survey stuff our agent urged us to put subject to sale of our house too but we were in a bidding war situation so wanted to make the offer as attractive as we could to get picked! We flew by the seat of our pants selling ours but all fell into place in the final weeks, wouldn't recommend it though!!

To be honest, UK could eradicate massive amounts of benefit fraud if they simply crossed matched all their computer systems, it sounds so simple and yet they don't, I think it's the data protection laws, human right laws, whatever. But to give a good example of how systems completely work against each other, I remember one particular benefits claimant who received the highest rate of disability living allowance as she needed to receive more than 37 hours a week of round the clock night and day care, she in turn claimed invalid care allowance (highest rate) for 3 of her 5 children (all diagnosed with ADHD) (3 x invalid care allowance payments to clarify) for providing more than 37 hours per week of round the clock night and day care for her kids. I found it clashed that she needed the intense care yet could also provide the intense care...however, she did eventually come unstuck when she was investigated for benefit fraud as a lone parent and her kids came home from school, threw their bags on the sofa and asked "what time will Dad be home....", she did then try to say her kids has psychological problems and could not accept Dad didn't live at home, but basically she was outed and lost her 57,000 sterling per year benefits windfall.

I think 99.99% of migrants know full well they should not receive CB if they don't live in the UK. Also, having worked in the benefits industry prior to migrating, many won't get caught. Its not something to be proud of or brag about, it is actually fraud, speaks volumes about their integrity, I wouldn't worry about it, there is nothing you can do, just take pride in your own integrity.

That is a great result! To be honest I do hear lovely success stories about the NHS, my friend has recently been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, she had relatively minor symptoms and her kidneys are still functioning extremely well, she was lucky to see a clued up GP who got her into the system literally immediately, she has the diagnosis and is being well looked after. Its 100% hereditary and both of her parents were oblivious and have lead fantastically healthy lives well into their 70's so long term prognosis is excellent, she is just stressed about whether to tell her children as they could be affected. But much respect to the NHS for quick and prompt action, I think when you put the politics aside and recognise the true professionals who ultimately make the NHS a world class service, then its easy to see what a great institution it is. Saying that I love the Aussie system and the fact you can have a more direct involvement in your choices and options (albeit with a private insurance), I do remember paying NI in the UK, I pay that here in terms of my private policy, I think there are arguments for both systems, I like the choices I have and the access to immediate help and treatment, particularly when ill health in Australia can adversely affect your employment and financial status, very quickly, but I like the fact it also supports those who don't have access to private insurance and provides equal access and treatment, immediately in an emergency, perhaps a wait if not an emergency.

Sounds like a place I worked in Freo! Scarred me for life and made me decide to get a degree and re-train. Bullying was rampant, it was a charitable NGO, the top level were very focused on job titles (CEO, COO, CFO...), executive parking spaces, company cars, free petrol. The hierarchy was very very top heavy, if you were 'in' you got promoted, rapidly, the moment you stepped outside the box, you were toast and gone. Attrition levels were shocking, turnover was unbelievable, Tony Abbot vowed to disband this type of 'Charitable' but heavily funded organisation on getting into power, ultimately he did, he was absolutely correct. Budgets for some very key services in Freo, particularly health wise for the disadvantaged was very seriously compromised to keep these precious 'executives' happy.

I suffered with chronic hay fever in UK, very debilitating in fact, don't get it at all here in WA! However, caveat unfortunately, I do know those who suffer pretty bad here with it, it seems to be a 'luck of the draw' thing, you won't know until you get here. I never suffered as a child just came on suddently in 20's and left as suddenly after arriving here xx

So unfortunately OP has only choice but to do the conversion course, frustrating yes, but I would feel frustrated at doing a serious degree course and only getting s diploma??? Is there a difference with a Bachelors degree? Curious, as just gone through 'hell' semester, very thought, very intense, would not be happy to learn my hard work got me a diploma, got loads of them.....

I can understand, bottom line, Auz has adopted a strict approach, degree nurse or nothing, at 24 years old I would bite the bullet and do what I need to do, there lies a massive, amazing career for young nurses in WA, get the right qualifications, the world is at your feet!! I'm a mature student, not so many career opportunities for me, but I'm loving what I do, I'm loving learning and m going to enjoy my years as an RN, degree qualified, it's the only option in OZ xxx

How far off citizenship are you? I'm a nursing student here in WA, I'm a migrant who is a citizen and my studies are covered by HEX, so I pay nothing and will repay the loan once I'm working over a certain salary. Are you an RN with your diploma? I'm only asking as our uni does a EN to RN conversion, all covered by HEX and I can only say it's a fantastic degree and we have the highest rate of graduates going onto graduate programs at out uni, PM me if I can help in any way. Alternatively, just a thought, have you looked at doing nursing in aged care and seeing if they will sponsor you doing your conversion? Just a thought and you never know xxxxx