pitrat

Hi, I have my sub class 100 visa and have to activate before April 2013, then I only have to live in Australia for 2 years then am entitled to apply for citizenship and passport. We have decided that Australia is not for us at the moment as we both have very good jobs in UK at the moment and almost paid our house off, so the jump to lesser paid jobs and massive house prices doesn't appeal at the moment! If we want sun we just book a holiday to Mexico or Greece, think this option to get away would disapear as flying anywhere outside Australia costs a fortune. Hope this helps.

I have the same! got visa sorted but got a really good job here in UK and think we would struggle in Oz to meet what we have here, mine runs out in April 2013 so going to validate it, then have 5 years to decide!

'Look back at our struggle for freedom, Trace our present day course to its source, And you'll find that man's pathway to glory Is strewn with the bones of the horse....' In grateful memory of the thousands of horses who carried men & equipment through the hell of WWI & galloped obediently into the guns at Balaclava.... And to the wonderful military dogs who risk & often lose their lives finding bombs which would otherwise kill humans.... [ATTACH=CONFIG]17376[/ATTACH] Could not agree more with that - a beautiful post, superbly put x

I know exactly how you feel! My husband had said in the past about wanting to move but his actions (or lack of them!) suggested otherwise. Kept raising the issue and hitting a wall of silence. I had to prepare his spousal visa application, study for a pharmacy conversion exam, try to find a placement to complete registration etc. He did....nothing. Finally lost it with him and his b****y selfishness. Said if he hated his job that much, then he needed to change his attitude or he would still be there in 10 years time and if this was his attitude before we arrived then lord help us after. I think it was the kick up the backside he needed (not that I'm saying this should be your solution, he was not depressed and everyone is different). He finally got chatting to a friend and realised what he was holding on to was the familiar not necessarily what was good. His place of work has a very negative environment and his work 'mates' were being incredibly bitter and spiteful about it (jealousy perhaps?) which made the doubts creep in, whereas mine were supportive and encouraging. He now has an attitude of 'stuff you' towards them but it took a good while for him to get there and now he is looking forward to a new life. Depression is exhausting. I guess if your hubby is struggling then maybe think of it as you providing the energy to help him through this bad patch. When you get to the other side and begin your new life together it might just be what he needs to start over. If you give up on the dream then what will there be in his life to change the situation? Good luck, chin up and if you want a chat just PM me, Pitrat's Wife x

Hi Katie, have pm'd you. Cheers Steve

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My husband decided when he 1st came on here, to start with reading about the people it hadn't worked out for and were returning. Don't ask me why, I gave up trying to figure him out a long time ago! Anyhows, at least this gives him a little happy moment to cling on to whilst he tries deep breathing techniques :wacko:

Thanks barbaitch, that was really useful too! No visa involved for me (husband on a spousal visa) as I was originally born in Paramatta in NSW - please don't throw me out, I've lived in Blighty for 32 years now so might as well be an emigrant :embarrassed: Funnily enough, when we traipsed around a bit, NSW and Victoria just didn't feel like home to us, not sure why.

Thanks for all the replies so far, they've been really helpful. Kazza - wasn't aware of the 'windy' issue thanks that's really good to know. At the moment, the head says Brisbane if he's annoying me :wink: and Perth if he isn't, but the heart loved Adelaide. Difficult applying for jobs as the size of the areas we're looking at is ridiculous, so feel we need to at least prioritize them somehow! Please keep them coming, Cheers, Deb

I could really do with some honest advice from people who have lived in 1, 2 or all 3 of these places! We are really fortunate in being able to choose where we live as we're not tied to a sponsor, family etc, but sometimes this can make life more difficult, so I think we need some help. Steve and I (38 & 40 with no children) are trying to decide where to head for - Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane. We have seen all three but at different times of the year and that's part of the problem. We saw Adelaide in Nov and loved it (especially like the look of Hallett Cove). But we keep hearing about how cold and wet the winters are and how bad the job scene is. Steve is a heavy diesel fitter (trains, trucks etc) and Adelaide doesn't look like the best for this type of employment. We visited Brisbane in Feb and really liked it (looking at the Sunshine Coast area). But although I don't believe Steve would struggle for work there, I believe he might struggle in work with the humidity - is it really that bad? And then there's Perth, hot but dry and lots of work, but I keep hearing about it being a total rip off now, with prices through the roof. So, if you have lived there, please give an opinion because we really don't know what to do. Cheers Debbie & Steve

Hi Shelly - have pm'd you!

As stated on the High Commission website in London: Identification document required for the Australian parent of the child The parent’s: Australian birth certificate issued before 20 August 1986, or Australian passport issued after 1 July 2005, or Australian citizenship certificate or naturalisation certificate So really, if your husband has his birth certificate, he can apply for your son's registration already and doesn't need other citizenship evidence. Of course, if you're planning to go to Australia, your husband will be needing his passport too :biggrin:

Hi there You don't need to worry - he IS Australian! I was born in 1971 in NSW and very similar to your husband, moved to UK when I was eight gaining British citizenship. I applied for and received my Australian passport without any problems. Because of WHEN he was born, unless one of his parent was a diplomat or consular official he will have no problem. I was told not to bother with a citizenship certificate, just get the passport, that makes you a citizen by birth and covers everything. Oh, and he didn't give up citizenship, he is a dual national! http://www.uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/PptsApply Application for an Australian Passport Overseas - Form PC8 Downloadable form to complete but will require a trip to London I'm afraid! Hope that helps Pitrat's Wife

Hi all, just joined and wanted to pick some brains! We are coming over in Feb to SA, possibly around the Hallet cove area, as my wife is Australian and wants to return home. I will be coming over on a permanent resident visa (sub class 100). I am a fully qualified mechanic/diesel fitter and also have 10yrs experience as a rail technician fixing and overhauling rolling stock, does anyone know how or where I would best to start looking for employment in any of these roles? I have worked on all types of vehicles in the private and public sector such as cars, light vans, buses, coaches, heavy goods wagons and trailers and also trains (fault finding, general maintenance and overhaul). I can adapt fast to any workshop conditions or work alone as have done on call recovery and breakdown in the past. Any help gladly received. Just to finish, my wife is a pharmacist and just waiting to sit her conversion exam so if anyone knows of any pharmacy's or hospitals that looking to employ would be a great help. Sorry to be demanding first off but will be using the site and giving my help if I can to anyone in the future, I was advised to be bold and network so have put this out in the hope of help! Thanks for taking the time to read, hope someone can help. Steve.