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Hi - we have had our healthcare insurance covered by the company and now have to source our own. we are on 457 visa and premiums are really high, I've been quoted $500 per month from Bupa for family of 5. Any recommendations gratefully received.

Hi OK - I want to use a free or cheap service to watch my fave TV from the UK. I can do this on my laptop using adtelly or by subscribing to one of the cheap VPN services which work fine. But what I want to do is have a box and remote control attached to the TV instead of having to use my laptop. Is there such a thing? I know Apple TV have a box but they are subscription based or pay per view. Does that make sense? I want to switch the box on and away we go, everythings there I want. Paying a mint for Foxtel at the moment and it's rubbish! Any help appreciated including recommendations... thanks!

Hello. We are all enjoying life in Collaroy thanks. The kids really like Pittwater House although I had to take the middle one out. I won't go into reasons why but the other two are very settled. With hindsight however, I would explore other options. St Lukes at Deewhy is excellent and our son is going to Cromer Public School which has a caring feel to it, Collaroy Plateau is also a nice school. The class sizes are always smaller at the private schools. You need to see a few and make up your own mind, you'll know when you visit Ewan is 11 (year 6), Ciaran 10 and Sienna 5 (just started Kindy). Good luck, it is very scary moving out here but worth it. I fly back to the UK for a visit end of June...

I'm flying back home to Sydney tomorrow, not been there long so not sure what I can take from the UK. Here's what I'm packing. Can anyone tell me if these things are allowed? If I have to declare them, and whether they should go in suitcase or hand luggage as some are liquids (although in sealed containers). Hendersons relish Cadburys dairymilk Bramley apple sauce Paxo stuffing Thanks

Hello I really feel for you. We have just come to Sydney a week ago after waiting 7 months for our visa for our middle son with DS, my husband came out in January unknowingly so we have been living apart all this time - our son is 9, in mainstream school, has no physical probs just developmental delay. My husbands company had to provide an undertaking of $102,000 plus we have had to put into place private healthcare and pay for 20 hours TA support in his school per week. We had to pay £500 for an independent psychologists report too. We get nothing here but luckily my husbands company are very supportive. I wish you luck but be prepared for a long wait.... I hope it has all been worth it for us, Australia is really a great place to bring up a family but they do not like any potential drain on their economy. Maybe the Brits should take a leaf out of their book! I hope you get the outcome you wish for...

Hi We have just moved to Sydney (a week ago) and our son gets mid rate DLA in the UK - he is with us in Sydney. I've read that we can still claim this for so long - does anyone have any experience about this and how long we can continue receiving the benefit for him? We cannot claim anything in Australia. We are on a temporary visa (457). Thanks.

thanks, sounds like just what we need. do you need superfast internet connection?

Hello - did you make a decision? We move to Collaroy next week and we have enrolled all 3 of our children in Pittwater!

Hi We are moving to Collaroy next week (scary!) I've been there a few times now and a bit familiar with the area. Can anyone recommend some really nice quality restaurants to go to? I don't mean places like Barbuto (although quite nice not exactly a culinary experience) - my husband likes eating out and I want to treat him as we have lived apart for the best part of the last 7 mths Thanks

Now this may sound sad but we are moving to Sydney next week and I'm trying to find out about UK TV and how available it is (not for me but our old age visitors who are soap addicts!). So... is it possible to get bang up to date Corrie and Emmerdale or are they a bit behind even if you subscribe to the UKTV channel? I really couldn't care less if I never see those programs again! Thanks.

Do dehumidifers use a lot of electricity? the bills seems quite high...

Yes there is mould, it manifests itself behind drawers and all sorts. We are renting (for now) but our furniture is being shipped out and we have some lovely oak stuff that I'm a bit concerned about. I don't want it to get ruined...

Hi Does anyone know how much ($ per day) a freelance Microsoft IT trainer could get paid working for one of the large IT training companies in Sydney? I can't find anything to give me a guide on the web... thanks

Help! My husband is living in Sydney and me and our 3 kids are joining him in 5 weeks. There's no heating in the house but we have a large gas heater. The trouble is, the house feels damp and it's cold! What does everyone do to keep warm and stop the damp? Are dehumidifiers common out there? He says he's also cold in bed! Any advice gratefully received. (wish I could take our gas boiler and radiators lol)

Hi - I hope someone can help. My husband is out in Sydney and we are moving out in 5 weeks to join him for 4 years. He is looking at buying a car. What I want to know is, should we get a loan here or get one there? If I get one here will it be expensive to transfer $18000 to Australia, so would it be best to borrow the money over there? Hope someone can help - I've got a headache! Thanks!

I arrived back from Sydney yesterday - me and my 3 kids are all up at 515am (jet lag city) - we've done it a few times as my husband is working there, travelling alone with 3 kids under 10 isn't great but don't worry about it, if I can do it anyone can! Just sit, eat, drink, sleep and get up and walk about a bit, it's a bit boring but if you like reading and watching TV you'll be fine! We are moving there soon, can't wait!

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have posted a similar thread before but things have moved on. I have found a psychologist and we have an appointment and she will submit a report. The trouble is my husband is already out there on secondment and the rest of the family are stuck here because of my sons disability. His company (in my view) have not done their homework with regard to our visa (although they have amigration agent dealing with it) they don't seem to have any experience. My son does have an IEP and although he is doing well in mainstream the fact is he has 20 hrs TA support in class and he probably works at about 3-4 yrs below his actual age. The employer has already state in my husbands contract that they will pay school fees plus additional support up to 25 hours (we have been told that this will be around $28000 per year just for the support). I just want some reassurance that we have a chance to get him through but my hopes are dwindling and my husband is on the other side of the world. I guess we will just have to wait for the assessment and see what comes of it. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of the same etc. What a mess, wish we'd have just said no thanks we're staying put. Thank you.

Hi We are trying to get to Australia but my son has Downs Syndrome, very mild, goes to mainstream school, socially aware and no physical problems. He has had a health assessment but now they are asking for a psychological assessment too. The company my husband will be working for is paying all school and healthcare costs. Our flights are booked for 1st March but no visa, no go. I didn't think a 457 would be a problem, I knew that PR would be a challenge if and when we decide we want that, Can anyone offer any glimmer of hope? My husband is there now and me and our 3 children are in the UK. If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful, I'm trying to get as much information together about my son that paints a glowing picture of him as I can. Thank you

what will be will be i guess but i love a good fight...

Yes, a £20000 bond was mentioned which the company said they would pay if needs be. Do you think we'll get in?

That's the problem, I don't want to go temporarily and drag my 3 lovely children out there to settle for 4 years only to have to come back here. My dream is to settle there permanently. The company would pay for Ciaran and even said they would offer him an apprenticeship but even so I've read so many bad reports I don't know whether it's ever going to be possible... One step at a time I guess....

Hi Emma My husband is on the plane now as I write, the rest of us (me and my 3 children) are booked on flights 1st March. We have a house in Collaroy. Trouble is my middle son (9) has Downs syndrome and 457 visa is delayed because of it. Hopefully it will all work itself out, otherwise my husbands company it going to have a shed load of money to pay out for making a major cock up!! Fingers crossed. Seriously though, I've been out there a few times, wow, it's amazing, such a better place, lifestyle, people, weather, everything. Hope it works out for you. Anita

My husband has gone out to Australia on a sponsored contract for 4 years, we were supposed to be following 1st March (that' me and our 3 kids age 10, 9 and 4). Got a house rented, got kids into a good independent school, everything great. Migration company dealing with 457 said visa wouldn't be a problem even though we have Ciaran (9) with Downs Syndrome. However, this week we had to take him for a medical, no problem, clean as a whistle, but now they're asking for a Psychological assessment because obviously he has learning difficulties (although he does attend mainstream school in the UK). The school he will be attending in Collaroy is an independent school and the company is paying for some additional support during lessons for him. They are also covering off all of his medical bills. So... I don't understand why they are asking for this assessment. I'm worried that we've come this far and we won't be let in and my husband has to come back to the UK. I think I am going to have to get an independent educational pyschologist to assess my son as we are not allowed to use someone connected to him in our area, which bothers me as I don't understand how someone can assess him in say an hour. Any advice, suggestions, recommendations and reassurances will be gratefully received, hope someone can help. Thanks, Anita

Well I already though of that, my husband is visiting a private school this week and I told them we have 3 children and their dates of birth and they said they have room, I'll let him drop the bomb shell when he gets to the meeting. There's nothing like the element of surprise is there!!