jasepom

I think personally, you do spend so much money and effort coming to Australia, why would you not budget a little bit more and bring your dog.

I was happy until I screwed everything up.

If you've got a house in Perth then that seems like a pretty safre bet to me. The UK is a lot further away if it doesnt work out and you have to come back.

Seems like a move back to Perth is the easy option. Or stay in Canberra. Do your children really want to go back to UK ? By the way I moved back to UK and hated every moment of it. But unfortunately, I had soled my house and everything to go back. Was a nightmare for me. Hate that to happen to you. As the saying goes "if it aint broke don't fix it".

You would think they would transfer the visa details automatically, as the new passport replaces the old passport.

Yeah agree, if it is the picture then it may be the PAL settings that are working on the wrong frequency. Which would explain why Germany works, as same as Australia.

I think you would have a chance of an extention once your here, and given the circumstances, you could apply for PR on humanitarian grounds because the kids are here and want to become citizens. Might be worth dropping a line to a Law firm in Australia that deal with migration. http://www.findlaw.com.au/articles/4297/how-are-permanent-residency-visas-granted-in-austr.aspx

All passport and visa details are stored electronically now (e-Passport). The new passport will automatically be linked to the Visa.

The ABC needs more funding not less, in a world dominated by sensationalist journalism, I agree whole heartedly that we need more intelligent broadcasting. Cuts should not be targetted to the ABC which is the national voice in many respects. It sends the wrong message about what we stand for as a nation. Integrity should not be sacrificed to save a few bucks.

Sorry don't know where i got 68 million from. You're right its only 64 something so maybe about 65 now, if that's plausable.

Yep stick it out, don't look back.

Try closer to 70 million. As reported figures are over 68 million as of 2013 expect the actual number to be higher now. The fact that there are more people of course equals more cars. The sense of overcrowding is down to everything not just cars.

There is a lot of building going on in Australia right now, but you still need permits for subdivision. It's true there is more building going on but a lot of the outer suburbs are pretty much unaffected. If you look at the growth in GDP in Australia, population increase is inevitable and there is a higher demand for housing. Saying that Australia doesnt have room to grow is slightly ridiculous given the size of the place. Yes there is the argument about water etc, but actually weve done pretty well to protect our resources. The major problem is probably transportation and population centres. Cities like Melbourne can't expect to keep growing and have all the jobs located in the City. That is not really feasable. More jobs need to be created outside the city to relief pressure on public transport. Places like Geelong and Bendgo could grow and more people encouraged to move into the countryside (into Gipsland for example). I'm sure Australia will survive a population of 30 million in the next 10 years, if its controlled.

It was that about 15 years ago, but like Australia has increased by about 5 million in the last 5 years or so. Unlike Australia, the UK does not have room to grow. You certainly feel squashed living downunder.

Given that argument, with over 1 billion people, China must be the happiest place on the planet :wink:

Not sure what the laughter is about. Just saying that's all. A holiday back in England is not the same as living and working there.

Be thankful for what you have in Australia. Don't move back to England unless you are 110% sure. I repeat 100% sure. The grass is not greener believe me.

Good Luck

Around Ringwood area, so not far at all.

We opened accounts with Westpac from the UK. They seemed the best option at the time cause we met them at migrant fairs and they offer a lot of help with the process. When we arrived in Melbourne we just confirmed our identies and started banking with them (getting cards etc). Pretty easy.

Going back to UK afdter living here was just horrible. I'd never been so happy as I was in Australia, and that's the truth. I just had some mixed feelings about beloning here, but life was really really good for us.

Where in Melbourne do you live parleycross. Maybe we should meet up for a coffee.

I don't know, there is a lot of damage in our relationship. Things were fine before we left Australia, but when we got back to England, I just turned on my wife which obviously didnt help the situation. We still love each other deep down I'm sure. Just wish things were different. If we hadnt left Australia, our lives would be fine now.

I'm starting to rebuild my life in Australia now. And look, the fact is there are people who come to Australia, return to UK, and come back again. They do exist, it's just something that perhaps some of us have to go through in order to see where we belong.

That is absolutely right. They keep looking for the faults and don't see the benefits of living here, until they go home, then realise how much they missed those things and how much Australia had given them.