garyupnorth

It's a gradual thing, we were hoping and hoping and hoping that things were going to get better in Oz. After a few months they weren't so that's when I decided that my family and I were better off back home in the UK before we got sucked into the aussie way and couldn't get back. Hate to say it we've been back 12 months now and haven't looked back. Good luck on whatever you choose.

Could I ask that you go on the sister site "poms in Adelaide", and read the "plumbing thread" and "warning to plumbers" thread by Dalton, It's "bib and braces" stuff and tells you how it is, with both the pros and cons as a plumber and the training and the RPL for your cert 3 and the training required for your cert 4. It is factual and straight to the point. Its worth a read. hope this helps.

Just give your new employer your NI number when you start your job.

Our quote for a 20' container was $6450 from Adelaide back to the UK and $10k for a 40' container. Hope this helps.

We Moved back to the UK for a better lifestyle, better career, closer to family, more diversity in my life rather than the generic Aussie lifestyle, better build quality of my house, to earn better money, living in a country with old buildings history and architecture and as I've been there seen it and done it, it wasn't for me although my family and I have the life experience if living down under. The journey down under isn't for everyone and for you going back may be stupid as you are enjoying it ATM in Oz, but for others it's a right decision to move back and experience another adventure.

Good luck with your move back to the UK, only you can be sure what's best for you and your family. Those who are dissing your decision could very well be envious of your situation in being able to return back to the UK. I know people in Adelaide (who are friends) who cannot get back to Blighty because they cannot afford to, but are desperate to return to the UK. They too tried to encourage us to stay in Oz. You are very fortunate to have sampled the Aussie life and be able to return to the UK and sample the UK lifestyle.....if you return back to Aus in 6 months, so what, it's not a major drama is it?

Kent every time, Joey Essex is an idiot and I couldn't live anywhere with a reference to Essex because of him.

Avoid the 489 visa go for your PR straight off.

The growth and infrastructure in the midlands is amazing. The UK had changed so much in the past 12 months, from the construction, business and the financial sectors the turnaround in growth is noticeable throughout the country.

Ebay, Amazon or gum tree, all else fails try waterstones or WH Smiths.

That's a lovely picture. What a nice part of the country.

I'm sure that the wife will appreciate Australia and it'll be all forgotten once you are on the next stage of the process.

I did mine in Leeds, speaking was at 17.30 so from 13.30 till 1700 I was able to do my shopping, have a bit of lunch and a chill out and a bit of a wander around the town. No dramas and I was able to put my shopping in a safe place whilst I did the speaking test. It's just another hoop to jump through and part of the quest to get yourself down under. I hope you get the result you require and good luck.

I'm sure if you asked PPS, Pickfords, Whites, Britania or any other shipping company it would have saved a fortune and they would have advised what you could have shipped. They don't only charge to pack and shift they also charge for their knowledge too. Should have posted on here too, there's loads of advice on the shipping thread.

Need to see what the feed back is, then throw a few suggestions into the bag, I live in the midlands although prepared to travel a few hours. It would probably be a family pub somewhere central to us all and hopefully a great trip out putting faces to names. Back in Oz we used to travel miles to BBQ's and to meet friends.