Mizzmp

Hi Kerry, not sure which skill you went for but OH went for a trade, did paper part, then did practical, they emailed us within a week to say he passed but actual hardcopy took 2 weeks to arrive. Once that arrived we put in application online for state sponsorship. Usually they want CV, refs, passport, skills assessment evidence. Once you get SS agreed its the big visa application.

Its still in the 20's in perth during the day at the mo. Winter doesn't usually go below 13 deg but much colder at night. We've had enough rain, what we need is for the gov to arrange for more reservoirs to be built as none have been built for yeeeears.

Don't forget people, theres gumtree.com.au might be good to search for garden furniture there (way cheaper second hand and you get bigger n better than you can afford new). At least it will give you a break from real estate lol! We are gonna hit gumtree when we land for fridge, furniture etc as shipping most but not all our stuff. Also, make sure if you do buy new here and ship it, you must take it out the wrapping! Any item no matter how big, small or cheap, you get charged import tax if its new.

Thanks for the report, most handy! Did you buy a tom tom in perth or take yours?

We went on the market last aug, had loads of viewings but not one single offer! Then, march this yr we managed to agree a sale (not saying sold til money in hand). Its been dragging as they are first time buyers and mortgage offer has taken ages to sort. I would look at changing agents, new agents will have a fresh start and be enthusiastic about your place. Also, tell you agents unless they are serious people and they have evidence of mortgage in principal, that you would rather they did not view. We got loads of viewings from people who had to sell their place or didn't have a mortgage offer so we decided only those ready to go came through the door. The viewings slowed right down but at least you know the ones who do view, could be the one. One other trick is to print off a "property pack" for each viewing and leave it in sight. Put the property address, price on the front with "offers considered" and then on another page put how great the neighbours are, how much you love the area, where local shops, schools, bus etc are. People can take it with them and they seemed to work for us. Good luck and hang in there!

Once we have exchanged it will be a matter of soonest flight wins! Heading to NOR, Joondalup, woodvale, ocean reef are main areas we like. Heres to booking that flight! x

When we applied for our visa I put that I had a tourist visa, read the question as ours said "any" visas for australia. Best to cover yourself.

Depending on your skill you can still go if your over 50 with employer sponsor I believe. Otherwise they may have to try NZ.

I have seen millions of threads on here and you should be fine. There does seem to be a few skills/trades push through quicker than others tho. We were told once we applied for our 176 (WA) it would be 12 months, then 8 weeks later we had the visa!

A lot of people went into the UK police to have a career for life. Little did they know about the looming redunancies, the benefits being taken away and the fact it was going to be so much harder. They have also reduced officers powers and upped the paperwork meaning the job has changed to an extent where people are wanting to leave. I would say the worst culprits are those who take gov funding for say nursing, then leave the uk. Its a well known fact the aussies are getting fed up with us "poms" moving over however most of their ideas are based on "the bad poms" the ones who constantly moan about the heat etc. There are a few good poms over there and I hope they eventually out-weigh the bad.

Hey guys n gals, I've read so many threads on here slating various schools but they are not that recent. Do people mind saying which primary/sec school their children go to and their opinion please? Wanneroo High seems to get the worst reviews along with Belridge but nobody actually says why. We just want a school where the kids are happy, education is important but their confidence comes first. Thanks.

Ive heard excellent reports on Ocean Reef schools both primary and secondary. We are in same scenario as want a good school but that means paying an extra $100 a week on rent! Loads have said that wanneroo high is bad but then others say its ok. Guess you should go on gut feeling and what the kids think? Good luck.

Hi Simpsons, Sounds the same as us! We are very grateful for our buyers but it is draggin on now. It just seems so silly as we have no chain, nobody appears bothered! I cant wait to book the flights, gonna be so exciting! Good luck, where are you guys flying to? x

Hi Sparrow and Mummy, we put our house up for sale last July, (got visa the aug) and didnt sell til early march this year! We dropped price a few times and eventually took a sickly low price! Took a hit over £20k drop! Since december housing seemed to slow however May is a good time to get people out. We decorated top to bottom in fresh white. Not sure if a fluke but we bought some pictures (keep calm carry on types from The Range) and 2 days after putting them up we sold! Im convinced they helped to sell as made it more homely. Worth a try for you guys? Hang in there, better to sell at low price than not at all. If we didn't sell we would be in utter dire straits! Every penny is tied up xx

Its horrid! Since we applied for visa ive been "i don't care what you think im going for me and that is that" however now we are close I am thinking, bugger, mums coming up 60 and it will be heartbreaking when she's elderly living so far away. My dad says "life doesn't stop" and it got me thinking, we feel guilty because we care not because we are monsters. Since starting on the oz road, Dad left my mum, nan died of bowel cancer and now my gdads been diagnosed with bowel cancer! So much has changed but you have to separate yourself from feelings sometimes otherwise we would never have any adventure. If moving was easy everyone would do it, for those of us who get the visa, its a gift and the chance to better ourselves.

I think too many people don't do enough research. Some threads on here are asking questions that they should find out themselves like we all had to. I have seen quite a few people on here who seem to have it all in the uk and i do wonder why they would make the change. For us, we have 3 kids, a house too small, and im earning min wage with no hope of improvement! Even tho we will be starting again and investing a lot of money we all feel oz will give us the best chance. Most our family live abroad all over europe already so we are used to not seeing them. Aussies sense of humour is different to ours so some find it hard to find friends. I moved 20 mins away from my home town when I married and HATED it for 2 years, and thats just moving 16 miles! The 2 years deffo seems to be the magic number on make or break. I hope people find the strength to give it a go and remember that life doesn't stop! You have to live life for you, nobody else.

Sale agreed on our house early march and still no exchange! Theres no chain as we r off to perth and they are in rented. Is anybody else having the same prob? Be nice to swap moans! Got our visa last Aug, so sick of waiting to book flights now! Am well aware of how lucky we are to have the visa and a buyer but man, hurry up Mr solicitor! Share your story, might make us feel better.

Once you have passed skills assessment you can apply for state sponsor for most states. If you go on each states website it will tell you what they need. Usually references, qualifications, skills assessment evidence, passport copy and his cv. The rules are changing in July this year where you have to be invited to apply so you need to think about your timing. Skills tests are usually twice a year depending on occupation. Generally Feb and Sept.

I think centrelink can point you in the right direction, they deal with the child benefits etc and anything you can register for. Sec Harb is nice place but not many jobs. Centrelink are online so maybe have a scoot round their site?

If you want FIFO i would try WA or QLD as they seem to have the most jobs. Seek has loads and there seems to be a recruitment drive going at the moment. Have you got time to go to an expedition before you go? They have loads of companies who do interviews on the day. Good luck!

I would just make sure he applies for the skill test that he has the most experience in, he can change his career/area once he lands over there. Quickest route is state sponsored 176 or employer sponsor if he got offered a job. Agents are expensive so I would only get one if you don't have the confidence yourself to read thro the gumf for visa. Good luck.

Have you tried the trip advisor site? Theres a section for hol rentals there and the ones we have emailed, have replied witin 48 hours and been great. Also, rightmove.co.uk have a holiday section but not sure how many aussie rentals will be on there. Good luckx

Our friends live in woodvale its a top area and the schools are also top. Only thing to consider is its very high rent compared to other areas, so depending on your salary, could be a sticky point. Banksia Grove was a mere sandpit 3 years ago when i visited but all built up now. Other areas which are also good are Duncraig, Ocean Reef, Kingsley and Padbury. Your kids go to the nearest school so if school is a priority for you, you need to secure your rent in that catchment. Good luck.

We hope to fly end april/early may, just waiting for exchange on our house which should have happened but hasn't! Still feel like we wont ever get there its been soooooo long. Sorrento is a lovely area (posh) Connolly also pretty affluent (bro in law lives there, keen golfer) and we are aiming for woodvale. Good luck guys, perhaps we should all meet up and may at hillarys boat harbour to swap stories and introduce kids/play mates.

Best option, depending on his qualification, age and years of experience he can prove is a 176 visa. This is the most secure as its sponsored by the gov in australia so you are perm res not temp. If they go whv visa, they must both be under 30 and have no children, not even from previous relationship. This gives them 12 mths to be in aus to work. If in that 12 mths they do 3 mths seasonal work ie fruit picking, farming, some building trades, then they can apply for a 12 mth extention. At that point he can try for work in plumbing and go from there, Usually if you have an employer to vouch for you, theres a few on-shore visa options. Be aware that they dont recognise most of our plumbing certification and he may have to do a lot again. At the very least they have the potential for an amazing holiday!