corkyball

Hi Graham. Yes £4K is the cost of the visa, gutted that if we would have pulled our fingers out previously when we discussed it could have saved £2k oh well. Yes have got down a total of £25k to make the move from start to finish approx £12.5k to get us there and £12.5k to take across with us. Obviously these are only rough estimates.

Hi Wokos. We are hoping to move to Brisbane at the moment although this may change depending on the job situation. We are hoping the opening of the new childrens hospital in Brisbane end of 2014 will create a few more job opportunities for Paediatric Nurses. How about you?

Hi nursesam, yes the IELTS is out of the way, so glad I didn't have to take it. We are obviously just a few months behind you in the process. When are you looking to move? Hi Wokos, this is the reason we have gone for 2 years/ 2 1/2 years due to childrens education it would mean our eldest starting school in Australia, Jan 2015, but also if we were to come back in 2 1/2 years our youngest would start school in the UK, Sept 2017. Feels strange discussing dates over 4 years away.

Hi Everyone. Thank you for all the comments it does make good reading and am taking all points on board. Sorry about not responding moved house couple of weeks ago and still waiting for internet to get set up, not sure how anybody could cope without it now. Had discussion over weekend together and feel more confident about the whole process. Funny how it seems easier to discuss things with complete strangers than loved ones..... Going to apply for ANMAC now, hopefully have this in right order. Still feels along way away though from going though under 18 months and counting... Many Thanks

Hi runslikeafish. It sounds exactly the same as ourselves. I have been before, although over 10 years ago, and my wife had doubts due to never going. As you say though the costs involved in the recce trip is the stumbling block. I will have a read of the blog, thanks for that. Always good to get good info. Thanks

Thank you everyone for your comments I really do appreciate it. Really helps getting advice from people who have actually been in the same position, all you seem to get from family and friends is 'Just Do It'.

Hi Verystormy. Thanks for your reply I am very aware of this and hence why we have not gone yet as I would never apply for the visa without total commitment as like most others I don't have £4k (now) to just throw at something. I suppose this is the problem my wife says she is now 100% committed to go for two years and is now the one pushing the move and wanting to go.

Hi Blossom79. Yes we are eligible we would go for the 189 visa as we have 70 points, at the moment although it was 75 when we first started planning, and reckon it gives us more flexibility.

Hi. Myself, my wife and two young kids (3 and 7 months) are finally thinking of making the move to live in Brisbane, more precisely the bayside area, We would be looking to go before January 2015ish as we were hoping to start our youngest at school the same time as everyone else. We have decided to at least go over and try it for two years as my wife doesn't like to think of it as forever at the moment. However I do have concerns about spending all this money to go across and all it would be is just a countdown until we come home again and if we know we are coming back in two years maybe it will be hard to actually settle and get through the first few difficult months without thinking about that time we would return home. Has anyone else gone across and been unsure and said we will try it for two years and how did it turn out for you? Thanks in advance

Hi Seanlyndsey. I know what you mean about trying to choose a suburb it really is impossible without actually being there. To be honest have no idea why I have come up with the Bayside area I just feel it makes it easier when I am trying to sell the idea to my wife if I can show her actual areas. Did you manage to get your visa application in before the price increase? Gutted as it adds a couple of grand to our costs. The new hospital is a Childrens Hospital so not sure it would help, I have attached the link though http://www.health.qld.gov.au/childrenshospital/ Have you visted Australia before? as this is one of the reasons my wife is still not toatally sold on the idea but we just can't afford the visit first. How are you finding the application process bit of a minefield I bet.

Thanks Tcrejbf. Hope all goes well with your trip next month bet you can't wait.

Hi everyone, I have been a member of the forum for quite some time but never posted. Always just read the information and wished we had the bottle to do it. Myself, my wife and two young kids (3 and 7 months) are finally thinking of making the move to live in Brisbane, more precisely the bayside area, We would be looking to go before January 2015ish as we were hoping to start our youngest at school the same time as everyone else. I would be very grateful for any info on the area with regards life style, shops, schools etc. My wife is a Paediatric nurse and I work in Accounts. I am aware of the problems facing nurses in Queensland at the moment but was hoping once the new hospital opens it may create a few more jobs, again any info would be greatly appreciated. We are really excited about the proposition of moving over, well I am wife not so much (yet), and any info( good or bad) would be very welcomed. The long journey as they say starts here. Thanks in advance