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Hey Bob, Catherine has been looking after us so I really don't know. We confirmed dates etc but not sure it's booked. I spoke to quarantine here in Mel and she said that she thought we would be reimbursed the money we have paid to them for 30 days if he only does 10 and an email from animal imports au to say it was 380$ to change and re apply after the 2nd so think that's what we will do. I would pay anything to get him to spend less time there. He's my baby Will call Catherine on Monday. Many thanks,

Ok you can changed your permit and reapply. I spoke to the quarantine station today. (We are in MEL already) it. Osts 390$ but you should get a refund on what you paid for their full 30 day stay so no extra. He will need to do extra time in use though but I don't worry about that. So happy it's been reduced.

Oh no. Thanks for your replies. I am so sad about this. So if so won't applies after 2nd dec to fly their dog in on the 4th February or after their dog is out before him? This makes me sad

It's great to hear that all animals arriving after the 4th February 2014 now only have 10 days quarantine. We have our dog Barney booked to leave the 27th January with Pet Air. Can we change his flight to leave later so he arrives on the 4th? It seems silly that any dog who leaves after him by a few days would be out of quarantine before him! Please say yes lol.. Thanks in advance.

Oh so we may get it soon then? The MA said up to 8 weeks.

Hi there, Our visas were applied for on the 30th July through a migration company. I realise we may have quite a while yet to wait so how long approx did yours take? I have been checking most days to see if any progress lol. Just says health requirements finalised and processing commenced but it said that on the first day sigh..... Thanks in advance,

Thanks so much for the replies. Good to know that the quarantine isn't to far so we can go and visit. Pom Queen, thanks will have a good read later. Will feel so much better about it with a recommendation! Crozierfamily- we travelled with our little pooch before from UK-Brisbane. He was only 9 months then so he's well travelled. Quarantine is in SYD I believe (this was in 2007) so we couldn't visit anyway and I did feel the same as you. I didn't want to upset him by going only once or twice in 4 weeks. We have our first vets appointment tomo so I expect they will give us plan of action. I think quarantine is only 30 days anyway if all done correctly. As we are in MEL I can go very often to see him. Everyday if I need. Just to reassure him he'll be ok! So sad we are doing this to him again but hopefully we will stay this time. Its nice your dogs will have each other for company. Thanks again.

Hi there, Just wondered if anyone can give me any recommendations of a UK based company to transport our pooch to Mel. We move in Oct and he will be travelling 10w later (so we can find rental). Would like it to be a smooth as possible. Does anyone also know where MEL quarantine is located as we will be visiting weekly (hopefully) Thanks in advance,

Believe it or not we are still negotiating! It's at 170k at the moment (incl super) and I think we will settle with that. As most if you have mentioned we have had to take into consideration that I will not be working until our daughter who is currently 1 starts preschool. All being well we should be in MEL early Oct. Thanks for all your comments!

Oh dear! I really didn't mean to start all of this!! I guess we will be more than OK. We are making such a BIG decision. I just want to make sure it's the right one.

I really do appreciate everyone's comments. I really didn't want to offend anyone at all it's just that when we lived in Brissy (slightly cheaper I know and 4 years ago) my husband was earning 105k with no bonus and we enjoyed life owned a house and saved each month. (I earnt around 30k part time) I just wanted comments as Mel is more expensive and we have moved on 4-5 years. Gwolst where did you choose to live? Hubbie is happy to commute via public transport with a journey of approx 30-40 mins at most. We did look at Greensbourough. Is there else you could reccommend? Friends who lived there before suggested east side Brighton, Hampton etc etc I know they are nice but expensive (we would like 3-4 bed) thanks so much.

Well thanks for your comments!! At the moment we are living comfortably on approx 65k plus 15% bonus in the south east running 2 cars. I just want to know how this will compare? and what is considered an affordable salary for MEL. We realize we won't be broke and will afford to rent a nice place but will we be happily comfortable on that salary?

Hi there, I posted a while back about potentially moving to Mel. Well my husband has been offered the job and is in negotiations with his employer as we speak regarding his salary/package. We are no strangers to Australia having lived in Brisbane from 2007-2009 so we know that living costs can be quite expensive. So far my husband has been offered approx 154k (with a bonus package-depending on company performance of 20%). Would you say we could live comfortably on this? He will be working in the CBD and we will be renting until we get PR then selling our home in the UK. We have a 1 yr old daughter so I will be unable to work until she starts pre school so quite a while. We have a happy life here affordablity wise however we know that MEL is expensive and dont want to make a move if our quality of life goes down hill due to outgoings beyond our means. With a small child we will not be going out wining and dining etc but enjoy nice things and would like to rent somewhere nice max 30 mins from CBD (approx 700-850 a week?) Thanks in advance

Thanks for all your replies. I realise this will not be easy. Some days I am so positive and others I really don't think I have the guts to do it. My mum will be devestated and that will be the hardest thing for me. She is on her own and absolutely dotes on my little girl. I know I am going to have to work so hard to find friends and build a new life for us however I just know that ultimately it will be a better life for her/us. Initially yes I think it's a sponsor from his company. We plan to rent this time as last time we sold in the UK then brought in Brisbane and this was such a hassle when we had to leave. He will be working in the CBD and travelling to work by train so ideally we would like approx 30 mins out. Looked at a few areas on the net but no idea really where would be best. Ugh.... It's such a hard decision to make but if its going to work I will just have to push myself to make friends and get myself out there so to speak so we keep busy and my little one can enjoy it.

Hello there, Its my first time posting on here although not my first time emigrating to oz.. A little bit about us. Me and my fiance (now my hubby) emigrated to Brisbane in 2007 and spent nearly 2 years there.. took a while to get used to being away from family and friends however when we did we absolutely loved it. Unfortunately my husband was made redundant and we had to leave to come home (UK) Fast forward to now and we have had the opportunity to return to Australia, Melbourne this time. My husband is very much looking forward to return however I am still undecided. We now have a 10 month old daughter so a lot more to consider and I am very nervous about being away from my family when they has given me so much support as a first time new mum. Can anyone give me some advice about making a big move like this again with a baby to consider? Where would be the best areas to live for a family like us. Husband is working in the CBD. Any othere advice would be really appreciated as I am so nervous about feeling alone with a child whilst husband at work. Thanks so much in advance..