silencio

I have gone through again the official list right now how can sign the identity declaration for citizenship and luckily found out that also an employee of the Australian Post qualify to do so when employed at least for 5 years. W know our Post manager as he often sells us stamps or releases all our parcels we collect from Australia Post always in the same official Post office. Also a member of Engineering Australia would qualify and hubby should know one or two as he finished his TAFE courses 18 months ago.

Good luck dangargoyle! What an exciting time for you and your family. Wish you a well 'transformation' and a good life here in Down Under.

Thanks Quinkla, you explained the matter really well. I've checked our medicare account in between, hubby has been to a specialist/dermatologist last Nov 2014 and another GP mid of Feb 2015 and luckily this issue is solved hopefully as both doctors would know him for at last 1 year before we could apply anyway. I can only pray they don't retire or change jobs!!! Even dentists and GP's change very often. Horrible when you've been to them for years and then you've nobody to sign the photos as it's unfair to wait one more year just for a bloody signature and living here for 4 years continuously.

It's nearly impossible to get 'real' Aussie friends as they don't let you into their 'circles'. I don't speak about Australian acquaintances to meet from time to time for a BBQ or what ever. I'm talking about real friendship is hard to get here. I've moved several times in my life one time from one part of my European country to the edge/border 550 km away. I found it very easy to establish new friendships there in those days but here in Australia/Adelaide impossible! Everyone seems to be so busy and self-absorbed. 'Im so busy!' is the most common sentence ever came across since I arrived in this beautiful country. In my opinion Australians are living in their own bubble. Completely rubbish with this egalitarian thesis as here are exactly the same society classes like in every other 1st World/Western Country. It's more underneath the surface and people don't tend to show envy or resentments openly toward other people but 'the rich' live in their 'own' suburbs and drive fancy cars like in every other highly developed country. In my work place they always carry 'the happy face' even if they are unsatisfied or actually wanted to criticize something or someone's behaviour, everything is 'great' and 'fine'. This 'sunshine' attitude makes life a little bit easier I suppose in terms of getting along well with each other, but no conflict shown on the surface is a great cultural difference where I come from where people would directly tell you what's wrong with you! Here you need fine tuned antennas to find out if a person likes you or is just friendly and polite as to everybody else.

We are due for application early next year, feb 2016

We're due for citizenship application early next year. Though everything seems to be fine one of us has a problem with the photo 'thing'= certification. As far as I know applicants need a accredited certification from a professional listed on the citizenship wizard. Here it goes: both hubby's dentist and GP are no longer working in Adelaide/GP has recently retired. What should he do in order to get his photos witnessed as only bank manager known to us is the one who were coming to us for the mortgage papers last year twice. Would this mortgage bank manager from a well known bank be suitable as well?

If I were MrsA I'd set me a certain time frame, let say 6 months down the track, and if you're still griefing don't stay here for false reasons and go back home. I find it more concerning being mentally unstable and unhappy/depressed than just admitting migration to foreign countries is not for everyone. It's always better having a happy life wherever it is. But maybe you like it here after a couple of weeks after going out meeting some people or work colleagues?

PR is the best option for your wife in the long run like all the comments suggest. Temporary visas - even on 1st sight Kiwis assume to have an advantage towards other temporary visas - there is no point being on that for the rest of her life because she'll always be regarded as a 2nd class resident. 3000 $ for her application fee good investment for a stable future of all family members which not only gives peace of mind but equality with Australian citizens and permanent residents.

OP + wife are working 40 hours but in Australia as a rule of thumb 38 hours per week are full time. Are you working overtime as well? Which industry are you in presuming 40 hours as full-time?

What I've forgotten to mention not only separate bank accounts are important in a relationship, my partner and me also use the pie chart/expenditure tool from our bank. It's easy and convenient and you see where the money goes. Surprise: my partner earns more than me but has less money left after each pay-week and in comparison I can only spend less with the lower wage and save at least 1 third more! In the end it all comes to habit, our own financial behaviour/maturity. The other half is a big spender and for myself I can say I always was a saver. We're completely different and in order to achieve our goals I monitor all our financial aspects as otherwise the other half would never save a penny.

Even when you save a lot in grocery shopping and modest eating habits many people I know overspend with expensive clothes, hairdresser appointments with the latest style, smoking, designer shoes and the common trap with mobile contracts with data packages most people hardly use. You've really to reflect not only on your spending but on your partner's as well. Often we human beings tend to muddle up 'must have for my life style' with 'nice to have'. My partner & me have separate bank accounts and that helped us in terms who is person in our relationship to sabotage our savings goal for example. Everyone has different spending habits and it's so hard to change. By the way with your salaries you should do better so I guess there is a 'hidden' expenditure somewhere.

In EVERY State of the US? I've heard is doesn't apply everywhere in the US and is badly fought by the opposition? And even with Obamacare only very basic health services is available and as a new arrival to the country I would be carefully reading the eligibility criteria.

That is not true with rent assistance only if you have children! See humanservices.gov.au/newly-arrived-resident-waiting-period. There is only around 140 AUD rent assistance fortnightly for kids. So you either must have arrived with children or one of your household members is an Australian citizen or former PR. We arrived without kids and no jobs and did get 0!!!

Working in the US wouldn't be my dream especially with 2 kids! Imagine you'd loose your job you automatically loose all health insurance entitlements as well! There is no medicare system - free public health system - like Australia or other Western countries have. Even with a safe job you'd only get basic health insurance through the employer and huge gap fees apply in case of hospitalisation and people need private health cover as well to be safe from escalating health costs.

The OP won't get rent assistance due to the 'newly arrived resident's 2 years waiting period'. For the kids some assistance would apply through Centrelink but not as much to sustain a family of 4 financially as the only bread winner in an expensive Metropolitan city like Melbourne. Even in 'cheap' Adelaide a salary around 57,000 AUD is not much - for 2 persons! In Australia even mum's of very little children can't afford to be a 'stay at home mum' and are all working and paying these bloody expensive child care fees even with the so called 'child care benefits'. All mum's I know - 1 child up to 4 with babies or toddlers - all have a least a part time job. If your wife really wants to stay at home than Australia isn't the 'right' choice for you because no families of 4 can sustain themselves with 1 salary only. By the way Canada is nice, too if only the winters wouldn't be so harsh and long. Good luck for making the right decision.

Another example how misleading it can be to come over on a temporary visa with the intention to stay forever. Hopefully this family had good years here and don't look back in anger! Sad story of course when you really have to think about deportation, their great contribution to this country and how many freeloaders could stay here for good (valid for every Western country with social welfare systems)

There is a negative connotation father and child could only I should better say perhaps see each other once a year. Living in Australia is expensive and I was wondering how sponsoring a flight (50 %) will work out as prices go up and are not predictable in the long run in terms of the applicant has to pay flights for lets say 12 years or so? The OP didn't mention how strong the emotional bond between father and son really is. If I were the father there would be no way I'd agree to this. It could be quite upsetting not only for the father but for the little kid as well just because his mum wanted to migrate to Australia. A little child has no insight of any long term traumas that might hopefully not occur. As others said a long way to go for a visa where I ask myself 'a sponsor lined up' doesn't mean the prospective employer in Australia will wait for ages as long as it's no family member or associate.

Hi everybody, unbelievable our third year is coming to an end. Actually, this year wasn’t that fast moving in my memory but now it’s over and gone with a lot of new experiences. Last year we were about packing things to a move interstate to Perth after a lot of setbacks and Adelaide seemed to bring no luck to us jobwise. The city itself, people and nature, the beaches, etc. everything perfect just the job market a pain in the bum. After seriously networking with relatives in Perth and researching move companies the unbelievable happened when you expect it the least: we both could secure decent and stable jobs. First hubby, myself 6 month later. We don’t work casual any longer and no recruitment companies involved like the years before. During our casual positons we both could managed to obtain Australian certifications in addition to the already recognised European trades papers with either the Skills For All program (only gap payment) or Commonwealth Funding (zero contribution). Hubby now has an Australian Diploma and I’ve got a Certificate IV which I can say from my experience is a door opener! The best thing we decided late last year is going to find a house and we managed home loan and soon we will move into our own place which is awesome. This would never be possible where we came from, banks laughed at us. Though all aspects turned out positive for us we never forget all the hurdles, concerns and setbacks we had especially in the beginning. Only true self-determination, resilience, savings and a strong believe in ourselves that Australia is our new home took us to where we are now. My next threat will be approximately in 1 years time about the citizenship application. Let’s hope 2015 moves straight forward as 2014 did. What I’ve learned is never give up, hang in, use your financial resources to skill up, make up an excellent resume and network with all people who come along your way. Good luck for everyone.

You cannot hide Australian citizenship because as a PR/'foreigner' you always get a stamp in your passport of origin when leaving the country. Boarding a plane from Australia back home and by no later than on arrival in the home country (which only allows 1 citizenship) immigration doesn't see a departure stamp from Australian Immigration in the passport of origin which makes it very obvious to them that someone has become Australian citizen.

Landing the 1st job in Australia is the hardest part! In particular when employers can't 'transfer' overseas qualification to Australian relevant standards. Therefore it's easier to employ staff with Australian papers, licences etc. because then they can assume a certain skill level. I did a Cert III 2 years ago and on top a Cert IV this year(Community Services, aged care related) which was a real door opener to better job opportunities. On the other hand, my other half working in manufacturing got his overseas apprenticeship and skill assessment from TRA fully accepted and acknowledged from most employers but not all recruiters (!) and found a job 3 weeks after touchdown. Most employers don't care what overseas qualification migrants have, many only know Australian standards - depending in which line of work it makes people employable or vice versa. My advise would be take any job/low entry job because that can be used as a reference/Australian work experience and move on. From my own experience it can only get better and adding Australian referees makes it easier.

Yes, checks are chosen randomly.

Believe in yourself and you'll manage to get a score in 8 in every part of the ielts. Try again and try to relax (I know easier said than done).

Forgotten to mention as a 489 visa holder you'll need some sort of 'government permission' to buy a house in Australia.

I feel sorry for you. Seems to me DIPB has closed another loophole as many migrants apply for PR, jumping ship and settle in another state than NT? Hm, in any case like said before it does definitely not include the same costs, as no unemployment benefits after 2 years, very limited medicare and if you've kids no child support child tax benefit payments as well! In some states - I don't know about NT - 489 visa holders with children have to pay school fees, a quite considerable amout of money. Besides that, you're not eligible for any kind of first home owner grants as only PR's and citizens will get it in case you're planning to buy or build a house after 1 year or so. If you want to come to Australia living the dream and that doesn't putt you off I would accept the alternative. But it's better to make an informed choice than rather taking the email of the NT public servants for granted.

There's nothing wrong with Aunt Agatha's decision getting a Australian passport after 11 years. To the contrary, she's not only committed to Australia, she's also committed to her family and in-laws! To be honest I don't know if I would be able to the big sacrifice Aunt Agatha is planning to do and leaving Australia because a parent/parent-in-law is terminally ill! Not everyone would consider this even when family ties are close and strong. I wish her mother-in-law all the best.