neenie

We are doing the trip in a little under 3 weeks time. I will not be medicating my children. I found a very good link that gave me some great tips. So I have booked the children's meals, I have visited the works, and 3 shop and bought a couple of new books and little toys which are now wrapped up as a surprise to open on the flight. Yes they will get something on the flight, there will also be the in flight entertainment for them to watch. We have a night flight so keeping my 2 up until we fly is going to be tricky, but the excitement of the airport should help. I also envisage worse case scenario, so it can only get better! I have flown with Qatar via Doha and had an amazing experience going out, and it was fine the first half of the flight coming back to Doha, then the London leg was awful, rude crew, rude stroppy women sat next to me. Good Luck

Good Luck Deb for you and your family. I have to agree, we have done the 'see you soon' with tears, I couldn't say goodbye. We have no one coming to the airport, I couldn't handle it. We still have 4 weeks before we fly, and 2 of them weeks will be spent with family and friends, our friends being the last port of call as I couldn't stay with family, our friends said they would take us to the airport, but I have said no, (part our decision and what the company flying us out have organised a night in hotel in London) so we can head to airport with no one to wave us off. There wouldn't be enough Kleenex in the world if we were being waved off at the airport! Edited to say: Just seen you are across the water from us Deb!!!

Good Luck, and enjoy you deserve it. We are flying out in 30 days to Perth, like you a long time coming, lots of sweat and tears, but we have got there. :jiggy: Hang in there to all those going through the process!

There is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about, except the help which is being offered, and when you are back on your feet and in the position you can pay the help forward. Go to Fifi's and allow the weight to be lifted of your shoulders for a while, it will help you to focus on finding a job. Good Luck, keep your chin up :hug:

You can order baby essentials (formula etc) in a boots store and have them ready to be collected once you pass through security in the boots store airsode if there is one, would save the tasting of milk at security. I flew with my 11 month old a few years ago, I took pouches of food (lighter than jars and for us it was for snacks) but the airline actually offered me jars for him even though I had booked him a childrens meal. I did have to open one of the pouches that they choose for me to taste, which was fine as they were fruit ones. I agree with the sky bassinette and lots of walking around, I also agree with a decent baby carrier, (ergo, mai tei, woven wraps, connecta, rose and rebellion) Not a high street carrier though it will kill your back which is the last thing you want! pm me if you want any recommendations. I still carrier my 16 month 23lb Daughter and its great and we intend to use the connecta we have when we go to Oz in August and a small umbrella buggy for the 5 yr old (just in case ) Definitley a change of clothes and if a night flight sleep wear, we have a night flight and both mine will be putting pyjamas on as we board the plane. We were given a couple of nappies and some baby lotion and cotton wool on the flight with my son but definitley wipes will be a god send even for freshening yourself up!. I am imagining worst case scenario for our August flight, and then anything will be an improvement and managebale, no expectations on my children. Good Luck and go with the flow

We will be waiting until we get there. Friends of ours who are already in Perth had them done out therecouple of months after they arrived.

Did you not get an email when they granted your visa? As surely printing off the attachement that came with the email is your proof. Thats what we have to do just incase anyone asks for a hard copy. We are coming over on ENS186 PR

There is a thread here http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/jobs-careers/52665-transferring-r-n-r-n-royal-navy-royal-australian-navy.html which is all about transferring RN to RAN. WE are off on 22/08/13 transferring RN to RAN. The link above will have lots of info and may help you. Good Luck with your decision, any questions feel free to pm me if I can help I will

I have flown with Qatar admittedly only as far as Muscat via Doha, it was great and yes you will get your tinny on the flight.

We applied under the direct entry ENS 186 on the 1st September 2012 8months and 1 day later we were granted PR visa. We know others exactly the same employer/visa that it has take 7 weeks from applying to granting so no real continuity at all. We nor have the others used a MA All I can say is it was such a relief to wake up to that email! Looking forward to arrivng in Perth around the 25/26th August 2013

Hi Sophieparky, Not sure if you have found it but if you follow this link it will take you to the jobs that are being recruited for by overseas applicants http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentCentre/canIJoin/overseasApplicants/navy.aspx this is just Navy though there is one for Army and RAF too

Hi Sophieparky, There is a really good thread that tickled pink has suggested, We fly out in August, I just wanted to say dont worry about a visa for yourself you will all go on your husbands visa as I too am a sahm. Pm if you have any other questions and I will do my best to answer. Yes they do have married quarters, and as for the whole process it really does depend, how long is a piece of string springs to mind! Have a good look through the link above also you need to look https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentcentre/Default.aspx at the bottom is a link for overseas applicants HTH. Good luck

Have you tried ringing Australia House in London and see what they say? I know whilst you are applying for visas there is a form to fill in to give change of passport number.

It wasnt so much I was going to complain more curiostiy if any one had I am far to cautious! Admittedly they have messed up our application at every stage, which I have apology emails from them. Thankfully our future employers are understanding and now dealing with it.

Good Morning, I was just wondering if anyone had made a complaint to DIAC before their application had been finalised and still got a positive outcome or did you wait until after your application was finalised? Has anyone ever made a complaint and if so how was it handled? I am lead to believe they do not like complaints at DIAC, but feel that something needs to be done although I am not prepared to jeopardise our application to do it. Many Thanks Neenie