BrownEyedGal

Hi. Can you advise more about yourself/company please? Which agency you represent? Would like to submit a cv regarding Welder and Boilermaker positions. BEGal

Hi All Any advice please. My brother has just bought a van registered in WA. Does he need to buy a greenslip or whatever is required to change it over to NSW? Or does the insurance continue from WA until it needs renewing? I've checked the RTA sites for him and given him as much as I could understand. Thanks for any advice. BEGal

Hi Nickki Nice report..I forgot about all the things I had to buy when starting out. Yes, unless you are a 'skinny minnie', clothes are not as good here size wise. I'm a Primarks girl through and through! And yes get what you can sent across. Tell hubby to keep all his receipts for anything he does for his college course, as he will be able to claim the cost back via his tax return next year up to a certain amount and that could include the printer. Can't think of anything else for now. Just enjoy and take your time and check in with us here at PIO - be nice to know how you get on. Whereabouts are you in Newcastle and what type of work are you going to do? BEGal

Hi joandjosh Offshore..otherwise as the wise folks have said you will have to look for another type of visa to stay e.g. student or holiday and not being able to work is a bummer. Whilst working in the UK you can be looking for companies you want to work for or organising transfers, etc. but obviously to your timescale. If no hurry, do it the UK and don't forget the people that really know to do the Stat Decs are nearby, police checks, medicals and all of those things are easier accessed whilst in the UK, (I think). Plus as you have been together for 3 years or more, you have more evidence to hand rather than having to bring it all over with you. Yep, offshore in your case. BEGal

Try these for starters https://www.facebook.com/ElemisAu http://www.edenspa.com.au/our_products.html [h=2][/h]Check the hotels with spa facilities to see what products they use. Also bring over as much as you or order from Amazon. BEGal

Hi I did everything myself with help from this site and a few others plus a couple of visits to the Australian Immigration office in London. I just kept checking things over and over again before feeling secure in sending in the paperwork. I found waiting on others to provide Stat Decs the hardest as it delayed me. However I am here and happy! Unless your move here is overly complicated, you can do yourself. There is so much information out there and you can send as many questions as you like to sites like this on. Everyone here has a wealth of knowledge and there are some excellent MAs on the site too. Don't be paying for someone who is half-hearted and if they are not doing the right thing in your eyes, report them. BEGal

I really think this OPAL card is ripping ppl off, especially when using the different modes of transport. The roll-out and planning has been absolutely poor and late. The supposed savings are minimal. It is just another piece of the machine to track everything you do IMO. I'm a student and the roll out for the concession is January 2015, I have quite a bit of travel to do with the practicum nature of my studies so for me, it is of no benefit. The Oyster card in London had a much better roll out with a free card which you could place your nominal amount with also your choice of registering the card online. Again the card can be tracked however it is your choice to provide the information. It won't be long before the prices go up. However I acknowledge, it should be great for visitors and tourism.

Joint account if you need evidence. Otherwise through choice have joint and separate accounts..considering sometimes how hard they can be to open.. I have a few - so i can move monies around for best interest (as little as it is)! But everyone here has given great advise. BEGal

Thanks for posting WolvesAussie..my brother is still trying to get a job here. BEGal

Hi Rachel It took me months to understand a simplified version of what Dave53 has succinctly summarised. I joined a company but like Dave53, I think its a total waste of money. I don't have any 'extras' as I would rather pay as an when I needed things. I have the obligatory 'ambulance cover'. I took it out because I'm in my 50's and I thought I'm on my own in this country, so it would be beneficial. But my god it keeps going up and you don't get much back from the tax man either. So I have to seriously think about whether to keep it and just put the money aside for it in a high(!) interest account. The reason you got the letter is that once you join Medicare, you have a year from then on, to make a decision on whether to take out health insurance or not - that was the trigger. If you have no children and are in fairly good health - then think long and hard about it - otherwise its a peace of mind kind of safety net. Don't forget those 'gaps'!! BEGal

Hi xlornax Just reading your post bought back how I felt when my mum was ill. The difficulty I found was not having PR, I worried that it would go against me having to come back to care for her. It didn't, (I was on a student visa). However my biggest issue was finance to fly back home, money to live on without working back in the UK. The family chipped in with money for me plus I managed to receive UK carer's allowance but that was jumping through hoops. So travelling back isn't necessarily the issue re parents, its the financial cost - could you afford it, could you afford to stay back in the UK and support your home life in Australia? If yes, then at least you know you could survive without that worry. I usually buy a return flight ticket which can be extended for a year. So at least I can go home once a year or use as a emergency flight home. (Cheaper from the UK for some reason or other). My mum had great friends around her and my other siblings, so that definitely made a difference with support. I always knew that I would settle in Oz, but was also aware that I wanted to spend time with my mum - which I am so glad I did now. Now that I have PR it provides that extra security for travelling to and from the UK. I still come over (am here now actually) to see my family. Its cheaper for me to travel to them. BEGal

Like Terminator 1 said "I'll be back", ditto for Barry O'Farrell. I think BOF was one of the better politicians - not that I really understand it all. But he sticks in my mind.

Taken from http://www.news.com.au/national/george-brandis-releases-proposed-changes-to-racial-discrimination-act/story-fncynjr2-1226864294542 The draft amendment, which was unanimously endorsed by the party room today, will also include scrapping sections 18B, 18D and 18E and replacing them with a new section. The fresh addition will make it unlawful for a person or group to publicly do something which is “reasonably likely” to “vilify” another or “intimidate” them because of their “race, colour or national or ethnic origin.” But there will be exemptions. “This section does not apply to words, sounds, images or writing spoken, broadcast, published or otherwise communicated in the course of participating in the public discussion of any political, social, cultural, religious, artistic, academic or scientific matter,” according to the exposure draft. Senator Brandis said the Coalition was taking action because the current language in section 18C is “unreasonably constrictive on freedom of speech”. I may be wrong but it seems to me that I cannot be racially abused if its under the guise of "public discussion of any political, social, cultural, religious, artistic, academic or scientific matter..." Sticks and stones may break my bones but WORDS will always hurt me..methinks. I can think of a number scenarios where 'public discussion' aka racist chanting on a football field would now be seen as socially acceptable. Where a group of rugby players in a scrum can now 'discuss' what type of mother a certain player has or children sending derogatory messages oops group/public discussion on the internet to one child stating how ugly they are and they can go hang themselves. Just my interpretation.

Hi My advice - if you're moving into your own place with a family, then take everything. All electricals as stated above work the same. If re-wiring get it done professionally or use an adapter. Everything is a cost especially time. If its just you and partner, then don't bother because you can get good second-hand items or new (a bit costlier).

Jasepom - I guess it all depends on what you want/need in a plan. I personally don't need much talk time or texts but I do need data. My bill was $89 pm with Crazy John for 4gb data, international and Oz calls with unlimited texts. A similar plan with Amaysim is just under $40. You can definitely get cheaper in Oz but you have to shop around. I worked out again similar with Yatango works out much cheaper for me. But like I said I have to test it out properly when I get back to Oz. I'd be interested in others findings.

Thank you for that, SES. I contacted Amaysim but they don't do international roaming. I have joined YATANGO. First month is free to see what sort of plan you require. Everything is done online and that is everything. International roaming is offered but you need to set it up before you leave Australia, (which they omitted to tell me, so here in the UK without it for banking purposes). Yatango is an Optus re-seller and rates are good and easy to set up your plan. I will find out when I get back from the UK for sure on how well it works. I must admit porting my number across took about an hour. Amazed. However the best UK deal that I have found so far for me is with Three. BECAUSE you can use the cross network minutes in Australia! No roaming or international fees and free 3 to 3 calls. So I've just signed up for the cheapest deal at £6.90 and I can use my minutes and texts and data with no extra charge. Porting my number was a pain as it took about 12 hours, but its done and I'm happy. I've also taken out a Three mobile broadband account of 15gb per month for £15.99 and again I can use this in Australia with no roaming costs. Its a 2 year contract but for me that's okay as I will leave a dongle in the UK and take the WiFi device with me to Oz. Still have to test it out but if it works by god I will be happy. I have a UK bank account so it will be no problem to pay that each month. Since coming back I can't believe how cheap the phone plans are. Even the handsets seem cheaper - well okay the second hand ones! Hope the info is useful for some folks coming over..make sure to check out the details/information for yourself about the companies mentioned. BEGal

Awesome! Congratulations..when is your ceremony and where?

Hey Peeps I'm currently on CrazyJohn but looking to leave due to my contract expiring. Has anyone tried or is on the following: Amaysim, Think, Spintel or Yatango? I want the ability to have international/gloabal roaming for when I travel (yes I know I can buy a cheap sim but I don't really want to), a minimum of 4gb data, (as no home internet), some international calls, sms/texts and mms. The Hello package was spanking but no global roaming . But as some may know I count good customer service above anything else. I've done a fair bit of research but would welcome PIOers experiences with any non-contract mobile company. Thanks in advance. BEGal

Hi I feel disgusted with the behaviour of these women. However they worked with other vulnerable people and so what transpired may only be a small sample of their antisocial behaviour. Unfortunately there is a lot of that behaviour especially in hospitals too. Not all nurses and helpers are 'nice and caring' people. It takes a lot of skill, practice and patience to roll move, be aware of soft tissue, damaged bones, catheters etc on someone that is physically disabled and a number of nurses don't have that skill; speaking from experience.

Yay! Well done and congrats Mancinperth..enjoy all that Australian life has to offer...I certainly am..so happy to be a Permanent Resident

Yes you need to activate in person as Jasepom has said. However you don't have to wait in line, just see someone at enquiry desk and don't go at a lunch time. Also you need to get used to the fact that banking is very different here to the UK and work with it. It will change, but slowly hence I do internet banking frequently.

Hi I am not sure but surely with the length of time you've been here in Australia, you can apply for PR and then obtain citizenship? I would, if you haven't already check the Immigration web site or telephone them for advice. I do know that you must be a year on a PR visa before obtaining citizenship. I'm sure others more knowledgeable than myself can point you in the right direction. BEGal

Yaaaaahhhh!

Firstly any Oz bank that offers no fees so NAB, Citibank, Commonwealth Saver only and HSBC..then change or add more when you are ready..Many of the big banks in big towns open on Saturdays..Just have to get online and do banking that way. Also look for ones that offer good deals such as no annual fees on credit cards e.g HSBC or Jetstar for a while I think. HiFX or Ozforex for money transfers as they are usually a lot cheaper. Don't forget you need an active mobile phone for internet banking so you put in the pin nos etc. I feel better with a couple of different accounts open..I use one specifically for Ebay and one for big purchases only and I don't have to worry about paying fees or having a certain of amount of money paid into the account each month. I must admit though I really like NAB. BEGal

Really looking forward to hearing about Brisbane TingTong..like most ppl here I love reading your news and have had a quick site check of your blog. BEGal