Taylors4

I mean does it have an equivalent level in the UK, tbh don't think either of mine are Uni material, but say we came back to the UK would the Aussie HSE, be a higher level than GCSE, but not as high level as an A'Level? If that makes sense. It seems kids going out to Aus seem to be at a disadvantage if they turn up in with only GCSE's as they mean nothing, but coming back is the Aus HSE worth anything in the UK?

If your child does the HSE, when/if they come back to the UK, now is the HSE viewed in the UK, as already stated GCSE mean nothing in Oz, but would the Aussie HSE be recognised in the UK?

I got caught out with this one, you submit your EOI, as you need your EOI number to apply for SS, I had made a mistake on the EOI as it read 50 points, so I also thought you would have to apply before being awarded the 10 points for SS, but not so. The EOI must read 60 points (and it will include your 10 for SS even though its not been granted). Chicken and egg I know, but that's how it works. I stupidly applied for SS with 50 points (thinking the 10 points would be applied when SS was granted) and was turned down, when I looked into it I hadn't put down my qualifications in the correct place. But to be honest yes I lost 3 weeks and and £100 quid or so, so all in all not too bad - it could of been worse. When doing your EOI be very very careful what you tick and what you don't as this will be the bones of your visa application and if you make a mistake it could cost you your visa/fee.

Good on you, but the next thing you seriously need to consider (if you have a mortgage) is will your lender agree to you renting your home out. Some lenders will, some won't, but you will have to find out. I started a thread on this a few weeks back - if you can find it it will be useful to you. Incidentally what visa are you going on, as if you are going on a temporary visa and tell your lender this, they are more likely to agree to you renting out your property. I did this as at first (First Direct) said no, then a few weeks later I tried again, but told them I would be going overseas for a year or so on a temporary work permit, they changed their tune, and said yes no problems, you can do that for 2 years!! Some lenders just charge a fee, some up their rates and others will turn you down flat. Lots of people rent without telling their bank - just getting landlords insurance. We did consider this, but personally I think its a bit risky as if they find out at worst they can call the loan in as you will have breached your conditions. I would imagine (although not sure) that its quite difficult to get a UK mortgage whilst in Oz, or you would probably be able to get an ex-pat mortgage. Just consider your next move carefully. Maybe worth a call to the bank tomorrow morning, before pulling out of the sale - keep your options open for as long as you need to. Good luck

Have to say that's exactly what my accountant told me last week.

Ok, so we are still in the uk, but bearing in mind we have a 4 bed 2 bath, fully insulated (even the floors) new double glazing with Kglass (supposed to be really energy efficient keeping sun out in summer and heat in in the winter) - our annual bill was £1,620, quick conversion say $2,360. Do you think we will fare better in Aus. I know its a difficult one as everyone uses energy differently but we are a family of four - don't think we are excessive in any way. Just general thoughts .......

Not sure, think it depends on your trade/occupation. I suggest you google it or e-mail the relevant assessing authority if you want a definite answer!

I thought it was 2 years, but could be wrong. You can take it as many times as you like - you just keep paying!

My poor old mum, although she's very fit and healthy at 74. I do feel terrible, initially she said well go for it, we should have gone 40 years ago when we had the chance (meaning her and my dad and us when her sister emigrated) - now its a reality, she saying "oh just forget about it, don't know why you want to do that etc, disgusting your messing with the kids education and what about all their lovely friends and their sports etc". Sad part is I know she's sort of right, but they're both brilliant well adjusted kids who are ready to embrace this opportunity. I feel so sad, but the other part says we are only a day away on a plane if anything happens and we will hopefully be in a position to be able to come back for the odd holiday. Torn, but she's not totally alone she has the support of my 2 brothers who live locally to her. Its funny how people react though, both my brothers are a bit peed off about it, but they've both got decent jobs - we ain't!

Oh Jemma, I feel for you - but I agree with Sniffer, take the most of your youth and this opportunity to see a bit of Australia. You have no ties - you are free as a bird and embrace it. I did a WH when I was 21 (a long time ago I might add) but I did most of it on my own. The best piece of advice I can give is to get yourself out there and do it. Backpackers hostels are brill, you are in a dorm with a load of other girls, and when I did it it was a case of chucking you bag in a room and its like "right who's coming out for a drink, who's doing what tomorrow" I met loads of really nice people doing this from all nationalities and all walks of life - I had a ball. Yes it was scary and back then I was painfully shy, but outgoing in a funny sense too as I craved a bit of adventure. Also, the regional aspect is great too, at the time I didn't think so, I only did it as there was no work to be had in Perth, I ended up working for 3 months in a roadhouse on the Nullarbor. Met a variety of folk, and had a great time, yes it was challenging being dumped in the middle of nowhere, and was a massive culture shock, but I look back on my time and we all had such a laugh - I have some amazing memories of fab times and fab people. I also saw a different side to life/people in Aus too though, some of which was not pleasant! Just view it as its supposed to be viewed, its not forever - your in it to see the Country and have a bit of an experience - you won't regret it and you will learn so much about yourself and you will grow as a person. You will surprise yourself! Turn this on its head and make it a positive experience! You never kno who you might meet!! Good luck in whatever you decide ...

Think my scanner is really slow, or maybe its me that's slow lol. Yep we did have a lot to upload though, as OH really needs to prove his last 10 years employment, and in those 10 years he has been employed, a sub-contractor, self employed and has a Ltd company, all down to economic forces - he isn't a fly by nighter, its what he's had to do to stay in employment - so you can imagine the paperwork all this generates as we have had to gather evidence from each and all those P60's and accounts to upload, references, client recommendations, supplier references, it actually took me months to gather all this info, going back to old employer was a nightmare, they didn't want him to leave the company, and still wouldn't speak to him - he gave him an excellent reference (pages long), but made him collect it from the doorstep of his country mansion, still sore at him after all these years haha! So yes it was a lot, but hope its enough.

Well, we have 2 kids 13 and 10, so we are governed by school catchment etc. Initially we are staying with my aunt, until we secure a rental in an area we will settle, so we do have a bit of breathing space and we can have a good look around. Luckily she has a 4 bed property and there's only 2 of them so she's happy to have us which a godsend as it takes away a lot of pressure. She lives in Waikiki and I have to say I do like it around that area, but we will have to go regional - don't mind though we are from a rural area anyway. There's nothing like getting there though and having a good look around for yourself. Don't know if you've been but the train links are great and it isn't expensive either, so if you can base yourselves close to a train station it will help with getting around, the freeway can be a nightmare, my cousins says she regularly gets stuck on there and it can take her 2 hours to get home. When we were there last, we staying in Baldivis and Mandurah and I loved them both! Didn't go NOR, as didn't have time and tbh we weren't looking to emigrate when we went. I did a working hol in '89 and loved it, met my OH when I was 24, and I always wanted to get back to Aus, he said no. But after going himself, the penny dropped haha! So now we are hopefully on our way! We do want to be by the coast, always wanted to live by the beach, kids are desperate too, my 13 year old wants to learn to surf and she said she wants a pool with a trampoline so she can bounce in lol - not sure about that though! Good luck and hope you get good news soon!

Thanks, that's good to know. Can't still quite believe after all this time, something is now happening. Just hope we have done enough! Just noticed your meds were referred - hope you get your grant soon. Where about in Perth are you heading?

Hi, I've just done mine this morning, so have the information to hand. In the letter it says "should you have any difficulty downloading your forms please contact health.strategies@immi.gov.au and they will assist you. Good luck

Blimey this is very good news!! We haven't even looked into agencies yet, as most people are saying that they won't look at you until you are there. Could you let me know what agencies you have approached? Where about are you heading, we are thinking Mandurah or Bunbury, undecided yet, was going to make the decision when we got there, totally down to where we could secure work. This is so encouraging - thanks so much for your reply, excited much!

Hi all, just wanted to say, we paid for our 489 visa on 25 Jan 13, uploaded most of our documents yesterday (yes it took me 8 hours non-stop and we've still got stuff to upload)!! So this morning, got the letter saying we had a CO and to organise medicals and police checks. I'm just surprised as this all seems very quick - we are on team 33. Also, I thought I could just keep uploading onto the website, but they now say to email them directly, which is fine, but they are asking for things, I've already supplied/uploaded, so I guess I'll just sent it to them as requested anyway .......

No its either Family sponsored or State Sponsored. I know state gives you 10 points. For family sponsored your occupation has to be on the main SOL, if its on the CSOL you can only go State Sponsored. The difference in the two is that if you are family sponsored its supposed to take a little longer to get your visa, but you can live anywhere you want to it WA. If you go State Sponsored you have to live in a regional area of WA, if you look at 489 visa on the DIAC website, at the bottom you will see a link for booklet 6, if you look here it will give you the postcodes, you are not allowed to live or work in and around Perth CBD. Hope this helps, but I'm no expert, just going off my own experience so far.

Thank you, that's very kind, and thanks for sharing your experience - it all helps

I was under the impression that if you were on the CSOL (sol2) then you couldn't get a 489 family sponsored visa, our occupation is on the CSOL, and we have had to go state sponsored ........

Been in touch with John Mason, who whilst don't recommend packing your own container, said they would allow it - cost £1500 - £2K, that's cheap I'm thinking. They do mention it could cause problems with customs and insurance - I'm taking it this may mean extra charges at the other end. Does anyone have any advice? They said they will deliver the container and give us 3 hours to load it, before incurring extra charges. I'm thinking its do able if we are organised and have enough strong men? What do you all think, is this the way to go - with them packing the price would be in the region of £3-4K, big price difference ........

Thanks you so much, I'm just starting to make enquiries now so would be greatly appreciated

Well, I'd just like to say thank you so much for a brilliant posting Mrs Keily, very informative, cheers!

I agree the obvious thing is to pack yourself, do you know which companies allow this? I thought they had to pack for you due security/customs risks, i.e you could pack 'anything' yourself. I know for airfreight especially you have to be security checked to have anything to do with the consignment, and I had just assumed this to be the case with sea freight, or do they just look at your inventory and randomly check various boxes? It would be great to pack yourself, as you can ensure its packed to your own satisfaction and standard - if anyone knows which companies will allow it, I'd be really interested, thanks in advance ......

You're so right there, I used to work for an air freight company and in my training, they said the dream shipment for them was to fill half a container half with lead (to charge for the weight) and the other half feathers (to charge for the volume), therefore maximizing profit. Seems this is exactly what they do when shipping personal effects!! Its very naughty. Others need to question this when they get the companies round - I'd be kicking off too - feel for you, its a lot money!

That's really good - the 457 does seem to get a lot of bad press, so it is is good to know it does actually work for some, thanks for that.