Libbysmummy

Being on a 457 visa wasn't a problem my son was offered an apprentiship in year 11 when he started school that was in Qld. I think they are getting rid of the OP thing anyway and if the kids get a low score they can do a year at TAFE to get into uni so same as Ali said don't worry too much know matter what you decide and whenever you come to oz your child will be able to do a course to get into uni

There is TAFE but if your on 457 it's international fees, you don't pay for public schools in qld, my son was in his final year in uk and we come over jan he started year 11 here, they do year 11 and 12 for their op which gives them a score to go to uni etc they can also do an apprentiship through school one day a week starting year 11 all free, my eldest started school mid march, he graduated in November from public school no problem with a high op, good luck x

The Higfields state school wil be off polzin road and mary mckillop next to the primary school site on highfields road, we have just got a new aldi at the corner of Griffith street and new england highway so saves a trip going into town My sons friend has just had a new home built in meringandan we go to he butchers down there thats really growing too lovely area

I'm assuming your male as is something my hubby would say! My eldest is 17 at 6 foot 2 hes still my baby, 16 year olds may be aloud by law to do things but their not mature enough in my opinon although i remember thinking i knew it all at 16 haha

I really feel for you its hard with teenagers but at 16 they are still children and dont know whats best for them so as parents it our job to make that decision for them, whether it turns out to be right is part of the learning process as unfortunately children dont come with a manual on how to raise them, which is such a pity! Good luck with your plans im sure she will settle and make friends and when she becomes an adult it out of your hands and the time comes for letting go

couldnt agree more Highfields is fab we love it here and are going to build here this year, there are 2 high schools being built this year too its growing very fast, wish they'd sort out the train though that would be faster to get to brissie as to drive it a 1 hour 50 mins! The south of toowoomba is growing too Kearney springs the houses are flying up!

yes they do rip but seem to survive the washing machine, which i can vouch for several times over!!!

Those poor children and their families, sent the link for it to be banned to family in the uk, cant believe people can be so evil! Hope there's a way for the comments to be linked back to these people and have them prosecuted or something!

we did ours a few months ago took 11 days via auspost they come from the embassy here, very suprised by the time but the price is stupid!

Toowoomba is not humid, couldnt be happier here

I could be wrong, but I believe the OP is under 25...

 

A guy in my office was 23 when he got here. He had no licence. He didn't even start lessons until he was 25 because it was too expensive/too much hassle to have to keep the log book and do 100 supervised hours. I realise there may be some unscrupulous people out there who may falsify their hours (shocking I know), but he just didn't want to take any risks. The fact his partner point blank refused to let him drive her car probably reinforced this...she basically said that driving in QLD needed a professional for guidance, she wasn't one, so he's not driving her car until he has had the proper training!

I was just telling my story as when i was in the uk found it helpful to read others! My son is starting to learn hes 16 and will do at least 20 hours with an instructor before his dad will be taking him out! Its nice to hear both sides as when i was searching it was all doom and gloom and dont do your test in oz!

I passed my test here in qld in january after two weeks of driving around with hubby in a little holden barina (corsa in uk)we bought for me to do my test as its a manual! I have been on a provisional in uk for a long long time and had had lessons etc over the years so know how to drive! I got my learners licence as im over 25 just paid the fee but found out you can do your driving test on uk provisional licence. Didnt have to log book hours or do road rules test due to age! I read the road rules online and went for my test in my car which had no powered steering, air con etc in the middle of summer lol! anyway examiner was lovely they ask you to show them were the high beam, hazard light demister etc is then went for a drive, you only have to do 2 or 3 manovers and no reverse around the corner or bay park, well here in qld anyway! test went well albeit my parking was awful but he said my safety was great and i just need to practise manovers more and i passed! and burst into tears at the same time!

so dont worry about doing it in uk if it works out better do it here it wasnt a problem, much easier than uk they dont measure with a ruler if you havent parked as straight!!!! Good luck x x

one of my work collegues son was 18 on her visa 457 no problems there pr now x

oh thank you for replying i'll just go as planned tomorrow, thanks again x

my daughter needs her passport renewing as its expired just had her pics done and have an appointment at auspost office tomorrow, i was going to get a jp to sign at courthouse but it says they have had to know you for 2 years weve been here a year so rules everyone out, anyone had similar situation help needed! and what a joke that the embassy charge you $3 + a minute for calling them

oh and we come on a 457 with the intention of staying, its not as bad as people make out, whats the worst that could happen you have to go back or move to another country! we moved not much money, 4 kids, 457 visa wasnt even granted (another story) shipped stuff ourselves oh and funny enough customs opened only hubbies tools, self packed no insurance! and were good

no problems on a 457 and pretty straight forward for perm if sponsored through employer before 2 years-skills assessment after 2 years nada! just sponsorship

Hi i did 2 years midwifery in the uk and had to come to oz early, i'm just contacting uni to hopefully start next year, i have friends that are midwives here and they said the unis will award you point for study done so hopefully only have 1-1 1/2 years to qualify, will keep you posted

Copied this from a previous post regarding watching UK TV...

 

 

 

I am sure everyone is aware of this who has sought no fuss UK/US TV through Iplayer/4OD/ITV Player and more US shows that you can shake a stick at.

 

No VPN, through your browser direct (watch bandwidth though, you have been warned - I have 1000gb a month to use)

 

You have to have Google Chrome installed, install the following unblocker.

 

http://hola.org/unblocker.html

 

You have to install it from Chrome.

 

This latest version has been updated this week so you then need to click the american flag, click settings, click media unblocker, and there you have it.

 

Been searching for this since I got here, weather is toss today so why not watch some TV lol.

 

Enjoy!

sorry can someone translate for someone who is barely able to use a computer and easy to follow instructions please! i dont have chrome google so i can get bbc iplayer/ 4OD

many thanks

http://highfieldsfootball.org.au/index.php

heres the link for our local teams, we live in highfields about 15 mins from town if your looking for large blocks, lovely area definitely home for us

we slept on airbeds and sat on camping chairs bought cheap stuff from kmart plates etc, owners lent us a fridge freezer and we bought a bargain washing machine, survived 3 months with 4 children no problem, but wouldnt like to do it again LOL! you'll be fine x

oh meant to add bought a push mower from bunnings for $60 as massive garden, bloody hell never again bought 2nd hand mower petrol two weeks later!!! oh still have push mower which is brand new that i must put on gumtree!!!

mines a permanent position

I got the first job i applied for and its part time perm not casual, they never even asked about visa, my husband is on 457 visa! If there that ignorant probably not worth working for, i'm sure you'll get a great job soon x

Hi we live in highfields and my 2 eldest boys 16 and 13 go to toowoomba state high school mount lofty campus. they will be going in to year 9 and 12 when they go back next month. they have been there for nearly 11 months and love it made really good friends, really nice well mannered polite kids! The head of the school covers both campus' hes really nice the school have been fantastic with us, go have a look at both campus to get a feel and judge for yourself. sorry hope this makes sense just worked nights and was trying to sleep but kids were too noisey LOL! anyway hope you settle in and ask away if you have any questions x just back off to bed......

I do I do but i'm not in ozzie land yet!