NickJB

Thanks Ozmaniac, that's reassuring to know. Just out of interest, how do you find this information? I couldn't see anything like this on the gov website!

Hey folks, im planning to apply for de facto visa in April, but my current visa expires in October. Given the average processing time supposedly at 12 months, it seems I might need a bridging visa. However, I just read on the immi website that if you get a bridging visa but your main visa application gets rejected, you "might not be allowed to re-enter Australia for 3 years" Has anybody else seen this, or been through this situation? I'm terrified of being separated from my partner, as we are planning a family and settling into a new life together.

thanks all, very helpful, appreciate it!!!

OK guys, looks like the SmartRider card is the way forward... just one question though, I spoke to a lady earlier who said once it runs out you've gotta pay cash, so I guess you still need to know how much each trip is going to cost, before you tag on? Or can you go into debit and payback overdue fares??

Hi folks, Finally arrived in Oz, woohoo!!! Anyhoo, I want to catch multiple buses to get to and from places in Joondalup. So far I've been buying a standard 2 section fare for each trip. But can one ticket be used multiple times, or do I have to buy another ticket for every bus I catch in the same vicinity? In particular, I wanted to go from fairway circle, Joondalup, to Mullaloo beach (about half an hour bus ride) but need to catch 2 different busses. Would the same 2 section fare cover both busses or do I need a new ticket for each one? Many thanks!

Sorry for the delay folks... just wanted to let you know that my visa was granted today (23rd Dec) and I'm currently doing a little dance around the room!!! I was panicking... thinking I'd have to cancel my holiday, lose money and be effectively homeless in the UK indefinitely! Lesson learned -- apply for visa BEFORE making plans (doh!)

Oh jeez, that sounds like bad news... thanks anyway.

Hey guys, I applied for a 12 month visitor visa (600) on the 14th on Dec and I'm still waiting to hear back from IMMI. I'm getting worried as I have already booked accomodation for the first leg of my stay, thinking I would have got the visa by now I did have some correspondence the day after I lodged, asking for additional docs which I provided same day, but I haven't heard back since and I'm getting worried. My question is, is there a way to contact them to find out the status? The website doesn't give any clues to current status other than it's lodged. Has anyone else been in this situation and could offer any advice? Worse case scenerio is that I have to cancel my accomodation and find somewhere to live while the visa is processed, but that would be a nightmare and very costly Should I just sit tight, or try and speak to someone at IMMI?

Thanks Pom Queen, that's really useful advice. I'll bear that in mind from now on. I don't really care about being right in the CBD so hopefully I'll find something in the suburbs that is more flexible and affordable! I was also going to ask about dealing with agents remotely from another country and you've confirmed my suspicion on that too. Thanks alot for your insights!

I see what you mean. Yes, I've been looking at realestate.com.au - it's a good site but I just wish they filtered short term leases. Sure, some do detail their leases, but most don't seem to... so it's a case of contacting the agent every time to find out if they do short term leases. I guess I just wondered if there's a way to find these short lease properties exclusively, which doesn't seem the case. Ah well, back to contacting agents via email I guess

Thanks Kim, great tip. I'll head over there now!

Holiday lets are head spinningly expensive, not ideal for my situation. I'm staying for 6 months. I can't afford to spend $100 - $300 per night! Thanks anyway.

That makes sense. But $800 per week?! I guess it depends on location but that sounds like a posh CBD apartment for that price! I'm not looking for anything like that, but I appreciate your tip on pricing. I'll definitely keep that in mind. In the UK, there are many short term rentals available so it's a different marketplace entirely it seems. In fact, over here you are actually put on a 3 month trial period and then can "apply" to stay on longer. Seems like Oz landlords want you straight in for the long haul from day one?

Hi folks, I'm arriving in Melbourne (from UK) at the start of January and staying for 6 months. I'm looking for short term rentals in and around Melbourne but I can't figure out the best way to weed them out from the long term ones. Could you offer any tips on how to find them? Most of the rental websites don't have a filter for lease length, so I'm not sure how to approach this. Any websites, methods, etc, to find short term rental properties in Melbourne (or Oz in general) would be appreciated! Many thanks, Nick

Thanks Tickled, I think it's likely that I'll shoot for the 2 years employment on a 457, and go from there.

OK, I see, thanks. I don't have any qualifications but have experience to make up for it, so would skills assessment just look at my experience??

OK, I think I've figured it out. Basically, I have to work 2 years on the 457 before I can apply for temporary residence and/or permanent. The employer obviously has no obligation, but obviously it's in my interests to stay employed for those 2 years if I want to stay! Thanks folks! Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/sir.htm#apv

I knew it didn't sound right! So technically, there is a minimum stay with the employer. It's 4 years, right? I have to stay employed with them (or an equivalent) for 4 years, or my visa is invalid. Am I getting this right? I think this is what my potential employer is getting at too.

Thanks Joe. So if the employer fires me or I leave my position after say, a couple of months (worse case scenario!) would I still be a valid visa holder for 4 years and I don't have to leave the country?

Hey folks, My potential Australian employer wants to know if there's a minimum stay/employment period for the 457 visa. I've scoured the gov site and can't find any requirements that mention a minimum, but I'm sure I read somewhere that it was 2 years? Can any shed some light on this? Many thanks, Nick