tina0101

I'm the same. We've just accepted an offer on the house, so it is going through solicitors etc. Some days I'm so excited it's a step closer and other's I get very nervous about random things that are really trivial (like stressing about renting a car when we reach Oz to get to our first location!). Just keep telling myself that everything that is happening gets me closer to getting on that plane!

How awful for you!! Hopefully it'll come through soon. I dont know why some people are quite speedy and others have to wait for ages. Fingers crossed it'll show up this week! x

We're moving to Brisbane in September and are going through the same conversations. First we were going to look at a move cube and only take the necessities. Now we are wondering whether a container would be better and take furniture too!! Good luck with everything!!

Hi I can't help on all of it, but if you check out my brightly coloured footer at the bottom of this message, you can see my timeline (it was my husband who had to do it all)! The police checks date is the date that determines when you have to enter Australia by, so we waited to get ours done. Some people get their visa grant really quickly, but some have to wait - with no real reason given. Hopefully someone will be bale to help you more. Good Luck!

I totally know where you are coming from. My mum has just come back from a 2 week holiday and since she has come back I have started to stress again. Trying to not show it too much, or say much in front of my son (GCSE's looming for him too!). I can understand her grief and how upset she is, but she needs to get over this stage (it's been since September) as we are leaving in just over 4 months. I really feel for you and your situation

Rupert is totally correct. We are pushing through it even though it is hard. I appreciate that we are breaking her heart, but it's the same for my dad and Rich's parents, yet they are supporting us through their sadness. You ou need to do what is right for you. If you stay because of her reaction, you may end up resenting her. I can totally ally understand what you are going through!!

Thanks for all this Tina2 and family of five. To be honest, we don't really know where we want to live in Brisbane!! I have looked online at Sheldon College and it looks good. We're just trying to get a feel of a few areas on people's opinions so we have places to focus on when we get out there!! x

We told my mum and dad in September 2013. It took until last month before mum would even discuss it with anyone. My dad, on the other hand, has been superb and has been trying to speak to mum on our behalf, but isn't getting very far. She doesn't like to talk about it as she gets upset, which is understandable, but we are leaving in 4 months and it's hard work and very stressful not being able to be excited when we are around her. At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you. Of course family will be upset - you are moving a long way away, but there is Skype/Facebook etc and as Quoll mentioned above, schedule in a holiday back here. Fingers crossed your mum comes round faster than mine does!! But you're not in this alone x

Bob, will this affect people who have already booked their cats? i.e. if we were to book our cats with you now, would the price rise affect us? Tina

Welcome :-)

We used Paul at Emigrating Solutions and paid under half of your quote. I would definitely shop around and make sure they are registered. I also know a lot of people on here on who have it without an agent who can also give you advice of how they found it.

Agent Aug 2013, EOI submitted 3/1/14, Visa invite 12/1/14, Visa lodged 15/01/14, CO 12/2/14, VISA GRANTED 12/3/14!!! That's my timeline (it's in the footer of my comment )

Check out my timeline for our timings - although it can vary depending on Visa etc

Hi Does anyone have first hand experience of private schooling in the Brisbane area south Brisbane in particular)? Our son would be going into Year 11 January 2015 and we are keen to look at private schools for him but there seem to be so many!! He'll almost definitely go onto university afterwards and an atheist, so some of the more religious schools are out! Thanks in advance for any help.

Kayak is a good site for flight comparison.

Paul from Emigrating Solutions was great for us.

We've looked on Stayz - http://www.stayz.com.au/. x

Welcome to PIO :-). This site is amazing for information and the experts on here are really useful. Also speak to an agent - we got a lot of useful advice on our initial phone calls round to a few and the guy we ended up going with was great both before we signed up and after. Good luck!

Welcome - this site has been invaluable to us with information and there is a wealth of knowledge out there, no matter how big or small your question is

The Walking Dead Game of Thrones Sons of Anarchy If you do have, does anyone know whether you're at the same stage as the UK or if you are behind?

You shouldn't direct your kids towards a career - what they are good at now, may not be where they want to be. At 12/13 my son wasn't interested in some of the subjects he loves now at 16. He still doesn't know what he wants to be, but we will always let him choose the subjects he wants and advise him as necessary. I hated IT at school and tried to avoid it. At 35, I have discovered I am a bit of a whizz with computers and databases!!

I was glad we didn't have to fill it out before they made it 30 years! That's going to be a killer for some people to remember!

I've just seen that the families were informed by text. Surely there's a better way to break the news!?!?

I've been enquiring about this as my son is currently in Year 11 doing GCSEs in the next few months and we are moving out in September. Even though he is 17, the schools we have contacted are happy for him to start in Year 11 there to do his last two years in their Sixth Form equivalent. You may be best off doing the two years so you get a decent score at the end of it. I know that means an extra year of schooling, but it'll be worth it in the long run!! Where are you moving to?

I had mine after I had my son at 18. Not sure why having a baby makes them ok to do them! It should be a lower age. It's ridiculous making it so high.