Blade17

Long story, but my wife went back to UK for more than 90 days last year, so she isn't eligible for citizenship for a few more months (you can't be absent for >90 days in the 12 months preceding application). I'm eligible now, but decided to wait for the missus. My son got his citizenship this week, but that's because he's at uni, so we needed to get HECS loan sorted. My PR visa has expired, but then I managed to get some tickets for the Lions tour of New Zealand next month - hence need a RRV to travel. Bizarrely the cost of the RRV is more than the fee for citizenship.

Yes my case would have been straightforward, as I've been living here on PR for last 4 years. So not really comparable circumstances

Sorry, that doesn't sound good. Mine got processed within one week. I applied on 10 May and got confirmation RRV granted on 17 May.

I can only really comment on Mt Eliza SC (directly, as my kids go there) and Mornington SC (indirectly, through friends' experiences), but would caveat all my comments by saying it is very difficult to compare schools objectively. The same child could have a good experience at one school but a bad experience at another just based on simple things like the friendship groups they form. No guarantees anywhere. That said, I would have no hesitation in sending my kids to Mt Eliza SC (again) or Mornington SC, as both are perfectly decent State schools. Although Mt Eliza has performed slightly better academically over the last few years, its buildings have an older feel and the facilities are below the standard of Mornington, which has got great sports facilities. If you get a chance, go for a tour around both and see what your gut tells you. Their general "feel" is very different. When we came to Oz, we rented in Mornington for two years, but sent our teenage kids to Mt Eliza SC. We chose Mt Eliza because it was slightly ahead of Mornington in the school results table at the time, but we also liked the fact that Mt Eliza was smaller and more personal. Both of our kids have enjoyed their time there and have performed well academically. In my opinion, one of the big differences between State and Private schools is how well kids perform who are struggling or disinterested or less-motivated. Private schools will cajole even the most apathetic kids to keep up with the course content, because they can't afford to let their schools perform badly in the league tables (which would hurt their future income streams), whilst State schools just don't have enough money to support everyone, so some kids will inevitably under-perform. But, if your kids are self-motivated or you are prepared to push/encourage them if they are less motivated, then you will get a decent outcome from both Mt Eliza and Mornington schools. My son finished his VCE last year and is at uni now. He worked hard and the teachers responded positively to that by supporting his development very well. I was very impressed by the quality and hard work of the teachers and the amount of extra time they were all prepared to put in (including one teacher hosting additional classes at their home the weekend before an exam). Exceptional commitment that you would not expect. Hope that helps a little. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM.

Welcome to Mt Eliza .... great choice!! Have sent you a PM

Hi Paul - I don't play soccer myself anymore (sadly my ageing bones won't allow it!!) but I think you have more chance down the road in Mornington that you do here in Mt Eliza. There are 11-aside teams that play at the Dallas Brooks Park in Mornington (sandwiched between Watt Rd and the Mornington-Tyabb Rd). Might be best to call in there and see if there is a noticeboard or anyone to ask directly etc. Hope you find something

In the 3 years we've been in Oz, we spent the first two in Mornington (renting) and the last one in Mt Eliza (bought a house). In all that time our kids went to Mt Eliza Secondary. Having now had a chance to drive around much of the eastern/south eastern part of Melbourne through work, shopping and sightseeing, we are so glad we chose to live in the Mornington/Mt Eliza area. If I had the cash to afford living in the inner East, then 'maybe' I would consider moving, to be nearer to the facilities that the city has to offer, but otherwise you will not get us to move away form this area now. All of Mornington, Mt Martha and Mt Eliza are highly liveable areas in my opinion and I simply do not agree that you have to live beachside of the Nepean, unless of course you want to pay over the odds for a house. You are paying a totally unnecessary premium for location and can get far more for your money on the other side of the Nepean. There are only a very few parts of Mornington that some people would consider less desirable areas to live. Most would put the Tanti Estate into this category .... but even that area isn't anywhere near as bad as parts of my former home-town Sheffield. Our first rental was in Tanti (for 3 months after arrival) and we had absolutely no problems during our time there. There are loads of affordable areas to live in Mornington, especially around the Bentons Square Shopping Centre. We rented near Bentons for 18 months and really liked the facilities this area offered. There is a very high concentration of Poms in this area .... which is good or bad, depending on what you want. As far as the towns go, I think all three have their own strengths and weaknesses, but all have a nice beachy vibe and can buzz in summer. They do get busy with tourists at times, but for good reason. Personally, I don't find the crowds oppressive, even in the height of summer. Loads of restaurants and cafes spilling onto the street by day and then pubs/clubs by night (Mornington only). Police have a heavy presence on Mornington Main Street at weekend evenings, which does keep a lid on any potential problems. We also love going out in Mt Eliza, which has a nice "villagey" feel and has a good number of restaurants/cafes/bars for such a small area. On a sunny afternoon during summer, the cafes/bars are nearly always busy even on a mid-week evening. Mt Martha has probably the least going on in the evening. Finally schooling. Assuming you are not interested in the various private schools in the area, then your choice is between the two State schools (Mornington and Mt Eliza) and one Catholic school (Padua, nr Mornington). We know students who go to all three and generally the comments on all are OK. You pay slightly more for Padua, but I don't think the results are much better than the two State schools. In deciding between the State schools, I would say that Mt Eliza shaves it on the academic performance (which is possibly getting better with the new Principal), but Mornington does better on the extra-curricular activities (school sports etc). Our kids came over to Oz aged 15 and 13 and both have made good friends and very much enjoying life. Daughter loves the fact that she can go straight from the classroom to the beach with friends during summer and does this quite a lot. I don't think either would say they find this area boring and I am always taxi-ing them to something (there are buses too!). Anyway, plenty to choose from depending on what you like most out of life. If you need any more info, happy to give an opinion

In Victoria (I assume it's similar in other states), to get a VCE qualification and an ATAR score (eg to go to uni) your daughter would need to complete 16 units of education. As pointed out above, that would be difficult to achieve in Y12 only as she would effectively have to complete 8 subjects (most students take between 4 and 6 in one year). BUT my understanding is that you can apply to obtain 'credit' for overseas studies, which might mean her UK education can count towards some of these 16 units. I'm not sure of the process, as don't know anyone who has done it. Even if you could get credit for UK education, it might be worth encouraging your daughter to re-do Y11 in Australia anyway, to give her time to get over the inevitable stress of emigrating. Also give her chance to make some friends in a low stress year. In Y11 you only need to pass the units, as they do not count towards the final ATAR score. She can have a relaxing year first before commencing Y12. Our son going through Y12 now and it is a full-on year .... quite stressful, as they are required to take SAC exams almost from day one of the new term (which do count towards final score).

I had a similar issue when we decided to emigrate. We decided to start the application process around July of the year I wound turn 45 in December. My qualification needed to be assessed by my institute and the turnaround time was approx 12 weeks, which was too long by the time I put the paperwork in. However, I sent a covering (begging) letter in with the application asking them to process asap and they agreed to get it done within a couple of weeks. Don't know how much research you have done on the emigration process, but be aware that the paperwork requirements can be quite onerous. It took me weeks to get all the references and documents I needed to prove "skills" and "experience" before I could even submit the forms.

Also, if you choose to live down on the Peninsula, there's a few trails and down hill runs around the Red Hill area. Have a look at the mtn biking club: www.redhillriders.com.au

You will only be taxed on any income (including overseas dividends) earned from the date of arrival in Australia. It would be advisable to make a note of the share price on that day too, as that will be used to value the shares for CGT purposes if you sell the shares down the track

Congrats on getting a job lined up before you land, it will make things so much easier. The Mornington Peninsula is a great place to live. Mt Eliza is very nice and perfectly fine for young families, but you might find more going on for younger kids in Mornington. I think you will also find it easier to get rentals in Mornington than Mt Eliza. I can't offer much info on nurseries, as our kids are older, but I understand that there is heavy competition for nursery places. Lots of young families in the area, so you won't find it too hard to find someone to share a bottle of wine with. Good luck on your move and hope all goes well for you in 2015

Try the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead on the eastern side of the Mornington Peninsula. Very nice place, with decent walking tracks through formal gardens, wetlands and woodland scenery.

I know the post is too late, but just got back from Auckland where I watched it from Row GG, Section 308, in Eden Park. Had a great view from there .... just a pity we lost. Other than the result it was a perfect weekend break!

Hi Redzy - a well written post for a second language. You clearly won't have any problems with language if/when you get here. IMHO, you might struggle to get one of the longer term visas with your lack of practical experience, but I would certainly recommend the WHV route to try out life here before you make the permanent plunge. I did it when I was younger than you and it started my love affair with Oz. Also, it's a very cheap and easy option - although the rules have probably changed now re arrival funds, I turned up with about $1,000, worked my socks off in Perth for just over 2 months, then travelled all over the country for the next 4 months - had a great time! The WHV is a great way to see the place and will certainly add to your 'life experience' even if you don't end up staying.