SydneyBlue

Thanks for the replies. I have no intention of lying and am totally happy paying the 200 pound fine - I broke the law and deserve that. I'd just rather not take the points on my UK licence. They asked for the UK licence at the time and I said I only have my Australian one on me, which was the truth. My UK licence has the same address of the property I lived at when I left the UK, which is also where I will stay when I return for trips back there - so no law broke there and no need to get excited about a 1000 fine. Nice thought on the Australian policy covering me third party, but I've just checked and that's a negative.

I went back home for a couple of weeks last month and was caught driving without insurance (stupid I know). 200 quid fine and 6 points. So when they asked for my licence the only one I had on me was my Australian one. They took those details and I had to give my sisters address as the place I was staying. I'm sure I have to pay the fine, but my question is - can I get away with the points? If I don't give them my UK driving licence, will the points automatically transfer to my UK licence in their system (as they have my name)? If I manage to get away with just giving them my Australian licence, will I have to declare this when getting insurance in Australia. I would prefer the points on my UK licence (if it has to be one of them) as am only likely to return once a year for the next three years. Thanks!

So I'm on a 457 visa and am looking to do some additional part time work. I'm a qualified personal trainer and was thinking about doing a few hours here and there for a little extra income, but have heard I cannot get paid to work in addition to my sponsored job. Is this true? Cheers

I'm a 25 year old Man City fan moving to Sydney 1st March and keen to watch the end of what promises to be the greatest season in my lifetime. Any City fans on this forum? Or other fans of the premier league who watch matches regularly? Cheers

Hi, im also moving to sydney and should be there by mid march. Was planning on doing the rent somewhere for a month thing before deciding on a permanent rental, but sounds like it will be difficult to get that sorted - didnt realise we couldnt reply to gumtree from the uk! Maybe a hotel is needed for the first week... I think just reading about the different areas from whatever sources you can will help you decide on what u want. It seems like the beaches are easy to reach from anywhere, so im personally going cbd. Anyway, good luck with the search. It sounds like u and mark are well qualified so im sure ull find jobs soon enough!

No sirprise to find out you are a chartered accountant there ken very true though, it never ceases to amaze me how people the world over can have so little understanding of personal finances, particularly rent which takes up so much of your income. Need to look into the property buying market at some point too.

All the advice has been really helpful. I think it's made me realise that i can easily communte from sydney cbd. Even if it does take a little longer to get to work, im coming out to oz to experience a new lifestyle and id be most suited to livelier centre for my evenings and weekends. Thanks for being blunt Alex. I think you've hit the nail on the head with my peraonality. My company are putting me up for the first month, so i think ill start in darlo, which should be easy commuting distance but will also be central enough to let me explore other areas for a more permanent place. Good advice on rent and agents too - ill need realistic expectations. Like your way of looking at things maryrose, and nice to hear your friend settled in so well. I dont want to keep comparing to the uk, the whole reason im comin out there is to experience new things. Although i msntioned id like areas to northern quarter in manc or clapham in london, i only meant id like a similar young professional vibe which isnt pretentious. Inner city living will probably allow me to immerse myself completely with sydney life and give me the best chance of intergrating with sydneysiders. I'm hoping to find a footy (soccer) team somewhere! Good to hear the other side of the story pintpot. The ferries sound like a really fun way to get to work. I think working in north sydney will give me a chance to go out around there quite a lot, so would be nice to have a seperate work and social life. Really appreciate your help guys - i feel a lot more knowledgable now!

Thanks - reassuring advice! My work is close to the sydney north station, so that shouldnt be a problem. I nearly fell off my chair when i heard my new pay deal compared to uk, but my excitement has waned having read up on it a bit more! Defintely looking to flatshare - for £££s but also for the social aspect. Would love the equivalent of an angel/clapham in london or a northern quarter in manchester... So need to do a little more research and would appreciate lots of advice

Hi all,* First post, but have been using the site for weeks. I'll be moving to Sydney in March after an out-of-the-blue transfer offer within my company. Cannot wait to go despite being HUGELY under prepared. Fortunately my visa is being sorted for me, but I'll have no social network and am pretty clueless on where I should live. My work will be based in north sydney, but i think i'd probably be more suited to some of the more lively areas around the cbd. Keen to here any tips from all, but particularly mid-late twenties who are planning on or who have moved to sydney. Cheers