marta

Cool! Thanks! Yeah that should be fine then 'cause they have been working on the hotel before Christmas I think. (We are going there for a stop-over in May/June. That's why.)

I guess if you come here for your studies it might be worth a try. You will find a lot of students in Melbourne and a number of communities from different cultures. Even a big community of Germans. As if I had wished for that......:arghh: Haha. No I mean it. Melbourne is fine but not just very European to me from a European perspective. I assume it's nothing at all as European as Hungary for example which must be a wonderful place. (I have only been there once.) And your language is so beautiful - and hard to learn!!!:notworthy: I don't know about housing in Melbourne but there are a couple of places for students from the universities in the CBD. Otherwise there are also a couple of websites for house-sharing if that is what you intend. (Rents seem to be quite high in Melbourne. But I have no comparison.) Anyway! Take care and all the best! And when you are moving to Melbs send me a PM and we can meet up if you want. Well, hopefully my partner and I are staying for a couple of years longer down here. And then we'll take it from there. Depends also on what happens to our visa which expires in 2015.

I have a quick question please. Thought I would check on here first before writing to the hotel directly in case someone used the swimming pool and/or hotel recently. The thing is I just read on the Transit Hotel website that 'Terminal 1 is undergoing upgrading till mid of 2012'. So does that mean the Swimming Pool on T1 cannot be used or is it just the hotel on T1? Thanks guys.

I cannot look at these pictures, I get nightmares. I admit I did watch the film in Italy. Also the one about the plane crash. But I still get nightmares thinking about it alone. I admit the films were both good, maybe a little pompous but that is ok. All those poor and brave people deserve it. What a catastrophical day. On the other hand I find it very disturbing that you can listen to all those voice recordings of the people in the planes and the towers on Youtube just like that. Not sure they would have wanted that. Also very disgusting are those films of people jumping out of the windows. I just get the creeps...how terribly terrible. It's a shame that just as the film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" comes out everyone is suddenly interested in 9/11 again even though the book by JS Coer was published in 2005 already. It's a wonderful book. Rather read the book than watch the film.

Check here: http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_querycontent.asp I put natural hair oils and henna poweder into our boxes, packed them separately and declared them outside the boxes and everything went fine. All the best! PS: Greetings to Shropshire. Beautiful countryside!

I would put an extra sheet outside the boxes listing the items in more detail and mentioning they are your private items (used/unused). I hope you know that you are not allowed to send "dangerous" goods such as perfume... If you check the Aquis website you will see exactly which other items are prohibited. But I should think that is all you need to think of. My partner and I sent some stuff over from the UK with DHL and they told us it was important to state that the items were our private belongings (which also meant the parcel could not be insured) because the customs people will need to know that when they check the parcels on the border. Don't worry, everything will be fine! All the best.

Good to know. We'll try that out next summer season.

Well, my point was that academia is not the same everywhere...but apart from that it's certainly true that I am responsible for my own fate. What else?!

Hi there, My partner and I are living in the most Australian city: Melbourne. We even live in St Kilda where you have lots of drunks, drug addicts, poor ladies offering their blemished bodies to rich guys on the sidewalk of Grey Street as well as nice beaches, cafes, the sweetest Acland Street cakes and palm trees in front of hilarious Luna Park. As someone used to and interested in culture and history of any kind I am ashamed to say that Melbourne honestly is hardly the most European place in Australia nor a centre of high culture. I mean, yeah, there is the NGV and a couple of museums but, honestly, the NGV for example can hardly compete with any European art museum at all even though it has a very good collection (especially of rare indigenous art). I know, Melbourne has been elected as the city of literature, or so the story goes, but so far I have seen approximately 2.5 book shops throughout the city centre and most of the books lying around those stores had "Jamie Oliver" on the cover. No offence - I am just saying... Well, yes, Melbourne is quite nice and clean (in some areas) but also quite boring. At least in comparison to, let's say, London! Yes, Melbourne is a safe place to live - in comparison to London at least. But would I recommend Melbourne? Yes and no. I am sure Melbourne can be attractive for students or younger people (hmmm I am 34 too but I don't feel attracted to the city night life) as you have lots of "alternative" corners in the CBD. And if you want to be extra cool an arty you will definitely have to move to Brunswick or Fitzroy - like everyone else who is pretending to be "different" - even though I find that Brunswick looks a little bit like New Cross or Peckham (places where I lived in London). So to sum up: Sure why not try Melbourne?! It's a good place for students and younger people, but I don't think your expectations about the European-ness of Melbourne will be fulfilled! Melbourne is very very Australian even though a couple of buildings look "old", such as Flinders Street station which is listed as a national heritage building. I just don't want you to be dissappointed! I do understand your urge to search out European feeling places - I am the same! But I am not sure you will find that in Melbourne. Whatever you decide - good luck!

I think "cheap flights" unfortunately does not apply when talking about flights from inside Australia to Europe....... Even when you book in advance the fares are just crazy. It's really a pain and you have to really save money to head back to Europe even though flights from the UK to Australia are not so bad when booked from the UK as starting point.

Hi there, My partner and took a cab from Tullamarine to Royal Parade when we first arrived as we had so much luggage (Royal Parade is almost CBD) and it cost us around 50 bucks. It took us around half an hour without traffic. But beware of the fake cab drivers at the airport! You will recognise them for sure as they are the ones who come to you and talk to you in an obtrusive way (a normal, licensed cab driver would never do that as he/she will get customers anyway). They are just trying hard to lure you into their cabs even though they are not licensed! All the best!

Hi I understand your fear, I am the same. I have seen three biggies so far in our flat and we live in Zone 1 in Melbourne. I think that indicates spiders might literally be everywhere in Australia.... Sorry but I think there's not much we can do about that. All the best!

@flag of convenience: Haha thanks for recalling my post prior to leaving UK......but I wasn't registered yet when I left the UK which was in 2009.......for Italy! Actually we moved from Italy down here. Well, I would only advise you to move to Germany when you are in a "secure" profession such as engineering or finance, to be honest, should you be looking for work there. The job situation in Germany hasn't improved that much yet but of course, as your wife/husband (?) is German, you would have the advantage of a lot of social security up there. Also, Germany has a couple of nice areas, that's for sure. It would also be an advantage if you could speak and understand German. I know, most of the people will understand English but alas when you work someplace you need the local language. It's hard sometimes but can be rewarding too in the long-term. Good luck to you both!

@Paul1Perth: Haha that would be very nice indeed but unfortunately that is not how it works in certain areas - at least not on our planet (Melbournia). The first weeks of the so called holidays are for marking 100 exam papers, each paper 20 pages of written text (no multiple choice questions). In addition, a lecturer not only has to write his and her lectures (24 each semester), but also has to prepare tutorials, seminars, colloquias, has supervision hours, office hours, administrative responsibilities. The "holidays" are also essential to do some research, publish papers and books, and presents papers at other universities.

Yeah I know I have that suspicion too. But that's even more concerning. :-( And to be fair it's quite unfair because our visa is for four years and my partner's position *actually* permanent.

http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/ Hi, Please find the link for train, tram, bus services in Melbourne above. You can also look up the fees on that site. All the best! PS: Certain lines can get very crowed during rush hour, similar to London rush hour (even though people in London show more discipline on public transport but that's another story). - Services are fairly reliable unless you have major disruptions due to bad weather conditions (such as floodings). However, trams and buses are pretty slow moving in comparison to London transport. Trains are pretty ok but I only use a couple of lines so cannot tell you much more with regard to that.

Thanks all for your kind replies! That's much appreciated.:yes: @harpodom: Well, exactly, that's the point, it's very hard indeed to find a job in academia - anywhere in the world! Obviously it's not the kind of work which makes the world go round.........especially in humanities. I left the world of academia in 2007 in Germany because I could not stand it any longer. The exploitation and the insecurities. I started working in London in a crap job but I did something at all and took it from there and started from the bare basics because I did not have much work experience then. Why are we here? My partner took the job at uni because we were desparate! It's as easy as that. His job in Italy in academia was not going to be renewed and it sounded like a great opportunity, to be honest, to come and live in Australia (which it certainly is, I mean, to work as a lecturer and this in Australia! sounds like a dream job to us) - even though I would not have a job (again). You asked where home is. Well, that's a very good question. I don't know actually. I mean, I don't mind living anywhere. I don't have a problem with distances only a fear of flying but that aside I am not homesick or something like that just a bit lonely. My partner and I are used to globetrotting (living and working in different countries not making holiday in different countries), so that's not a hurdle. But the job situation in Europe is very bad right now. No, no, we will not easily find a job somewhere in Europe right now, that's my feeling. Well, the difference in mentality at the university here is that the students show no respect for the professor or teacher. They assume they don't need to do anything themselves, everything will be readymade and precooked for them so they don't even need to talk let alone turn up to the lectures and tutorials. They assume they can treat you like you belong to them for free. But when it comes to exams they think they will get the highest grades even though they have not done anything and then they start complaining when they don't get first grades... I don't get it. Nobody in the UK or in Germany or even in Italy would act like this. @3FatCats: Grazie molto. Thanks so much for your kind words. It means a lot to me. I know you are in a similar situation. And doesn't it suck if you excuse my French to sit at home all day doing nothing worthwhile but at the same time not being able to enjoy yourself?! It's really not ideal. It's a shame you are in Sydney otherwise we could have complained all day long together sitting in a cafe and have some RELAXING moments..... @meme78: Hm, I didn't expect to be Australia to be the big answer to the magic questions, in fact we came here because of the job my partner was offered. As to the big questions, well, guess what, this is actually what the job my partner is doing is all about, namely good ol' philosophy. But this aside, we are not homesick in any way, god forbid, we have lived in Germany, England, Italy, France before so that is not an issue at all. We don't have kids (for whatever reasons) and I can only travel and enjoy Asia and New Zealand (which are certainly beautiful places!) as long as we have money and time (at least my partner needs to take time off, I have all the time in the world). It's true we need to adjust and that there will be hurdles, that's for sure, but can you imagine that we are just sometimes very frustrated? I know you didn't want to sound provocative and I appreciate your input and honesty but right now I don't feel I know what to do next. @all: Thanks guys, I like being here. On the forum I mean. :-)

I have to admit I have been thinking about leaving OZ in the last few weeks as well. My partner and I arrived in June 2011 on a temporary business long stay visa. Our situation is that I still have not found a job (apart from a couple of casual jobs which will at least pay our "holiday trip"/home visit), and my partner works in academia (has been doing this before coming to Australia too). We have not seen anything in Australia yet let alone visited Melbourne properly where we live because my partner is working like a machine while I am sitting at home being bored, without proper friends (I mean I "know" people but wouldn't call them friends), constantly applying for jobs without getting any responses, not allowing myself to do something relaxing because I feel I have to look for jobs 24/7 - especially when my partner is working 24/7. I don't know if you get the picture.......but if you have been unemployed you might understand that being unemployed definitely is not a holiday at all. My partner's current position is not very well paid so we need some money too. He basically works day and night, sleeps 3 to 4 hours EVERY DAY, looks like a zombie, and the job is not rewarding at all. This is partly due to the fact that he has the biggest workload ever in his department (for whatever reason, which also led the lady to leave the department who got the same job before him as she mentally and physically could not deal with the stress any longer as we found out from someone else). He also cannot easily come to grips with the Australian "casualness" (which sometimes comes out as rudeness) of the students at his university. And we are both stunned to see how different the mentalities inside the academic world can be because we have never experienced anything similar im Europe where we have both worked some time in academia. Also, we are having a problem with the fact that foreigners (and I know of some other cases) seem to work more and harder (and not only in academia) - please don't be offended! - than some Australians because they are used to being pressured and to producing outstanding work whereas in Australia there isn't such a big divide between poor and rich, for example, and there is no such need to be successful to survive. I know this might sound very rude and I apologise - but how shall we feel about it? We came here with open minds and spirits, gave up everything in a short time and now this. I am very sad and am not sure what the future will bring.

If you have to do medicals and something comes up there then it might be denied. But the cost of medication itself should not be a problem as you have to pay for it yourself anyway on a 457. I mean someone on the birth control pill also has to pay for that herself and that can be expensive too (even though not as expensive as your meds I guess). Not sure about PR though. But you wouldn't be able to apply for PR straight away anyway when you are on 457. Wishing you all the best!!!!

The jobs I have been looking for don't state salaries in their adverts in none of the countries I have lived in (Germany, UK, Italy, Australia), and this is just because everyone knows that those jobs are not very well paid. So whoever wants to do that kind of career (publishing or arts management in my humble case) knows right from the start that the job isn't about money but about "passion".......... :ssign3: But I guess in other cases and in different careers it is (as mentioned earlier) to ideally prevent (future) colleagues from knowing about their respective salaries which kind of makes sense. But most often one finds out anyway....... My brother for example found out later by chance that he was the highest paid person in his first job in IT. No suprise he had no friends at work. :wacko:

My partner and I are on a 457 too. It's true you will need to be meticulous about gathering all the information but I am sure you won't need an agent even if you had the money. It's really not the most complicated thing on the planet to apply for a 457 visa. Everything can be done online, and as soon as you have all the information needed everything will be fine! BTW, we gathered all the information in a month even though we had to get a number of translations of our documents being in different languages and lived in Italy during that time where everything is a little harder to organise (for whatever reason). But in the end it was less stressful than expected. We lodged our visa application online and got the visa a couple of DAYS later. So don't worry. All the best! Good luck!

We had the same concern and we had some moths in our old home back then but we also thought it's not allowed by Aquis to put anything chemical or natural against moths into the cardboard boxes. However, we did put in silica packs and acid free paper in to extract moisture (we mostly had books in our boxes and some clothes on top). I don't actually think moths would survive the temperature differences during the container journey. But I am not an expert.

Hmmmm we recently booked flights MELBOURNE<->LONDON with SA and paid just over £2000 each return. I know it's ridiculous but what can you do! I need to go home once a year.........

I guess it might be a little harder down here finding a job as a foreigner than, say, in London. However, that's just my personal experience (though I am not in IT), but I know from others who found it hard too. Have you considered working in the advisory (consulting) business? Ernst&Young in Melbs or example? They are looking for people all the time and even better that you have IT background. But of course, that business is not for everyone. I don't think SEEK is such a good place for GETTING a job even though they have lots of vacancies listed! I don't actually trust that platform very much to be honest. I have applied many a time via SEEK and hardly ever got anything back - not even rejections. I would think that the most important factor in finding work in Melbs (at least) as a foreigner (and maybe even as an Australien?) is having the right connections. It's a shame but that's how it is quite often in certain areas of employment. I got lucky and met some people who knew someone who knew someone. You know how that works....... And still, even after 10 months Down Under I have not found a proper job yet, only casual work. But better than nothing I think. Anyway. Wishing you the best of luck!!!

You need to get an TFN and an ABN. To do so you need an address in Oz.