melaniecharlton
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Anyone recently had their 173 visa approved? How long did you have to wait? Just about to apply for mum who recently became widowed. Not sure whether to apply offshore on onshore. Thank you Melanie
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Hello, We are going to be moving to the Central Coast next year as we just cannot and will not pay the ridiculous house prices in Berowra. We were thinking of Umina beach or Gosford. This is however all dependent on good high schools. If my daughter cannot get into Gosford selective we need to find the next best thing. Can anyone recommend any good high schools and primary schools? Thank you kindly, Mel
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Hi Guys, We have friends in Canberra looking to move near the coast. We live about 40 mins from the Central Coast (Berowra) and often go to the beaches on a weekend. In my opinion the central coast looks beautiful everywhere, however, when I speak to Australians they pull up their noses and say "Boganville". Not sure if they are being nasty or not. Are there particularly nasty areas one should avoid on the Central Coast? I am trying to compile a list of areas for my friends to look for suitable houses and schools. Can you help? Thank you kindly, Melanie
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Living In Sydney On 70k (Is It Possible)
melaniecharlton replied to jt spark's topic in New South Wales
Hi guys, just to let you know that you may not have to pay school fees. My husband earns $90k and we have three children in school. I spoke to the NSW school board and they said that we earn too little to pay for 3 children to go to school. So, we were exempt from paying $13.5k ($4500 each) for all three of them. I reckon that on $70k salary for two kids you too wont have to pay school fees. Its worth finding out. -
I spoke to the school board and based on a salary of $90k we do not have to pay schooling for our three children. If you earn more you may have to pay schooling. Best to enquire with them. Frenchs Forest is a very expensive area to live by the way. Preschool is horrendous. You are looking at anything upwards $76 per day. That is for long day care. For preschools that are only open from 9 - 3 - you are looking at around $52 per day. As we are on a 457 you do not qualify for any help from the government towards childcare. Its expensive here but so worth it.
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Hi Clifford, Sorry I only saw I got a message from you today. I am from South Africa too Yes, each state have different laws. In NSW people on a temporary visa need to pay for schooling BUT do check with them first as you may qualify for exemption. We did! Hornsby is a nice area. Berowra is better though - I am just biased! Its right in the bush and has such a lovely community spirit. Our budget seems to be working out nicely for us. We are just careful! Cant be more expensive that SA. I was there for 3 months this year and was completely shocked at the cost of living. Take Care, Mel
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Hi Dave, Congrats on your imminent move to Sydney. We live in Berowra. Basically we just looked at the train line map and chose a nice suburban area. I believe that Parramatta is a slightly dodgy area. Basically anything West is known to be dodgy. On a 457 visa you will have to pay for school fees. They cost $4500 per child. You should however contact the school board in advance to see if you qualify for exemption. My husband earns $90k and apparently this is below the threshold for sending 3 children to school, so we are exempt. Things are expensive but its all relative. I dont think you have to bulk buy things. What were you thinking of bulk buying? Let me know and I will keep you informed. Cheers, Mel
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I contacted the NSW school board to ask if we could get discount for sending all 3 kids to school. They informed me that our earnings are not enough to pay for school fees - all 3 children are now exempt from school fees! So, do check and see if you qualify. It seems one only pays school fees if you earn a certain amount.
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Hi Read this: http://www.treasury.gov.au/documents/2235/PDF/CP_FBT_LAFH_Benefits.pdf There is an email we can all write to at the end. If enough of us cause a stir perhaps they will reconsider it. Personally I would be happy if they just let us have free schooling. I have 3 kids. If we lose our LAFHA then I will have to homeschool my twins. This is not on! When Aussies come to Britain we dont charge them school fees. I think its a right for every child to have access to free education.
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Thank you Fashionably late - I will definitely look into a nanny. Dont think I would like an au pair to live with us though. My only concern with a nanny is that they dont get to socialise with other kids much. They dont seem to have as many childminders over here as in the UK. The other idea is to find a term time only job - but they are like gold dust.
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Thank you Shusselman - what brilliant advice! It most certainly is a juggling act - and a very expensive one at that!
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Ah! Thank you so much everyone. I reckon I am going to have to wait for my twins to go to BIG school before I start work. Being on a 457 visa I wont be entitled to any rebates either. I thought perhaps that I could manage to pay for all 3 somehow, even on a 457 - but this will not be the case. Wish I had my mom here to help out!
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Hi All, I am a mother of 3 kids. One is 9 and I have 4 year old twins. I am desperate to get back to work but am wondering how this will be possible. Do you know roughly how much before and after school care costs? What on earth do I do with them in the holidays? Are childminders expensive? What about nannies? Any thoughts and ideas would be much appreciated, Thank you kindly, Melanie
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Hello, My husband got a job transfer through his employer in the UK and we are now living in Sydney. He has been in this job since May. Anyway, a senior exec at work hinted that he should apply for another position within the company that he has always wanted to do. Would this be a problem with the 457 visa? Its a similar role. He is currently in a technical customer service role and the new role is a technical sales role. Its a very small company with only 6 people. They do however struggle to find qualified people in Oz. If he got the sales role they would need to fill his role. Either way, each role is important and needs to be filled. Thank you Mel
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Has anyone ever moved to oz having not visited first?
melaniecharlton replied to a topic in Aussie Chat
Hi 3FatCats, Where are you living in Sydney? I too am not a city person so we decided to move to Berowra. It feels more like a village living here. I have been here for 3 months now and it feels more like home to me than the UK ever did, however this is because I am South African. You just have to get yourself out every day. Dont stay cooped up inside your house. The more you do and see, the more people you meet and the more opportunities to settle down come your way. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, nature and weather. Its surely beats the grey skies of England? Try and stay positive and make it work for you. xxx Mel