Melbkitty

Thank-you for posting this - really helpful! I'm on a 457 & just waiting for my employer to submit my nomination any day now so that I can get my application in. Good to hear your nomination was approved so quickly!! I'm crossing fingers for a quick application as my baby is due in March 2014 & without PR I won't be entitled to Government paid leave - I know it's really cutting it fine though. Two friends have both had 186s approved in 2 months this year & my Sister has just submitted hers this week - her HR department told her it should be processed by Jan 2014 - unsure where they came up with that date however... Good luck with your medicals & hope you get an approval very soon :biggrin:

I just got travel insurance when I was on my working holiday visa (Post Office one I think) & signed up to Medicare as soon as I arrived. Just make sure you sign up for Ambulance cover also (I pay $10 a quater) as this is not covered by Medicare & you would receive a hefty bill should you require it uncovered. But the Medicare/Public system here has been much the same as the NHS in my experience. For some reason people think that you will be billed for emergency medical expenses even under Medicare but that is not true. You might have a wait for investigations/treatments, same as the UK, but I have received quick & efficient care in every instance since arriving in Aus. You just have to make sure you see a 'bulk billing' doctor otherwise you will be expected to pay the bill & Medicare will reimburse some of it.

Harsh - and would you 'drop' a friend who developed an alcohol problem too, being legal & all? By the way - addictions do not develop because these people are not 'decent' - there is usually a deep rooted problem whether it is low self-esteem, depression, abuse etc. I can understand 'giving up' on support when you feel you are getting nowhere and it is to the detriment of your own health...but 'not deal' with people who have dabbled in recreational drugs I find a tad Judgey McJudge. But each to their own.

It's chilly in Melbourne so I'm actually feeling quite Xmassy today! Have you put the tree up yet? I'm obsessed with mine, the lights go on as soon as I walk through the door. I actually fancied a mulled wine after seeing my UK mates on Facebook at the German markets, but I'm pregnant so missing that merry part of Xmas. Hope you can feel festive soon, watch the Snowman!

I wasn't saying 'it's okay to do drugs', I was pointing out that recreational drug use is very common & I think it's naive to believe that a select 'type' of person would engage in such an activity. I've worked as a substance misue counsellor in prisons in the UK so I have a good insight into the destruction that addiction causes, and yes recreational use can be a slippery slope. I wouldn't judge somebody as not 'decent' though because they choose to engage in such behaviours.

So Nigella (or anyone associated with her) is not 'decent' becuase she's dabbled in cocaine?

Of course recreational drug taking isn't restricted to celebrities & the entertainment industry - why would it be? It's hardly a new concept. And legal substances such as alcohol & prescription pain killers can be just as damaging.

I've also downloaded & completed form 80 to attach to my application

I'm waiting for my employer to submit my nomination which I've been advised will be any day now. I'm planning to make my application shortly after this (without an agent) so I've been collecting my evidence using the document checklist published on the immigration website, so hopefully submitting online will be straightforward: http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/186.aspx

I don't think it will do a great deal to her career to be honest, and she's admitted sporadic use rather than a habitual 'addiction' - whether or not this is true who knows! Cocaine use was VERY common amongst my peers when I was living in the UK - in my Uni days & my working days - amongst all kinds of professionals (teachers, doctors, nurses...police...).

Thank you Adam Gray!!! Ill be sleeping a lot better tonight (well I would if I didn't have baby feet in my bladder all night) - much appreciated The nomination is under the same code I've had the two sponsorships in xx

It does say 2 of the last 3 years on a 457 which I have (infact I have 3 - 8 days) so I feel reassured by that. Unfortunately with a baby on the way I don't have another penny left to spend on visa business other than the fee and my medicals I am considering waiting for the nomination to be approved before submitting my application which will delay processing but at least I know I will have less chance of a refusal.

I have asked one MA and he was not sure! I will try immigration although unsure how helpful that will be. I did find the following on the immigration website regarding eligibility criteria: Employment for the period of 2 years preceding the nomination The nominated person must have been employed and actively performing the duties of the nominated position for at least a period of 2 years in the period of 3 years, immediately preceding the nomination. Periods of absence on leave to which the nominee would be entitled under relevant employment provisions (such as annual leave, paid maternity leave, paid sick leave) is counted as time actually worked. The employment in the position must have been on a full-time basis (at least 35 hours per week), and undertaken in Australia. I definitely fulfil this - I was just waiting for my second 457 to be granted. I would really hope immigration would not refuse over this detail but I have read that the refusal rate is as high as 20% for 186s!!

Hi Blossom79 - I'm applying through the 457 transition stream so I haven't had a skills assessment. I have worked for my employer for 3.5 years on 2 x 457 visas, the last of which was granted in March 2013 - however there are 8 days in between when I was not technically on a 457 as I was waiting for it to be approved. So I wondered if I still met the '2 years 457 immediately before application' requirement. I'm just worried about losing my application fee & would hate to be refused on a technicality like this.

Just bumping this up!

Thanks Ben Sure Melbourne will be the same!

Hi - I'm just wondering where it says that colour scans are accepted? As all I can see is requests for certified copies. Thanks!

Hi there I wondered if anybody could help me with a question whilst I am preparing my 186 application - my employer is submitting my nomination this week. I am currently on my second 457 visa which was approved on 1/3/13 - my first 457 visa expired on 20/2/13 and lasted for 2 years, and before this I worked for my employer for 6 months on the working holiday visa (all in the same position). So there was a gap 8 days when I was on a bridging visa (but still working) whilst waiting for my second 457 to be approved. Does anyone know if this will be an issue for immigration? I have worked continuosly, in the same sponsored position for 3.5 years - there is just an 8 day gap when I was not actually under the 457. For personal reasons I want to get my 186 application in ASAP and planned to submit with the nomination but I am really worried about it being refused, and losing the fee. I am also unable to afford a MA for advice so any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks

The first thing my driving instructor said to me here was 'just watch out for the Asians'...

Vic hands out alcohol interlocks pretty readily, I have clients who have had them fitted for 2/3 years. I actually think the penalty for drink driving here is reasonable, plus a lower BAC limit than alot of Countries including the UK.

I'm quite nervous as I'm still a relatively new driver, not because I'm female. I don't see why I should speed or feel pressured to move lanes before I feel it is safe because some idiot behind me prefers to drive over the speed limit or needs to get home to his meat pie ASAP. As a P Plater I have only 5 demerit points & I refuse to give in to that pressure.

Don't underestimate the effect that being out of work can affect your self-esteem and create negative thinking in all areas! You think you can prepare yourself mentally for a few months unemployed but in reality it is very draining. It took me 6 months to find a job in my industry (I was seeking sponsorship so different situation but still took a while) and I felt I was taking a huge step back in a casual role in a backpackers so I could have an income - even now 4 years later I'm still not up to the professional & salary level I was on in the UK. Your self-worth can take a real battering and yes it can affect your relationships. I was ready to return to the UK and almost turned down my current job when I eventually received an offer as I was so depressed and exhausted (and skint) by that point. It was worth it for me to persevere though and I think it's a lucky few that have a completely stress-free moving/settling-in experience. Those night-time crying sessions wondering what on earth I was doing with myself are a distant memory. Wishing you all the best, stay strong and support each other.

I find that people I know in Melbourne are very conscientious when it comes to drink/driving - many have phone apps to estimate their BAC if they choose to drive to the restaurant or pub and have 1 or 2. I don't think you get away with drink/driving for long here as there are booze buses & police everywhere. I passed my driving test here in Vic & I HATE driving - I only have 5 demerit points (on my Ps) & continously have drivers up my a&*se on the motorway encouraging me to speed. It's really scary & I feel like I'm in a death trap every day - I sometimes take the train just avoid the stress.

I don't think you would qualify for a defacto even when you have technically been together for 12 months - even people onshore struggle to provide evidence unless they have been living together & sharing joint accounts etc - or have the relationship registered which, in Vic at least, requires you to have been living in the State for the previous 12 months. Is your occupation on the CSOL list for sponsorship under a 457 visa? Personally I would be wary of moving my whole life to Aus on the premise of having to marry within 9 months when you have only spent 3 weeks physically together in a relationship, and 5 months emotionally involved. However since you have limited options I guess you are more willing to take the risk to follow your heart. Good luck!:wubclub:

Hi Paul - we are alternating between my Sister & I so the plan is 2 weeks at hers, 2 weeks at ours (she lives 2km away). They were here for 6 weeks last time & stayed solely with my Sister which I know was tough going so it's nice to be able to share the load! They will be here when the baby is born which I'm really happy about & leave a few weeks after - good timing really as I'll no doubt be overtired & irritable. They also have a few trips planned without us which will give us some time to ourselves. I was worried about how my fella would go as it's the first time he's met them but so far I can't get a word in edgeways when him, my dad and my Sister's partner are discussing the World.