Birch4

Hi everyone,

We have been here for a few months. We left our 2 dogs in the UK one was 14 and died a few weeks ago. We are heart broken. The other dog is being looked after by a friend she's a Llaso Apso - anyone got any advice on best company to get her here? Also I have heard horror stories about smaller dogs not coping with the journey? Any help and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks - missing my fur baby X

Thanks so much to Pat and Bob for arranging the ex pat meet up at North Lakes yesterday! It was so lovely to meet everyone and have people who understand some of the challenges! Hope to see you all again really soon. Thanks - Lisa

Hi everyone,

I have forgotten the date of the North Lakes ex pat meet up. Is it the 17th September @ Aurora park? We have been here almost 2 months. Husband still struggling re getting an Electrician TA job. However, he's working and I have a teaching contract and a tutoring job too! Any other families fairly new here???

Hi there,

you would need proof of income or bank account details to prove you can pay the rental period you sign up for. Also usually your Australian Drivers Licence, bank account and Medicare card. One of the first things you should do when you arrive is get you ozzy licence and Medicare card sorted. Other stuff they might need is passport and copy of visa. They also require some references. We have been in our property almost a month now and signed a 6 month lease. It's a 4 bed typical ozzy home in North Lakes. There was no drama with this as long as you have the documents they require.

Hi everyone,

I have been here in North Lakes for around one month. I am a Secondary Teacher and I am constantly being asked to submit all documents and have them verified despite the fact I now have my QTC Registration. If you are coming here as a teacher I would advise you to get that done as soon as possible as it does take 12 weeks! I have some work tutoring kids in foster care starting this week - just a few hours a week. I have another interview with an agency tomorrow and despite having filled all paperwork and having everything verified by JP and scanning this and sending it I have to take everything again to be checked. I have registered with TRACER and then it is 10 days for them to process and start work - that is when you then get your employment number with them. Apparently there is a lot of contract/supply work around but might need to do the commute or travel over an hour or more for work. The commute to Brisbane which my husband is doing everyday is a nightmare! He leaves at 5am. He is an Electrician but does not have his Queensland Licence and he is struggling to find a company who will take him on as a Trade assistant so that he can work towards this - we won't be giving up though. The TAFE college no longer deal with the Electrical licence here. We called and visited. This post is not intended to be negative but realistic and honest. We have been out cycling everyday almost and the weekends we have been to beautiful beaches and wonderful places. It is NOT easy getting starting and established though IMO - I never came with rose tinted glasses but some days have been a bit harder than I had thought :wacko: Other days we have wonderful experiences and I feel so lucky to have this experience regardless of what happens longer term :wink: The Sunshine Coast is stunning and have loved travelling to different places. We have also been to the Gold Coast too.

Our son has been at school for just over a week and he is really enjoying it and he has made friends. My husband and son have been chatting to people locally via playing football on a Sunday at local park area. I am really sociable however, I haven't met anyone yet probably because everyone seems to be already in groups when we go to the parks etc. I maybe need to join a local group or something soon. Although it will depend on work. I am surprised how dark it gets so early. Anyway just a wee insight so far. Feel free to ask any questions and I will help if I can :-) :notworthy: Overall, no regrets and things I worried about before we came are not really worries. Things we hadn't planned for we deal with as and when they arise! And they do!

Hello Birch4

Sure are! Saturday 17 September (at the start of the Queensland spring school holidays), from 2pm til you have to go, at Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard (behind Bounty Boulevard School), North Lakes. BYO food, drinks, etc.

Any questions - about the meet up or learning to live in Australia - or if you want to meet up for a cuppa before September, pm me. (We've been here a few more years.)

If you haven't already, remember to get tax file numbers from the ATO (Australian Taxation Office), sign on with Medicare (NHS equivalent) and Centrelink (for child benefits, if applicable), Main Roads for Qld driving licences ... and probably a few other bits if you want to chat.

Pat

Hi Pat,

that would be great! We will defo come along to the meet up in September. We have done most of what you have suggested. Our Medicare cards came this week to my cousins and we have sorted the driving licenses and tax code I think my husband was dealing with that part. Moving to North Lakes tomorrow so I'll be in touch. We are not going to be far from that primary school I think. We are a five minute walk from the rugby playing fields with the bbq area at the back - if my memory serves me correctly - thanks! Lisa

november and June New Zealand offer overseas electricians a regs and practical exam. Passing these you are now entitles to a full NZ electrical license which is recognised in Australia and can be mutually transferred. If OH can afford to take a few weeks out if he wants his license asap then I'd say head over the Tasman and go for it. You won't have to pay for all this back to college BS and wait a year and an employer to sign things off. Possibly an option if he wants his license asap

Hi bobboe2016 - we didn't realise this and we have family in NZ and will look into this - thanks

if your partner wants construction labouring work to start with I would drive around sites and just chat to people. Construction is flat out, Both commercial and residential. Busiest I've seen it for years .

Hi yes - he is going to try and get some labouring work to start with we have been sending out job applications left, right and centre but once we move to North Lakes he is going to try and do as you suggested and see if someone will take him on to get a foot in the door so to speak. Thanks! Lisa

Hi AJ

Thanks - he has just contacted them but he needs a jobs first and then they will issue a permit

Hello again Birch4

That may be something I can help connect you with - another of the recent arrivals has just gone through getting his provisional licence and he should be able to help with the 'whys and wherefores' in getting yours.

Pat

Hi Pat

We are moving to North Lakes on Friday would we be able to hook up and chat? please? we are going round in circles here quite literally! I am still waiting for my Queensland Teacher Registration to come trough - that should be in another few weeks. Lots of proving self over and over again. I thought the visa and the IELTS was the hard part..... wrong!!!!!!

Thanks

Lisa

... and the next get-together will be Saturday 2 July 2016, again from 2pm til you have to go, at the same place; Aurora Boulevard Park, Aurora Boulevard, North Lake

 

 

You'd be very welcome!

Pat & Bob

hi there

are there any more meet ups planned? We are a family of 3 moving to North lakes later this week. We have only been in Australia for a few weeks. Thanks

Hiya,

my husband and son and I have been here for only a few weeks and would be happy to catch up meet up? Share experiences. Or indeed hear your views as you have been here longer than us. Let me know.

Cheers

Hi there,

we are a family of 3 recently moved to Sunshine Coast. Staying with family at the moment. Moving to North Lakes soon. My husband is an electrician and finding it difficult to find out where he can go to sit electrical license? Jobs are slow!! Applied for loads even as labourer and no one is biting. Are there any ex pat electricians who could offer some advice to us? Either here or face to face? Another wee question does anyone know if any ex pay meet ups are planned in Brisbane?

Many thanks in advance!

We are a family of 3 arriving in July 2016! Starting off in Sunny Coast as my cousin is there. Where we settle will

depend on work. Hope there is a wee meet up we can come to? X

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I have posted. We now have our 189 Skilled Migrant Visa and we are heading initially to the Sunshine Coast in July. I have been applying for Secondary Teaching jobs although my Queensland Teacher Registration is still in process. Has anyone had a telephone interview with SMART teachers? I have prepared some information on skills, qualities and experiences however, I am not sure what they will ask. Has anyone got any experience of this??:chatterbox: I guess the main thing for me will be to not talk fast and make sure they can understand me :yes:

TIA

Hi Wooba,

sorry can't help with question re car. However, I notice you are an Electrician. We were recently granted 189 Skilled Migrant Visas. I'm the main applicant as a Secondary Teacher. My OH is a bit confused if he has to have skills assessed here in UK or wait till get to OZ? Do you know?

Thanks! Sorry didn't answer your question..

Hi everyone,

we are well into the process of applying for our visas. Our medicals were on Friday. Visas were lodged and police checks have been sent away. My sons medical is classed as grade b - this is because he takes medication for a condition called Diabetes Insipidus. This has nothing to do with insulin or sugar. However, he would need to be reviewed by an Endocrinologist in Australia. I have a few questions and I was wondering if anyone can help? I will ask Go Matilda too. So far they have been great at answering questions.

So, grade b means that my son medical will be referred - what does this mean exactly? Does anyone know how long we should expect to wait?

Thanks in advance. Good luck to everyone going through this process! Not for the faint hearted :arghh:

Hi there,

I am in the process of applying 189 skilled migrant visa. I'm a Secondary Teacher. We are just at the stage where the visa has been uploaded and paid. We have been invited now to get our police checks and medicals done. Then a waiting game I guess. We have used Go Matilda to get us through the process. So far they have been fab. We are planning to go Brisbane/Sunshine Coast area. A bit scary when I see the work situation however, we are going to take it one year are at time and see how it goes. Pretty much keep the house here and rent it out etc... If it works out we stay longer then great if not worst can happen is we come back skint!! Lol

Hi drstu,

We have just lodged our 189 visas. I did procrastinate quite a bit with the final payment and lodging the visa. I guess it's like anything in life if you think too much then you would never do anything as you can always find reasons not to go. We have applied for the skilled migrant visas but have no job offers yet... Hoping that one of us can secure an offer. We are planning to rent out our UK house. I think when you have children as well it is easy to worry if it's the best thing for them. But then I think of the travel, outdoor lifestyle and experience we will be giving to our son. We are planning to head to Brisbane/Sunshine Coast areas depending on work. When are you planning to go? Someone recently said to me 'it's better to look back and say I can't believe we did that! Than to look back and wish you had' Good Luck!

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year to you all ?? we have finally lodged and paid the visa fee yesterday for our 189 visas. Go Matilda said that we should be invited to have police checks and medicals done within the next few weeks and if that is all good then there is a wee bit of a wait for the visas to be granted. A few months....

This is all becoming so real now it's exciting and a bit terrifying! ? We are planning to rent our UK house and take things a year at a time. We are planning to head to Brisbane/Sunshine Coast not properly decided. It will depend on jobs. Planning to head there in July 2016. So much to get sorted and do in the next few months. Good luck to everyone else on this journey!!

???????

Hello all,

 

I have been a regular reader but relatively infrequent poster over the past few years. I thought that I would give a quick run-down of my experience for current and future forum users, as my Australian chapter is coming to an end. I have found the content on this site useful so it would be nice to pay it forward. All of the below is just my personal opinion of course, and is only observed from my perspective as I have lived it.

 

Summary of my Australia experience

Became interested in a move to Australia – Late 2012

Job and 457 visa secured – Early 2012

Headed out to Australia – Mid 2012

Leaving Australia – Late 2015

Reason for leaving – Job opportunity overseas, looking for a change of scenery.

 

Details of my experience

Overall, what a fantastic experience! Having never really considered moving to Australia, I was offered a relevant job which I decided to take. I moved from my rented flat in UK with my girlfriend and a suicase each. The financial package was fairly good, I would say comfortable. My employer arranged the visa, flights and temporary accomodation. My other half secured a good position also within two weeks of arriving. This put our joint income up to very comfortable. We came with quite high expectations, but Perth has exceeded these many times over. These have been the best years of our lives, though have admittedly started to seem more ‘normal life’ as time has gone by.

 

Pros observed:

 

 

• Perth is a great city to live and work in. The lifestyle really suited us. I think the average person would struggle to completely dislike Perth.

 

 

 

• Despite being expensive for many things, we found there was a lot happening on the weekends for free or cheap. You can be entertained whatever your budget, if you’re flexible.

 

 

 

• Despite its questionable reputation on here, the 457 visa generally worked for us. Specifically the speed of being issued it (within a week of application), the ability to withdraw our super upon departure and the benefit of being able to bring a defacto (unmarried) partner on the visa.

 

 

 

• We had the opportunity to travel quite a bit around Australia. Did all of the main cities, Whitsundays and Barrier Reef.

 

 

 

• I always liked (and still do) the positive and upbeat attitude in Australia generally. The people, the media (usually), the service, the attitudes.

 

 

 

• The healthcare system. No complaints. We used (quite extensively) the public system and have no real complaints.

 

 

 

 

• As a cyclist, apart from the odd impatient driver, the climate and infrastucture in Perth is to die for.

 

 

 

 

• The country town mentality.

 

 

 

Cons observed:

 

• After 3.5 years, we did begin to grow tired of what Perth had to offer as a late-20s couple. Partially the place, partially our attitudes. We started going abroad for holidays more and started to look for other opportunities to move on.

 

 

 

• The pool of people here seems very transient, as expected. Many people who we had a bond with subsequently left. We found it harder to make new friends after being here some time when the novelty had worn off.

 

 

 

• The 457 has a few negatives too. You are pretty much ‘over a barrel’ with your employer, no doubt. This is reflected by our remunerations, which never really changed. I would put this mainly down to being on an ‘employer-dependent’ visa. With that said, you can move to another employer fairly easily should you (and they) wish. I had a couple of opportunities but decided to stay put in the end. Once 'the downturn' came, my phone stopped ringing anyway.

 

 

 

• Whilst we have not been particularly affected, with the exception of getting not much in the way of pay rises, the natural resources slow-down is noticeable. This has changed the atmosphere in the workplace but also the city generally. Things are clearly less bouyant and more people are struggling.

 

 

 

• The nightlife is lacking compared to other major cities. This didn’t really affect us and I actually took a real shine to the vast selection of bars around the city and suburbs. I could see how this would be a negative for people coming from bigger cities or who like lively night life.

 

 

 

• Perth (and maybe Australia generally) still has a ‘jobs for the boys’ attitude in the workplace. Not bitter about this at all, as we have always been comfortable, but quite a few people I have worked with have been under-qualified and elevated into roles because of people they know rather than what they are able to do. Some people I know have struggled against this with not much luck. The same would probably apply to me if I was out of work.

 

 

 

• I honestly think that despite our comfortable income and future earning potential, we would struggle to make a go of it here for the long tem, if we were looking for a reasonably good quality of life. The majority of people I know are in their early to mid-30s and can’t get on the housing ladder for example, or are moving into two bed places miles away from the city. ‘Cut your cloth accordingly’ and all that, but generally I think that its quite difficult to put down roots here financially as a migrant if you are trying to replicate what you could have elsewhere.

 

 

 

• If you lose your job and can’t find another one, it appears to me that things get tough very quickly.

 

 

 

 

• We always lived in the Western suburbs, which has been great (though pricey). I really don't like more 'suburban' areas (which I see as the majority of Perth) and find the extreme north and south Perth suburbs quite souless and depressing. The reality is though, if we decided to stay and buy, this is where we'd be heading.

 

 

 

 

• The country town mentality.

 

 

Conclusion:

Perth is great if you like a laid back lifestyle and have a secure job(s) with a good income. This ultimately made the experience for us. I know that people get by on a budget, but being poor here would be a lot worse than being poor in my home country (UK) in my opinion. If you can do a few years (or more) here without bankrupting yourself, I would say "go for it". Either way, it will likely be an amzing experience. If you need to stake your home and everything you own and are not sure how it will pan out, I would think carefully. I have seen a few people in a financial / family / personal mess due to taking a risk that hasn't paid off.

 

 

That's all folks. Thanks again. Enjoy Australia, or wherever you are or may be headed. I will check the thread occassionally in case anyone has specific questions or needs further context.

 

All the best...

what a lovely positive post! I'm in the UK planning the big move. Lots of luck to you with the next chapter :-)

Hi,

 

We are hoping to move next year to Australia... Seems like a slow visa process... so we have had the invite... What can we expect next??

Hi SkippyLou!

We are the same received our invites and my passport is out of date. Next steps for us to upload all documents via Go Matilda then for me to register as a teacher I think. Where are you planning to go?

Hi everyone!

We received our invite to apply for 189 visa! Now the hard work begins! I'm a Secondary Teacher and my husband is an electrician. Planning to head to Brisbane/Sunshine Coast but I guess it will all depend on the work situation for us both. Anyone have any ideas in general how work is looking in our professions? I know I have to register to teach and my husband will have other courses to do. Then schools for our son. So much to think about. Guess I better get the visa stuff sorted first! Good luck to everyone on this journey ?

Many people on several different threads have recently been asking me if I can predict when their invitations will come.

 

I thought I'd start a new dedicated thread for this.

 

My answers are based purely on experience and the data that is produced by the department of immigration and border protection.

 

*****The predictions given here are not guaranteed and you should only use them for guidance only.*****

 

The information that I will need from you to make a prediction are:

 

1. ANZSCO code

2. Occupation

3. Points score

4. Date of submission of the EOI*

 

(I don't need IELTS scores, or any other information other than the 4 above)

 

*If you make any substantial changes to your EOI which may affect the point score then you should include the date that you made these edits instead of the date of submission.

 

I can only give estimated answers on 189 visas. 489 & 190 visas cannot be accurately predicted.

Hi there, thought I'd join in here seen as we are patiently waiting..

1. Not sure of code?

2. Secondary Teacher

3. 65 points

4. EOI submitted - the most recent round in November

189 visa - invites didn't come of Friday due to a computer glitch. Think invites will be Monday?

Thanks :-)

The invite was the 6th at midnight in Australia, so they actually came through at 1pm Thursday 5th November, likewise the next invite round will come through on Thursday 19th November at 1pm in the UK. As to when Go Matilda will inform you I am not sure as I am going solo.

Thanks for responding! Today I realised I had these wee questions floating around my head. Good Luck!! :yes: