The Smith Family

Thank you very much for all the information, will take a good look at those sites and may be back to you with some questions. We are going through an agent for the visa but may need some further help on tax issues and running a business over there so will keep your details, I see you have an office in Southampton, we are only about 30 minutes drive from you. Thanks again.

Hi, I am fairly new to site so having a good look at all posts on different forums. Came across yours and sound very much like us. Me and my husband backpacked about 14 years ago when we were then just dating, had a great time out there and always fancied returning.. Got married, now got 2 boys ages 6 and 7. We have been back there 3 times over the last 6 years, the kids love it there and each time we have gone there, the more we do not want to come back, so have now taken the plunge and sent our application off. As you've been there, you onbviously like it to want to go like us, we have thought about doing it for a few years now and my thoughts are that if we do not go for it, it will too late and I will always wonder what if? We are lucky in that we are going to rent our property here in the UK and do not have to sell it so have something to come back to if it did not work out but I am very confident it will as we want it so much. My two boys are mad sport fans and into every sport going and the opportunities there are so much better for them in that respect and to be able to play outside most of the time, go on bike rides with them, go walking as a family and plan things at weekends knowing it is not going to pour down all the time. I have just taken up jogging and to be able to do that there with all the parks and areas they have would make it so much more enjoyable. Like you we have a fairly good lifestyle here but there are just things missing, we work so many hours as we run a 24 hour business here and do not have time to enjoy time with the children so just want a better quality of life really which we hope to do there. We know we love the place so just got to go for it! Experience new things, go on bushwalks, walking here just does not appeal to me in this climate. I am not saying it is going to be easy to start with but we will not know if we don't try. As for your experience with the Aussies you had, we actually made some great friends when we were there who we still keep in contact with, I think if you go out there and fit in with their lifestyle, not go out there trying to be too British, you will fit in, although I know we will be trying to find the places to watch the English footie of course and being with Brits as I think being out there and talking to other Brits in the same position and going through the same emotions will help. Anyway hope this helps a little more, I say, go for it!! Will stop waffling now. From the Smith Family x

We have just completed all the forms for our Business Visa through an agent (Form 1136 - Business Skills Profile - Business Owner and State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (provisional), Form 949 - State/Territory sponsoship: Business Skills Class and Form 47BT - Business Skills (provisional) visa). Some info overlapped on each form but all had some different info required on each form. Is there anyone out there that has gone this route, and how long after all the forms had been agreed how long it took to get it. We are looking in the Brisbane area and maybe looking at buying a restaurant or cafe, or if anyone has any other ideas of what sort of businesses are good to buy, we would appreicate any ideas. Its a big move for us as we will be selling a business here so a big risk but have thought about it long and hard and going for it!

Thank you.

Thank you very much for all the info, I will get searching at those sites and areas, it really is a good start knowing what kind of areas to look for houses and schools in and what our budget gets us in what areas. We are planning to come out again before the final move anyway so we can do a lot of driving around and knowing what areas to drive round is a big help. Last time we were in Brisbane we only got round the North part of Brisbane i.e North lakes, Redcliffe and the centre of Brisbane and did not have time to search other areas so thanks again for the help.

Thank for your help. In answer to your questions, employment would probably be Brisbane City Centre, we will have cars but I guess having the option of public transport is always a plus but not essential, we are looking at modern houses 4+ bedrooms in an area with a good shopping centre (although my husband would probably not agree with that:laugh:), price range I guess anywhere from $450,00 and up to $650,00, we will probably rent to start with and are looking up to $500 a week. We would like an area near a golf course if poss as we all love golf, the boys also love playing football, cricket and love swimming and love to ride bikes so also near parks and walkways/cycleways. We are quite socialable people so family places where we can meet up with others would be nice, or a friendly neighbourhood where we can meet others and have barbies together, me and my husband lived there in 1996 for a year and we used to like the RSL Clubs, I know some of them are quite child friendly and have all sorts going on. I hope this helps, and would appreciate any areas you can think of that may be suitable so I can search for properties and schools.

When we visited Australia last year, we drove around North Lakes and the schools, can someone confirm that depending on what side of North Lakes you live depends which school they can go to as there are 2 state schools and 1 private there from what I saw. Does it work the same all over Oz as here where it is in catchment areas as we are looking at areas we want to go to but also want to look into the schools that are nearby. I guess with private schools like here, you do not need to be in the catchment area at all. We are still unsure exactly where to go, although we like North Lakes, any advice on nice family areas with good amenities for 6 and 7 year olds and a social network for us adults North, South, East or West of Brisbane would be great please. Also, any advice of what the schools are like in North Lakes or other areas would be great, our boys are 6 and 7 at the moment and love their sport but I guess all schools in Oz are into their sport!!

Thanks, yes us Smiths get around.

Like most probably in hospitality, a restaurant or cafe, like you say there are many obstacles but if you really want to go for it, you will get past the obstacles. I am really excited but nervous at the same time as it is a big risk especially as we are selling a business here aswell as the house but I think sometimes you have to take a risk if you want something bad enough and hopefully it will pay off. Will let you know about the business visa, we have sent everything off now to agent and waiting to hear.

Hi Paul and Abbe Sounds a bit like us, me and my husband have been wanting to move over to Oz for a few years, neither of us have high enough qualifications or a trade to get in so my husband is on his last year doing a Business Management Degree to get in, the trouble is the list changes daily and at the moment that particular qualification is not on there so its best to keep checking. We have now taken the plunge and gone for a Business Visa so need to set up a business there. We have gone through an agent which although costs money, we know the forms are all done correctly and hopefully will take less time. Never give up on your dream, we spent a year in Oz and 1996 and have always had it our mind that we wanted to live there. We now have a 6 and 7 year old and are ready to go for it. Keep looking at the qualifying list as it does change. Not sure if you have been to Brisbane before but it is a great place. We have travelled all over Oz and have chosen Brisbane ourselves to hopefully settle. Good Luck.