jim bugg

Hi All, the group is still going strong, so feel free to post up when you get over, I'm sure Pat will be glad to pass on the next meet details. If your feeling lost before then, most of us like coffee and a chat!!

Look for a Getz, i have been running to work in one for 2 years now, and it runs on fumes, 650K's on a $35-40 fill. i would sell you mine but im in Brisbane

We bought over our allowance, and put in a few warm items just in case, and lots of hot weather items and stuff. A good point to note is, check the small print on the airlines website you are flying with, as for example, we flew with singapore, and in addition to the 40 kg per person plus 8kg handluggage, we could ALL also take on and umbrella, a laptop, coat (if you have a goretex, put the fleece liner in), and a few other items which could lighten you case a little.

Hi all, the comment on isofix is not strictly true, it was the case, but now there are seats sold in oz with isofix and no top tether, so those sold by the likes of britax may in fact be coded for use in oz and eurozone, so check first. i found out about this with the kombi i have just imported expecting to have to swap the serviceable seat belts for oz standard ones, but it turns out these codes are often on the label of many new products.

Hi ya, there are a fair few of us in the same boat just up the road in north lakes, there is a meet up every few months in NL at the aurora park, byo food and drink etc, see the link below http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/socialising-get-togethers/224689-looking-friends-brisbane-area-2.html

I will agree on the commuting issue, i travel in to the airport each morning and things are backing up and slowing right down from 5.15, so i leave from north lakes at 5 and its not so bad. so from bribie it would be an early start or a long sit in traffic. back up form about 3 in the afternoon too. 1 hour may be a little optimistic too , unless you have a really good run. The Bribie road is single carriage way most of the way to caboulture, bribe is lovely though, really quiet and awesome views, and lovely beaches, we found a great coffee shop along the coast road in bongeree. there are plenty of furnished holiday lets so you could try iy for a few weeks before you commit and see how you get on we used first national.com.au and stayed in bongeree

Hi all, We are now only a few days from leaving, PR189 was stamped back in feb, i just had to finish my work contract, then we were free to move. Im a licensed maintenance engineer on aircraft and the wife is an accountant, so im sure we'll be along shortly for some pointers to find work. Look forward to geting out to the sun next week, see you all soon at a meet up

i take it they are unlikely to erect the tent, just pop the bag open to see if it looks clean

For anyone in the future, it would appear, if you try to select (it says select all that apply) 2 catagories on the import approval online page, when you have filled everything in the page freezes after for hit the submit button, and does nought from then on, i waited an hour. Towards the end of the hour, i tried again on a fresh page to submit selecting just the manufactured pre 89 option, filled in, accepted and paid in 10 minutes. So, it would appear, only select one option to save frustration!! Now to wait and se if i get hammered on tax as the pre 89 option doesnt ask for all the 12 months ownership etc!!

well, this is great, i have now completed the online application twice today, lond winded as it is, and it would appear the system is down, as after, so far, 34 minutes the second time, i am still waiting for the payment page to connect!! not good, surely the system cant be this slow?

Hi all, Just in the process of submitting my vehicle import approval and have a question. If i am using a shipping company to transport the vehicle to oz and clear it through customs, then their oz based partner to get it registered and adr compliant, who do i put down as the agent on the VIA form? Also, i understand from the notes if its a vehicle pre 89, i put in the addendum for both pre 89, and personel import. Does this sound right?

we are also aiming to be in brisbane late september, me, wife and 2 girls (5 & 1) look forward to seeing some other newcomers!

We flew with Royal Brunei, and if you can cope with no alcohol, which wasnt an issue with small children, as the last thing we wanted was to feel hungover at any point, then they are worth considering. They are now flying 787's i believe, so comfy and spacious too!

Just had a look round, this is a good find, may not be as easy to navigate, but everything seems to be covered!!

We have been looking online for 7/8 seater 4x4's, then we can have the space to move stuff and visitors, but also get to some of the harder to reach beaches. seems like a good compromise with the pajero or patrol as they seem to last. Any thoughts?

I paid with a credit card, but be aware that even if you speak to the cradit card company to warn them that there will be a big offshore request for cash, and even give them a time frame within 10 minutes, they are still likely to bounce the payment the first time. not sure if electronic transfer is an option.

Grotbox is a perfect description for Ipswich, the upside is the choice of A12 or A14 to leave the place. Southall is on par too, along with luton, my thinking is anywhere that looks awful on a sunny day, really is past regeneration and just needs flattening!

we flew Royal Brunei last year, and to be honest, they were pretty good, if your not fussed on the whole drinking on the plane thing, which i wasnt with a little one in tow, then they are a good option. I would advise against the chicken meal that comes with a white sauce, its not all that tasty, well at all actually, but that is the only fault i had with them. We didnt get socks and a little goody bag as we did on singapore, but then we saved £300 on each ticket, so it would have to be a pretty good bag!! We had a stop in Dubai, and Brunei, which was nice to get off and stretch our legs, and tire the wee one out before going back to sleep. Staff were VERY friendly, and really good with the little one, and happy for us to walk the long way to the toilet to waste time and keep the little one occupied. All in all, we would use them again, although we do like a stopover in Singapore!!

Hi all, Im james, and amanda is my wife, we are hoping to be moving over in September 14. We got our 189 visa confirmed last week, so all is on track. We have 2 girls (1 &4) and will be looking to meet lots of new faces when e get over. We are both looking for work at the moment (Aircraft technician & Accountant) so if anyone if looking to employ either, please get in touch. We are both getting both excited and nervous at the move, but we're sure thats pretty normal. Interesting to read the comment on claiming back childcare costs, that will be welcome!!

Hi all, We got our 189 granted on Friday, just got to wait now till my contract finishes in July. 2 exams away from my aircraft maintenance licence, so all is going to plan!

Has anyone had a good experience with PSS, surely any company that that bad will soon go under! We are now in a position to book our removals, so will watch this with great interest. We have had quotes from PSS, John Mason, and Whites. Would anyone recommend any of them, or say really try **** instead? Any advice, very much appreciated.

We are just waiting on our 189 now, all the checks and paperwork are submitted and so far no mention of available funds has been made. But with the increase of fees last year it has cost (for a family of 4) the best part of £6K. If both you and your partner (if thats the case of course) are in eleigible jobs, it may be worth checking the cost of the skills assessments, mine was going to be $3600, my wifes was $479!!! made a huge difference and thankfully we checked.

it may also be worth looking at bigger cars, as some of the companies look at the statistics for the type of car, so a little shopping trolley that a youngster would be able to afford, may comand a ludicrous premium. i once bought a granada scorpio as it was cheaper to insure than a fiesta or corsa, go figure!! cheaper to buy to and sooooo comfortable

Its only a small tank in a kombi!! either way its a whole lot cheaper than the UK at the moment......for fuel anyway

What about varnishing stuff, or waxing? is it then not treated!! im a little confused on the rules too.