travelchic

Think before you write your answers on the listening test. One of mine was about an insurance claim where a washer had leaked and the floor was ruined. In the text it wanted to know what ruined the floor and a wrote 'a leak' but later changed it to 'water'. You have 5 mins at the end to transfer your answers onto a separate sheet. If you've missed any of the questions, this is the time to have a good guess at what the missing words are. It's worth writing something in as you could guess right. ReadingI found to be difficult. The answers tend to be in order though. If your stuck on one, move on and come back to it at the end. If for example you couldn't find the answer to question 7, it'll be between the answers to question 6 and 8. Writing was was easy enough. I jotted down on the question paper what I wanted to write. I discussed the diagram easy enough. Just write about what you see and what it means to you. The second part I wrote an introduction, a paragraph about the pro's, a paragraph about the con's, a paragraph about my thoughts on the subject and a conclusion. Don't copy the question as the introduction, it won't count towards your words. Rephrase it instead. Counting your words is imperative. I counted mine and was slightly under so added an extra line at the end. It's a silly way to lose points. Don't attempt to use words that your unsure about spelling. Use words you can spell. This is another silly way to lose points. Speaking is wired but I think you just have to pretend the person your talking to known nothing about the subject they have asked you about. When they ask you a question don't say yes or no, say yes because...... Don't talk too quickly if you can help it. Be expressive. Believe me, your gonna feel stupid but just think of the visa and go with it lol. I wish you the best of luck kellyv. I'll say a little prayer for you tonight. Debs

I used http://www.ielts-exam.net to practice. Loads on there. Debs

Just to add, if you want to do a new application as a pr you will have to have some experience too. That can add extra time. Debs

Do you need the IELTS for points as well? Debs

Hi bigmac. I had surgery on my spine 2011. Was off work for 10 months in total. Had a disc shaved and a tumour removed. I was worried about my medical. I've been fine since the surgery but am still on gabapentin of a night. My medical was in nov 2013 and I was passed with no problems. They didn't request any further info. They don't ask you how many times you have been off sick, they ask you about major ops and regular medication if you know what I'm saying. Just answer the questions as they ask. Debs

I did it twice. Needed to sit the academic IELTS for my skills assessment and needed 7's or above for that. However, I needed 8's and above to claim 20 points for my visa. As i only got a 7.5 for my reading on the academic test I had to sit it again. But because it was for points only, I could do the general instead of the academic which was a bit easier. I suspect toodoloo is doing it for the same reasons. Debs

My friend fosters and it's the best thing she ever did. She is a great mum but all her kids have grown up now. She has 2 children (siblings) at the moment. They have come on leaps and bounds with her. It's such a rewarding thing to do and can be a positive experience with the right training and support. Debs

If you don't mind me asking, why did you start your nurse training when you already had your visa? When you started your training you must have realised that there would have been a lap over of time. Debs

I worked a 50 hour week for about 7 months. And even after that I used the bank of mum to top it up after the fees went up. Love that woman!! Cant you contemplate a temp visa and then convert to a pr after you've been there 2 years. Debs

I've secured a 190 visa. Used John Adams from immigration2oz. Cost a couple of grand but well worth it IMO. Couldn't submit my skills assessment until I'd passed IELTS. Waited a couple of months for my IELTS test in my area. Then 16 weeks waiting for my skills assessment. Then it all went so fast. Use someone that is recommended on here by people who post regularly (agents sometimes try to post in disguise recommending their own companies). I used an age because of my age (no time to waste with mistakes) and because I am taking my son out of the country without his dad. There was actually no problems with the latter though. Good luck with your decision. Debs

Hi there. Look at my timeline below. Doesn't take that long. Debs

Hi moobobs. I submitted my 190 visa on 10 oct and was granted 26 nov. 6 weeks and 5 days in total. Mine was WA and I'm a nurse. I don't know if that makes any difference. Debs

I think having things dangling from your rear view mirror is an MOT fail here. Obstructs your view. Not sure if you'd get fined for it though. Debs

Lamb is my favourite. Love it. Can't cook to save my life but if someone else cooks it, I love it. Debs

My AHPRA took 3 weeks from them receiving my application to it being granted. Perth office. Can't help with the rest sorry. Debs

It depends on what visa your going on too. I'm going on a perm visa so had to have HIV and Hep B. because I'm a nurse I had to have Hep C too. If your on a temp visa I don't think you have to have the same tests. Debs

Once in work I made the mistake of moaning about not having a holiday for the past 12 months. Only to be bombarded with 'your moving to a hot country, what do you need a holiday for'. Eeerrrrmmmmm. I will be working FULL TIME in this hot country. I'll still have to help my son wipe his bum. Still have to supermarket shop. Still have to Hoover and launder and all the rest of the never ending chores I have to do. Also, I was having a bit of a hot flush the other day (the ones that ladies of a certain age get) only to be asked 'how are you gonna hack it when you have hot flushes in a hot country. I just looked at her and said 'air con darling'. so, can't mention holidays, weather, if I'm too hot. And don't even get me started on insects!!! Debs

You only have to do the general IELTS for points. It's quite a bit easier IMO. Good luck. Debs

I waited 16 weeks for my skills assessment. Longest wait of my life!! but after that everything just went so fast. Couldn't believe how quick it was. You'll be shocked. All of a sudden everything starts dropping into place. Good luck with your application. Debs

My son and I are heading to Perth. Got our visa. Have to validate by nov. I need to go by sept prefably as I have my AHPRA (nurse) registration to validate by then or start the process again. Got the house on the market and just waiting for that really. Then were off!!! Debs

Thing changed about 3 times during my process lol. The cost for my skills assessment went up. Then the cost of main applicant went up. Then they changed the visa so that everyone has to pay, not just the main applicant. However, the points I needed dropped from 65 to 60 which meant I didn't have to wait to gain a bit more experience so it wasn't all bad. Good luck with saving. It was aldi beans all the way for us ha ha. Debs

Hi. When do you expect to make the move? Debs

Thanks all. They would both be international flights so I'm guessing that'll be ok. Will ask on check in to make sure though. Happy new year to all x x

Thanks nic. The thought of getting off a long flight and standing at the carousel waiting for our cases, then dashing to the next flight was filling me with dread. My little boy and me travel abroad regularly but we just take hand luggage. Debs

Maybe the BMI in BMIBaby really does stand for Body Mass Index! Debs