johnboyW
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Hi Arrived a couple of weeks ago and car-less. Need a car asap for commuting / leisure / life. My employer offers Novated Leasing through FleetPartners. I'm struggling to get any independent advice on this and wondered how PIO members find it. What are the advantages / pitfalls? I'm looking at getting approx $30k worth of mini-SUV (Kia Sportage, Maxda CX5, Nissan Dualis). In the UK I had a company car so I'm used to the convenience of paying a flat fee and not being concerned about servicing, new tyres, repair costs. However I don't want to get ripped off here. So my options are: going with the novated lease, getting a loan and buying a car, or just buying a car for cash. Your thoughts / advice would be much appreciated! Thanks John
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Which bank/bank accounts should we apply for before we go to Oz?
johnboyW replied to smw's topic in Money & Finance
We have gone with NAB for our first (joint) account. Straight-forward to set up on-line. Picked up eftpos cards on allotted day (had to go and meet migrant banker in Melbourne city centre, 20 minute wait will said banker joked about with his colleagues). Ordered Visa debit cards that day, arrived a week later. It's a fee-free account. Ironically I now have a fee-free account in OZ and a fee paying account in the UK! Credit cards: will take 3 months' payslips before we can order. -
Got my 309 Visa on Tuesday. Stats are in my signature. My advice to those early on in the process - be patient, don't obsess about it, use the wait to make the most of your remaining time in the UK. All the best. John
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Hi Wendy I succesfully used a cardboard bike box that I took from outside my Local Bike Store (the LBS leaves them out for the bin men at the end of the day). These are the bike boxes that used to bring the bikes over from the Far East in the first place. My tips: Take a box on a dry day! Buy pipe lagging from B&Q. A couple of different bores. The wide bore goes on the tubes of the main triangle (top, down and head). The smaller bore goes on the tubes of the rear triangle and the forks. Remove rear mech, put it in a bag and place within rear triangle amongst a load of bubble wrap. Remove pedals.. Drop seatpost or remove and tape to down tube. Loosen stem bolts and turn handlebars 90 degrees Buy from ebay (or ask nicely from LBS) plastic spacers for front and rear forks Slide the bike down into the box Padding - find lots of it. I used cardboard, polystyrene boxes (the kind a fishmonger would use) that I smashed up and bubble wrap. Place all over the bike, on any points that touch the box (especially in the bottom of the box, under the chainrings). I then added more padding in the form of a wetsuit and a couple of towels Use (a lot of) gaffer tape to tape up the box. Then use the whole lot more to reinforce the corners and sides. I used an entire roll. Take to airport and away you go. Good luck! J
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Hi Brucey I'm in the same boat as you. I have VF, 5 month mark is up on Monday. I've had no contact since June. Flying in January so no panic. John
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Hi Goochie, we're looking to get a Large MoveCube in for August 10th also. Who are you using for insurance? Cheers John (currently looking at a rectangle marked out in masking tape on the lounge floor)
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Ditch the boyfried, come over on a WHV, find love in Oz. Sorted.
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26EH and 160EH. Don't stress if you don't have them, the clinic can sort it.
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Hi Neil Thanks for that. What did you do about insurance? Does packing the 'Cube yourself affect the damage insurance you can take out? Cheers John
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Hi Chardy Yes I saw that thread; nobody on it used MoveCube (which is informative in itself). I'm looking for feedback from somebody who has used it. Cheers John
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Hi We don't have much stuff to ship so I'm thinking a large MoveCube (http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/shipping/movecube) would do be a good option. Has anyone used a MoveCube and how did you get on? Any issues with insurance (you pack it yourself)? Cheers John
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k8bug79 have you got 2 Aussie stat decs? Wills would be a good idea (irrespective of assets!). Are you named as beneficiaries of each others pensions?
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Well I passed the medical, the police didn't find any dirt on me and my OP is "...now satisfied that all outstanding documents have been provided." so yes, nothing more to do than wait for the processing time and "be out of Australia for a minimum of 3 working days for the grant to go through."
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I called VF again today and, good news, my meds have been found and it's a pass No more info required, I just have to wait for the processing time - 5 months.
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I stumbled on a thread (on PIO) with people from Pakistan discussing processing times and there's were 9 months+
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We did the household statement as a joint statement in 1st person. We both signed it but didn't get it witnessed. The only documents that were witnessed were the statutory decs from Aussie family / friends and the Wills we had drawn up. The personal statements were 1 page each; the household statement about 1/2 page. Keep it simple, keep it sincere. Now get on with it :wink: John
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Thanks Chelsea Yes I called again today and finally spoke to VF. She's very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately she was at a total loss as to what's happened to my medical results (I had the medical on 31st). Lost in the system it would seem; she wasn't even aware that I'd had my medical, so it's a good job I called her. She's going to contact the Sydney team to see if they've received anything from the clinic. She has received the police certificate and other info requested, so it's just the Medical outstanding. How is your partner's visa app progressing?
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I've been trying to get in touch with VF since Weds with no joy. May be on holiday...
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I had my medical on 31/5/12 and I still haven't heard anything from CO (VF). I emailed today to chase up. I also informed VF that, as of 8/6/12 I am now married! :biggrin:
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Hi maisem I couldn't get hold of the forms either. It wasn't an issue, the clinic deals with it. Make sure you have your passport and your HAP number. The medical was straight forward: blood pressure, weight, height, photo, copy passport, chat about med history, look in eyes, listen to breathing, pee in cup, chest x-ray, blood test, take £200. Enjoy! John
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That's great Chelsea. Will be really interesting to see how things progress over the next 5-6 months. My update: I had photos and wedding invites returned the other day along with the receipt for the fee. Medical is booked for next week (Maidenhead).
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Got my email from the CO. I have VF (anyone else have VF?). Asked for meds, police check and a copy of my fiancées UK visa. Waiting time is "5-6 months". Right, time to get the meds booked!
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Hi Chelsea The parcel was signed for at 8.30am and the application fee is already out of my account! I'll now be regularly checking into my email for something from the CO... John
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Posted my application yesterday. Now sitting in a Royal Mail depot until Monday. Putting it together reminded me of my Uni thesis - you think it's almost ready but the final details take so much longer than they should. Getting all the copies of docs certified was a particular pain; the solicitor was fed up of seeing us in the end. We went fairly minimal on the evidence. Just went with what was on the checklist, plus Wills and the usual stuff (photos, wedding invites etc). Didn't front load with meds and police check (though I have sent off my police check in anticipation of the request). So I'll be keeping a close eye on the Royal Mail tracker on Monday! John