Silver Lady

I used DHL - they were fast and efficient. No problems at all.

Can anyone recommend a courier firm that is fast and efficient for transfer of original documents between UK and Oz?

Hi Lou8670 - I can give you my timeline if it helps. Acknowledgement date of my 173 Visa application was March 2012. Visa granted May 2013. On arrival in Perth in August 2013 I applied to convert my 173 to the 143 permanent visa. This was granted last week 8 months to the day of applying. Hope this gives you some idea of times but the visa grant times do seem to vary...

Regards Silver Lady

Having scanned the recents posts in this thread; are 173 and 143 contributory parent visas now taking approx 18 months from lodgement or is it longer of shorter than that? My MIL lodged her application in September last year.

 

Cheers

Lou

What have you paid so far ? the thing is, the 143 is well over $40k now, so the 173/143 is going to be at least this amount.

Hi Freesia - I paid the initial deposit of $1995 then $24.010 for my 173. I recently paid the $280 application fee for my 143 and I've got everything crossed that the second vac will be $16.885.... the pricing table isn't that clear but I think the $16.885 is the fee for converting from 173 to 143.....time will tell! has anyone just been through this process?

Hi all, I arrived in Brisbane in January 2013 on my temporary 173 visa. To all of you waiting for the visa, I went through the highs and lows and it is worth it all, I love it here. The hardest part is making friends but I was so lucky to have hooked up with two of your members who arrived around the same time as me, Angie and Val and they have made it so much easier for me. I am asking for a bit of information, I am going to apply for the 143 permanent visa in the not too distant future (when I have earned enough money to get it) but am a bit confused, I heard the fee had gone up in July but from what I can see it on the Govt website it is still $16,995 or thereabouts. Could anyone throw any light on this. Thanks in advance.

Hi Summerdaisy

I recently applied to convert my 173 to a 143 permanent visa. I believe the second instalment is $16,885. I agree with Freesia the visa pricing table takes some studying! I think we come under 19j (i) on the table which reads... The second instalment (payable before grant of visa) "Applicant who was the holder of a subclass 173 (Contributory Parent (Temporary)visa) at the time of application" it then gives the price of $16.885...I'm praying it isn't $29130... good luck!

Think we using the same company.... The packers in the UK were two nice enough blokes but we soon found out they don't actually work for the shipper, they are sub-contractors who actually do work for many of the big shipping companies. So the personal service you think you are getting with the chosen shipper isn't necessarily what you get. We have some concerns about the way some of our belongings were packed and have raised this with the shipper, who are being suitably vague at this point. Our consignment is yet to arrive in Perth so guess we will know in a few weeks time. We too had the free storage offer and having spoke to the agent here have now realised there are handling fees if we take it up. We did take the offer of the "free" air freight but we agreed to pay the £80 option for door to door delivery. As we weren't entitled to the 40 kilo baggage allowance with our airline this worked out a good option. The airline were charging something like £30 a kilo where as we got 25kilo for £80 delivered to our door, and it arrived only a few days after we did. Like you say, check everything out as best you can in advance as there seems to be hidden costs at every turn. We are just finding out now about the possible additional costs for importing our car, what a minefield!!! Good luck with your consignment, where in Perth / WA are you?

Hi Mandy

I'm in Butler and staying with my family. Been here 7 weeks. Just had my offer accepted on a small house close to my family. I've done all the routine stuff like applying for my Medicare card and tax file number etc. Just bought a car (I wish I could have bought my little KA over with me, it was so reliable but getting on a bit, so I had to leave it behind!) good luck with importing your car, I'm sure the extra expense will be worth it in the end. I'm just enjoying being with my family. I have my three children, seven grandchildren and a brother all living in Butler. It was certainly worth the wait to get here!

I hope to hear that my goods have cleared customs next week (fingers crossed!) Good luck with your consignment Mandy and enjoy your new life in Australia......

I recently moved to Perth and used a well known international removal company. They were very professional and the packers were great. I don't know how my possessions have fared as I'm still awaiting customs clearance.

It was agreed that I would be given a months free storage when my good arrived as an incentive to booking this company. When I received a letter from the contractors in Perth letting me know my goods had arrived, I rang them and requested the free months storage. I was told this was fine but it would cost me $219 container handling fee. I asked how much they would charge me for storage without the free offer and was told $41 per week. beware also of the 'free' air freight box offered as you will have to pay a handling fee when you pick it up from the airport....it pays to check folks!

Hi everyone

Just wanted to share my excitement........house went on the market yesterday and I have a viewing tomorrow night. It is pretty daunting as I have been in this house for 30 years - can't even remember selling my previous home. I see from the tracker that there has been a couple of case officer allocations - not much movement recently.

Regards, Cath

Hi Cath - I too, am about to put my house on the market that I have lived in for over 40 years and I agree that it is very daunting! I also noticed that a couple of case officer allocations have been made. I got my case officer on Tuesday almost 13 months to the day of my acknowledgement date last March so perhaps things are beginning to move along. Good luck with the house sale and your move to Oz.

Yippee! Just checked our emails and YES!!! we have our Visa grant letter!!!:biggrin: Such a relief! Thank you everyone for your help and support along the way. Good luck to those still waiting! Angie x

Congratulations to you both Angie and best wishes for your future in Oz x

Thanks to Angie & Ann for your warm welcome. I'm in the same boat as you Ann...going it alone, a little daunting but my family keep me going with phone calls, texts etc and the amazing Skype.

It's good to know that you've been able to share your worries with someone who really understands the stress this process can cause Ann and have forged a friendship that will continue once you're both in Oz.

Hope you get your CO soon....... I appreciate all your good wishes for a smooth journey to Oz and a speedy visa grant...........we shall see!!! Val (2) :laugh:

Hi everyone

This is my first post but I have been sharing your experiences for some time now as you go forward on this awesome journey. I agree with tabitha 10, this is such a friendly and supportive site for us parents who are making life changing moves to be with our children. I too, feel as though I know you all and thank you for your encouragement and the invaluable information and experiences that you're willing to share with so many others.

I have three children and seven grandchildren in Perth and I miss them so much. I lodged my 173 in March and know that I have to wait awhile yet. Bon voyage to those of you who are at the end of their journey and off to Oz, and to those just beginning, you will find a community here that will see you through the highs & lows and help guide you through this process......good luck everyone x