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Hi, sorry forgot to mention we were moving to Victoria.

Hi, Will be making the big move to oz in a few weeks and was wondering if anyone can advise me as to how I go about and who to contact regarding transferring my current qualifications. I currently hold an HNC in childcare and education and a bit confused as to what qualification I will hold in Australia or if it will even be recognised.

Hi Alison, ye it's all pretty much go here at the moment, and I'm starting to get a bit stressed, but once everything is organised I might feel a bit better. Are you looking forward to your move, how do the kids feel about it? Point Cook/Sanctuary Lakes was one of the areas we where thinking off, I hope you don't mind me asking but did you enjoy living there, maybe you could point me in the right direction of some nice areas or even other nice places you can recommend, husbands work will be in Derrimut. I guess my biggest worry just now is the getting the kids into decent schools, state or private? Can you recommend any? Sorry for all the questions, PM me if you prefer. Good luck with all the plans for your new home!! Pauline

Thanks for the reassurance. Whereabouts in Melbourne are you? So glad everything has worked out for you and your family. Pauline

Hi everyone, Hope everything is going well with your packing and saying goodbyes. We move to Melbourne the end of June, although very exciting, very daunting aswell......it's all becoming real! We have 2 children aged 9 and 11, does anyone have children if so how are they feeling about the move? Sympathise with you all at this time, the last few weeks must be the hardest, can't say I'm looking forward to it Pauline

Hi Tony, we shopped around and found that 'Pets on the move' in Ayrshire where very reasonable and transport from Glasgow to Heathrow to Melbourne. They were a lot cheaper than the other scottish company and some from down south. We just got our dogs blood results back today, and hope to contact them next week. They seem very nice and helpful.

Hi mmemmymooch, We are making the move end of June. Do you have any friends or family over there? Again like yourself oldest one has mixed emotions about the move, younger one seems fine as long as he has his dog and he can continue with his football...typical boy. It is very exciting and daunting for everyone.

Hi Angela, we move end of June to Melbourne. Daughter who will turn 12 in June and son who will turn 10 in July. Daughter has her days of being excited then days of being anxious about the whole school/friends thing. It is a worry, at least you will have family over there to support you all, which will be a relief for you. Pauline

Hi, prices can range from £1,500 - £3,000, but we will pay what it is to ensure the safety of our dog to Australia.

Thanks for the information, I suppose you won't truly be able to make a decision till your there and see at hand the schools and areas for yourself. I don't want to waste people's time by contacting them and then deciding when we get there it's not for our kids. I guess we really just have to decide whether to continue the children's catholic education. In general do most Catholics choose to go to catholic schools?

Hi, we are in the process of getting quotes from several companies, could you please PM me incase they are one of my chosen few. Thanks!

Thanks memmymooch, for info, just getting a bit panicky. When we arrive would really love the children to be at the same school for a while but just unsure of which type of school, state or catholic? My head is spinning!!!

Thanks gazl, will look into this.

Thanks gazl, that would be great.

Hi Nigsystar, thanks I have already got a quote from that company, and it was a lot more expensive than what I was quoted from Pets on the move from Glasgow. The companies from down South look good too but it is really costly to transfer our Dog down too them. Pets on the move are also transferring our Dog from Glasgow to Heathrow, the only issue I have is I haven't read a lot of reviews about them, although Bob from PetAir said they were good folk. There is such a difference in price between them all, I would definitely get quotes from a few before committing. Hope this helps!

Thanks mumoffour, glad to here you have all settled well, can I ask did the school place them into their year groups or was it your choice. My kids will be 10 and 12 in July, so just not sure where they will be placed.

Hi gazl, Have you just moved to Melbourne? If so can I ask did you make contact with the schools before arriving in Australia? It's just that we are coming over around May time to the area and reading some threads some people made contact before they arrived others made contact once they had a permanent address. Can I also ask how you found the head? Thanks!

Hi Kelandbri! Thanks for the websites, will look into them. We are from the North Lanarkshire area, and I know how you must feel, my head is spinning with everything. Where are you from? Have you decided where you are going to settle? I am just new to the PIO site but have found it very helpful as I'm sure you will too. Thanks again

Hi Kelandbri I too will be arriving in Melbourne around May/June time, and i am also a childcare worker in a nursery centre. My husband has a job to go to and although my main priority is getting the family settled, after a good while i will be looking for work too. Been too busy looking into areas, schools and pet quarantine etc, but when I seen your thread was wondering how you went about switching your certificates over as its something I never even thought about. Good luck with the job hunt!

Thanks Bob, will look into that.

Hi, will be moving to Melbourne around May time and have quotes from a few Pet Travel Services. Wondering if anyone has used the Scottish one...Pets on the move. The other ones down south are quite expensive and means we would need to take the dog to them, or they would transport them by road. Just wondering what other fellow Scots done in this situation, and how their pets coped with it all.

Moving to Victoria area in May and understand school years are different in each state, and confused with whole process. So could someone please clarify which year my children will be going into. Oldest child is 11 and will be 12 in June, my other child is 9 and will be 10 in July. Also there seems to be different opinions on wether or not contact can be made with the school regarding a place for your child. Can this be done before we come over or do you have to be in permanent residency? Pauline

Hi Nikki, and Paula would really love to here how your getting on, and which area and schools you decided on. I too have children aged 9 and 11 and are hoping to move to the Sanctuary Lakes/Point Cook area around May/June time. Pauline

Thanks both for your honest advice. I know you can read the websites but its good to here real opinions. Glad to here your settling into your new life in oz Claire. Can I just ask do you think it made a big difference, your girls being at the same school to begin with?

Thank you both