Tuosist

Hi Emma, we are an Irish / Oz couple with 2 kids moving to Brisvegas. Will send a pm

Hi tinkerbell13, what line of insurance did your OH work in? Make sure he has a robust 'Linked In' profile and connect with as many UK business contacts as possible. You will be surprised at how many will have international connections. Use the website to research claims managers, so you know who to contact direct. Type . 'case manager' into the seek.com search engine and you will see some claims roles in Sydney advertised. Re accommodation register with helpx.net or workaway and volunteer in exchange for food and board over Xmas. Start another thread...room needed in sydney immediately or Housesitter available Sydney over Xmas. Can you work yourself over Xmas / New Year? Good luck

Hi Strick, I am not sure exactly what your qualifications are however Rosny Park are advertising for 'Intake Officers' requiring welfare work background. Check it out on http://www.seek.com.au From my experience, you need a good set of thermal base layers living in Tassie and these might be utilised at any time of the year. You will get sunshine too, its just not as consistent as the 'mainland'. Enjoy the outdoors, you are in the right place for it.

Creative childcare ideas If working part-time (3 days) is an option for your wife, here are some ideas: If you have a spare room... In exchange for room, meals and small stipend (pocket money) you might find a student / au pair to live with you and complete childcare duties for 24 hours per week. Also consider long stay travellers from http://www.help.net or workaway.info who might stay 2-3 months at a time. Full-time working If the job offer is a good one, as its only 14-15 months before the eldest starts school (Feb 2014) consider sharing costs of a child carer with another PIO family... if it works out financially to do so. Other Some councils arrange free playgroups in parks. Council funded day care centres can sometimes be cheaper than private day care facilities...but there are waiting lists.

another handy link from a mother flying with twin toddlers http://www.doubletheadventure.com/2008/10/flying-with-twin-toddlers.html

I am originally from Tasmania. The state of the economy does not inspire me to move there at the moment. Definitely not a lot of action in civil construction or domestic building. With Gunns (forestry) taking a financial dive, a lot of associated businesses and suppliers have suffered in addition to the mishandling of the economy by the state government resulting in job losses. The good news is that there are many houses on the market so you can 'snap' up a high spec bargain.

Hello KateNollie I agree with Adjutant's post. Spot on. A baby up to 9 months would usually fit in the bassinet but not much older. Also the smallest infants get priority for a bassinet. Not all airlines will guarantee a bassinet. Malaysian did guarantee a bassinet for my 7 month November. 2011 My next flight is with Ethiad in February 2013 and they seem reasonably sure I will get a bassinet for my 4.5 month old however my husband and toddler are not guaranteed seats next to me. We were told to check in very early so they can sit next to me in the bulkhead seats. I have reserved husband and toddler in the seats behind me. Its best to speak with the airline direct about your requirements, ask for an agent experienced travelling with small children. When you have an infant, the airline normally feeds one parent at a time. As per the previous post, you generally can't eat with the bassinet up. Ethiad supply both infant and child meals. IMO you just have to buy a seat for the 18 month old. You get about £120 discount on a child seat. It will be worth it for you own sanity and the comfort of the child. The child will get meals. Just because the airline allows 'infants in laps' up to age 2, does not mean you should do this. RE booking a flight: I booked the last flight first leg on a night time flight and our infant slept most of the flight. It was mixed play and sleep for the next leg. This time because we are travelling with a toddler, we are flying the first leg during the day time and the second leg at night so she sleeps before we arrive. Sitting in a row where the seat arms fold down is useful for sleeping. A neck pillow or 'pillow friend - a brand' can be useful for helping the child to sleep as can a sleep sack. Bring anti-bacterial wipes and wipe all surfaces. Being close to the lavatory is also handy for changing. Bring a thin rug or microfibre sports towel to put on the floor so the toddler can play sitting on the floor. Bring some entertainment ie DVD player, Leapfrog, Doodle pro, kids games, apps, songs on an Iphone or Android plus kid size headset. Of course the airlines have kids tv however it might not be what your child is used to and therefore not serve its purpose. re DVD player, ensure long battery life and perhaps one you can also use in the car when you get to your destination. Buy some 'no mark' crayons / markers and corresponding colouring books or a small travel Doodle Pro if the child likes scribbling. I recommend buying a Trunki, the toddler can sit on it in the airport hanging onto the ears while you pull them. Great for your transit airport, saves getting a stroller out. The Trunki will hold the child's onboard items, toys, change of clothes etc. Whilst it states for 3 years up, my toddler started walking early at 9 months as is now 19 months confident climbing on things, sitting on the trunki and carrying it herself. when they get tired you can sling it over your shoulder. For a baby use a Sling to carry them around the airport and to board, not a carry cot, they are awkward. Whilst families often get to board first, its not always ideal for an active toddler as its good to let your child run around as long as possible before the flight. Changing nappies: take scented nappy bags. Put 2 nappies, wet wipes, tube of cream and nappy bags in the seat in front of you. Saves fiddling around with the overhead locker every time you want to do a change. Snacks: purchase disposable bibs. Bring food supplies for the child as they might not like the child meal. A small tub of wholemeal fusilli pasta with pesto, dried apple and other fruits, yoghurt rice cakes, cheese sticks, soft muesli bars - basically non sugary items that won't cause a sugar rush and are also not too sticky. Include premix toddler formula cartons (small ones) and take some powder sachets as back up in case the liquid formula is not allowed. Clothing: slip on or velcro shoes. no laces as these are a nightmare in security. Other useful items: ziplock bags ... for everything! pipe cleaner sticks to model with. rescue remedy (bach flower remedies) check out the Klutz range of kids 'to do' books and craft kids on Amazon altho nothing with lots of small bits. some of the sticker books are handy. useful links http://www.skyscanner.net/news/10-tips-flying-kids-secrets-travelling-toddlers http://www.coolmompicks.com/2010/09/7_tips_for_flying_with_toddlers.php Good luck and approach it with a positive frame of mind.

I was in the same situation last year. As the baby will be travelling on your lap it should not matter if you add the baby's details later. You just pay the tax on a standard fare for babies that travel on your lap. The key thing is that you might want a bulkhead seat where a bassinet can be placed, so see if you can request this at the time of booking. Some airlines don't provide luggage allowance for babies although you can always take baby equipment in the hold and a change bag onboard. Ethiad do allow luggage allowance 20Kg for infants. Emirates allow 30Kg per adult or child with a seat booked but not for infants. Travelling with children I can recommend Singapore, Malaysian and Ethiad so far...

Can anyone recommend a shipping company that does groupage for motorbikes from Ireland to Australia. It would be ideal if the company supplied crates that are Oz approved. 1 classic 1980 Honda cb 750 to ship. thank you.

Hi Ems4321, my husband has been offered a job too, due to the visa delay he is going on a 457 visa in the meantime. If I had known this at the start of this process we could have done the 457 months ago and be moving now! As it is, we go in February. The 457 visa process seems fairly quick and the medicals and character checks for the spouse visa are used so you don't have to redo them.

Hello Information and Questions! I will be moving to the Wooloowin / Clayfield / Nundah or nearby area early 2013 with my husband, baby and toddler. Like the OP Flossiestill we need to be located near the airport. I did a reccie last Christmas and was able to get from the airport to Hamilton / Ascot area in about 20 minutes going via Nudgee Road. I did not try the train. I liked the older style houses in Clayfield / Wooloowin obviously these are interspersed with modern abodes as well! Where to live? I am focusing on the Kalinga park end of Wooloowin. I want to be in walking distance of a decent playground. Wooloowin primary school appears to be well resourced and has a pool. You need to live in the catchment area to attend. http://wooloowinss.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=111&Itemid=18 The other option is Nundah.http://nundahss.eq.edu.au/wcms/ Catchment map http://nundahss.eq.edu.au/wcms/images/2)%20Nundah%20SS%20Catchment%20Map%202012.pdf Eagle Farm primary school is highly rated. Personally I felt it was a bit limited for space when I drove past and no green space that I could see.http://eagljuncss.eq.edu.au/wcms/ It does have a resource centre (Friendship Centre that offers academic support, so it might be geared up re dyslexia) Eagle Farm does very well in the Naplan results but then Wooloowin and Nundah State schools do OK too. http://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/qld/qld_top_primary_schools.aspx The second thing I am thinking of in terms of where to live is the catchment school areas for high school. Nundah falls within the Aviation High School catchment area and I don't think this would thrill me for my kids unless they wanted to get into the aviation field... http://aviationhigh.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116&Itemid=154 Kedron State High School sounds excellent and does well in terms of outcomes. It does take students outside its catchment area.http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/catchment/pdfs/kedron-shs.pdf http://kedronshs.eq.edu.au http://bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/qld/qld_top_secondary_schools.aspx There are also plenty of private high schools to choose from in the area. Obviously we can move to another school catchment area by the time my girls reach high school stage! I am however planning long term and I have noticed that people tend to stay within the same area over time as they make friends, connections etc (adults and kids) so I wanted to get the choice right at the start. I also wanted to be able to get the train into the CBD fairly easily so wanted to be near a train station. Conclusion I am leaning toward Wooloowin / Clayfield because of the primary and high school choice, good playground, access to Kedron Brook cycleway, a train station and still close proximity to the airport. I don't have a huge rental budget so if I could live in Nundah this would probably allow for a bigger house. If someone could advise about Aviation High that might be useful. Do all students in the catchment area have to attend or could they go to a regular high school such as Kedron? Fish.01 Any advise on nearby suburbs would be helpful i.e. Wavell Heights / Toombul. Thanks! PS Re education support for Dyslexia, I suggest you contact the primary schools direct to determine their expertise and resources. Perhaps it might be helpful to start a separate thread re dyslexia support in primary school specific to the area you wish to live and see if any parents come back with feedback.

We considered taking a sailing dinghy however our trailer does not meet Oz regulations. So we sold it and also an 70's yacht and we hope to find someone in Brisbane who wants crew! We are shopping work items not just domestic and there appears no barrier except wooden things which are inspected and/or fumigated upon arrival.

Helpful advice, thank you. I will proceed with getting my husband an alternate visa (457) in the meantime. The other posts were useful, glad to know others are faced with the same situation.

Completed spouse visa application 28th August. I was under the impression that it would take 5 months to process and then was told 8-9 months which means May or June 2013! We had planned to move at Christmas however have now booked flights for the start of Feb 2013. My husband will enter on a tourist visa. Due to the time lag his prospective employer is going to push through a 457 visa sponsorship so he can start working straight away. Can anyone tell me why there needs to be an 8-9 month wait? The 457 visas are processed in 1-3 months. The CO has already told us everything required has been submitted. Paid a hefty fee...why the delay? Surely €1500 covers and administrators time? I note they intend to significantly increase the visa processing fees for 2013.