benguin

Hi! Arrived in Melbourne 10 day ago, and flew with one of my bikes (the others will come in the container): I was concerned too (as the bike is worth about the same as yours), but got a Bikebox Alan, and this has been brilliant. Well worth the expense, especially when you consider a return trip! Make sure the bike is clean too (wheels, tyres, drivetrain...), although they actually didn't check mine! ben

Hi everyone! Don't think you're being nosey at all ;-) The items we're worried about are a few musical instruments from Madagascar (a valiha, orginally made of bamboo; and a rain stick, also from bamboo; these are painted on the outside but not within) and Mexico (a Tarahumara flute, which I guess is also made of reed/bamboo, and a drum made of skin), a couple of other special things (a friend of mine emptied and sculpted two conkers for me (landscapes inside a conker; sounds weird but absolutely special; a knife with a bone handle)... Given that they scan everything in a container, not willing to take a chance of having them destroyed. If it was certain they'd decontaminate/treat them, then fine; it's just the idea of losing those items and paying for it! benjamin

Hi everyone, As per the title of this post, what happens during the AQIS inspection if they find something is not to their liking: do they always offer the chance to treat or destroy? Also, do they ever offer to send back to the UK? Shipping company arrives in just over a week, and we have a few items that could be problematic: no real value apart from sentimental. Thanks for your help, benjamin

Actually, I don't think that DAB will work in Australia. Oz uses DAB+ standards (which are more recent), and unless your radio can receive both (or can be retrofitted/upgraded to do so), then DAB won't work. At least, that's what I understand. Would be happy to be told otherwise... ben

Thanks everyone! It's reassuring... ben

Hi everyone! Apologies if this has been flogged to death already. We're moving to Melbourne in September and are shipping a few electrical items: fridge, washing machine, TV, microwave, kettle, hi-fi, etc. I was thinking that the change to Australian plugs would be fairly straightforward but I am now getting quite worried we've made a mistake to decide to ship all this (although I guess we'd still have needed a container so...): some of our plugs state 13A and it looks like Australian ones are generally 10A: is it safe to swap? Especially in the case of washing machine/fridge, etc? The plan was also to use UK multisockets and only change the one plug, but some are actually surge-protected (TV/Hi-Fi): would changing be dangerous to the items in question? Thanks for any help! ben

Hi everyone! My wife and I currently live in the UK, but I have been offered a job at Monash University (the University will sponsor us both on a 457 visa) and I have a few questions about Medicare. Apologies in advance if this has been asked before! My wife is British and it is my understanding that she is therefore entitled to reciprocal healthcare in Australia. The situation is slightly different for me: I am French but have been a resident in the UK (and paid for British National Health Service) since 2001, giving me 11 years of residency here (more than a third of my life). I am wondering whether Medicare access for foreigners is therefore based on nationality or residency, and whether I will then be able to access reciprocal Medicare. * I hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance for your help as this is a rather confusing issue... Best, benjamin

Thanks everyone! Decision made last night. It'll be tough to leave, but hey, risks can be good for you. In any case, temporary accommodation will be provided for the first month, and we'll then have to find a short-term furnished place (we want to have our stuff packed and shipped just before we go, otherwise it'd be rather complicated!). That should give us enough time to see some places and find out what/where we like... Ben

Thanks everyone! Not keen on Pickfords anyway (we had them provide a quote when moving from Oxford to Wales)... Yes, academia. You too? ben

No kids yet, no. And yes, Clayton campus is the one, unfortunately... It's all rather confusing, to be honest.

Hi everyone, My wife and I are thinking of moving to Melbourne. I have been offered a job at Monash, but are seriously wondering how far my salary would go there (ca. $94,000). We'd be renting, and have been looking at places in Richmond as they seem to offer a good compromise between the city and a commutable distance for me (bike). Any advice appreciated... ben

Hi everyone! New to this, so please bear with me. My wife and I are thinking to move to Melbourne (I was offered a job last week), and are wondering which companies are recommended to ship our belongings, and how much we can expect to pay. The relocation package with work is not super generous so... It's only the two of us, but we're looking at two double-beds and mattresses, two wardrobes, TV, DVD, etc. a desk, table and four chairs, garden table, about 5,000 books, etc. Thanks in advance, ben