mattress

Thanks very much for the advice. I'll wait for a response from Fragomen and go Matilda first and see what they have to say. If there's any dragging of feet, I'll get onto one of the two that you've mentioned.

:confused: Ok, 190 it is then!! I just hope that these migration agents get things moving quickly.

Thanks for that. I haven't done a skills assessment as it wasn't required previously, so that will need to be done, I suppose. Is there an age limiting factor (points loss) with this visa, as with the 190? I'll email my employer now and see what their stance is with the 186. If I am willing to pay for it myself and they're happy with me I cannot see an issue......but you never know with bigger companies.

I've also been in touch with Fragomen's Brisbane office as they sorted out my 457 visa. I suppose i'll go with the one who can promise to get me across the line on time.

I've been in touch with GM but I'm thinking that maybe I should have got in touch with their Brisbane office (as I live here) rather that their UK one? I had to prove the daughter's dependence on us financially at the beginning of the year. Will I have to repeat the process again...in full? I pay for her mobile, insurance on our car, gym fees, tuition, 'pocket money - cash', clothing shops and regular $1000 deposits into her bank account. Just hope that it's enough.

I'm all over it and hopefully can get the ball rolling this week.

I've only got seven months before I turn 45, so I'll get onto GM now and see if they think there's time.....or if it's worth doing (financially) or just seeing out the two years. Many thanks.

I don't think the wife or the girls would go for that one. We're struggling to convince the girls that living in Mooloolaba would be a nice change!! I've got many years of experience, so getting the 60 won't be too difficult.......hopefully! So, it looks like the 190 is probably the way to go?

I'm 44

A colleague recently came in on a 190 visa with no issues but he is quite a bit younger than I, although much less experienced. I'm not sure if I'd qualify for 60 points...I'll need to look into it. The 186 ENS looks the most attractive option but I'll need to speak to my employer about that one. I don't see any reason why the wouldn't back me but you never know. I don't think that the skills assessment would be an issue. I actually work out near Dalby....in the middle of nowhere, although I live in Brisbane.

On the CSOL only. I'm fairly confident that Queensland are sponsoring my occupation but I will need to check first............................Just checked and my occupation is on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL) Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190).

Hi all. I'm just looking for some advice regarding my family's current situation and our desire to get permanent residency. Here's a brief outline of where we are currently... We came to Brisbane in February this year - me, my wife and our two daughters, one of which is now 21 years old but is financially dependent on us. She is currently undertaking some online courses (full time study) and intends to go to TAFE or university early next year (depending on course costs!). I'm on a 457 visa which should be converted to PR after two years with my employer - they've sponsored colleagues and there hopefully shouldn't be an issue with me.....hopefully! So, while everything is fairly rosy and all I need to do is another 17 months with my current employer before the process of 457 to PR conversion can take place, I really wouldn't mind pursuing residency under my own steam. I have no intention of leaving my employer or even changing where we live.....it's simply for reasons of security, cheaper university fees (sorry!) and allow the daughter the freedoms that someone of here age should experience (work, travel, etc.) without the fear of being classed as a non-dependent and losing her right to be included on my PR application. I was hoping for some direction on what path to take. I'm fairly confident that my employer will guarantee my job for the next three years (I've got more than that remaining on my 457) although they may not contribute to the costs of a conversion. Is the skills assessment route the only way to go or are there other routes......or should I just sit tight until my two years are up? Many thanks in advance for any advice offered :smile:

Dogs arrived a couple of weeks ago. Excellent service and worth every penny. Thanks PetAirUK! Just a bloody shame that the highwaymen at Sydney quarantine centre are about to triple the cost of holding them for ten days.

Like I said, it's the price of housing that bothers me immensly. If property prices start levelling off, the government just allow more rich Asians in to buy what's available and keep pushing prices up. How on earth people are supposed to buy a house is beyond me.......and the cost of renting is just as absurd. Something has to give.....surely? Everything else isn't too bad, in my opinion. I was shocked at how cheap new cars were.....cheaper than back in the UK.

We all flew business class with Emirates on one of their newer A380s. They were excellent - food, service, comfort, entertainment, etc. but the flight still knocked the stuffing out of us. Really not looking forward to having to have to do that trip again.

I don't mind the prices of beer in pubs....it's not too far off British pub prices (except Weatherspoons) but the cost of beer at BWS, etc is a bit of a rip off and discounts are laughable.

Beer and rent. Everything else I thought was reasonable or cheap. Shocked at how cheap new, non-European cars are.

I'm in Brisbane and there seems to be plenty of wifi hotspots around. All the usual ones, many bars/restaurants and the council have a few around and are looking to increase numbers.

We all had unlimited data plans back in the UK but as everyone has already confirmed, these plans aren't available here. It's currently costing me a fortune but we will all just have to change our data usage habits and either find free wifi zones or do most data usage at home. There are many plans available and I'm still struggling to find out which is best. At the moment, the rest of the family are on Vodafone's prepay packages ($35 & $45) and they both give double data for six months (I think). I'm on one of Telstra's pre pay packages as I need coverage as I'm working out in the middle of nowhere and they're the only provider out there.

I don't foresee any problem at all.

It's all good....she's in as a dependent. I've been told that she can do as she wishes over the next four years or until we get PR.....study, work or both.

I've completed the online enquiry and I'm now waiting for a quote!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/22/australia-property-house-prices

Who's buying this property...apart from the Chinese, Singaporean and those from Hong Kong?

It's very likely that it will be a permanent move.....as long as everything goes as well as we hope.