TheBellMan

Thanks for your responses. We had originally looked at the 186 but this appears to present us with more problems. If we waited for the 2 years (although the notes on the website suggest we can't use the transition scheme because the nomination was lodged before 1st July 12) then our son would need to take a year out before starting Uni. He would then be over 18 so couldn't be included with us and would have to lodge his own application, presumably a relative sponsored, which could take 18 months. So, in effect, he have to take a 3 years break. I can't see any Uni letting him in. He wants to do veterinary so, yes, the fees are almost £300k. And, as the course is over subscribed, I imagine he'll find it difficult to get a place unless he applies after year 13. Skills assessment won't be a problem but there's no chance we will be going back to the UK (we wouldn't be able to get the time off work, Oz is weird in that you have a right to holiday each year but employers can insist that you don't take any holiday n the first 12 months - bonkers) so we can't apply offshore. The notes say you can apply on shore if you have only worked in Oz for a short time - does anyone know what is meant by 'only briefly'? Does anyone know a good migration agent in the Melbourne area?

Afternoon all We've recently arrived in Melbourne on a 457 visa (long stay business sponsored). The employer has paid for the 457 but has also agreed to sponsor for perm res, but we'll be covering the cost ourselves. Our son is due to start Uni in Jan 2014 so we need to get perm res before then (otherwise we'll have to pay international student rates and we couldn't possibly afford for him to go at $280,000 for the course?!?). All the visa options seem to have changed. And the visa we thought we needed can only be applied for offshore. Can anyone give me some pointers as to which visa we should be looking at? Or share their experience? Cheers!

Hopefully there's someone out there who can give us some guidance. We'll be landing in Melbourne around 3rd Sept and start work on Thursday 13th Sept. We're a family of 4 (2 teenage kids) and I'm struggling to sort out initial accommodation for when we arrive. The agents don't seem to be interested unless we can attend for a viewing. What did other expats do on arrival and how long does it usually take to sort out a rental? Obviously we only have 2 weeks before we start work and would like to have an 'address' by then.

We've already got things underway on our personal pensions. It was just the state pension we were wondering about. It's about £400 per year so I think we'll probably go ahead and get the 30 years paid up.

Wifey and I are in our early 40s and are going to Oz on a 457 at end of August. The Company are going to sponsor for the Perm Emp Sponsored visa too once we arrive. So, we're just trying to tie up the financial side of things and we've just had a statement from the revenue about credits towards state pension. Both of us have 24 qualifying years, so 6 short of the 30 required. We were thinking that we'd pay voluntary contributions to bring us up to the 30 qualifying years. I know that UK state pension is frozen at whatever it is at the time you move. So in 25 years time we'll be able to afford a loaf of bread a week. So, what to do??? Wifey's job will pay $11,000 into a Super fund. Are we better off putting the money that we'd used for the voluntary contributions into a private pension in Oz? Or should we pay HMRC so we have the 30 years, even though it's going to be next to no money in 25 years? Alternatively, the Mrs would rather spend it on shoes. Anyone had experience in this area?