BenSwinney

NSW was the processing centre and occupation IT

Just wanted to add my information. Applied for TRT 457->186 on the 24th April 2015, both Nomination and VISA Application was submitted. Checked at 4.00pm and the Status said Application Received. Checked my work email not 10 minutes ago and seen an email from my MA, thought it was a request for further information ..... but it was an email saying my PR has been granted!!!!!!

We're using aldimobile, it uses the Telstra mobile network (most coverage) and unlimited Calls to Australian mobiles and local, unlimited SMS and 5gb of data and $10 international credit for $35 every 30 days

Word of warning. We are going shared container and our stuff was collected on the 7th March. It still has not left the UK yet and doesn't look to be leaving until at least the 2nd week of May at the earliest, nearly 2 months after it was packed up to be shipped. We didn't have enough items to fill a full container but had we known that it would be about 2 months before it even left the UK we'd have paid the extra for a sole use container. Not saying this will happen with everyone but just to make you aware if te risks.

I have spent the last two weeks visiting point cook looking at homes. We've had to do it without a car so its taken us hours to see different estates. Sanc lakes is stunning, and is an area we looked at, however the biggest issue with most areas in point cook is the lack of broadband. It's not a certain you can get it unless you live on one of the estates which have had fibre optic installed. My job is in IT so I need a reliable Internet connection so this has meant I have been limited to Saltwater and Alamanda estates. They aren't as nice as sanc lakes, with saltwater being nothing more than a building site at the moment. It's deffo something to consider when looking at homes in point cook. If the Internet is a big part of your life then you will be limited on areas. For us, the need for it for work, ability to Skype family etc made it a number 1 priority and something we've have to compromise on so its meant being unable to live in a beautiful area like sanc lakes. Hth Ben

Checkout Airbnb.com

We fly out tomorrow morning. *yikes* Just saying good bye to my dogs today, do a 50-50 share with the ex-wife with them, but wasn't able to take them with me Visited my Grandma and Granddads graves yesterday to say bye to them. Putting together the final touches to a few things today also, returning my company car, laptop etc. Not going to lie ... I'm scared and excited at the same time, but all will be good I'm sure of it.

I purchased off IMAN for my 457 then will swap to Medicare when we are in the country.

Mine and my partners was approved in 2 days!! *yikes*

I have just getting of the phone to the Australian Immigration Embassy in London and they have confirmed there is no "validation period" for 457 Visa's. He checked my visa and said I was free to enter and leave the country as many time as I pleased but could not enter after the visa has expired on the 5th of December 2016. I've now passed this information onto my new employer and awaiting a response from them. Regards Ben

The visa was granted 5th of December 2012 and I had a start date of the 18th of March 2013. The reason for the long period was the holiday period, the dates we could get from the shippers and I had to give 8 weeks notice where I work.

Good Morning all, I am due to fly out on the 13th of March to start a new life in Australia, however this morning I've woken up to an email from my new employer stating that they need to get an extension to my 457 visa as 90 days would have passed by the time I've flown out so I couldn't validate it. Is this the case? Do 457 visa's need to be validated within 90 days? I've checked my TRN number and it doesn't state anything about a 90 days activation period only that I am free to enter and leave Australia during my stay and not to arrive after the date my visa expires. There is also no Arrive before date on there either. I should add my visa is a 4 year and expires on the 5th of December 2016 I'm very worried now as everything was in place, shippers arrive on the 7th/8th, flights are booked. Regards Ben

Best of luck ... P.S. Newcastle is still the same good old place as you left it. Ben

Hi. Myself (31) and my partner (28) are moving to Melbourne on the 13th of March, so would love to meet up when we arrive. I'll be working in Melbourne CBD. Cheers Ben

Could you PM me the company also as we are just about to book one tomorrow morning so would like to ensure it's not them.

Well after 3 months gathering all the necessary evidence, answering questions I had regarding medical insurance etc, my 457 visa was submitted on the 3rd of December and was approved on the 5th of December! Not a bad turn around, although I suppose getting all the evidence together really helped. Just need to arrange a start date and me and GF will be across in Oz in the New Year. Ben

Hoping to be over as soon as the VISA is granted ... played Semi Pro and Amateur for the last 12 years so really keen to keep it up. Will keep a look out for teams when I arrive. Ben

Applied for a job. Got a phone call back saying they weren't looking at foreign candidates. Week later, call back again asking if I was still interested as they couldn't find anyone who matched my skill set. Two interviews via Skype and the job was mine. Just waiting on the 457 to go through and I'm away. Ben

There are study guides available around the internet if you look hard enough. There is also some excellent resources out there to aid in the study. Good luck with the exam. Ben

Hi all, I know it's an old thread but rather than start a new one, thought I'd tag on the end of this one. I'm looking to move into Point Cook when I arrive in November and was wondering regarding train journey time to Flinders Street Station. The PTV website indicates roughly about 30min via train but was wondering if they was best case scenario. Does anyone travel from Point Cook to Flinder Street, if so what are the train journeys like, are the coaches packed? Is the time quoted realistic. Is is possible to get parked in one of the few stations at Point Cook, i.e Laverton & Airport. I know they are opening up a new station soon near Palmers Road I believe. If I was to start work around 09:00am, would I be able to park at the station say from 08:00 or would it be a case of being dropped off there? I've heard the traffic to the freeway can be awful on Point Cook road ... is that the road I would be travelling on to reach one of the above mentioned stations? Any information would be great. Ben

Will be following this thread as you've mentioned all the suburbs I would be looking at when I get across ... please keep it updated on the likes of Point Cook and S Lakes please. Thanks Ben

I'll be visiting the sights of the lasses in short skirts and kebabs on Saturday as I walk through the Bigg Market to the Diamond Strip ... Madam Koo's, I'm on my way. Ben

I'm from the North East, Ashington to be exact. Moving to Melbourne in the next few months, just awaiting the 457 to be granted. I love Northumberland and I don't think it's possible to replicate it anywhere else in the world. The cold winters with the snow in the hills, then the hot summers lazying on the same hills. I'm really going to miss the place and know I will be back after a few years, but it's time to start a new adventure before I plan to grow up and start a family Ben

Thank you for the reply. I'm in the process of gathering all the information from previous contracts and set myself some time tomorrow ringing around trying to get some references. I'll speak to my agent and see what advice they can offer. Thanks again Ben