silencio

They should have give you at least 2 warnings before they sacked you! No matter if you were casual or not.

Today I loved listening to Irish music, scraping the violin.

Hi everybody, hubby got the job :biggrin:I just want to share the good news after my recent negative thread. Sometimes it worth to take the gamble. One door shuts another door opened! Actually we've never expected that he got it, so much the more a positive swing. Also the recruitment company sent him a text message, he could come back *ha, ha*. Australia is the country full of surprises...when you least expect any...

There also HIF and HCF as private health providers. In South Australia you need ambulance cover, this is not covered under medicare and known as the 'expensive ride' for people without it (700-800 bucks out-of-pocket money). Because you are a whole family it is more likely you'll need it. Dental is also not covered, so we took out 'extras only' with HIF (they are the cheapest one because they don't advertise and don't have big and expensive offices and staff). You have 12 months as a new arrival to decide whether to take out private hospital insurance, after 12 months the loading applies to you depending on your age (2 % more for every year over 30 I guess it was)

There is no guarantee of getting a visa. Visa grants for Australia undergoes cycles of delays, rejections and fast processing applications. That's a normal process for every immigration country, because they adjust the demand in several occupations from time to time. Now it seems to be again the time of delaying visa applications like it was many times before. Hi Prahteeba, I've posted the same answer on pomsinadelaide.But just to share with others, regards Rabeah. I remember a time, 2009/2010 I suppose, when my husband's job was removed from the sol without warning. Luckily, it came back on the sol in the new financial year 2010. Also all applicants in the last category of pr applications (family sponsored ones) were cancelled after years of waiting and refunded their application fees. In 2010 all other applications were on hold without any announcement because they reached the ceiling. Why on earth have you given notice to your job? Most people don't understand the complex (economic) backgrounds and the many variables of getting or not getting a visa. Intensive research and speaking to migrants who made the move before leaving a job would be appropriate. And Viking I understand your impatience but you're wrong. Discrimination is not allowed here in Australia due to the Discrimination Act. I see your reaction as an emotional response. You're also wrong with high risk security processing checks which are only a guide. People from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia often wait more than a year!

It's funny how different the perception of us members are. Hubby and me have been to Perth after Chrissie visiting our extended family and we found it freezing!!! Okay, we live in South Australia and are used to 40 degrees but Perth didn't have one day with 40 degrees in that time. Always a fresh and cool wind, and I'd not taken my jackets due to expecting warmer days. Actually, in December 2013 it was unusual cold for summer there. Have you been there in 2012 or 13? Just wondering how you come to your statement. Perth has a small CBD, that's true but bigger than Adelaide. Sydney has more shops and Melbourne is more a global city as well. But even Sydney has less variety than European cities you mentioned. But how can you claim that Sydney has cheaper rentals to offer than Perth? Ok, a rat trap may be cheaper... There was a survey the day before yesterday on adelaidenow.com.au where it was outlined clearly and not a novelty that Sydney and Melbourne are still the most expensive cities in Australia. Good on you that you were able to find something cheap but how do you measure it against Perth rental prices... Besides disagreeing in some points thank you for your overall very well and informative report and good luck for your new life.

First priority would be the skill assessment. As long as it's on the SOL you'll be fine. IELTS is important when your partner could gain 7 or more points in each band like you mentioned to collect the necessary points. You also might get extra points from state sponsorships, when your hubby's job is on a state list, for example SA or WA would give you 5 points. Why go matildas doesn't state which visa they recommended seems a little bit weird to me. Be aware that for many migrants applying for a visa is a nerv wrecking matter. Your patience will be tested over and over again. Preparation (translating of docs, long mailing route, skill assessment backlog) and arrangements (late arrival of ss documents due to unpredictable mail services even with 'priority' + medical online uploading issue) were the main issues for us whereas the visa application itself was very smoothly and swiftly in our case. PR would be the best option in my opinion. Good luck!

Gosh, just read this! We're planning to move to Perth next year and are due to apply for citizenship in early 2016. That means as interstate migrants we'd get the same trouble due to not having a GP or someone else on the list to sign the identity requirement. Maybe get that done before we move or does it have to be 'brand new'? By the way I know many migrants without a GP and lets hope that the bank doesn't have high staff turnover!

Though we're not from India we had the same issue like you, the resignation period we had to serve and also to organise our furniture removal. We came here 6 months after the visa grant. In our grant letter it was outlined that we have to arrive within 12 months after medicals/police checks issuing date (whichever was first) in order not to do it again. We were fine but before we left our home country we did a new police clearance for the citizenship requirement beforehand because the police clearance expires only for citizenship purpose after 3 months.

He was working for them since December last year. Not that long. He also was hired through a recruitment company and 'borrowed' to that particular company on a casual basis. Unfortunately, nothing we can do about. The reason for going earlier was a job interview he had, of course he didn't tell this reason to anybody. Let's hope that he'll hear from them.

Hi guys, just want to share some news with you. Unfortunately, bad ones. My hubby had an appointment last week and asked his old employer to go earlier which was approved by the supervisor but later dismissed by the manager. He usually started work at 6 am (unskilled labour work in the automotive industry though he's a skilled fitter and turner) and wanted to go after 1 pm, 1 1/2 hours before his shift ends. I've to add that he's employed at a Recruitment company and here in Adelaide are hundreds of applicants for the same jobs. Due to doing TAFE in the evening he cannot do overtime and weekend shifts (company often asked him to do so). But sacked for going a little bit earlier seems to me like South Australia is the new slave and day labour centre! Sorry for being cynical but this new situation upsets me completely. To make things worse I've to reduce my working hours because of this in order to get my hubby some centrelink benefits. I'm not willing paying lots of taxes here and then they don't care about my husbands situation his former employer puts him into.

This is one of the best threads on PINOZ. Had a lot of fun, the most confusing thing 'lollies" was mentioned before. I was completely irritated buying sweets in Foodland and couldn't find it only a sign 'lollies'. 'Wow' I thought to myself, they have a lolly section just to find out that's a general term for chocolate and more...

Don't stress about the IELTS, it's not worth it. Think of the bigger picture, the visa is the goal. Besides, he only has to do the general IELTS not the academic. With a little preparation everyone can pass it. Pick up the weak areas, learn the format of the test, and he'd be fine! We also passed the IELTS and English is NOT our first language. So it's possible for everybody.

Which visa are you looking for? The age range for a PR has changed from 45 to 50 years in a few years ago although you wouldn't get any points towards your age.

Hi Snifter, other places in Australia are great, too. I absolutely agree with your opinion. Hubby has family in Sydney and Perth and we have been to Sydney twice (hubby 3 times) and Perth once, as well as to Broome, Cairns and Uluru/Ayers Rock. Our favourite city are Perth and Fremantle not Adelaide, unfortunately to be honest.

Thank you for all your nice replies. Though our status as PR hasn't changed psychologically it has changed everything for us. Cheers, Rabeah

Actually hubby and me never had a culture shock. The only shock was the blazing sun in SA ;-) Australia is a 1st world country and we came from a 1st world country. Australia has the same cars for instance like we had in our home country. Australia has the same bureaucracy level like the place we came from. You can easily avoid any cultural shock by visiting your future home country for at least 1 month like we did before. Okay, my hubby has dozens of close relatives in Aussie and visited them also before we met each other. So at least he knew what to expect when we came here. I always recommend that people who never set a foot on Australian soil shouldn't expect anything, it's gambling. There must be a reason applying for a visa.

It's unbelievable how quick 2 years have been passed by. We can’t take it for granted that our first 2 years are really over now! From now on we’re ‘established’ Permanent Residents in terms of Australian policies withits ‘newly arrived resident’s waiting periods of 104 weeks’ and the 176 condition of ‘filling in 5 surveys in the first 2 years’. Frankly speaking our ‘probation period’ as a PR is over and history! From now on - no longer exclusions from centrelink theoretically (luckily both of us have work currently) - we’ve finished our state sponsorship requirements for SA - we’ll get better premiums for car insurance (never had comprehensive therefore insurance companies didn’t accept our 18 years crash free driving history from Europe) - we can sponsor close relatives due to the ‘waiting period of 2 years’ applied until today - we could obtain a 5 years RRV instead of only a 1 year RRV (just a worst case scenario) - half way gone to put forward our yearned for citizenship application. From now onwe are able to look back on our migration journey to South Australia. Though we had our obstacles and job issues like many migrants we never gave up and let allow something to knock us over. Actually we never looked back to our ‘old’ life in overseas. Homesickness, not at all, which is surprisingly for me because I used to be very close to my family and friends there. But at the same time ambivalently I always was a risk taker and an adventure-seeker which I think plays the bigger part within my personality momentarily. We love Australia, we feel completely happy and grateful being here and having this kind of lifestyle with outdoor living, plenty of free and open spaces, beaches, friendly people, multiculturalism. We also got more and more inside knowledge how for instance the job market works here. The more Aussie certificates you gain the more employers will acknowledge the efforts migrants have done to adjust to the job market here. It was a good opportunity of making a fresh start. Everyone should give themselves at least 2 years, otherwise migrants miss out on the full picture.

Hi there, for my knowledge you're allowed to purchase just 1 property anyway as a PR. Only Australian Citizens can buy more than 1 house. That's what I've been told. So might not have that problem living in another state than in the purchasing one... Usually new arrivals don't have any Australian credit history, so it'll be hard to get a loan/mortgage straight away.

Does anybody know if car dealers take my used car (Hyundai Getz 2010) in part exchange in case I purchase a car with that particular car dealer? For example, a Mazda 2 Neo at the Mazda car dealer. I want them to accept my used car as part payment because I need a car to commute and can't afford to sell it myself privately. Any experience and advise highly appreciated.

Hi there, not currently. Rupert already answered your question. As a PR you're may be eligible to sponsor your mum after two years residency.

Good luck with your move back to the UK! Unfortunately, Australia is not for everyone. The problem is that many people migrate without ever setting a feet onto Australian soil and then coming here feel disappointed. I think that is true for 50 % of migrants, they have no clue about coming here because research on the Internet, verifying information or what ever is not the same as coming here for a longer visit in order to get a feeling/catch the atmosphere. Prospective migrants need to realise that the higher the expectations the higher the disappointment will be, like Rupert mentioned. For me as well Australia is a country where I came without any expectations because then no dream can be destroyed because there is actually no dream. I also never blamed my home country for 'going rack and ruined' because I didn't know how it would be in Australia, even I have relatives living here for over 30 years. On the contrary, I'm very grateful and feel blessed coming from Europe and being proud of it. I'm also feeling very proud of the privilege living in Australia. Many people would die coming here so there is a deep gratitude towards Australia, too. I was shocked about your high amount of tax you've paid. Hubby and me together might earn 60,000 AUD, but paying 60,000 AUD in tax means you were really earning extremely above average. Even on a PR visa with your high salary you wouldn't get any benefit from Centrelink besides full medicare and the school fee for children because everything here is means-tested. Complaining about being fed of being an immigrant like you did I don't understand because everyone here is a migrant or the child/grandchild of one. I don't want to judge anybody or being rude but it sounds to me a little bit of a midlife crises because you also mentioned the high stress level/overtime done back in the UK and starting it here as well. Australia is certainly not for everyone and I wish you and your family well. The UK might be the better life style. Missing family and friends can be unbearable for some people.

Although I cannot answer your question it would only be normal behaviour of any government agency to put the citizenship application on hold. In my opinion DIAC will question and further investigate why somebody never set a foot into the sponsored state will in any case cause at least delays or any forms of discipline action. However, DIAC wants to know if you have permission for leaving from the sponsored state or not. If you have permission everything will be all right. If not then they will at least investigate... We always stick to the rules, give it a go for 2 years and won't have any problems afterwards when it comes to citizenship. It's a contract, no matter if it's 'only' a moral obligation or not. People who don't adhere to rules will get into trouble sooner or later, so it's very short sighted for migrants who wish to become citizens not to stick to Australian migration rules. I would recommend that migrants take SS very seriously. We're all adults and as adults people who are not willing to settle in the sponsored state can gain permission to leave from the State Government. It not only makes sense, but all hassles and delays can be easily avoided.

There is a change announced on immi.gov.au/legislation/amendments/ ,coming into affect on 28th October 2013 regarding visa working assessments/requirements. Let's see what that means. Hopefully, nothing worse for temporary visa holders 'in the pipeline'

Ilessur and Rupert you are both right! Rupert with his/her comment that a good CV is a good CV, no matter if you search for a job in the UK/Europe or here. I would add an outstanding CV is the one which will bring you the job interview. Ilessur is also right, because I also live in Adelaide and I completely agree with employers attitude here against hiring migrants in the first instance. Except, when there is a skill in demand, then a migrant is highly acceptable. I had extremely problems of getting a job here. After gaining a local certificate/qualification I got a job in a European company. I would recommend not hiding the fact people come from Overseas rather than I would say hide your age, at least 10 years, when you're over 40 (like me). It's better to 'cut off' some years, Adelaide's job market is completely behind other cities. Here's more discrimination against age and certain ethnic groups in comparison to Sydney or Melbourne.