JillT

After all the stress of the visa process, now to find yourself without a job! I do feel for you. I am sure you will be free to find another employer since it was not your fault that you did not fulfil the 2 year requirement. Good luck with the job hunting.

Hi Everyone We have been in Australia now for just short of 5 months and are settling in well. It really is a wonderful place to live. We arrived in August and my hubby started work 10 days later. I had intended taking a few weeks off to settle in etc but got a job in the first week! Amazing. Best thing though as I haven't had time to sit at home and brood about missing my family and friends. We found a house and moved in within two weeks and our furniture arrived about 12 weeks later. That was hard - living in an empty house for that length of time but it already feels like a distant memory! The only hassle we have had was my hubby's employer (our sponsor) who altered his job description and terms and conditions (including salary) almost immediately. We discovered after arriving that he had given my husband's position to someone within the company during the time we were waiting for visa approval but didn't inform my hubby or Immigration. Instead, he has placed my hubby in the other person's role. Yes, we could have gone to Immigration but didn't see how it would help. So hubby is stuck in this situation for the next 19 months until the 2 year period expires. The difficult part though is the effect it is going to have on his future employment?! All said and done though we are very happy with the move and loving the lifestyle Australia offers. Happy New Year to All!

We moved to Toowoomba in August and are loving it! People are friendly, access to all parts takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes, you are close enough to Brisbane for anything you cant get in Toowoomba (though shopping is adequate), pace of life is great and there is a real sense of community. As said before, the Eastern suburbs are better, particularly Middle Ridge and Rangeville. We are renting in Centenary Heights which is right next to Rangeville but when we buy it would be either of the other two suburbs. Stay away from Northern suburbs altogether and most of the Western suburbs. Cant comment on schools I'm afraid since our children are adults and therefore, it is not an issue we had to consider. Good luck with your move!

Ros, Sorry it was Airsea and they are in Dublin. Their phone number is 01-844 6044. We are in Toowoomba, Queensland. Landlords here all use rental agencies who follow a set procedure. We haven't come across any private landlords. Anyway, if you are forewarned at least you will be prepared. We are missing Sandy terribley. Since our children are both grown and left home, she has become our baby! It will probably be a year now before we can fly her out and then we have to ask ourselves if it is fair to her to unsettle her again. Hope all goes well for you.

Hi Roz We haven't brought our Staffy as yet. She is with out daughter for the time being. We were dealing with Pet Air (I think) in Dublin. Staffies are in abundance over here and are recognised for their best qualities. Unfortunately, however, landlords over here do not like pets in their homes and it is extremely difficult to find a rental property who will accept pets. This has been our dilemna. I would say definitely bring your dog with you but be prepared that it may be difficult to find a rental and will certainly limit the choice of home you can look at. We are still hoping to bring our dog over once our initial lease is up and we can find somewhere that will accept pets. Good luck with your move! This is a beautiful country with lots of opportunity and a fantastic lifestyle for your children. Jill

Hi everyone Does anyone know where or if there is an approved lab in Ireland to do the blood tests and if not, where the nearest lab is? What is the procedure for getting the blood to the lab? Our vet doesn't seem to know.

I am just wondering if anyone has tried to customs clear their household effects without using an agent? Or have you arranged the import side of the move from Australia? We have had a couple of quotes where they have only quoted for export charges and shipment to port. I am trying to compare how it would cost out?

Hi Spenner Thanks...it was stressful week! We had a number of queries from our CO but we got there in the end. Not sure yet when we will leave but expect it will be in a few weeks. Hope you get your answer soon!

Thanks! Paramatta

Our visa was approved this morning! At long last!

Visa approved!!! Have lost count how many weeks but at long last it has been approved!

Getting Irish citizenship is not a quick process. First you have to live in Ireland for 5 years prior to application. Then the application takes 2 to 3 years before approval and all that is as long as there are no hiccups!

Ditto! My hubby's prize possession is coming with us...Suzi Q (the Suzuki). As suggested you may want to put it in a crate but don't build it yourself. The wood has to be acceptable to the Australians otherwise you will end up paying for fumigation.

Applied at Paramatta

We finally had contact with our CO after 14 weeks. She is processing our application and requested further documentation. Have sent off to MA and hope to hear soon!

Sent a photo. We are going to Toowoomba, Queensland. Thanks for your help!

Has anyone had any news about their application? Seems like visa approval's are non-existent at the moment!

Thank you so much for that link. That is what I have been looking for. I will also send you a pic asap. She is rather camera-shy so we don't have very good one's of her. Will try to get some decent one's later today and email them to you.

Thanks for the info! Will look into it but time constraints may result in us having to just pay the extra. Good luck in your move!

Thanks everyone for your kind words! My concern is mostly that she could be mistaken for a pitbull. She is definitely cross something but the vet says she is a staffie. However, I believe the criteria to assess a dog as a pitbull in Oz is rather subjective and I have been on to a number of organisations aswell as the Town council where we intend to live but have been unable to find any guidelines. If anyone has any suggestions about who to speak to etc. they will be most appreciated!

I was wondering if anyone has taken their staffie to Oz with them and if so, have they had any negative experiences regarding the breed. We have a 5 year old who is the baby of our family (our other babies have left home!). My OH dotes on her but I am concerned that it is a big risk taking her to Oz because of the breed. We have owned many dogs over the years and despite her breed, she is the most gentle and obedient dog we have ever come across. It would be such a shame to put her into a situation where she is considered a 'danger' and all the consequences that might ensue as a result. Would really appreciate any thoughts?!

Can anyone tell me which company this is? We are in Cork so may be worth looking into.

Hi Where is your case being handled? Our nomination was approved in Paramatta on the 25th May and they said they would finalise the application within the week. Now three weeks later and our agent is unable to contact the case officer or get an answer why it is taking so long. Wondering if our file is in the same batch as yours?! It is all very frustrating. Living in limbo is not fun!

Were these all lodged at Paramatta? No one on this forum seems to be getting approvals at the moment.