Matchams

Hi we are just doing this. You will need to fill out the P85 form and submit this with your P45 and P60 for the financial year you left the uk hope this helps

I feel your pain Kirra! We originally lived in Sydney for 10 years and became citizens there before going back to the UK. We came back to Oz but this time to Brisbane last November after 14 years in the UK and despite the job hunting, depleted funds, living on one wage, kids up and down, and having absolutely no friends, I wouldn't change it for the world. The job things frustrating though, 23 job applications later and still no joy. Things have def changed on that front with priorities being around tertiary qualifications and not actual experience as it was when we left. Have even applied for prior learning recognition to have that just bit stronger application - guess it's just a waiting game! Good luck job hunting!

Hi all, we arrived in Brisbane in November and absolutely love it. We looked at North Lakes which is lovely and up and coming but it hasn't a train station so was a no for us. Albany Creek and Murrumba Downs aree also nice places for families and fairly affordable too, but again no trains, although the bus network is pretty good. We chose Sandgate as it's on the coast, 30 mins from the city and right on the main train link, with lovely shops and places to eat and a range of good schools, but Brighton and Redcliffe are equally as nice too as is Taigum. Everything is pretty close together surprisingly so you'll be sure to find a great place to live. If you are planning on renting you need to be aware that it's not as easy or as straight forward as the UK and could prove frustrating. Very few agencies will let you lease a place before seeing it and before they have met you. If there are two of you on the lease then they will want to have met both of you before they put forward your application. They also don't show houses after 5pm and usually after 2 on a Saturday so you have to be pretty organised. They very rarely respond to online enquiries or arrange viewings outside of their prearranged open house times, and it's up to you to contact them about new properties coz they don't contact you. The good thing is that you can negotiate on the rent! Good luck all, it's a great place to be! Naomi

Thanks for the tips, fishing is definitely a goer. The main problem is they need their own circle of friends and I'm struggling coming up with anything coz of the time of year

Is there anybody in or near Sandgate who has teenage boys? We arrived here at the end of November and they are driving us crazy and we've still got another 6 weeks before they start school!!! Struggling to find any clubs or get a response from the local soccer teams - is there anybody out there in a similar position who fancies meeting up - have car will travel!:twitcy:

Hi all We're moving to Oz shortly and the kids are having major tantrums about having to give up their TV'- odd I know but they have progressed recently from a small DVD combi (the old fashioned box type that takes up half of the room), to a flat screen 32" HD upon which they play' their xbox and watch Sky - yes we gave in and go multi-room (teenagers, who'd have em!) - and they can't bear to be parted from it - even having been reassured that we will replace it once we are settled in our new home. However I was wondering if it would be worth shipping it out with everything else and wondered if anybody has any experience of this - will it work in Australia, will it work if we get foxtel, am I just best sticking to my guns and riding out the teenage storm??? Please put me and the kids out of our misery!:arghh:

Thanks for the heads up! We are so used to just heading to the local pub for dinner here around 9pm and staying til after midnight it's going to be a bit of a culture shock! Looks like a night in the valley might be in order once a month, either that or a number of bbq's and dinner parties to keep us feeling young! We used to live in Berowra just outside of Sydney, but that was over 13 years ago, but I can't remember things closing so early then - although there was only 1 nightclub in the nearest biggest town - not that we'll be doing much clubbing, just good to know for all the youngsters planning on visits!

Something else we're going to have to get used to! Thanks for the tip on Deagon too, I did take a look and it seemed like a reasonably priced suburb so at least I can cross that one off my list! :smile:

Thanks, this is great feedback and recommendations, really appreciate it! We were looking at Wilston too, which I understand is also close to Kedron, but it appears that there's not much to do there and everything closes down come 9pm. I know what you mean about Hendra though - oh to live the dream (well from what I can tell from the internet and various forums I've viewed!) We will take a look at Nundah and also Wavell Heights though, so thanks for the recommendations. I have to admit though, part of me is hankering to live by the coast and feel that when I'm home from work, I'm out of the rat race if you know what I mean, and the sea has a great way of providing that - plus sea breezes for whinging poms is never a bad thing in the height of summer! Thanks again!

Hi all, we are moving to Brisbane in October/November and are looking at good affordable northern suburbs that are easily commutable to Hendra. The ones that take our fancy are Sandgate, Bracken Ridge, Kedron and possibly North Lakes as an outsider. If anybody knows what these areas are like and also about the local high schools I'd really appreciate your feedback (kids are 13 and 14, both boys, both sports fanatics!) thanks in advance!