louise28

Have a look at Sunshine Coast ex pats social group on Facebook if you are on there. May be something of interest.

In QLD, the first home grant is 15000 for a new build. You can't get a grant of $7000 anymore for an established home unless you brought it pre 2012.

I got all my bits certified by a JP at the local library. Didn't cost a cent. Can you do that where you are?

Hi, yes it was an 820, I handed mine in at the Brisbane office. My bridging visa was confirmed along with my application acceptance letter 10 days later. Which then kicked in when my WHV expired in February. Good luck!

Good luck. My onshore visa was processed within 4 months. Thinks its luck.of the draw!

spending it at home in Buderim with my Mum and other family members. Cannot wait.to get back to the coast as currently working away in Emerald, qld and itching to get back to the coast and 'home'.

Yeah I had heard about the Irish lad using a second passport. Silly boy. But this person has a complete new identity so to any government etc they are 2 different, unrelated people. Such a shame they have got away with it. Pees me off when so many of us spend thousands doing it the right way..

Bit of a random question but intrigue is getting the better of me. A person I know of, who is Taiwanese was in Australia and used their 2 working holiday visas. (1st and 2nd yr) and returned home, where it has come to light they have changed their name, New passport and also very much changed their appearance and are back in Australia on another working holiday visa! Now I was told that this is legal, yes I get its legal to change your name etc if you so wish. But regardless of your name etc you could only obtain a working holiday visa once (including 2nd yr) in your lifetime. Surely if this is all legit every tom, Dick and Harry would be pulling this off? To me they have played the system and will now get 4 yrs in oz on working holiday visas? As 2 different identities but the same person.. or am I missing something? Obviously they got through immigration at the airport and are now free to do as they wish. It just doesn't sound right.

Nice one! Got mine last week after applying in Dec.. must be getting through the pile now! Congrats

Hi. It depends which state you are in but I registered my relationship with Queensland Births, Deaths and marriages and received the certificate within 10 days, we had the 12 months living together but wanted as much weight with our application as poss.. If you want to apply before your visa expires get going with it ASAP it took us a few months to get all stuff together and prepared.

Hi George. I have no idea and imagine it would be pretty hard to achieve. I was just adding info on the new ruling regarding the bridging visa work rights as he has been told in a post that it will reflect his current visa conditions ie the 6 month restriction.which is now incorrect information. Cheers

Just to add once you apply off your whv and your bridging visa kicks in you Will have full work rights. I have just submitted and this is correct information. I quote, from the lady i submitted to in Brisbane 'we have realised it is not the applicants fault it is taking 12 months to process, therefore there are no restrictions in employment'.

I handed my partner visa app in today at Brisbane. My bridging visa kicks in when whv finishes. She pointed out that they've just changed the ruling and ill have full work rights on it not the 6 months per one employer melarky.. So maybe double check

Emerald is good for work, I'm traveling up to there tomorrow back to the farm i did my 2nd year visa work on. NSW is good for this time of year too, lots of stone fruit etc, cherry packing and the like. if you go onto gumtree for nsw, there is details for cherry packing. think they start in a week or so. Was going to go there but fancied a trip back to Emerald as its definite work.

Ah fabulous... Just bang in time for when I shall be handing in my onshore De facto visa app! ah well small price to pay to be with my other half..some would say.. better half!!:confused:

Hi all. So i have a few queries regarding the partner visa. I met my partner in November last year and have lived together since 1st Jan this year. Now Will we need proof from there on or from the start of the relationship, would an explanation of how we met etc be enough or is physical proof required of those early days? Also we are relocating to the sunshine coast in 3 weeks as work here for me has been high and dry so we Will have more opportunities there and my partner is leaving their job of 11 yrs! eeek.. But we have an option to travel up to Darwin in our camper and do some farm work, we eventually just wanna travel round oz and as soon as possible really.. So that said we have 9 months of living together so far since Jan and proof for that..joint Bank accounts which all wages/bills go in and out of , Lease.. Beneficiaries for supers.. Travel to UK for family wedding, membership for surf club, toll account, lecky bill, tax return to ato with us both declaring each others respective earnings as a couple and lots of post with joint address. Obviously we need Decs etc but no rush as not applying til Feb 2013 when we Will have been together 15 months and not a day apart for 13 months. when we move we Will be moving to my mums to begin with and using her address for now until we secure work and get our own place or decide to travel off for a while, so really my question is will having everything go to our base of my mums address and us still operating our bank account together for expenses, wages etc for the next 4 months whilst traveling together cut the mustard? or must we remain tied to a lease again etc? hope this has kinda made sense.. Going to visit an agent but just wanted to ask here! thanks!

Hey, Im currently living on the Gold Coast but my other half has put in a transfer at work. So hopefully will be moving up to the sunshine coast.ive had real trouble securing work here... But hey ho its not the end of the world. Unfortunately we are having to hang around to put in my application for a partner visa but once that's done.. Its a case of get in our van and away we go.. Get round oz earning money on the farms following the sun and then away to discover Asia. Can't bloody wait.

Go for it. I came out here last feb at 27..left a good job.. Told i was mad!!! Was either get tied to a mortgage or blow my savings on an adventure..still here on my 2nd yr visa and have met the most varied and amazing people from all walks. I won't be returning to the UK, which was never in the original plan but you just never know Whats going to come your way out here.

hey i did 4 months working at 2ph.. unfortunately there are no hostel etc in emerald at all. 2ph have accommodation but may ne full.. worth an ask. i shared a house with several people working there. lots of fun. a couple of my friends are still there. sorry about spelling etc on my stupid phone!

hi there.. my name is Louise... Im 28 also and just moved to Ashmore to be with my partner but would love to meet some independent friends... where abouts are you? cheers

Dave have spoke to a good friend.. They have a space in their house.. 140 Bucks a week include bills.. Pretty good emerald is expensive accommodation wise.. You'd be with 5 others. Just an option if you need it.. If u do just shout and ill give u details.. You can get lifts etc with them too

Hey Dave sorry for Delayed reply.. Had a hectic weekend.. Have just moved to gold coast so lots to sort..Grrr so pleased you have something sorted.. Did u get a spot on the camp site to start with? that's for tents vans etc.. At least you can complete your time there and not have to worry about finding different stuff to get the days done.. Ill message some friends about what they are doing.. And let you know.. You won't be alone.. Glad you are in pack house and not picking.. Good luck... Ps ill let you buy me a beer if you're ever this way!! ha

Hi Dave i actually got the job whilst being in emerald. The training was just watching some health and safety stuff etc. I reckon you would be best calling them. They do have accommodation.. Powered campsite. etc. I actually ended up sharing a house with 9 others i worked with.. We paid about 60 bucks a week each in a 5 bed house with pool etc.... Was alot of fun. I still have some friends working there so can always ask ywhat they are doing house wise now. Everyone is in the same boat so you are never short of help. Defo give them a call though.

Hi Dave ive recently completed my 3 months regional work and been granted my 2nd visa. I worked on an independent family farm. No ties to any dodgy hostels etc. They are based in emerald and always looking for workers.great environment and people. You get paid hourly just under 20 bucks an hour.. And can pull in a grand a week at times. They called me today to see if i wanted to go back.. Which i would love to but i am now in a new relationship with someone so staying put for now. They are called 2ph farms. Based in emerald and you can find them online. Season is just starting and runs thru to September for citrus then they start grapes. Speak to a lady called Liz and Im sure Youll get somewhere. Hope this helps. Also when you have completed they will sign a proof of work form. I applied online and needed no proof i think immigration just called the farm

I completed my 3 months work back in August in a place called Emerald... ok not much going on but worked at the most fantastic place... family run and met some amazing people... they are always looking for workers year round... its a mandarin farm called 2PH and they supply woolies etc and overseas.. defo worth a shot as you can pretty much work as long as you want.. the pay was good at $19.56 per hour and you can save so much. fantastic experience...