Team Edwards

ABA, you are right about the 175 visa. I thought I had corrected this within hours on my post after realising my friends applied for a 189 (as 175's had been stopped). My apologies... i do however stand by my comments that people could 'CONSIDER' not using an agent. Consider being the key word. I would like to think that people entering the whole visa process are not naive enough to 'rely' on comments on pio and use them more for guidance for further research. Of course it goes without saying that visas and costs change as years go by......unfortunately, that's the way of the world! Apologies, I don't 'do' debates on pio, Infact it's one the one thing I dislike about pio. It scares people off from making comments for people picking them top pieces! Thats said, well done you on the 175 visa info!

Congrats Jaffy! Only just got your message! Hope the move went well!!?? Just before Crimbo aswell, that must have been easy!!! Not! How are you finding it in your area? How's the heat? M x

Am I missing something?! Is it April 1st?!?!?

I too was shocked when we arrived at the cost of uniform! That said, my daughter has logo tops for both everyday uniform and sports. Other than that, they ask that they wear black culottes/skits/shorts. So I put in a huge order for M&S (with free delivery), I have enough for this year and next!!!! Much cheaper and much better quality and washes so much better - good old M&S! Might be an idea to wait until you are out here and then order. Would be a nightmare to bring loads of stuff over and it be a waste of money.... Good luck!

Hey TGW Feeling your pain! We moved out here in August, our littlest one was on a visitor visa. We got the email to say my little boys child visa was ready to be granted so basically 'get out of Australia so we can grant it'! I also asked the question if there was any way around having to leave the country but no such luck! It was worth a try!!!!!!! We flew out to NZ 3 weeks later for a 4 day jollie! As annoying as it was.....we had a lovely time! We were lucky got friendly (through PIO) with another family (you know who you are!!) in the same situation as ourselves. By sheer luck, they got 'their' email the week before us. So we both went over to NZ together with little ones in tow leaving hubbies at home with the other kids!!!!!! I think it cost us about $750 in total for flights, two bedroom apartment and of course spending money on top.....cher-ching! Not cheap but done and dusted now and glad we are all permanent residents, even my littlest man!!!! Small price to pay to live in this amazing place... Good luck x

We didn't use agent, it was so straight forward and easy. Not one single problem but lots and lots of checking and re-checking and re-checking!!!!!! If I was to do it again I would go it along again. I am glad the money was in our pockets and not an agents!!!!!! Everybody is different and depending on circumstances it may be better to use an agent. We were very straight forward with no complications. Good luck!

We booked through IOM with Malaysia......I would try my very best NOT to fly with them again!!!!! On saying that, they were the cheapest which is why we opted for them so actually....... I probably would go with them again and just not expect a smile or pleasantries from the air crew - I am a stinge bag but flying with 3 little kids you have to watch the pennies or cents!!!! You get what you pay for and all that! The flights were ok, no issue just found the crew rude! IOM also deal with other airlines and would recommend IOM. We got 40kg allowance but didn't need it all anyway! Good luck!

It is worth applying for Aussie jobs from back in the UK. My hubby had 3 x job offers (1 in Brisbane, 1 on Gold Coast and 1 in Sydney) in the 4 months before we left for Oz and then another job offer (which is where he is working now) when he got here. You never know your luck! Hubby sent his CV to companies directly, rather than agencies (although I know this can't be done for some professions). Good Luck!

Hi there, He will be fine! My dog (a boxer) is the biggest wimp you could imagine and she breezed through the whole thing including 30 days quarantine and an extra internal flight! See my costs below. I would highly recommend the company we used, they were amazing and so knowledgeable. PM me if you would like the details. Pet shipping agent - £2260 (agents fee, flight, crate and documentation etc) Quarantine - £900 ( I think it's $39/day) based on 30 days Vets - £300 (rabies jab, blood tests, export certificate completion, flea & wormer) DogWalks.com - £150 (a company I used to visit/walk my dog as we are in Brisbane and Roxy was in Sydney) Internal Flight (Syd to Bris) with JetPets - £150 And remember......dogs are a bit like kids, they are far more resilient than we give them credit for! Your pooch will be fine and have an amazing life in Oz! My dog absolutely loves it here! Good Luck! xx

Thanks PQ. I had a few PM's after my post on here and got to meet up with a few people which has been great! On the whole loving our new life! I did have a reality check last week, it was both of my boys birthdays (not twins....thank god!) and it was strange being away from parents and sisters back home! The kids didn't seem to mind....just me! Felt a bit down for a good few days. Other than that, life is pretty good! Love Pottsville, it's so scenic with the beaches and Mount Warning in the background. It's very Aussie here which I love! My daughter has started Little Nippers which is just fantastic! Now that is something she would have never had the opportunity to do in the UK! I'm sure there will be ups and downs along the way but enjoying each day as it comes and enjoying seeing how happy my kids are! They can't get enough of the place, kids are so resilient aren't they?!?!?! Hope you are good. Thanks for the extra info xx

Oooh interesting thread! I thought it was a straight forward 4 years after having arrived (to live, not validation...) in Australia on the back of a PR visa. Clearly not the case!

Hi there, Hope the job interview went well?! To be honest I am not familiar with Knockrow, I had to google earth it! Byron is still fab but I think it's a lot busier than 10 years a go! We are also backpacking 10 years ago too! There are more brand shops now (quicksilver, billabong etc) but it still has it's cool hippy shops that are Byron all over! We are about 25 mins from Byron. As for living in a quieter area. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. It was a conscious decision of ours to live close (ish) to the Gold Coast and Brisbane but not in it, we didn't want to live in an overly touristy area. Making friends hasn't been easy but at the same not impossible. You have to make it happen so to speak and put yourself out there. I've started to meet some lovely people over the last couple of weeks so long may it continue! I hope it all goes well for. If you do make it this way, give me a yell and we could meet for coffee or something. Pre-warn you though, 3 kids in tow so it wont be overly relaxing!!!!! Good luck

Actually feeling quite normal after reading these posts! Thanks Dan! I have been here 12 weeks also and feeling really homesick at the mo! I am confident I will get through it as I never expected it to be easy, but on the same note I didn't expect to feel so homesick after just 3 months! As for the Skype thing, my sister said to me a few weeks ago 'the next person that says to me that the world is a smaller place because of Skype, I've promised myself a f*****g punch in the face'! Quite funny at the time because my sister NEVER swears, she is very placid but she felt very strongly that day because the Skype connection was rubbish and had been for a good 6 weeks! It's just not the same but I would be lost without it! After that I got broadband installed (cher ching!) but worth every penny!

Hi Will get hubby to respond to you later as he is an AC technician. We are in NSW so it maybe different to WA, each state seems to have a different set of hoops you need to just through for your Arctik and Restricted Electrical Licence. We have been here 12 weeks now and hubby is still get contradicting information as you how he needs to get his licence but it we are pretty sure he will need to enrol at a TAFE, which is ridiculous with all of his experience but as I say, they like hoops over here and you have to jump through lots of them!!!!! Will get him to respond to you later when he is home from work! He was really lucky and had two job offers before we came out here, so you can still work whilst working towards you licences but it's not a quick process....

Hooray! Well done! x

20ft and pack to the rafters! If I remember rightly we paid £3750 plus customs/quarantine (approx. $500), that was Brisbane to North NSW. Then we used Letton & Percival Insurance (also recommended) and paid approx £330. Good luck! x

We used a small company (after a recommendation from a friend who moved to America last year) in Leicester called Bell and Son. They were fan-bloomin-tastic! Worked like troopers on one of the hottest 2 days of the year (in the UK). The packing was amazing. We had 2 broken items which is pretty good going, a casserole pot (wont be needing that in Oz anyway!) and a chair leg which was easily fixed (plus I think the 'un-packers' did this when un-wrapping in Oz). Lovely friendly, easy going chaps andreally knew what they were doing. I really would recommend them and they were the cheapest by a good £300. I believe they do deal nationally, not just local to Leicester.

Sorry, just seen where you are on the Gold Coast!!!! PM me if interested in meeting up! x [quote name='Team Edwards;1936353264 ]Hi there' date=' Where about on the Gold Coast are you? We are in North NSW and happy to meet up! We are about 30 mins from Burleigh... We have been here 12 weeks now. We have three children aged 6, 5 and 2. Love it but thought it would be easier to make friends! That said, we did spend the first 5 weeks planning on moving to Brisbane (lots of trips up the pacific highway!), then It all changed with a new job offer for my hubby which meant we could stay in Pottsville! The rest of the time has been finding a house, unpacking the container and lots of beach trips!!! Anyway, if not too far for you I would love to meet up. Maybe arrange something half way...[/quote']

Hi there, Where about on the Gold Coast are you? We are in North NSW and happy to meet up! We are about 30 mins from Burleigh... We have been here 12 weeks now. We have three children aged 6, 5 and 2. Love it but thought it would be easier to make friends! That said, we did spend the first 5 weeks planning on moving to Brisbane (lots of trips up the pacific highway!), then It all changed with a new job offer for my hubby which meant we could stay in Pottsville! The rest of the time has been finding a house, unpacking the container and lots of beach trips!!! Anyway, if not too far for you I would love to meet up. Maybe arrange something half way...

Hey, We moved out to Australia 11 weeks ago, we moved to Pottsville (North NSW so not too far over the QLD border) and absolutely love it! We are in our mid-30's (almost!) with 3 kids age 6, 5 and 2! Meeting some lovely people but always open to meeting more! Be good to hear from you if you are in/around the North NSW Coast. x

Hey Wokos and Yvonne! Yvonne meet Shelley - my friend from home that I was telling you about who was moving out here!!!!! Shelley meet Yvonne, my friend from Brisbane that I went to NZ with a couple of weeks ago! Small world on this PIO! Will have to arrange a meet up!!!!!!! xxxx

Hey, We moved out to Australia 11 weeks ago, we moved to Pottsville (North NSW) and absolutely love it! We are in our mid-30's with 3 kids age 6, 5 and 2! Meeting some lovely people but always open to meeting more! Be good to hear from you if you are in/around the North NSW Coast. x

Hey there! Congrats on the visa! We are living in Pottsville in North NSW which is lovely and really worth a visit. The coastline up this way is jaw-droppingly beautiful and close the bush too, Mount Warning is just 30 mins away. There are tons of surf beaches and lots of estuaries and creeks too that are just perfect for the kids. The weather is amazing up here albeit a little windy sometimes! There are quite a few animal sanctuaries within easy reach. We are just 30 mins from the Gold Coast Airport so easy to get to and from Sydney If need be. We are 1hr 30mins from Brisbane and 30 mins from the Gold Coast. So we live close enough to the hustle and bustle without actually living in it. Trying to find 'THE' place to live in Australia is like looking for a needle in a haystack, lets face it, Australia as a whole isn't too shabby! We do however feel like we have hit the Jack-pot in finding North NSW! So much to see and do. Feels like 'the dream' we set out for! We have been here 10 weeks now loving it! I have three kids aged 6, 5 & 2 and they can't get enough of the place! Worth a look anyway!!!!!!!! Hope you find your piece of paradise! x

Hi We had a similar situation We applied for our sons child visa offshore. The visa wasn't granted before we left the Uk for Australia. So we got him a 6 month visitor visa. Our case office then emailed us to say the child visa for our son was about to be granted so we had to leave Australia for 3 working days. Once we booked flights, we informed our case officer and had to re-confirm the flight 24 hours before leaving Australia. My son and I flew to Auckland from Tuesday to Friday. Whilst we were there we received an email to say the visa had been granted - now our son is a Aussie resident! A bit of a faff and expense but all sorted now. Good luck!

Been sitting watching Flight Tracker most of the day to see where my dog is in the world! She has just landed in Sydney! Woohoo! Now just need to wait 5 hours before i can call Eastern Creek to see how she is......Oh and packed 2 suitcases of my own ready for our flight next Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!! x