knittingmumma

Thanks Guys, will investigate all those options

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone can suggest a more affordable means for car hire rather than using Thrifty or one of the major rental companies. Im coming up in October to stay with relatives in the Sunshine Coast and need to do frequent trips down to Brisbane for house viewings (i hope) etc. We came a couple of weeks ago and the car hire was very expensive. If anyone knows of a cheaper alternative it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance

Hey everyone, We would also be really interested in hearing any views on schools. We are both in our early 40's and have a 14yr old and 5yr old. We've been living in Adelaide for nearly 3 years now but really want to make the move to Brisbane. We are looking at areas with a max of 40min train commute into the city. Would be interested in hearing about Manly, is there much for a teenager to do (shopping precincts). If we do move over it would be great to meet you all

Hi ya, We came over in Nov 2011 on a 457 sponsored by OH work. Whilst we have had it easier than some of our expat friends who have lost jobs etc, we have struggled in other ways. We have only just got our pr. In that time we have had no financial support from the government which we knew about anyway, and it was the tradeoff with having to wait longer for our visa to be processed in the UK. The thing we have struggled with most is childcare fees, and now secondary school fees. If we were in a position to have been able to spend more time in the UK before coming to Aus i would've stayed and got the PR. We have been obligated to my OH employer, and still are for another two years. We have family in Queensland and it would be nice to be nearer to them in some ways. You only live once, i know money is important but we didn't want to look back in our 60's and think 'what if'. Would rather try and fail than not try at all. As it goes coming to Australia is hard, but probably one of the best things we have done. I still miss the UK, the kids don't, and i don't think we will ever want to move back after experiencing life here. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to finally share our timeline. Nomination submitted: 21/11/13 Nomination Approved: 11/3/14 186 visa submitted with all paperwork: 12/3/14 Medicals done: 21/3/14 Visa APPROVED: 23/5/14 YEY!. I did send an email to immi yesterday morning because i do require security clearance for a job which cannot be obtained on a temporary residence, don't know whether this done the trick, although they did say that they are currently processing visas from March. Hope everyone else waiting doesn't have to wait too much longer. Thanks to all for all the advice and help they have given on this forum

our nomination took 4 months to be approved and our temporary transition stream has taken since 12th march and still hasn't been processed so it may take a while. You will also need police checks from UK and Australia as well as medicals. It might be safer to try and find alternative employment (depending on what you do), or trying for state sponsored - but I'm not sure whether you can do that onshore.Good luck, and i hope things work out for you

Hi, We've been living in Adelaide for over two and a half years now. Our first rental was a 2 yr old 3 bed in Glengowrie which cost $550 pw. We have since moved to an older but far nicer place in Hove which is a 3 bed 2 bath with a pool which costs $450 pw. Our living costs for a family of 4 per week is roughly $250 food shop, $30 petrol 1 car, $20 Gas, $40 Electric, Water $20, Health Ins $25, School Fees $40 (1 public secondary school child $20, 1 kindy $20). On top of that you have insurance etc. As far as mortgages go it really depends on what area you decide to settle in. Take a look at realestate.com.au or domain.com.au. The house buying process over here is very different from the UK. Good luck with it all, its not easy but its worth it. I would be happy to help or offer any more advice if i can.

Hi, we have been living in Hove SA for about 2.5 years now and really like it. At the moment the job situation here isn't great, there seems to be a bit of a micro economy is SA, i don't know if that is the same for all states. I don't know if we will remain here forever because i worry about opportunities for our children, but it is a great place to raise a family. Think there are some good places to dive here, also there is Port Lincoln with the Great White shark dives. Good luck on whatever you decide

Yes, we are in exactly the same position re. degree and skills assessment, will send out theses positive vibes for us all

I'm hoping it is too - its frustrating - especially after already waiting two years to be able to do temporary transition. You can always do the direct entry, just need a skills assessment

sure - civil engineering draftsperson. I spoke to them earlier concerning the medicals and they confirmed that we definitely did need to have the medicals done - so that was good. They also said that the processing time for this visa is now 6-8 months

Hi everyone, Congratulations to all who have been approved. For us, it feels like we have been in limbo since having arrived in Aus. I know we have had it easier than some in that my husband has had employment, but the trade off is that we haven't brought property, don't get any help with kids school fees, and i can't work because of childcare fees, still, hopefully all will be good if we get this visa. I have also been watching this post for quite a while now. Just wanted to share our timeline Nomination Lodged: 21st November 2013 Nomination Approved: 11th March 2014 186 application submitted with all paperwork: 12th March Medicals completed: 21st March Just waiting now, although i logged in today and under next steps the medical request has changed to 'medicals are not required for this visa' ??? - assuming this may mean that the medicals have been received ??. Anyway, will keep checking