North to South

Hi Petals, i think I would swap the heat for this continual grey, cold and damp weather in the UK, where today I have just woke up to snow coming down again! At least in a few months ill be in Melbourne Rich

Hi, I'm interested in understanding who anyone has used (agencies, websites etc) to secure short term accommodation ahead of your arrival in Melbourne - we are looking at Frankston South/Berwick Areas. Also, I'd like to understand what kind of cost this has been so I can get a good sense of whether prices I am seeing are high/low. We will just be looking for a 2 bed accommodation and will be arriving June time. Thanks so much, Rich

Hi, we've been advised by our removal company to take any bedding/new items out of the original packaging and just pack with the existing bedding etc to avoid customs picking up that you may have more new items with you.

Hi, why not book a hotel in Singapore. It's only 25 mins from the airport and you may find more choice. I've stayed overnight at crowne plaza and its fine, but not sure I'd want to stay for 24 hours. I'm in Singapore at moment and taxi from airport to orchard road was $22. Just a thought. It may work out cheaper too.

Hi, We currently have private medical cover via our work and dental cover that we pay for directly here in the UK. I would like to ensure we still have this level of cover in Australia and wonder who the main providers are that provide private medical and dental cover so that I can work out the costs? Also, what should I be looking out for when looking for cover. All help most welcome. Thanks, Rich

Hi, I'm trying to work out a budget of items that we will either replace of take with us when we move and sitting here in the UK it's easy as I just refer to Amazon, but what are the best sites and retailers to look at in Australia (Victoria) to gain a comparison in price between the UK and Australia? All comments most welcome. Thanks, Rich

Hi, Just wondering whether it's worth bringing a washing machine and tumble drier as we have room in the container. Initially, I wasn't going to, but seeing how expensive some white goods are I now wonder if it is worth bringing them. They are only about 18 months old. Any comments most welcome.

Hi, no the secondary applicant doesn't need to be assessed to work, it was just our agent showing further evidence that we could both find suitable work in Australia and not be a drain on the economy. My wife breezed through the IELTS and scored I think 8.5 or 9 on most of the modules. I know she didn't enjoy doing it, and couldn't understand the logic of having to prove that you can speak English when it was your native tongue, but that's what was asked for and we got our visa, so it wasn't so bad. Does the £3K include all the visa fees or is that just the agents fees. I think we paid about £5K all in including agents fees, visa fees, police checks, medicals etc. Hope this helps.

Hi, My wife was the lead applicant and although we didn't need the points our agent advised us to do it to boost up the points which we, sorry, my wife did. In terms of employment history all we had to send was a CV in the Australian style and a letter from our current/prior employers to prove evidence of work and role etc. I was the secondary applicant and although I didn't have to be assessed, my CV was used as secondary evidence that we could both find roles when we moved. We used Sort Out My Visa as our agent and I think we paid about £1600 in total - plus all other fees - visa, police checks, medicals etc etc. Hope this helps.

Hi, we used Sort out my Visa and they were good.

Hi, we went to the Australian Embassy in London and they added our visa to our passport with no cost. We just made an appointment and it was all done in about 10 mins.

First glance I thought it was an African flag. I personally like the Australian Flag and every time I'm in Australia my 7 year old daughter runs to the shop by the harbour and Sydney and wants to buy one so it can't be that bad as she doesn't do taht anywhere else:)

Hi, Have you taken a look at Local Voices. I know it's not the same as PIO but I find it quite helpful. http://www.streetadvisor.com.au/campbelltown-campbelltown-sydney-greater-new-south-wales Rich

Hi, I have been considering importing a car but not sure which one to bring so any advice would be welcomed. We have a 2008 BMW X5 which is our main family car and a 2008 Porsche Cayman which is our weekend fun car. We like both of the cars but know we can only import one. Which would you import ? Look forward to any comments. Thanks

Hello, Having just watched Wanted Down Under I was wondering what Roxburgh Park really was luck as you seem to get some lovely houses with a short commute into CBD compared to other areas - Berwick for example. Would really appreciate some views from local residents to understand what it's really like and if it's suitable for a family with a young girl currently at infant school in the UK. Thanks so Much