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Hi everyone, thanks for your thoughts and updates. Happy to say we viewed 6 properties in the first week and we were offered the first one we viewed a week later. A brand new 4 bed in Baldivis for $480 a week, slightly above the usual $430-$450 average rental, but we are just so happy to be sorted. Although we are the tenants we are staying in Freo for the next week to take advantage of the pool here. Loving it here, but the odd wobbly moment. Started work and can't get over how friendly everyone is here. So much going on for families. Kids start school February so that is the next hurdle. Thanks again Suzanne

Thanks everyone for you posts. It is not an option for us to extend. It has cost $6600 for the 4 weeks in the Freemantle property which means we have gone over the budget re relocation package and we couldn't afford to extend at those prices. I have been in touch with agents and hope to have some viewings lined up for day 2 of our arrival, and every other day if possible. I will be sorting out all the required documentation this week so we are set to go re applications as soon as possible. Will keep you all posted, and thanks again.

Hi Everyone, We arrive in Perth on the 28th of November and my employer has found us 4 weeks short-term accomodation in Freemantle, so we will have to be out of there on the 26th December:arghh:. We will be looking for a long-term rental as soon as we arrive, and was wondering from other people's experiences whether 4 weeks is going to be long enough to secure a long term rental. I am absolutely panic stricken that we may be homeless at christmas. We will be looking to rent in the Waikiki/Baldivis/Rockingham areas as this is were we have secured school places for our 2 children. Any advice re what to put in rental applications to support our application would be greatly appreciated. Or any tips re which agents etc! Thanks Suzanne and Co

Thanks Love Shoes, i thought i'd check it out, as the saying goes, if it's too good to be true, then it probably is! Still like the look of them though. But guess i will do some more serches on other manufacturers. Cheers Suzanne

Thanks Tickled Pink, I have submitted now, and all seems okay with english language requirement. I learnt about the UK passport thing after submitting.

Thanks for that.....i guess they will be even cheaper now!!! May just give them a wide berth then. Can't believe Australia didn't do proper checks and asbestos has now been discovered! Thanks again!

I also researched this and just under where it states this on DIAC website, it states something along the lines of unless your register with medicare where there is a recipriocal arrangement with your country. I will be employed by WA government and they have indicated in ther information given that medicare is adequate cover on a 457.

Will be heading to Perth November and currently researching cars. The Great Wall 4x4 caught my eye. Have seen them online in the Perth area for around £10,000, only a couple of years old with low mileage. Anybody drive one of these? If so are they any good? I believe they are relatively new to the Australian market, and as the name suggests, manufactured by the Chinese. Thanks

We will take out ancillary cover on arrival for dentist etc, plus will keep ambulance cover. However, I do not see the point of keeping the medical cover when Medicare is sufficient. There are such large excess charges with the private medical cover that it hardly seems worth it. My understanding is around 33% of Australians have private medical cover, and the government is concerned that not enough people are paying private. They need so many to be in private schemes to support Medicare. There are tax rebates to be had for taking out private, not sure if that s possible on 457 though.

We paid $158 for family of 4, no ancilary cover, and the lowest medical cover, but includes ambulance cover.

HIF also give options re level of cover, but all are sufficient for 457!

HIF i found to be cheap and supply letter for DIAC stating suitable cover for 457 staright away by email. You need it from the date you intend your visa to start. If you are from the UK, you can register with medicare on arrival and you can then cancel your health insurance. This is what i intend to do.

Hi Aymie, Yes i have read all:frown: the posts re social work in oz. I am expecting the worst....:wideeyed: I will be working with the signs of safety framework, which i believe was invented, if that is the right word, by WA dept of CP. This framework is used in some parts of the UK and America, and i hope it achieves its aims. I have heard it is a well respected framework, but i am sure it is not used in other parts of Australia. Hopefully this will be the difference. Only time will tell. I have to say, i haven't heard any negatives on here re WA social work, but this is their first recruitment campaign over in the UK. I'll post on here when i have done a few months to share my experiences.....if it's any better i'll give you a shout!!!! Maybe you could join us over on the west coast:unsure: Regards Suzanne

Oh thanks Alaska, hopefully this will be the case for us. Paid out for so much lately, and will be great if we can avoid medicals. Fingers crossed.

I have a job in child protection in Freemantle, Perth, hopefully be over there mid nov. What about yourself? Just thinking about the medical thing again, have had to tick that husband has been out of country for more than 3 months in the past 5 years, in Afghanistan, so i guess he will require a medical too as i am sure this would be a high risk country!!! Have to go and search between the sofa for some more pennies, this is an expense i havn't calculated for. Did you have to have a medical, assuming you went over on 457 with a social work job offer?

Thanks Guys, it is not mandatory to have a medical, unless you have a job in hospital/school etc. or have health problems. I will be working as a social worker and so do not need a medical. Other social workers who are part of the same recruitment campaign who have just arrived in WA did not have to have a medical. But i guess the children will now as i will have to answer yes. Wasn't expecting that....great, more delays and expense:arghh: Is there anyone out there who answered yes with school age children, and did answering yes result in a medical? Chhers

Hi all, I am just completing the 457 visa and i am confused by one of the questions. It states "do you or any of you dependants intend being in a classroom situation for more than 3 months, either as a student, teacher, lecturer or observer"....does this mean i have to put down my school age children. And what are people's experience, do this mean my children will need to have a medical. When i go into explain box, it appears to relate to adults and courses as opposed to school age children. Any help or thoughts much appreciated. Regards Suzanne

Thank you guys, much appreciated!

Thank you for your responses. Not sure what to do re health cover date. Hopefully someone will come along soon with the answer. Suzanne

Hope someone can advise! Just completing my 457 application, and aim to be in Perth from November 2012. First question, how do i prove 5 years of education (i haven't done ITELS)? Would 4 year degree and 1 year at college be sufficient, with certificates showing this? And next question, re medical cover, do i statrt it from the day i lodge application or the day i plan to arrive in Australia? Thanks in ancicipation of your responses. Suzanne

Hi Wellers and Whitehead, Yes i will let you know. And yes, it is the signs of safety framework that is used in Perth. I researched the framework for my interview, and i have to say, it does look rather simple and straightforward, if not refreshing! I was aware a few authorities in the Uk were using it. Fingers crossed i have a better experience than yours. But hey, if it's anygood, maybe give Perth a try. All will be revealed soon :-)

Hi, i also have a job in place for Freemantle, and so having been looking at Baldivis. Looks good to me, new housing and a reasonable commute to freemantle. I was hoping to get the tain to Freemantle for work, but looks like have to go into Perth to change, so probably quicker driving. Re Tranby College, i have enquired and no spaces. I will be looking at Baldivis and also had a browse at Waikiki, Which has a new estate, Harrington Waters which is walking distance to the beach. We are looking to go november time. When are you hoping to arrive? Be good to keep track so can exchange info. Regards Suzanne

Sorry to hear it's not what you expected. I am moving to Perth in December where i have secured a job for child protection social worker. There appear to be alot of Brits in the department and my manager is a brummie. Hopefully some of the good practies from the Uk will be evident. I have had feedback from a few social workers who have recently moved to Perth and they appear to be enjoying their jobs. It is early days for them but i haven't heard any negatives! I dread finding a rental! I am hoping to offer 6 months rent upfront and hopefully this will give us an advantage. Anyhow, i hope things improve for you. Hold on in there. I'll give an update when i start my job! Regards Suzanne

I can think of of some ****holes in the Uk and Plymouth certainly isn't one of them. Having been born in the NW, lived in London and Devon and now the south coast, Plymouth fairs well in my mind. It was the safest city in the Uk (not sure where is stands today) is easy to get around, and on the whole the people are friendly. The fact that it was bombed in the war probably explains some of its architecture. I lived 10 miles out of Plymouth for 7 years in the countryside, just because we wanted to take advantage of the lovely views on offer. I haven't been to Perth, but we are moving there in December. I guess affordability is the key to where one miight settle. I have a job in Freemantle, which means NOR is not an option for us, as commuting would be a nightmare, so SOR it is. The fact that Perth is small and reported to be slow in comparrison to other Australian cities is the attraction. I couldn't contemplate living in Sydney or Melborne as i guess i'm at the time of my life where slow and quiet suit us as a family. I have seen some lovely properties on line around Rockingham, Baldivis and Waikiki. Itis helpful to have feedback on these areas, but i appreciate constructive criticism. Sweeping statements about people with neck tatoos and football shirts are not!

Thanks Bell12321, i'll do some research Suzanne