want2beaussie

I never suggested that talks for the entire bills - I was referring back to items mentioned by a previous poster. I didn't talk about jeans for $40?? I mentioned a top for $40?? Have you got your eyes closed? I am not here to have an argument I was simply referring to items mentioned - if you hate everything that much...go home!!

No employer can withhold you from getting your citizenship, and there is no reason for them to contact your employer. They don't check pay slips, they nay do a background check that you have been paying taxes but they care about the amount of time you have been in the country and your criminal record. I was employed by a company on RSMS for 3 months (with time on 457 prior) when I left - I sought advise and there were no negative outcomes of this because I had proven to of "genuinely" worked in this role. This was in 2011, 2013 I became a citizen.

a 2l bottle of coke here is currently $3 in coles therefore cheaper than the 1l in UK!!! 2l of milk in coles is $2, the same as at home! Yeh you can't buy everything in the same shop i.e clothes, garden furniture, TV's - but walk a few meters away in most shopping centres and there will be a Target full of clothes and TVS, or a Kmart/Big W, Bunnings for your garden gear - the only comparison here is that UK is more convenient because everything is in the 1 shop. Electronics I actually find cheaper example Ipad Mini 16GB Curry's = 199GBP Goodguys = 268GBP (134GBP) With the clothes; they don't have the cheap primarks etc here, and I do admit that more often than not I order my clothes online, but I bought a pair of jeans and a top here the other way $60 for the jeans, $40 for the top so really that's not too badly priced in comparison to a similar store at home. Anyway, as you say - if you're not happy to earn the extra $$ & pay the extra $$ on food etc probably best not to come. Good luck with your move & with the baby.

Haha don't worry I already had mine done too - it was submitted the day after the ceremony and I got it back about 3 weeks later!! No, he's doing his test in Perth, but then we move to Brisbane in 3 weeks time so hopefully we can have his ceremony over there; if not we will just go back on holiday though for it!

Well Done!! I applied for mine 4th Jan 2013, test was 6th Feb 2013, Ceremony was 8th May 2013!! I too was so relieved to finally have it; I had the dream since 1999 when my parents first brought me out here on holiday as a 12 year old! I then came back for the next 3 summer holiday to stay with my family as my dad just wouldn't move here! 14 years later my Aunt joined me at my ceremony as finally I had my dream come true!! lol... My partner has his test on Thursday, I'm more excited than him!! Fingers crossed for your ceremony date soon :wink:

Burnett, I don't completely agree with everything for example the below Homebrand Sainsbury's Wholemeal Loaf = 1GBP Homebrand Coles Wholemeal Loaf = 2AUD Milk 0.44p/l in Sainsbury's 1.00/l in Coles So pretty much spot on Yes, some other things are more expensive and don't equate to the same in Aus as they do in UK, but either do wages. Take a bar tender for example: The average hourly rate in Aus is $19.24 (as per payscale.com) The average hourly rate in UK is 6.45 (=12.90) = therefore approx. 50% higher in Aus than in the UK. I for example earn around 33% more than I would in the UK. So I don't think your comparison is a fair call.

Oh it hasn't sent for some reason - I'll try again!

I've just sent you a PM on here Stacey :wink:

Hey All, Just wondering what you're thoughts are..my partner & I will be moving to Brisbane mid June, and will start looking for somewhere to live, close to the CBD as my new job is on Eagle St. I have been looking at apartments, and the nice ones in our price bracket are between $450-500. I have also seen some amazing apartments/houses/townhouses for around $800, with 2 living areas, 3/4 bedrooms - these would easily be big enough for 2 couples without being on top of each other and would therefore cost half the price in rent. Do you think it's a good idea to try search for people to rent with? Would real estate agents be willing to do this? I have rental history and never had any dramas, and I will have a good well paying job. Where would you start to look for other couples, maybe new from UK too? Thanks :notworthy:

I am the same Linda - left home Sept 2008 (as a 21 year old setting out to travel the world!) & ended up staying here. In the nearly 7 years I have been home 5 times (3 weddings, once whilst getting my 457 visa & 1 funeral), and going again in a months time (yet another wedding! & my partner meeting my parents for the first time). No accommodation costs, getting to stay in touch with friends and family; why not?! :smile: I have lived in Newman, WA for 3 years, Perth for 3 years now on the move to Brisbane!!

Hey Stacey, You might find it hard to get a job in Autism Support on a backpacker via; only simply because you can only work for them for 6 months on that visa. Easier jobs to get might be hospitality, or sometimes retail. If you have a look on seek.com.au also that's Australia's major job advertisement site, also when I was backpacking I got my job through http://www.thejobshop.com.au/ & worked in North WA in a mining town :notworthy: Good Luck!!

I would say Leeds, Lancaster, Leicester (all the L's!) but not London. I studied in Lancaster and am from Leeds.

Is it bad that I haven't even moved to Brisbane yet & I have Googled where Chumley's is?!?! Oh & hi All, I'm from near Leeds & will be hopefully moving to Brissy from Perth next Month/June!! Do you guys ever organize a get together or anything? :smile:

Thanks Steve - got an email today to say they are preparing an offer now for me; so all being well by the end of the week it will be signed, sealed & delivered!!! I will definitely be PMing for advise! lol..maybe even a beer if we come down for a drive!!

Hey Julie, Try get your savings over here as quick as you can and make regular payments over to here to boost them. For housing deposits the banks like to see that you are consistently contributing to building savings, and not just having 1 big lump sum. Also they like to see this in the savings account for at least 3 months, but the longer the better (6 months ideal). If you have less than 20% deposit you need to pay LMI (Lenders mortgage insurance) but you don't need to pay this upfront it is added to your loan repayments over the term of the loan. http://www.mortgagechoice.com.au/home-loans/home-buying-advice/tips-and-tools/lenders-mortgage-insurance-lmi/how-is-lmi-calculated.aspx Also, I would suggest that most banks require at least 5%. There is also stamp duty to consider; depending on which state you intend to buy; and how much the property you intend to buy is, this amount will differ. Good luck :-) Danni **Sorry should also mention, depending on your residency status; and again location here is also First Homer Buyers Grant. http://www.firsthome.gov.au/