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If you are on a PR visa, you'd be classed on Domestic fees, but not able to access Student fee assistance unless a Citizen - there is a new thread running on this today http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/education/178575-post-16-education-oz.html

Agree with Northern Shorepom - My understanding is that to get Domestic fees in UK you/or your child has to live there 2 years prior to entering Uni - otherwise classed as International despite being UK citizen - mega bucks!!! :-o I work as a School nurse here and often see new kids from many countries struggling - I think the Education systems are so different and not transferrable, that it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Also think the Aussie teen 'Cultural' differences takes a while to overcome - they are different beasts here despite us sharing a language and it can take a while to not feel like an alien, amongst unfamiliar jargon and interests - so reinforcing not being to hard on themselves, during these early months may help. I think the other thing you need to consider is if they do return to UK to study, how easy will it be to return if they wanted to at a later date when they are no longer deemed a 'dependant' and not eligible to be here on your Visa - I have a few friends in this situation and feel like they have opened Pandoras box, but fragmenting the family. Tough decision for sure - Good Luck x

Full of Wisdom, those words - I too struggled to settle, but over last 9 months have finally found peace, and feel at 'home' now - but you have raised some really valuable points that I am sure will help others in those early month - good luck with everything

PM's you

Nope not with them unfortunately - Singapore Airlines An extra case with them costs 870 pound!!!! OMG - so looking at shipping - I know it may take a while but that there extra baggage is a mega rip off!!

Oh No Cal - I am defo buying EVERYTHING there - but my concern is getting it all back here! I already have 4 bag of Internet shopping there waiting for me LOL (shopped in advance in UK Summer Sale - when we go in December will be Winter Gear) I will look into DHL - thanks !

Hey Guys - Advise needed! We are going to visit UK for Christmas and not only do we need to get my daughters Christmas gifts, but also celebrating her Birthday whilst there so know that Excess baggage will be an issue! Definately not wanting to pay Airline excess charges, so investigating Shipping companies. Has anyone got any recommendations of Shipping companies, that you may have used to ship single cartons ?? I have done a Search of past posts and cannot find anything....! Cheers!

Still not sure why we are all going on about MMR when Cal's question is about HPV but As a nurse I am all for parents making there own decisions - it is very personal but I cannot tell you heartened I am to hear that the farce of giving MMR separately has been stopped! Having watched first hands, several poor parents trying to do the right thing for their little ones, hoofing it up and down the UK, in the quest to get 3 vaccines given separately - only to find that after 4 months of stress, blood tests indicating their babies had not sero-converted and all because the vaccines had been transported in some dodgy practitioners handbag, rather than in secure conditions, and vaccines had been destroyed!! and having to start the whole process all over again ....not to mention the poor baby getting another multitude of needles - really felt for them!!! And then the private providers had the cheek to charge in excess of £700 for the pleasure, under the pseudo umbrella of the childs safety!!! Yeah, exploitation more like - so thank goodness that that farce is over!

Sorry meant to say, a lot of my Nursing colleagues got sponsorship through attending to the Australia Work expo's - do they still have these? They got interviews lined up for Private companies/organisations! i.e Mater Hospital (one in Mackay) and Spiritus, and secured sponsorship that way. There is also Bluecare and think they employ Social Workers too but not sure if they cover Mackay, or just SE QLD. I think my brain is getting old - sorry for forgetting this from original post :laugh:

I know all the QLD Government jobs are advertised on their vacancy website Smart jobs but don't know about Sponsorship! I work for QLD Health (they have a job website called workforus (www.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/default.asp) but the whole of Queensland Government workforce is subject to Austerity measures and there are cutbacks on non-frontline jobs, so not sure if they are sponsoring or not. Have a peep at https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.jobsearch?in_organid=14904 - you might find a contact to have a discussion with. Good luck!

Its rubbishly difficult - The first six months I found exhaustingly hard - really putting myself out there - Meet ups and Coffee Mornings, felt like an Alien surrounded by the bulk of folk who, whilst nice folk, just weren't my type of biscuit LOL!! I yearned my old easy friendships! I now have a small group of 'little gems' who are my saving grace, but still not got the Girlie lifestyle I left behind in UK - there is a big group of expats in Brisbane and surrounds that meet up monthly, and have boys/girls nights out, and has a variety of ages of member! I can't put the name on here (didn't know it was against the rules last time and got it deleted) but it has a page on a very, very famous social network site (sorry mods if this still breaks the rules, but I can't stand the thought of lonely folk x) Good luck xx

Swimwear and undies expensive here too, that was a tip I was glad to have been given. Also Bedding, but the bedsizes are different here - but if you bring quilts too it doesn't matter! Curtains and cushion pricey too! All I will say is we gave away so much, which has cost a bomb to replace, I would bring as much as poss!

My niece was out last year on a WHV and worked for 6 months - she did file a tax return and did get some cash back! From 1st July you can access the claim forms online but not sure how you would claim prior to that - this link may help http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.aspx?doc=/content/00249149.htm&page=14

We stayed at T2 in Nov 2010 - don't know whether it has been upgraded since - but no it wasn't sumptuous but completely adequate.....I had never been so pleased to see a bed after out Manchester flight LOL Slept like a baby....showered, changed and on our way again! Would definately do it again :biggrin:

Hi - we are not in Perth, but QLD - Hub was a Purchasing Manager in UK - now working as Procurement Manager after a bit of shuffling around to get foot in door in Australia. Initially found that despite having 20 years of experience in Procurement in UK, this was not regarded as highly as having some Australian experience - so dropped down a few grades and was quickly promoted over first 9 months. When you're looking for jobs in Australia, they are either classed as Procurement and some companies refer to it as Logisitics or Supply Chain - Most jobs Opportunities are in Resources or Mining - and virtually all are dealt with via Agencies. Opportunities are available to view online via Seek, Robert Walters, Vertical Talent - often tho they won't specify salaries until you are in discussion with them. The Ads don't tend to give you a clue who the company that is recruiting is! Hub is of the opinion that there are more opportunities for Purchasing in Perth - so Good Luck with the hunt !