Jimmy P

I was on top of main scale in UK with 15 yrs experience. Once I had submitted my statement of service my employer here put me straight on the top of their main scale. A few weeks later I was invited to apply for "experienced teacher 5", an off scale payment. Applied for and got, with little fuss. Depends on employer though. I am in catholic sector in qld.

As far as I'm aware, Qld does not require degree in education. I did unrelated 3 yr degree followed by PGCE and got registration here

NSW is the exception. Other states more flexible re degree studied. Also other states rego transferable to anywhere except NSW

Hi there, and welcome to Brisbane. There is a fairly regular get together organised by Pat W from this forum, usually meeting at North Lakes. There is a Christmas special gathering tomorrow (Sat 20th Dec) at Sutton Beach, Redcliffe, from 2.30 onwards. BYO food and drink. We went to our first one in October, and had a really good time. Lots of people of different ages.

Just wondering if there is anyone in the Samford Valley/The Gap/ Ferny Grove etc area who would like to meet up? We have been here since early August, having arrived in Australia end of June. We have been to the Poms in Oz North Lakes gathering (thanks Pat W!) and will be going back to the next one there. If there's anyone around who's interested we are in our 40's with a daughter just turned 17 and a son 9 (and an 18 year old currently doing the backpacking thing in Bundaberg at the moment). PM me if interested. Jim (teacher) and Andrea (at home looking after us all!)

Just thought I'd add my own experiences as a newly arrived teacher in Qld. Got here end of June, got TRACER (supply teacher paperwork) sorted when we arrived. Did nothing about looking for work for 6 weeks (I needed my holiday!) When we enrolled daughter into state secondary school I handed in my resume and got a call within 24 hours for relief teaching. Did about 3 out of 5 days at the one place for a few weeks, which was a good way of settling in, and pay was quite good ($70 per hour). Saw a job advertised on Catholic Jobs website, applied, heard nothing for ages. Closing date had passed by 2 weeks, then got call out of blue. Informal chat with deputy Principal a few days before the new term started and was given 12 month contract on the spot. Teaching Business, Acounting and Maths as I was in UK. 15 years experience in UK. Have passed a copy of statement of service to be put on correct pay scale. So, there are jobs around, just be prepared to be flexible with where you want to work, and be prepared for supply or contract work. We have settled in Samford Valley, and I work in Ipswich. Now, before the nay-sayers all come on, we settled here so the children would be based in their schools first, in an area we love, and I felt I had to be prepared to travel to where the work is. I can do the 50km trip in under an hour easily. As school finishes at 2.55 I can be back by 4. Traffic is fine, as I am against the flow most the way. I'm hoping with the 12 month contract, even if nothing else comes of it at least I should be able to get my provisional rego up to full, and have valuable local experience under my belt.

Hi there PatW, We've been over here for nearly 4 months, living in Samford Valley, would love to join your meet up on Saturday. See you then! Jim and family

Good luck with it all, and have a great time!

Have pm'd you

Being super tight, and always taking the view of "Why pay someone else to do something if I can do it myself" we started researching the possibility of packing our possessions ourselves, and loading the container. Headline figures then. Shipping door to door with insurance a shade under £3000. AQIS clearance $520. Packaging £100 (shipping deal also included £100 materials from MacFarlane packaging) Luton van with tail lift (I'll explain later) £100. Mate to help load £0. Tip for wagon driver £20. I also reckon I will be able to recoup some of the packaging by selling on in Australia. Timeline. Loaded container 18 June, container left UK 26 June, arrived in Brisbane 1 August, AQIS inspection 5 August delivered to property 13 August. 7 weeks door to door sole use 20' and we were told this was a week late. We used a business trading as "shipit", also known as 1st Move International. Also out there was "Ewepack" which looked about the same. From first contact with Shipit I was impressed by speed of response by their team, and they were always able to answer my queries. We had started packing bits and pieces months before, and storing it in the garage, and ebaying a load of stuff that we couldn't take or was coming to the end of its useful life. Buying the packaging materials in bulk is clearly the best value and I think we got through about 150 boxes, plus about 75 other packages. In terms of keeping track, I filled in the inventory sheets as we were going along, and each box has a sheet taped to it with exactly what's in it, for ease at the other end. I marked out dimensions (width) of container in lounge to give an idea of space. As the date of the container got ever closer I made sure that everything was in place. Tessa (at Shipit) confirmed the time of arrival. I had requested 10 am, a mate was organised and we hoped for a fine day. You are given 3 hours to load the container before incurring a charge of £50 per hour, and this was my biggest concern. I had never done this and had no experience of anyone doing it. I knew that the wagon would just back into the drive and sit there until it was time to go. I started having a look at how big a 20' container is, and how high off the ground it is. How to get everything up to that height? This is where the Luton van with tail lift comes in... The evening before the container came I loaded all my standard size boxes into the van, arranged so that the heaviest went in first and lightest on the top. Everything else was arranged in the house in a rough order of how it could be loaded. I made a wooden ramp to get a sack barrow over the patio door threshold and we were good to go. The day of the container arrived, and fortunately the weather was fine and dry. Arranged for 10 am, we took the children to school and went back expecting to wait a while for the wagon to arrive. Just settling into our cup of tea when a rumbling truck comes into view. Game on! We have a big drive, but live on quite a narrow lane, so the driver had a hell of a job getting in, but did so after a few minutes of skilful reversing. First thing I did was sweep out container, then hung up my "Bone Dry" damp absorbers. Basically large silica gel packs that suck moisture out the air. Backed up the van and started loading boxes nice and tight. We were lucky, as the driver also offered to help, so that extra muscle helped. My mate who helped was really good at using all the space, making sure everything was good and secure. I bought a load of ratchet straps off amazon, but did not use them all. We easily had it filled in the 3 hours, I had to complete a shipping note with the number of packages and the seal number. Countersigned by the driver and off it went. I scanned this document and sent it with the inventory to Shipit, and that was that! Container got taken from Preston to Manchester, put on a train to Southampton, and left there on 26th June. I can track what has happened to it via the shipping company website, and track the position of the ship on AIS. I have had good contact from the people sorting it this end (Conroy Removals) and they have let me know when customs forms needed filling in. I did ask if I could be around for the AQIS inspection, but was told this is not really encouraged. Probably a good job as I would have probably got in the way and into discussions about the contents! Container arrived as promised. Contents of our container had been completely unloaded and repacked into a different one. About one third of the contents had been inspected. Anything with wood in it (lots of IKEA furniture, some carvings etc) anything that had been outdoors (shoes boots etc cleaned and polished, no Jeyes fluid used) and random assorted boxes. Also declared some new bits of furniture, used Dyson and some camping chairs. No worries from AQIS. All seems undamaged so far. Candles have obviously softened in transit, but not melted. Fridge freezers fine, I put some silica damp things in so no mould etc. Overall, don't get worked up about it, but assume any box may be opened. Overall, it all went far more smoothly than I anticipated and a lot less stress at this end than I thought. It has saved some money, and because we had listed on every box what is in it, unpacking has been relatively straightforward.

Thanks for your responses. I can't get over how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. Looking forward to having a look at the farmers markets. Edward looks great in his school uniform, and loves his big, wide brimmed hat!

So, we have been in Brisbane for just over 3 weeks and are having a great time. We feel settled and happy in this first phase of our life changing adventure.The few weeks before the actual move were just mad, in hindsight. Finishing work, packing up and loading the container ourselves (report to be posted when it is unloaded), plus the uncertainty of the house sale- finally exchanged contracts on the Monday, completed on the Tuesday, flew on the Saturday. Myself, Andrea and children Marie (18), Madeleine (16) and Edward (8) all had a lot going on before we left. Marie finished A levels, Madeleine her GCSE's and Prom, while Edward had an emotional send off from school at the end of his sports day. A Centre Parcs weekend with Andreas side of the family, and a weekend with my side all made up for a mentally, emotionally and physically draining few weeks. Flew with Malaysian from Manchester via Heathrow and KL. Bags delayed by LHR baggage issues, and they took nearly a week to get here. Fortunately we all had hand baggage with essential clothes and the most important paperwork. Flights OK. LHR-KL on A380 had good food, KL to Brisbane was OK, entertainment was only fair compared with Etihad last year. But we all got here safely which is all that matters. Picked up car from Thrifty at the airport and straight to Brisbane Holiday Village at Eight Mile Plains. We are in a penthouse apartment, which is clean, serviced weekly and "convenient for the motorway" Did a lot of the admin in the first couple of days. Picked up bank cards, opened Medicare accounts etc. Being a bit OCD with these things I had printed out a map of the area where all these things are, and what ID is needed, so that saved some stress. It is ID all the way, and thank fully all the paperwork was in hand luggage. Got sorted with PAYG SIM cards through Aldimobile. 12c per min to phones in Oz, but only 10c per min to UK! How does that work?? They needed sight of ID, and this was done by taking pictures of documents with the iPad, and emailing them through. I've been able to do this a few times, including a full property rental application sent through to an agency. iPad has been invaluable so far! Andrea spent over 2 years researching areas that we might want to live in and we settled on the Samford, Gap, Eatons Hill, Albany Creek areas, so in the first week we were doing the trawl around, and settled on the Samford area, as we wanted a bit of space. Armed with the new satnav we did the Open House trail on a Saturday, seeing a huge range of properties, and getting to grips with the way house buying is done over here. Agents were falling over themselves to try to get us into properties. We knew in our minds eye what we wanted out of a property, but ticking all the boxes proved harder than we thought. So we are putting the buying of a house to one side for a while, and have got a rental. This was easier than imagined. Saw a house, took forms away and emailed photos of each sheet, plus a shed load of ID. Offered 6 months rent plus bod up front, and we're approved in less than 24 hours. Got a 3 bed plus study, garage and pool for $595 pw We are enrolling the children into two local state schools. Samford state for Edward (8) and Ferny Grove Sate High School for Madeleine (16). Ed will be starting in yr 3 (he will be one of the oldest in the class, having been the youngest in UK, which we are happy with). Madeleine will be starting off in yr10, then starting her final two years in January. There is another family from UK starting at the school around the same time as her (18 August). We were really impressed with both schools, they felt right for our children. Eldest (18) awaiting her A level results, not really knowing what she wants to do. We can focus on her when everyone else is settled in! In amongst all this, we have tried to have some relaxing days out. Been to Bribie Island. Where I got pulled for a breath test at 11.30 am. I think they were suspicious of me not indicating, but using widescreen wipers on a bright sunny day. Still sometimes make that mistake now! Everything on the car identical to UK except indicators and wipers the other way round. Went to South Bank, wandered around Roma Street Parklands-beautiful, Burleigh Heads for the day, farmers market at Wynnum and the scenic drive around there yesterday, and Samford Show, which was great. Freestyle moto cross demo, sheep shearing, wood chopping contest, reptile show, pig racing, and all the fun of the fair! Moving out of this accommodation in a week, so have had to find alternate before we can move into the rental. We are going to have a proper break after the full on nature of these first few week so have booked 11 days at the place we were meant to stay in on Sunshine Coast when we came on our reccie last year before our plans changed. So, another busy week looms with buying and arranging delivery of a few essential for our new place. Container should arrive just as we move in, with a bit of luck Costs and prices. We have done most our food shopping at Aldi, as we were fully converted to them in UK. Over here not quite the same breadth of range, but we think it's pretty good value. Also popped into Coles and Woollies for bits- also useful for the discounted fuel voucher. Worried about what household things like new bedding was going to cost, having read lots of threads about it. Went into a huge K Mart in Logan and was really impressed by range and prices. It struck me as a cross between Argos, Matalan, Primark and Wilkinsons, with prices to match, so no worries there! Anyway, everyone's probably bored by this now, so I'll be off. We have had a fantastic introduction to Australia, and I hope this report may have helped anyone about to come over. I know I have gleaned a huge amount of practical information from this forum over the last 2+ years! Jim.

We bought a new car in our first week. Dealer needed to register us with qld transport so we had to provide the 100 points of ID. This was passport Medicare card and bank cards and uk driving licence. Very straightforward and far cheaper than renting for any length of time

We are in brisbane holiday village at the moment for our first 4 weeks. Fully furnished and serviced weekly. In eight mile plains. Shopping centres nearby. Clean and comfortable in "penthouse cabin"

The first half went smoothly enough. Packing and loading went as planned. Need to be very organised though to get everything in the container in the time allowed. Container on its way somewhere! Will post again on arrival

We have our self pack/self load container arriving this Wednesday. We are using a business called shipit (1st move international). So far the process has been fairly straightforward, and the customer service has been excellent. Door to door service, including total loss insurance (excluding AQIS fees) has come in at under £3000 for a sole use 20' container. We are happy to take the risk with damages, as everything has been wrapped to within an inch of its life! We have also been give £100 packaging materials from McFarlane Packaging. It is due to arrive in Brisbane on 1 August. Once it has all arrived etc I will post a detailed thread on here explaining how the whole process has gone.

Sent uncertified colour copies of new passports and Form 929 first class post to High Commission in London on Wednesday, and have just had an email Friday afternoon to say the records have been updated

Not sure, I just assumed post only. I'll give mine a few days and let you know if it worked out OK

From what I have seen it is relatively easy to use teacher reg from one state to apply for reg in another. However NSW is different. NSW does not recognise other States registration and vice-versa... I think...!

Don't think so. This is only needed if you change address while the visa is being decided

Just done this myself in a very similar position. I have sent the form 929, colour copies of old and new passport to the Australian High Commission in London. The info will be updated electronically, so not expecting any postal reply. It says they will email when the update has happened

Thanks Vandeux, extremely excited, bundle of nerves, but looking forward massively to Brisbane. House hopefully sold, and eBay looks like an online version of Stepoe's yard!! Thankfully all 3 kids are on board. I wasn't sure about the netiquette of quoting, so didn't bother this time, sorry if I've offended you!

I very rarely post, though both me and my wife both view posts and comments on a daily basis. This thread purely reminded me of the discussion a few months ago and I wanted to wish the OP luck as we seem to be following a very similar path with regard to children in a similar position. In no way was there meant to be any offence caused, and I was definitely not trying to stir anything up. I will be sure to be very careful in future in order to not upset others sensibilities! Only nine weeks, six days, GCSES, A Levels and a Prom to get through before we start our adventure!

Good luck with the move. I remember the debate a couple of months ago about whether your daughter should go to the Prom or not. It'll all go fine, I'm sure!

It was a very quick turnaround (but our application went in at the end of the old 175 visa- would have been even quicker without health issues that took weeks and weeks) Less than 12 weeks to go now! Notice handed in, container booked, started to pack up stuff and ticking off things on the "places to go and people to see" list