Davo1

Hi ClaireyD, I am not there yet so cannot give you personal experience, however, I have a few friends in Darwin who love it! They are Social Workers (as am I) and they have told me the following: It is quite a transient population but still fairly easy to make friends and a fair number of expats are there. Very hot but manageable, loads of places to visit and things to do. Food etc is pricey but wages more so it balances out. They have been all over Oz and both have decided to stay there for the meantime. What is is that you do that you are going to Darwin? I am moving to Oz in September with my husband and daughter and we are considering Qld, SA and NT. Darwin is probably my 3rd choice too but seems to be more SW jobs there at the moment and excellent relocation packages - so may head there for the first 2 years and use holidays etc to explore other parts of Oz and decide where we like best! Good luck with your move!

So sorry to hear your terrible news. Take Care x

Hi, I applied this time last year and if I recall correctly, they contacted me in December or January for a Skype interview and then I heard late January that I was successful... So you may still hear something yet. I hope you do. Although its awful being filmed and I can only worry how it will be edited (!!) it was a great experience to see Australia! Good Luck!

Congrats!

Fantastic post. Best wishes!

Still in the UK or else I would have been there. I hope it all goes well and you all have a great night! Congrats on your 1 year in and Best Wishes.

Welcome to PIO and I am sure someone will be able to help you with your query. Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Fantastic pics. Sounded stressful but a terrific adventure all the same!

What a small world! Yeah makes total sense. I was suffering badly from travle sickness by that point so that first hour or so was a blur! Thats a real shame - you could always go to Court and get an order - especially if your child wants to go and is deemed old enough to give their consent eg 12 years and up in Scotland (not sure about England etc though). We have just sold our home and are due to move out on 9th November to move back in with family before making the move next September. It will give us loads of time to save and plan! Best Wishes!

Welcome to PIO!

I have only been on here for a few months but have enjoyed reading your posts. Good Luck!

Hey! Yeah we were in caloundra in April. really liked it and people were nice but too holiday like for me - all houses (where we were) were holiday lets and not useful if you want to make friends, have consistent neighbours and a community feel. However, I really did love it and the surrounding areas. Just had our visa granted yesterday so moving next Sept - cannot wait. How did you find it? What are your plans?

Woo Hoo - My Visa was granted on 20th Sept - submitted application on 20th June, CO allocated on 24th August, Medicals on 13th Sept, Police checks finalised and received on 18th Sept and Visa Granted on 20th! Crazy fast! VERY scary but VERY exciting. Need to be there for 15th September 2013, so plan is now to sell the house, move in with family and research and save like crazy and move first week in Sept! Good Luck to all those still waiting and to those who have got their Visa, let the fun and games and stress begin!

Hi, welcome to PIO! where do you fancy moving too? There are loads of Social Work jobs in child protection (CP) currently in Darwin - and they are offering good relocation packages. Have seen jobs in Qld, SA and Melbourne too. Really depends where you want to go. There is a Social Workers group also. I have loads of Social Work friends all over Oz (and I am heading over next Sept and am a CP Social Worker) so if you have any questions just give me a shout! Good Luck!

Very exciting! We are appearing next year too - they said Jan to us too. Were you there this year? We were in Brisbane in April and loved it!! Found filming very embarrassing but well worth it as it was an amazing experience!

As far as I know, it must be one of the DIAC approved clinics. Just had my medical on Thursday and the Doctor mentioned at that time if any further tests etc is needed we would need to go back to him as our own GP is not allowed to (I am assuming this is not just his opinion!). Maybe worth discussing with your CO. Good Luck!

Congrats! I applied on 20th June and just had my medicals and sent for my police checks (after getting a CO on 24th Aug) so just patiently waiting for the visa to be granted (all going well!). Please remember you need to validate your visa within 12 months of grant but then have a further 5 years before you actually need to move (or else you lose the visa), so that may give you longer to stay. However, I know the feeling, as when I go to activate it, the plan is to stay then also as so pricey to go over, come back and then go over again later. Good Luck!

Great news - congrats! I am considering Darwin so if you have any information on how you are finding it in due course please let me know if you can. Thanks!

Welcome to PIO and Good Luck

Welcome to PIO!

Welcome to PIO! Was out to Brisbane in April and loved it! Great place with loads to do for the kids. Not sure about plumbers (as completely different area of work than me) but I am sure someone will help. Check with recruiters and agencies etc re job opportunities currently and that will give you a good idea. Good Luck!

Sorry way older than you and not going until next year - but good luck!

In some ways you are not wrong. Not sure about England etc but in Scotland, you do not have to declare unspent convictions (this is for the majority of crimes and ranges from 5-10 years on your record eg assault 5yrs and drink driving 10 yrs) unless specifically asked to on a form etc - so although they will always appear when you have a check done, they will be 'spent' and therefore should not have any impact. Obviously if it is something more serious it will always appear or may have a bearing on what client group you can work with eg children. Definitely write a letter to your CO pleading ignorance and I am sure you will be fine. Good Luck!!

Hi Murta, I think they should be fine, if not I am sure your CO will tell you. I uploaded all the docs required and when I go a CO, he said they had not attached, so I sent them to his email instead and that seemed to work. As long as you email to let your CO know you will not be able to provide the docs within the 28 days and the reason for this etc I am sure that should be fine. Most CO's seem to be helpful so I would drop them a line. Good Luck!

Sorry to hear your sad news but totally understand how you feel. If you do not have pets folk do not understand! Best Wishes for the future.