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mariaandmike

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Posts posted by mariaandmike

  1. 34 minutes ago, LVN said:

    Good luck! Let me know. PTE is very straightforward. Much easier than TOEFL. I prepared for a week and scored straight 90s in each category. Wish you all the best. 

    Wow that is awesome,  congratulations. This is my 3rd test!

    I did IELTS first and got 9, and all 8.5 apart from reading at 6.5, which didn't make sense.  Then I did PTE in Nov and the listening ended before I had finished, I was ready to reschedule the PTE than COVID happened.

    I hate exams and my nerves kick in so the home test seemed a much suitable option for me.  To be honest I am feeling a kind of dumb ass, given English is my first language and I have a degree!  

  2. 2 minutes ago, LVN said:

    Ask for a refund from TOEFL. This is the email address tta_toefl_response@ets.org

    They issued a full refund back to my account when I explained my situation. 

    Thanks,  I could try but have test booked for in the morning, so I am guessing it is too late.  I think the cut off was Friday.  

    I will send an email tonight and see if I get a reply before test.

    Thanks again.

  3. On 07/06/2020 at 08:59, LVN said:

    Are you doing the TOEFL exam at home or at the centre?

    After more digging I found this 

    https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/where/country/australia-nz

    $200 down the drain on top of what is already a costly process.  Totally frustrated.  I can only take the test on the off chance they will recognize this later on.

    Lyn, I just wanted to acknowledge this and thank you for bringing to my attention sooner rather than later.

     

  4. On 05/06/2020 at 15:19, LVN said:

    mypte.pearsonpte.com to book at your nearest centre. 
     

    I got my results within less than 24 hours too! 
     

     Happy to help further if needed!

    That's really good, the worse bit is waiting.  

    I will see what happens after my test next week with the TOEFL.

    I have studied so much, to change back to PTE now would be a pain.

    But many thanks for the link, in case I need, though hopefully my results are valid.

  5. 2 hours ago, LVN said:

    This question was originally posted for they TOEFL Home edition which is the one you take from home. I think TOEFL has been accepted for a long time but some of us were trying to do the special home edition! I hope that clarifies it. 

    I am doing the home edition one, my consultant advised this.  Too late to cancel now so fingers crossed.  I can not see any difference with home edition as its all strict and monitored.

  6. 13 minutes ago, LVN said:

    I cancelled the TOEFL and got my money back. I took the PTE today as centres have opened up i the UK. Good luck!

    Hope you get your results.  Best wishes

    I need to follow this up ASAP as test next week.  My agent assured me I could take the TOEFL so really confused!  Does anyone have an update?

      I have also changed my E2 language practice course from PTE to TOEFL and this will cost to change back again.  

     

     

  7. On 08/05/2020 at 05:45, VERYSTORMY said:

    Nope. Even a phd in English doesn’t 

    Shocked to see this as my agent advised to switch from PTE to TOEFl to enable me to get my score and points (as centres closed)  I have paid $200 for the test and spent the last month studying!  Any updates on this?

  8. Really concerned about moving our dog overseas, as he comes under snub nosed dogs, has anyone moved a cavalier?  I know there are factors like timing of flights, avoid certain times of year flying etc,

     

    Thanks in advance.

     

    Maria

  9. We are yet to confirm an area, but will be moving to QL on a stated nominated visa.  

    Does anyone have any useful links, the children will be 15, 13 and 8 next year.

    In the UK we have Ofsted as a guide ( I do keep an open mind reading reports but use as guide).  Is there something Similar in Australia?

    Any tips for looking at schools and what costs do we need to factor in?

    Both boys, youngest 2 love football, so will need to keep them involved in sport.

    My daughter is into acting and often attends auditions and appears in shows in UK, would there be options for her in Australian.  We have privately funded drama schools in UK.

    My daughter has mentioned Newcastle area, she knows more than me lol

     

    Thanks in advance.

     

    Maria x

  10. Thanks Marisawright, yes we are seriously considering this, with my husband going as his currently working overseas, away from home.  Also his retraining as we speak,  as his not prepared to pay out all the costs to retrain in gas, as already completed in UK.  so that will reduce outgoings.  

     

  11. Hi Verystormy,

     

    $25,000 is a lot to have available in liquid cash, especially if you are not selling your home in UK.  I only think this applies if you go without a job and I would not be moving without security of a job.  The deal is 1 of us must have a secure job to afford rent and living costs.

  12. Is there anyone else trying to provide a work history where you have been an agency worker.  It seems an impossible feat! I have worked for local authorities but secured the work via agencies and then been paid by an umbrella company, one has since gone into liquidation.  Despite sending information and despite working since 2009 as a social worker and only have 11 months off maternity I can only evidence 5 years work experience meaning I now need to secure at least 10 points with an english test. I feel like giving up (i know its just an off day) I have been trying to secure this information for 4 months.

    I feel so frustrated, to make matters worse all documents need to be in letter form to agent and everyone is working from home so until i have this can not submit EOI.

    Time is against me as I am 44 in January.

     

     

     

  13. On 21/04/2020 at 17:53, Coshay91 said:

    Hi guys, I hope you are all well and staying safe through these tough times ahead. 
     

    I wanted to get some advise from people that might know a little bit more about this than I. 
     

    I am a managing consultant for an education recruitment company based in London. Due to the current situation education recruitment consultants are extremely worried about the sector once we are out of lockdown and once we are all back to normal with regards to the Coronavirus. More recently, I have spoken with a couple of people who have told me that there is in fact a need to Uk based recruitment consultants in Austrailia so has forced to me to find out more about this as Oz is a place that I have spend time in, in the past. 
     

    I have a partner and I am a father of two, ones 3 the other is 7. I suppose my question is mainly, would companies consider someone that has a family with regards to sponsorship? If sponsorship wasn’t on offer would would the best way be or relocating out there ? 
     

    any feedback or advise would be brilliant. 
     

    callum

     

    I think the main risk is if the job ends you will need to leave the country and the costs involved.  We are using an agent, I can recommend John at immigration2oz. 

    • Like 1
  14. On 20/01/2020 at 11:01, Ausvisitor said:

    You are applying for sponsorship for a role that is pro-rata. Now the pro-rata only applies to the 189 (and the old 489 so maybe also the newer 491) but at present pro-rata 189's are only going through for this job code at 95+ points.

    It feels unlikely that you would get sponsorship without being closer to that level as they know there is a ready supply of better point-qualified persons waiting anyway.

    What is your IELTS/PTE score - it's much more likely to get a sponsored place if you have superior English on your application.

    The simple fact is that Australia has plenty of Software Engineers, as its a "modern" career they can always take more but they need to balance the risk that a downturn heavily supresses the Software Engineering market

    Can i ask where you get this data from?...

    You are applying for sponsorship for a role that is pro-rata. Now the pro-rata only applies to the 189 (and the old 489 so maybe also the newer 491) but at present pro-rata 189's are only going through for this job code at 95+ points.

    So I can check points for calls for 491 for social worker at present?

    Thanks.

  15. On 17/01/2020 at 01:04, calNgary said:

    Queensland is an awesome place with so many beautiful areas.  We migrated here over 13 years ago and haven't regretted it yet. It is a BIG place though, what do you guys do for work? It may be worth checking out the job front and then looking into areas to settle.

    Cal x

    Thanks Cal,

     

    I am a social worker, my husband is a mechanical engineer and also a gas fitter.  He currently works as a service manager (engineering) overseas.

    My husband is keen on Queensland but is also used to very hot temps so will be easier for him.

    Its been a dream for us since 2006 and i am almost over the age limit so this is our year!! 🙂 I have been delayed by failing ielts by half a point and PTE by similar.  Totally frustrating having to take when I have a degree.  

    Its lovely to hear that you have settled, neighbours have moved and initially rented  their house out, it has now sold so guess their staying too.

    My husband is currently looking for a role to transfer over too.  Ideally I would prefer to move with a job offer.

    Maria x

    • Like 1
  16. On 16/01/2020 at 23:48, Marisawright said:

    Do you have a visa?  

    My main issue with Queensland is the summer heat.  I find it intolerably hot and sticky.  Not a problem when you're in holiday mode and can laze on the beach, but not so much fun when you're lugging your shopping to the car or want to go out for a walk.   Everyone is different so only you know how you react to heat and cold.   I find the Sunshine Coast has a micro-climate, still warm but less sticky, for some reason.  

    BTW Byron Bay is in NSW.  Some other nice coastal towns in NSW too, like Coffs Harbour.  

    Some councils have very strict rules about cats and some Aussies are very anti-cat.  It varies from area to area.  Regardless of that, it's simply irresponsible to allow a cat to roam free in Australia as native animals aren't used to predators.   Not all cats prey on wildlife but they do like to play with new things, and playing with a native animal can easily injure it to the point of death.  So you do need an outdoor run, or a secure garden with roller bars on the top of the fences so the cat can't jump over. 

    We are in the process for state nomination visa. We also have the option of NSW and a few others.  

    My husband works in hot temps overseas so second nature for him, I would have to adapt as so used to wet cold days in UK.

    Yes i guessed we would need a pen, which having been to oz and seen the beautiful wildlife i totally agree.

    Its nice to see you on here as i remember you were great with information last time we were thinking about moving.

    Maria 🙂

     

  17. The first place we stayed over in the motorhome as we travelled the east coast from brisbane. (Aug 2016) It was also the whale festival.  Amazing memories.  We watched the sunrise on the first morning, lovely place.  We are moving to Queensland but yet to secure an actual area (visa state nomination).

  18. We are seeking areas in Queensland for a family of 2 kids and 3 children who will be 2 teens and just under 10 when we move.  Schools/colleges are important.  We visited OZ and travelled from Brisbane up the East coast in 2016 but was in holiday mode.  We loved Hervey bay and Byron Bay.  We had a short stay in Mackay too but again in holiday mode.

    Any areas to avoid?

    Best schools/colleges?  

    Also we will have our cavalier king charles and cat.  Heard different stories on cats in Oz be interesting to find out more.  I understand we would need an outdoor pen?

    Thanks in advance 🙂

     

     

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