Gav71

Hi Everyone, Does anyone in Geraldton know of a trustworthy cleaner I could use? I have decided to get a cleaner and can't seem to get a recommendation from any colleagues. Alternatively, if anyone is at a loose end and wants to earn a few bucks, I will pay a good rate Gav

Ok thanks Ali. I will check them out. Gav

Hi, Could anyone advise me of some decent furniture shops in Perth. I know the obvious ones like Harvey Norman, Domayne, Ikea etc but was wondering if there were any stores specialising in "high end" sofas and beds. Cheers, Gav

Civil Engineers are in great demand. However, Government (and in particular Local Government) jobs do not pay top dollar for engineers so if you are on a regional visa, you might want to engage some of the private companies as they tend to pay far better money. Obviously you don't get all the benefits of Government jobs but the pay is a LOT better in private sector for Civil Engineers. Hit the sites like www.seek.com.au but try to go for positions that name the hiring company. Avoid recruitment agencies if you can get dicked about a bit. Good luck. Gav

Hi All, Looks like I am about 4 weeks out from arriving in Geraldton. If you are there, or about to be there soon, let me know so I can shake the "Billy no mates" tag as quickly as possible Cheers, Gav

"We enjoyed life in Aus more and made an effort to do stuff. We say we should make an effort here but never do, I guess we have friends and family to fall back on so we don't need to leave the comfort zone" Does this statement not answer the question for u? The fact that u can openly admit that u enjoyed life more out there is the thing to focus on. Homesickness does pass too. I went through a terrible time after my first visit home but I got over it........ and I was on my own too. Furthermore, there is nothing to stop u going back to UK again.......... better to try it and find out it was the wrong decision than spend your life wondering no? Best of luck with your decision.

Thanks, I will check it out.

Sorry if this has been covered before but can anyone recommend a good private health plan which satisfies 457 requirements. Last time, my employer provided this as part of my package but I have been informed that on this occasion I need to procure my own. I have had Medibank recommended which seems ok. Any other / better suggestions? Cheers, Gav

This is very true. We all know how stressful and scary moving your life overseas can be and stuff like this (which let's face it, it pure fiction) can be very damaging. I am just curious as to the motives behind this. I mean, could you be arsed to go to so much trouble? Gav

Ok been reading through this whole thread and couldn't help but add my tuppence worth Firstly, as mentioned already, we all have different perceptions of what constitutes a good standard of living. We all have different perceptions of what constitutes extravagance etc etc so we all have to show a little latitude with peoples' personal accounts. I lived in SE QLD between for almost 4 years between 2008 and 2012. I found QLD pricey compared to the UK (from a currency exchange perspective) but was able to live to what I deemed to be a "high" standard. Now if, just if the cost of groceries in WA is 30% or even 50% more higher than the QLD, I still totally fail to see how anyone could spend $700 on a weekly shop and STILL go to bed hungry. I am sorry but most people would struggle to spend that much if they tried. Furthermore, a loo roll, one meal some snacks and milk for $200? Come one, the credibility of the problem disintegrates right there. The first few weeks are expensive and "set up" costs can really distort the bigger picture. A joint income of $220000 is a LOT of money and even if one did manage to spend $700 a week on food AND say $750 a week on rent, there should still be plenty left. I suggest giving it a couple of months, get yourselves straight and see how it looks then. If someone can't manage on that amount of money, something, somewhere is wrong. Gav

It's all good. I contacted Immigration and this is what they told me..... There is no limitation on when the dependant should arrive in Australia once they are granted their visa. It is recommended you keep the Department informed of your current contact details in case there is a change in circumstances. 457 visas allow for unlimited trips in and out of Australia. The length of time that 457 visa holders may travel outside Australia at any one time is not limited. If you plan to travel for an extended period of time, please email the Sponsor Monitoring Unit: WA.Sponsor.Monitoring@immi.gov.au So shouldn't be a problem. Gav

Ooh like what you did there.......... brought in the football analogy. Very clever........ you should be leader of the opposition Gav

It's his obsession with the carbon tax that is going to be his undoing. I appreciate it is a major issue but I honestly believe that if North Korea declared war on China............ Tony would cite carbon tax as a contributory factor. The guy is a nincompoop, simple as. Gav

I don't think I have ever seen a politician perform so badly in an interview. Regardless of political preference, this guy clearly demonstrated that he is not fit to run a pie shop, never mind a country. Taxi for Abbott!! Gav

Hi Everyone, Not sure if this has been covered before. Apologies if it has. My 457 is in process with my de facto named as a secondary applicant. Once the visa is approved, I can obviously start work right away with my other half following me over later. Does anyone know if there is a time limit for them to be there. If there is, are they able to come and go as they please without damaging the de facto status? Cheers, Gav