crankin83

Hi Everyone, Thought I'd post my timeline as we just had our ceremony today! For info, our applications were linked. Timeline for me Application submitted: 26th November 2017 Test Date: 29th October 2018 Approved: 29th October 2018 Ceremony Date: 24th February 2019 (Inner West Council, NSW). Almost 15 months to the day Timeline for my partner Application submitted: 26th November 2017 Test Date: 29th October 2018 Request for more info: 1st Nov 2018 (with 4 weeks to provide) Approved: 4th January 2019 Ceremony Date: 24th February 2019 (Inner West Council, NSW)

Hi, If anyone's moving and needs a TV crate, we have one that will fit a 46inch LCD / Plasma (It also fit the glass from our TV stand too). Free to anyone who'll pick it up from North Sydney.

We were told upfront about the customs charge (which you pay once its all arrived) and were also warned that there might be extra charges if you're weren't on the ground floor or had awkward access (long walk from van to house for example). We did pay 15 pounds in case the container had to be de-contaminated, slightly scaremongoring as they warn you that 'if' it happens it could cost $$$, but I didn't want the worry personally. They were very clear all all the individual costs though and that if you had to store it at this end then it would cost extra.

As a bit of background we were part-furnished in the UK and timeline wise, we shipped everything and moved about a week later so have had 3 months in Oz (1 month in a serviced apartment, 2 months in our unfurnished rental ) before everything turned up at this end. So I'm really glad I realised I shouldn't ship my kettle as I would really need one before the stuff turned up! We only had limited furniture though so had to buy stuff anyway, however its worth knowing that its really hard to find furnished rentals here (I'm in Sydney) so its worth thinking about that side of it. Thinking about my stuff, I wish we'd sold our TV (and surround system), my other half was out of work to start with (we moved on my job/visa) and there's only so much time you can spend job hunting, studying etc and we ended up buying a TV and the surround was very much geared to the old house and lifestyle. With that I'd also have sold the TV stand. There are more clothes I should have dumped. Maybe we should have put some of the cutlery in the suitcases (we did bring a few cups bizarrely) but all that sort of stuff we had to buy some anyway but I now have so many plates and knives its stupid! I think the best advice is just to think about where you're going to be when you're not with your stuff and are you gong to have to buy in the interim anyway. Don't get me wrong I would have shipped my dinner plates as I like the set but maybe the toaster was a waste! Also, be prepared for any towels / bedding / clothes you ship to smell really stale and they'll all need to be washed (11 loads in I'm still going!) Unfortunately a lot of the stuff we shipped, isn't as useful in the place we're living but in a different rental it might have been (which really doesn't help I know). What is good though, is that now a lot of it is tidied / washed / put away I'm actually glad I've got it.

Ok, so all the stuff we shipped from the UK turned up this week and I have to say my first thought was 'Oh Dear God, why on earth did I ship all this crap????' Second and third thoughts were pretty much blank as I really had no idea what to do with it all. We've now just about got the living room and kitchen sorted out but the spare room is full of boxes that I couldn't unpack (I'm a book fiend and I still need a bookcase) plus the bikes and other assorted items. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and whilst I don't regret shipping everything, as at the time we didn't know which of it would prove useful / needed / wanted, I do wish we had used more of our time to clear out what was truly never going to be of use (or wanted) before the shipping guys turned up. Not sure we had any spare time but it would have made my life a little easier this last week!

Hi, We used John Mason Intl and our stuff has just turned up at this end. Apart from one broken casserole dish so far, everything seems to be ok. The UK staff were really helpful and answered all my last minute (probably stupid) questions. Good luck with the move

We stayed in North Sydney when we first came over which isn't too far from RNSH (although empty at weekends as its a business district) but found the apartment through stayz.com.au and apartmentservice.com.au Personally it worked out cheaper and more convenient to get a serviced apartment than a hotel room as we could buy / cook our own meals although still not what I would call 'cheap'.