Dorset

We brought over our BBQ, bad decision! Took ages to clean, and it cost about $100 to convert it to Australian gas (you should really get a qualified gas person to do this). New BBQs here are reasonably priced, and there are free BBQs provided in many parks. Unless you have something very special, sell it in the UK, and buy something here.

We are similar to you. Wife is a GP, came over on a 457, but got permanent residence on a 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Worked well for us, but don't know which visa is best.

I agree with all the other advice. However would add, you will be much better off doing your first year in a culture that you are familiar with. Expectations and pressures will probably be different in Australian schools from what you have experienced in British schools. Your first year will have enough challenges without having all the stresses of being in a different country and having to learn a different system, syllabus and how to build working relationships with Australian young people.

Count on the desktop being in transit for a couple of months if going by sea. We also had a laptop which we took over on the flight and transferred all our important files onto that to carry us over. Can't emphaise enought the suggestion from another poster about bringing some British multiadapters with you. I've heard mixed messages about whether broadband routers can be used here ... so we didn't bring ours and the one provided by our broadband provider is disappointing. Be ready for it to take some time to sort out broadband as you won't have an Australian credit history and many telco companies are not flexible about this. The don't seem to have such a problem giving you a mobile contract or pay as you go for some reason! We found the local library a life saver as it allowed us free wifi and use of their computers whilst we were sorting ourselves out. Also worth finding out whether where you are going to be living is yet connected to the National Broadband Network.

We took ours .... cost $100 to convert to the Australian gas and connectors. Add to that the deep cleaning we had to give it first so that it would get through AQIS and it really wasn't worth it. Of all the things we brought over, the one I wouldn't again would be the BBQ. I would suggest you sell you BBQ in the UK, and put that money towards a BBQ here. Lot less bother.

I don't know the situation in other states, but my daughter passed her UK driving test two days before moving to NSW. She had to wait to get her UK licence posted to her, but the day it arrived she went to the local RTA office and about half an hour later of paperwork walked out with an Australian red P licence. She will be treated exactly as if her driving test was in Australia, and will be on the red Ps until it is a year since she passed her UK test, and then on green Ps for two years before having the full licence. I hope it is the same for you in WA. All the best!

There is quite a bit of football going on in our part of NSW, but that is no help to you in Melbourne! Look out for a foosball league (basically 5 a side) running during the summer. There may well be a summer league as well. Prehaps contact one of the local teams and ask if they know of any teams running a summer league. Have a look at the notice board in your local sports centre. Hope you find something!

Although SA's policy is to only give the extra baggage allowance for permanent visas, they did give us a double baggage allowance on our 457 when we explained our situation. I think there is discretion given to their agents to consider each situation on its merits. My daughter was able to pay for an extra bag with BA when she came over. From memory I thought it was quite reasonably priced.

186 Visa Grant this morning. Timeline Nomination 28th July 2012 Nomination ack 27th September 2012 Application 2nd October 2012 Application ack 12th October 2012 CO 22nd February 2013 Medical 20th March 2013 Grant 22nd April 2013 (Grant delayed as CO wanted more information to approve nomination.)