readstogo
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There was a programme on the BBC about this last year. It reported that the worst offenders were ex-pats coming back to get treatment! The reporter the went on to pretend to be from outside the UK to show how the process worked.
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Oh yes! I've flown with them before. Not the 5 star airline they advertise! I made the mistake of travelling as an unaccompanied pregnant mother with 4 yr old daughter. Flight was uneventful & ok; it was the attitude of staff, Doha airport staff & other male passengers that made it awful. Never again!
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I'm keeping an eye on skyscanner.net & Expedia. I also research the cheap airlines if I haven't flown with them. Seatguru is another good site to have open when booking. It gives you a map of the seating plus reviews. It came in handy when booking the in-law's flight when he had to choose his seat. I've noticed that prices don't fluctuate terribly much when compared with similar season. IE, the prices in feb 2012 were pretty similar to prices to feb 2013. There's also no discount for early purchase either. I'm planning our flights well in advance because there's 5 of us; grumpy OH that dislikes flights coz he's tall, 3 kids (10, 5, & 3), plus me. I'd rather not get off the plane ready to murder someone!
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I got 'rolled' (mugged) for my 'sand shoes' (trainers). I confused the bugger with semantics! "Give us yer shoes" "no" as I'm walking away "whaddya mean, no?" "you phrased it like a question so you gave me the option of refusing." That was done in an Aussie accent followed by 'f**k off' in an English one! I always found that Aussies backed off if I gave 'em a mouthful of Anglo-Saxon. Apparently us Poms are all football hooligans!
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It can be done without a migration agent. I was concerned that we might need one because I'm the sponsor, but I don't financially support my husband. I didn't send in 2 years worth of payslips as I'm a full time mum & don't have any! When the CO rang me I was worried he'd ask for them, but nope! You've got time to build up your evidence of a genuine & continuing relationship. You can always get an agent's advice if things get complicated. The forms take time to complete; we took 3 months! Damn things almost drove me mad! Plus I dislike that they are a little sexist and seem to imply that the Aussie partner is male! Good luck!
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You can't buy sarnies in the chemist (got funny looks in Darwin when my daughter wanted to know where they were!) also, don't call 'em buttys either! and a cheese & pickle sarnie is NOT the same!
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There's loads Pom Queen! I was completely confused at school when asked to pass the 'liquid paper'! It goes the other way; ex-marine dad tells his Aussie army buds he's off to unroll the slug & they thought he was about to get naked in front of them! He meant get the sleeping bag out, lucky for them!
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Unfortunately, if you use lay by & the shop goes into administration you will lose both item & any money. This has caught many out in the past 2 years
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Would like to add: It's called a vacuum cleaner, not a Hoover. Can still remember an odd game of charades in a shop with mum. She wanted Hoover bags for an Electrolux! The salesman was totally confused & couldn't understand how a Hoover could be an Electrolux....
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I've got dual nationality (Aus & UK), as does the rest of my family. We always travel with both passports. By keeping British passports valid, you will be considered British citizens while in the UK. I find maintaining both passports less hassle in the long run. Plus getting a British passport in Aus is just as easy as in the UK. Or you could just enter as Aussies as Rupert suggests!
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Don't bother asking Qantas; asked for my FIL, was quoted extra £1100 on top of usual fare (£550). Even the customer service agent advised getting a regular ticket & paying for excess baggage if needed! Ended up going with another airline that has 30kg as standard.
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Ring around a few solicitors....I was charged £5 per certified copy & £5 per page where a signature needed to be witnessed. I didn't even need an appointment, so long as I didn't turn up during lunch!
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Best flight was Jetstar Singapore to Darwin. Middle of the night flight so most were asleep. Cabin crew entertained my 4 yr old behind their curtain plus gave her free snacks. Had to laugh when the captain introduced himself to my daughter, she said "oh my god! Who's flying the plane?". Worst flight was Ryanair Venice to Heathrow. Terrible flight & actually feared for my life. Landing was very bumpy; Captain said "whoops" over intercom afterwards.
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I'm pleased that visas are being granted quicker now! Looks like a backlog has been cleared! good luck with your move!
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They're great unless you are a female flying unaccompanied! I flew with my daughter (aged 4) & was half way through pregnancy. I am married but hubby couldn't come with us. The female attendants were nice but very busy, I got dirty looks from male passengers travelling with male children. The toilets were disgusting after a short time in the air. I even had a little cry in my seat after they gave my veggie meal to someone else. Doha airport was no better. I got a glimpse of the men's loos & thought 'wow!'. Yeah, not so in the ladies! Women were struggling to wash their feet in the sinks before prayers, & it clearly wasn't maintained regularly. I was questioned on the way back as to how pregnant I was as I had 'popped' in Aus. I was begging to be allowed on the plane to go home! Not the 5 star experience they advertise!
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Some great advice in this thread. I would like to add that it can take 2 years to settle. It sounds like you are homesick which is perfectly normal and to be expected. Sometimes it's the little things that can help. In the early 90s I remember my mum going bonkers in the world food section in bi-lo because there was Tesco branded foods! My dad would drive for 2 hrs to get 'proper' mayo for his chips. The clincher was getting cable tv. By having little familiar things around you might make it a little easier. Other immigrants do it so why can't the Poms? Good luck with whatever you decide x
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I read posters asking whether it's a better life in Aus & I think of phrase we had in Adelaide.....same s**t, different bucket! Adelaide is a city with a town mentality. There might be more work opportunities for your husband on the east coast; Melbourne, Sydney, etc. There might be work in Adelaide, just less. Like the other posters, do your research & don't be taken in by the glossy pics of gorgeous blue skies & smiling kids! Good luck!
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Hi, Anyone have any experience with the Silkwood school, Gold Coast? Apparently there is a waiting list, but I'm apprehensive to go on it without viewing the campus. It seems like the perfect fit for my kids & I'd hate for them to love the school, only to be told we should have put their names down! thanks!
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Hi! Is your wife an Australian citizen? If she is then you won't need a migration agent. You have been together long enough to fulfill the spouse requirements. It will get complicated if your wife does not have Australian citizenship. Save the services of migration agents for if your situation is complicated. The form drove me bonkers! I started second guessing everything, right down to 'how many people are included in this application'! Good luck!
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Thanks! I've been lurking in this thread for a while & I was getting a little jealous!
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Thanks for this thread and the link to the immunisation program schedule! I was going to get my eldest to have the HPV early as she would have missed it in the UK. No need now as she will get it in Aus.
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I've finally submitted the visa app! I was glad to see it go in the end as we have been working on it since Jan! Would have had it in earlier if it hadn't been for hold-ups with Stat Decs. It all seems real now and homesickness is fading!
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Are Aussies perceived to be harder workers than Poms?
readstogo replied to wisey26's topic in Careers and Vacancies
There are dole bludgers in Australia (of any colour), but you are more likely to read about the Aboriginals that do so. That is a media choice. As far as not getting work because you are British, that's just plain old racism! In my experience, I found that a well-spoken Pom will be received badly by an Aussie. It's a cultural thing. The Aussie will believe the Pom thinks they are above Aussies and take offence. Not all Aussies will take offence though. Bottom line, if someone won't hire you because you are British, then you probably don't want to work for them anyway. There are plenty of migrants, 1st, and 2nd generations, plus those that have travelled outside of Australia. You will eventually come across an employer who will give you a chance. Hang in there, and don't take rejections personally! -
No that's fab, thank you! It's what I thought but then I started to second guess myself! I can't get anyone to co-sign the kids' citizenship paperwork so we'll just do it in Oz. it's no drama them travelling on their UK passports, & less for me to carry when travelling! thanks for the quick reply!
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Hi, sorry about the stupid question.... Question: how many persons included in this application? Is that including me? Or just partner & kids? I realise that I have my own sponsor form, however, my details are requested in OH's form. Would hate to bugger it on the first question! Becky