bell123321

I agree with the Pom queen. We have always booked to fly when flights were cheap. The first time we went we came over end of October and second time was very end of January. I would imagine between Christmas and New Years to be expensive unless you fly on actual Christmas day as its the holidays for both countries.

Hi yes Nemesis is right its form 600

http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/Visitor_Visas2.html

Wow absolutely amazing!

Personally I wouldn't send anything that is banned as there is always a reason why they are banned even if we can't understand or see it. I would just think of something else to send or get something delivered from within Australia. It is a lot of money to spend on a parcel for them to get thrown away.

If your wanting to send a gift how about a personalised hamper or something that would not be an issue to customs.

I might be wrong but I am pretty sure you can't send home made food to Australia, I believe any food sent needs to have full ingredients listed and proper labels. I also think you can't send perishable items. Not sure if you can contract Australia customs to check? Hopefully I am wrong.

Hi thanks for the info, I was under the impression that you had to have a job offer before you where actually given the 457 visa is that the case, or did you just go out on a visitors visa first and find work then apply for the 457?, we are still in the UK and trying to find the best option for coming over as we don't meet the points requirements.

From what I read from their earlier post they came out on a working holiday visa for 2 years and then got an employer to sponsor them on a 457.

I just think the amount is to high. A lot of skilled jobs in the UK do not pay that amount (Yes some do but there is a lot that don't). If it is a skilled job that is in demand in the UK there shouldn't be a cap on minimum amount to earn. EU is another story.

Just read about this in the Independent that they are going to raise the required earnings for people settling in the UK.

I think it is ridiculous I hardly know anyone who earns £35k a year.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-urged-to-rethink-new-35000-earnings-threshold-for-non-eu-migrants-as-teachers-face-a6814841.html

If your after a sim card and are calling landlines the following is 1p a minute to call Australia:

lycamobile.co.uk

Libara does mobiles for 9p a minute or Giffgaff does mobiles for 10p a minute

There are loads of apps that you can call for free. I used to use viber which can be used on both iPhone and android phones. Otherwise face time or Skype?

I was about to write what Patrick does, recently barclays updated their app to allow mobile pin sentry too. When you open the mobile app up before you sign in click on the top left hand side there is a button that says Pinsentry.

You could look at WWOOF where you get free accommodation in exchange for x amount of hours of work. I have sometimes seen advertised where they need 2 people so that could work maybe as a one option.

Another option is farm work where you pick say fruit or something often they employ several people so higher chances of being able to work at the same place. Otherwise causal jobs like bar/cafe jobs you may be lucky and both get employed at the same place, though generally it may be tricky to work together unless an employer needs several people.

Has anyone used Royal Brunei Air, they seem quite cheap at the moment? Also does anyone else think the bigger the plane the longer it takes to board and disembark?

Yes I have flown with them when they used to fly to Perth. No issues, we had a quick fuel stop in Dubai and about 3/4 hours in Brunei. Entertainment was good enough and food was alright. They don't serve alcohol but that was not an issue for us, Especially as we saved about £250 each flying with them got flights for £500 return each. The First leg to Brunei was a bigger plane and the second leg was a smaller plane.

That's frustrating being so close, I went Armadale once (got the train there as we fancied seeing what was at the end of the line). Hope you get on the move soon.

Beautiful sunrise!! Hope you have a lovely time in Perth

Fingers crossed about the working for accommodation at the hostel as that will be of a great help. Can you sign up to any temping agencies and maybe work for one of the weeks your in Perth?

Sorry if I confused you its the same place. Just had a look its $27 for Caversham, Perth zoo is $29. I preferred Caversham out of the two if I was only going to do one of them (Due to being able to get close up to the animals etc). There are also other attractions near by to Caversham I remember a motor museum, an old train ride we went on and a small little village with a few cute shops. I remember getting an awesome poster from the print shop there as a gift.

I doubt your get bored in the 2 weeks, we have done 6 weeks in Perth in total and still find stuff to see and do :-) Hope you have a fabulous time!

Hi,

Just listing a few things we did in Perth which we enjoyed:

Like you already said Rottnest Island was lovely ended up going twice on one of our stays.

Hillary boat habour they have water that I was not worried about swimming in and some lovely cafes.

Western Australia museum

Stroll around Fremantle

Whiteman Wildlife park - We loved getting up close to the Kangaroos etc there is also other stuff around there too we preferred this place then Perth zoo.

Rockingham and Mandurah for a lazy stroll, a cafe for lunch we also went to Penguin island when we visited Rockingham.

Kings Park both day time and night time

Chocolate factory and the wineries in Swan Valley

Up the hills to visit Miundaring

Bell Tower

Royal mint

We visited the Pinnacles and Busselton (Though they were a few hours drive out of Perth)

With the conterceptive pill your have no worries in Dubai especially if they have your name printed on the boxes. I've taken mine many times and packed all but the current packet in my hold with the current box I am using in hand luggage. I think I read somewhere that you can buy the conterceptive pill in pharmacies in Dubai.

Not sure about your other medication.

Can only comment on the London side, but if you were prepared to live a little out of London (30-40 minutes commute) you would find a lot more for your money and have a decent amount of spare money left over each month. The figure you quoted is double mine and my husbands wage nearly and we have a little one. We live about 40 minutes out from London and feel we have a decent amount to live off.

From the Sydney prospective your wage quoted is the same as my friend and her husbands who lives around the Epping area of Sydney (They find it tight but do have a decent size house and a little one) but as a singleton it should be more then fine!

I remember reading your posts many of years ago. I am happy for you and your wife that it has all worked out well. Keep enjoying life and thank you for sharing your update.

Best of luck in your new adventure! Hope you settle back in quickly!

I arrived in Sydney in October with my 457 visa. My work contract says 38 hrs per week with a salary or 55k.

My problem is I'm not always given 38 hrs of work per week, it's more like around 30. I was under the impression that they still have to pay me for 38 as per contract. When I questioned my employer they said that although I'm on a full time contract it just means I get paid for the hours I do plus I get 4 weeks holiday per year, sick leave and super.

Is this correct?

Look forward to any advice,

thanks

I do not know the rules on Australian law others will be able to help but I did find this article which may help: http://www.bakermckenzie.com/RRChangesToBusinessImmigrationVisaSchemeOct09/

I know in the UK if your contract specifically says you are employed for 38 hours a week and it is not a flexible contract they have to pay you regardless that amount. (Had that in my job where someone was given less hours one week and rightly had to pay them full hours after it was brought up). I also know you need to be paid the market salary on a 457. I am pretty sure they have to pay you what is written in your contract unless its a flexi hours contract. Others will be better to advise.

No...if they are going up north these are the humid/rainy/cyclone season months - and very hot inland even if it's not humid.

 

I'd second Bobj's suggestion of September - much more pleasant for the Whitsundays and Uluru and very pleasant everywhere else they are considering.

They said they were going Sydney and Brisbane hence my comment as I have found that time of year nice in those areas. However I am not sure how/if they can fit in north as well in such little amount of time.

Hi anytime between October to March is good for weather. Personally I do not think 3 weeks is long enough to do the things you have listed. I would only do 1 or maximum 2 places and I would leave driving as your there for such a short time.