Nige Butt

Got here yesterday, and it's everything we expected and more! Loving Sydney...

How does Adelaide stack up in comparison to Melbourne and Perth?

Wow!

Anyone else out there think that UNITE haven't covered themselves in glory at Grangemouth? Just putting it out there...

You should get your HAP ID from DIAC shortly. You need this number in order to book your medicals at one of the approved clinics. I hadn't got my number after about 3 weeks, so emailed DIAC. Got the number and booked medical for the following week.

We're going to be in a similar position next month... my wife and me will be looking for opportunities to meet like-minded people. We don't have kids either!

Just seen on the news that the 1% is in addition to an annual increment. Is this true?

Cool, thanks Rupert!

Enjoy camping back here in UK, but wife not too keen on sharing campsites in Oz with BIG spiders. Is it a concern there?

They also weigh you, measure your height, a quick eyesight check (read the letter chart from across the room), and not forgetting the all-important wee-into-the-jar test...

Hey Matt, we did it ourselves. The process didn't seem too difficult, just a little time-consuming. In retrospect, I can't see how MA can justify the fees for simply uploading scanned documents onto a website. Perhaps it was simply that our case was simple, but for the price you pay, I'm glad we did it ourselves. It also means one less link in the chain.

Got the email last night - finally got approval of our 186's. I can't believe how quickly they were processed; application was only submitted on 1st August! We fly out to Sydney on the 28th Nov... To all those still waiting; keep the faith.

Hey Mark It's true. If you are in receipt of a military pension, then upon reaching age 55, it jumps as a result of becoming index-linked. Have a chat to a guy called Clive Herrald... I've heard some good things. http://www.globalpensiontransfers.com I'm looking to do the same with my pension when I come over there...

Not many blokes complaining. Somehow I don't think that if the role was reversed, and some surf dude was the focal point, there would be a storm of protest from enraged men...

Thanks for the heads-up guys! Iron Chef seems legit?

I'm loving this thread!! I've learnt more about the two protagonists in this forum, than I would checking out bios on the .gov site! Thanks!!

Andrew, Having only paid into the state pension scheme for 28 of the 30 years required for qualification, is it worth making the additional extra top-up payments before I emigrate? What do I gain by doing/not doing so? Nige

Hey Dave, I just (today) set up an account with Moneycorp. It was the easiest thing ever to do, and within an hour, I had a couple of emails and a courtesy call from a UK rep to ask if all was ok. Top-class service.

Michael, I'm not out there until Christmas (mustn't forget the sun cream!). Me and Mrs B will definitely be up for getting together with some like-minded. As you rightly point out - you're not the only ones in that boat, so let's see if this thread gains any momentum. Hopefully by the time we get out there, you'll have a whole network to introduce!! Nige