3FatCats

I reported to the MD, who reported to the CEO, and I still passed. I think as long as you can show your level of seniority, and where you delegate activity to within the company, plus direct reports, you should be fine.

It will depend on your work history and experience, you can look on their website but tbh I would suggest contacting a migration agent to help you.

Yes, I passed but be warned, their process is very strict indeed and yes, I used a migration agent. Despite experience they will ask to see many documents from past roles, all on company paper and signed. If you have been in the same role for 10 years this will be easy, otherwise start contacting ex bosses/colleagues. Good luck.

Bless you xxx

That's heartbreaking.......oh my goodness you poor lady. I don't really know what to say, I am almost lost for words.....reading between the lines I think no matter what, you are going to do what is best for your son. I tried to remember myself at 11 to offer up some insight, and I suppose what it boils down to, is he mature enough/old enough/etc to make this huge decision just like that? It is not something you can pick up and drop x months down the line if you decide you don't like your new life so much...schools, finances etc. How is he going to elaborate his missing you? Please keep posting if we can offer you any support xxx

I hate to hear you are having such a bad time, and I really understand as I was unemployed for 10 months when we first arrived in Aus. Sometimes it isn't anything you are doing or aren't doing, it is just the way it is... What I will say, and of course this is just my own experience, is that I ended up getting a job through someone who knew someone and made a personal introduction. Once I was "in" and they saw my CV and had a chat with me, they employed me there and then in a fairly senior role. I was about ready to give up then too and just go home, in the end I got the job and we were able to get life back on track, but some money back in the bank. We are now back in the UK but that is by-the-by. I really hope it works out for you either way, if you do come back to the UK send me a PM and I will gladly loan you the necessities for your first weeks back!!! Today I picked up a 16 piece cutlery set for 1.75, you have to love Asda :cute: Good luck anyway.

Visa fees...

That's great! If you are interested, Jetpets also have a video on their FB page that shows how the pets leave Aus and how they are boarded onto the plane. Ours have just come back, we used Jetpets in Aus and PetAir UK this end to collect them and both were great!

Wish I had come back sooner! As for the rest, it is good being back for the summer and glad we chose now and not winter.

I have been back home since Monday! For me Australia was never a dream, my OH was offered a job and we tried it out. After 3 years I felt I had given it enough time and wanted to come back to Europe. I have many pommy friends in Sydney who all love it and don't even want to come back for a holiday!

@Aunt Agatha The fatties are fine, all currently hogging our only piece of furniture which is the sofa :laugh: @Harpodom Cheshire

Well, I'm here :cute: Sitting in my conservatory with the morning sunshine coming in with a nice cuppa tea and chocolate digestive.. Feels...strange. I know I am back, but doesn't feel real yet I suppose. So far so good. Nothing major to report. Went straight into the bank to change addresses, the nice guy actually said wait there, I'll go get my laptop and do it for you! :wubclub: Internet will be installed next Monday. Have 2 interviews this week and need to go and sort a car out. Only sad point, upon closer inspection, my house is in a shite state...:cry: oh well eh.

Yes, started this thread in May, we have left Sydney now.

I can't afford two! :wub:

Me in NW, sounds like a plan!

They were all fine! One of mine is quite feral too, but didn't suffer at all. They all settled within hours of being in the new house.

My 3 cats are on their flight home as we speak. 3 years in Aus and I kept them indoors, they were mostly fine as long as you have A/C for the summer. You may be able to put up an outdoor shelter adjacent to the house so they can come and go, without actually roaming. As long as it is temporary and can be dismantled it should be OK. Our rental accepts pets, there are rentals who prefwr none, but if you are determined you will find one! You could offer an extra pet bond, write reference letters saying you are a responsible owner etc.

Hi Dom, interesting because I hadn't thought about the political situation at all. However, both OH and I are adamant we won't move back to Italy for eg. because the politics are so dire. Tbh, it is more the landscape stuff that is drawing me back home (and the small matter of a visa which runs out next year) but if I had stopped to think about politics then yes, that would be another reason for leaving Aus. Right, back to rental cleaning.....at least it is the LAST TIME I WILL DO THIS!

I am currently using Interparcel, seemed to have good rates.

Me too NAB, I have found their customer service excellent.

We rented ours out for the three years we have been in Aus a) because at the time we had to leave in a hurry and b) were just on a temp visa. The agency we used took a management fee and looked after any issues, we just got an email to confirm the costs for repairs. This worked fine for us, but is an expensive option, you could waive this if family could step in for example. Things to bear in mind if you rent IMO: have some spare $$ in the bank to cover any periods with no rental income, tenants come and go, they might not replace immediately. Accept your home will no longer feel like your home once it has been rented out. Our tenants were reasonable people but still made changes they were not supposed to, and I now have to replaster, redecorate etc. Accept that the house will generally need some TLC if you return, to cover things an owner would do but a tenant may not i.e. proper gardening vs just cutting the lawns, paying attention to fixing little things here and there and generally not loving the place like a proper home (because they are just renting!). Also you will have to declare the rental income in your tax return, rules vary depending on your type of visa. Personally, I am very happy to have rented out, I am now returning and have a house ready for me, plus the mortgage has been covered and it is a good investment for us. Everyone will have a different situation so I can't say what you should do, maybe if you stand to get good equity from the property now then try and sell? Good luck anyway.

Me too childless, me too face same derision/pity/lack of tact (choose one) when really, if someone asked because they were genuinely interested, I would happily tell them my story!

This time next week the movers will be in my house packing up. This time in 2 weeks' time, I will already be home...