vickyplum

how did your medical go,OZ 2014?

I have just booked my medical (for 29 November) - am now officially SCARED!! Not looking forward to it...

I lodged my application at the end of August and was advised 8-9 months with a request to do medical and police checks after 28 November. I have a reminder in my diary to make the medical appointment at the start of November, and have lined up a teacher friend to sign my police check paperwork, but am otherwise busily planning a Christmas holiday

I worked for the NHS (not clinical) and there was a process for applying for career breaks. Give it a go - I'm sure they would rather see you back at some point (if that comes up), than lose you completely! I think there is a process for resigning/telling them you're not coming back, in case you decide that the grass is definitely greener Presumably they would get a fixed term contract to replace you?

I can't book mine until 1 Nov, as the clinic only books a month ahead and I need to make an appt after 28 Nov. So calling them on 1 Nov is a bit optimistic, in hindsight!...

I worked in the NHS for three years - went there from private sector and am now back in private sector. I was not in a clinical role but came into contact with various levels of nurses and consultants. Coming from the private sector where I was only rewarded for doing well / getting a good appraisal, I found it very bizarre (if not welcome!) to receive a pay rise every year (I was there until December 2012). I could be failing in my role or not fulfilling my objectives but I would still get a pay rise. I'm sure it's very different being in a nursing role rather than a support role, but there was no incentive to do well or carry out objectives because a rise would come regardless - obvs this has now changed. I didn't take advantage of the automatic rises and still did my job well, but I'm sure that's not the case with all the 100,000s NHS staff!

I checked the application form, as I didn't remember being asked about it. But it was there buried in with the rest. Not particularly obvious though which is presumably why I missed it the first time around...

thanks you snifter & George

I have heard from my CO!!! Opened my email just now and there it was, staring at at me. They have asked for further information "Provide your contact address on arrival in Australia. This should be an address where we can reliably contact you in the future when processing the second stage of your partner visaapplication." I have also been asked to do my meds after 28 November. Does anyone know if I should send off for the police check at the same time? Or earlier?

I'm trying to visit the ones I haven't been to, in the next 6 months or so - next stop... Liverpool! (in November, brrrr). Also need to visit Newcastle, Glasgow & Edinburgh at some point.

Go for it! Rent out your flat, make sure you have a financial buffer to come back to, and most importantly, enjoy yourself. You are in a great position for your age (I am 11 years older and still don't have my own place), so make the most of it and grab what's out there.

I can't remember the details but it's possible to check your bags in for the whole trip, even though they are with different airlines (I did this with BA and Qantas). Or you can request that you pick your bags up at Singapore (for example) if you were staying over in a hotel or wanted to have a shower & freshen up. But just talk to the check-in person, they will be able to explain it all.

Thanks Yak. Interesting that they ask for you to do your meds/police check after 27 November. I guess between now and then, they are busy processing all the other applications!! Exciting times!

Good news! Hoping that means my email will arrive soon too

I spoke to my partner and he confirmed that he friend travels from Wollstonecraft area to Darling Harbour ever day and sometimes has to go a bit further (to Ultimo area) 1-2 days per week. My partner confirmed that the roads are very congested, particulary Sydney Harbour Bridge, and that he wouldn't do it personally - mainly due to the not so good driving that is often displayed by local drivers and the fact that everyone he knows who has a motorbike of some sort, has been involved in at least one accident... So not much to report back to you I'm afraid, other than "be careful" !!

You haven't said which visa you are applying for, but my experience is that I submitted my application for a 309/100 visa (partner/de facto visa) and the documents I had to get signed, were: my birth certificate (to say that the copy is a true copy) my passport (to say that the copy is a true copy) Friends and Australian citizens who wrote statements to support my application, also had to get their forms signed. The statements I wrote and my partner wrote, did not have to be signed by anyone apart the person who wrote the statement (ie, me and my partner).

My OH has a friend who lives in North Sydney (but closer in than the areas you are looking at) and I'm pretty sure he scooters into Darling Harbour every day (not literally!). Let me see if I can ask him and I'll get back to you...

the only things you need to get signed are copies of "official" documents - ie, passport, birth certificate. You will need each document signing individually. Any personal evidence such as bank statements, receipts, letters etc, do not need to be signed.

it depends on if you go to North or South of Vietnam. I went in November (2009) and it was really rainy in the south (Nha Trang downwards) but much brighter and no rain the northern parts. And when I say really rainy, I mean rain like I have never seen before (flip flops floating off down the street, etc)!

I'm sure you've looked at other parts of this forum, but seems to me that opportunity/upwards economy are not reasons to move to Australia (any more!). But you have work, so there is opportunity of sorts, and you can always make your own opportunity too. Good luck with whatever you decide to do in the end - onwards and upwards!

Hi Chris I can't start to even have the experience or knowledge to help you, but can tell you, No you are not being a wimp! You are taking a very big step and anyone would worried about doing the same thing, particularly alone/not knowing many people at the other end. I am going to state the bleeding obvious: you need to look closely at why you are moving to Australia, what are you leaving behind and what you hope to gain. Look at all possible ways of meeting new people and not being isolated (as you say you will be working from home). Think about if you are ready to put yourself "out there" socially. If you go ahead with the move, give yourself a time frame of 6-12 months to assess if you think you are enjoying your new life. Would you be willing to look for other work if your current situation doesn't work out? Don't think you will love it immediately - it's no longer a holiday, it will be your life. Or maybe you will love it immediately and that will be your answer! You say you've been to Australia a few times before - so you know what to expect to a certain degree, but need to be realistic as to what will comprise your daily life. But well done for making it happen and for being honest enough to post about your experience at the airport (and well done Qantas!).

My timeline below - very short at the moment! Please join in with where you've got to so far

I really feel for you Sahara - it must be exciting being somewhere new but at the same time, sad to have left the UK/London. I have been to Australia, and found the suburbs to be pleasant but very surburban - if that makes sense. I definitely agree with whoever suggested moving closer in to Melbourne city centre. I have no idea about costs (I am looking at Sydney only) but could you downsize and pay the same price but for somewhere more centrally located/smaller? There are loads of cultural things going on in Melbourne and lots of areas in the city to explore, and there's St Kilda for the beach/seaside vibe. I think three months is going to be a difficult point in time. Personally I would wait until 6-12 months and then re-assess. If you're really not liking it still, then come back to the UK! And don't forget that all UK retailers provide internet shopping and can ship to Aus if you get tired of their shopping choices :-)

If we are always going to give the example of bad tenants, then yes, the landlord is always going to look hard done by. It's certainly a hot potato subject - worldwide it seems! Always many good and many bad aspects from both sides.

Me and my OH did this with our last rental (offering up 6-months in advance is not quite a deposit to buy a place) and it works a treat with landlords.