Alaska
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Everything posted by Alaska
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Yes, Lamington National Park is lovely. We go up to Mount Glorious regularly - some great views from there. I've heard Mount Mee is nice but not been there. We have walked up one of the Glasshouse mountains which was enjoyable.
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I was a spouse on a 457 and the visa type wasn't even an issue. I did some voluntary work, then got casual work and it led to a contract. They were only concerned that I had work rights - not the visa type. They photocopied my visa and passport and did some check I believe, and that was the end of it. Certainly not impossible. I think a lot of it is who you know and proving your worth. I think that the "lack of local experience" can be a stumbling block rather than the visa type.
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All I can tell you is what I said above - we were on a 457 (expires Jan 2016). We lodged PR visa in March. In May he had to fly to the USA. Didn't do anything about visas at all. PR granted in July.
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Just checking - are you definitely not eligible for the ENS 186 Direct Entry? It is only the transition stream of the 186 that you have to wait 2 years on.
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Brisbane is great for an outdoor lifestyle - lots of great stuff to do within a hour or so. We love camping, bush walking, body boarding etc. Up here, though, you have to adjust your activity for the weather - we spend lots of time at the beach/higher altitudes in the summer as it can be too hot to do everything you mention. The coast almost always has a lovely breeze which makes it feel lovely in the summer. There are some good cycle paths up Redcliffe way.
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Will your 457 still be current when you travel? My DH flew back to the USA (last minute) during the time our 186 was being processed, but I assume he was still on the 457 at the time - the PR visa was granted several weeks later.
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DH didn't have a degree but I think he had to prove the experience he had and had to get a reference from work with dates.
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Go Matilda have given us accurate advice on several occasions. We had a free assessment with them where they were completely honest about our lack of options, several years ago, so I trust they are on the level!
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No idea about work situation but nothing beats Sydney for a backpacker! Absolutely loved it. Brisbane is perfect for a different pace of life now
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Unfortunately the cost is prohibitive for a lot of us. I used to get cheap flights over to Italy and stay with family for example. The whole trip would cost a family of 4 around £300. Can't get an equivalent of that into Asia etc.
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Melbourne Tax Agent experienced in UK rental income
Alaska replied to ThistleandRose's topic in Money & Finance
Definitely GMTax (Go Matilda). -
Have you contacted the agent for an update? We heard nothing about anything and when I contacted them, I found out that the nomination had been approved and we had a CO but they didn't bother to tell us. After I chased it, the MA emailed the CO for an update and it was granted the same day. I wonder if we would still be waiting if we hadn't chased it up. I think ours was held up a little bit as we made a mistake on the form that we needed to correct it was a bit complicated. It was eventually approved by a "Senior Case Officer" - not sure if that is usual process or not.
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Yes, there is lots to do and we have seen lots of the area and go camping etc. However I do miss the differences in culture that you can get within a few hours of the UK (and at a low cost) that just isn't possible for us at the moment. For example I had family in Italy and, if flexible, could sometimes get flights over there for £200 altogether with free accommodation.
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Old buildings and lots of historical sites within easy distance. Just took that stuff for granted. And definitely been able to travel into Europe quickly for a long weekend.
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Yes nomination has to be done for the ENS Transition Stream (the one you wait for 2 years on a 457 to lodge). We did it recently. The nomination took about 3 months to be approved. It has to be done when you have completed the 2 years. However, as the others have said, if you are eligible for the other ENS stream (direct entry), you don't have to wait the 2 years and the nomination can be done now. We couldn't go down this route as DH couldn't pass the skills assessment due a lack of a degree which was required for his occupation.
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We stayed in the Tribeca Apartments in Spring Hill. Nothing fancy but functional and very reasonable. Also walking distance of the city.
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We didn't have anyone who had known us for 2 years here, we had been here 15 months roughly. A teacher signed it and I explained on the form the situation and it was accepted fine.
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I think it is important to recognise the grief and let them vent their feelings a bit. It is really hard though as my sister, in particular (who doesn't even live in the UK herself) said some almost unforgiveable things when we broke the news. My parents took it hard but they have slowly accepted it and have been to visit several times already. Is this an option for them - to give them something to look forward to? It's a massive thing for everyone involved and you might find yourself (and wife) find things quite difficult yourself occasionally after you move - there is little time to take it all in initially. I LOVE Australia but have had some hard moments when things happen to people you love back home, and at some point you might understand a little of how they feel. I don't think there is much chance of anyone "moving on" for a while and it is a case of riding it out and trying to find options for them to spend time with you and the grandchildren - before and after you go. The reality of you going is a massive thing and I probably didn't appreciate that as much as I could in the rush of the move and because of their lack of support at such an important time in our lives.
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What a pain Paisleylass! Will be worth it in the end.
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The Translink website is really good as you can put in your starting point and destination and it will work out all your options and times.
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You seem to have it pretty right. The first summer here it rained a lot - solidly for about 6 weeks it seemed! Last summer it didn't rain much in the day at all. Seems not to rain between Aug-November at all. Well virtually nothing anyway. Beautiful. The one thing that really caught me out was the winter night time temperatures and how cold the houses get. It was 8C in my bedroom the other morning and no central heating! I have an electric blanket here which I never had before. Every evening I am wrapped in big jumpers and blankets and slipper boots!
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So, I won't quite believe this until I have the grant email in my hand, but we got an email from the MA last night saying our PR has been granted! So timeline was: 27 March - Nomination and Application uploaded with all documents (medicals, police checks etc). ENS 186 Transition Stream. late June - Nomination approved and CO assigned. 4 July - Visa granted. Over the moon!
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So I emailed the MA. I actually suspect she has left as someone else replied (without CCing her in). The nomination has been approved and we have a case officer. Would've been nice to be informed! I have emailed back asking when the CO was assigned. I think they will want to double check our form as we inadvertently made a mistake on the form and had to do another form with the correction. They may require further information I think. ETA: The CO was allocated last week.
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Somebody posted on another forum that the automated email states "Please note that we are currently allocating ENS applications that were lodged in April 2014 and RSMS applications that were lodged in May." I have sent an email to my MA to see if she has heard anything as we were March, medicals, police checks and everything submitted and from a low risk country.
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Great news emperor! I wonder if there are different "queues" for Direct Stream and Transition Stream? Does anyone know. Ours was submitted on 27 March and have had no word at all. I am slightly nervous as our MA was completely useless and we had to correct her on numerous things. Just hope she submitted everything correctly.