Fanya

Hi Neil, I have heard only good things about Mountain Creek State School. It has a really good reputation. My little boy will be starting there in January. Are you guys still set to move in August? It's a great time of year, beautiful sunny days without any humidity. If you have any questions about the local area give me a shout. We recently just bought in Buderim having rented in Sippy Downs for the first 6months. It's been a busy 12 months here in Oz but we have absolutely no regrets and our boys just love it!! My drive to work when I see the sea it makes me smile and I feel very lucky to be here.

Congratulations Jac2011 on the job offer. You will love Townsville it's a great place for families. The esplanade is lovely and salt water pool area is great during summer when it's not as safe to swim in the sea. Although as I remember they do have stinger nets. Townsville was a definite possibility for us. However having tried Mackay for two months we finally settled with the Sunshine Coast. 12 months on we have no regrets with the move down under. Miss family in the UK massively but live our wonderful outdoor life style here and our boys are really happy. Wishing you lots of success. Have you an in-patient job or community?

He he is a tool maker by trade, was a builder before we left the UK but been working as a fitter here in Australia. He used to commute to Brisbane daily leaving 5.15 to get to work for 7am. I have only been to Brisbane on a handful of occasions but I know I could not do that commute. The traffic is horrendous as you start to reach North Lakes. However you do what you need to do and he did it for a good 8 months. Luckily he now works 10 mins drive from home which is great! You out will absolutely love the Sunshine Coast and in regards to where to live there are so many great places to choose from. When we first arrive we looked at Coolum as we really liked the area but because of my fella and his work at the time it was more practice to look for somewhere near the M1 hence why we were looking at Buderim and Mountain Creek area as its 5 mins to motorway so less of a drive if you have to commute. It's 10 mins from the beach and boat ramps etc. 10 mins to Plaza. They are great areas and besically everything is easily accessible. Plus during the busy tourist months you are not directly effected. Good luck with the move. 12 months in and we have no regrets!

Hi Neil, We live in Buderim which is next to Mountain Creek. Really happy with the area. Everything is really accessible. Less than 10 min drive to the beach. We love Mooloolaba. It's near the motorway if you need. Close to all the shops. Really can't complain. It's really central for working anywhere on the Coast. Feel very lucky living on the Coast. Moutain Creek school has a really good reputation.

We moved to the Sunshine Coast a year ago now from Lancashire with our young family. It truely is a wonderful place to live but again not to sound negative finding employment here is not easy. My fella found work quickly in Brisbane which he took despite the 2 and a half hour dreadful commute daily. He was constantly applying for positions on the coast and was successful 6 weeks ago. I was fortunate enough to to secure a full time job with QLD Health prior to leaving the UK. Certainly not not trying to put you off and you may be very lucky with employment. However it is a desirable place to live and as a result there are not may jobs and lots of people applying. It may be worth looking for employment prior to leaving the UK. Its ts an exciting time and I wish you all the best!

Depends, what kind of work?

Hi Sarah, think I got part of the messages!

In Australia and just making our way up to Mackay before I start work on the 26th May. I have two young boys aged 19 months and 3 years so will definitely be up for a meet up once we have found accommodation and got ourselves a bit more settled. Home is a tent at the moment.............well its what Australia is all about!!!!!!

Just to let you know we have arrived in Australia! Bobj, picked ourselves up a beaut (think you would say) 4WD and a tent and taking a road trip up to Mackay, going to take a look at town 1770 and lots of other places along the way. Got just under two weeks. Any suggestions would be great. Must say not too impressed with the Australian weather reports so far, they say 'intermittent showers?'. It's flipping lashing it down, torrential rain!!! However massively enjoying the adventure!

I needed to present in person when I initially registered in 2008, at that time it was with NSW as you had to register with each state and at the moment AHRRA e-mailed to confirm the following: The attached letter confirms that your application has been assessed and it had been determined that you are suitable for registration. The letter is issued as an in-principle approval of registration subject to you providing a certified copy of your passport and proof of date of arrival (In-principle approval valid until 1 December 2014). Once this information has been received, your registration can be finalised You will have six weeks from the date you arrived in Australia to provide proof of your current residential address. the above sent last month after my telephone conversation with AHPRA, however I am a mental health nurse perhaps Xlornax it may be different for other nurses??

Hello, I encountered a similar problem. Unable to get my registration finalised, however offered jobs but could not proceed with the recruitment process without AHPRA full registration. I applied in September'13. I have an in-principle letter. After a number of frustrating e-mails to AHPRA and never actually receiving an answer to the question asked I telephoned. It was confirmed I needed to have actually entered Australia before my registration can be finalised. They need proof of date of entry into Australia (stamp on your passport). You can then either present with this in person or send a certified copy of your passport to one of the AHPRA offices. It was eventually able to explained to my prospective employer who fortunately accepted the in-principle letter. Fly to Brisbane on Monday and need to head straight to the AHPRA office!

Thank you for all the feedback. The decision is made and Mackay is the destination due to fond memories of times spent previously in central/northern Queensland. At this time don't really want to be near a city, more looking for a simple life and the great outdoors with plenty of family time.

House sold, last shift at work done............officially homeless and unemployed and flying down under in 2 weeks time = the adventure begins!

Hogg2007, Completely feel your pain! I was doing my own head in with a similar dilemma. We fly to Brisbane in 2 weeks and it was only the other week that we voted Mackay over the Sunshine Coast. May or may not be the right decision. However making the decision to move 'down under' is massive in itself let alone knowing where to settle in such a vast country. If Mackay is right for us then that is a massive bonus, however if we end up moving it would not surprise me. Even if you have a job before you fly there is still no guessing where may be right. You still have plenty of time and hopefully something will just feel right.

Hi, a few years ago I went to Oz on a WHV and secured a temporary contract for 3 months in Brisbane and then for 3 months in Hobart. I looked at the hospitals in the areas I was interested in and enquired who was the nurse manager then e-mailed them directly my CV, information on my circumstances and requested if they had any temporary work. I did register with an agency but found them useless, however that is only my experience as I am sure there are plenty of nurse who have found agencies to be good.

Hi hogg2007, I have a community nursing job. My fella is a builder, however is going to be full time Dad whilst looking for work and whilst we organise childcare (not sure what the situation is in Mackay but the UK has lengthy waiting lists for childcare)........although he thinks he will be mainly fishing and golfing!!!!!

Thank you for all the feedback, a lot of food for thought there. However time is quickly running out!! We fly out in less than 3 weeks. It took me 4 years to decide whether to make the move or not. With Australia being such a massive country I suppose I am not expecting to be able to make a definite decison on where we will 'settle'. We have 2 years before our youngest is at school so can move around if necessary until then. I am Just hoping for more family time, enjoying the outdoors with plenty of camping and exploring. Also to make a few good friends. Think we are going to give Mackay a go. We are after getting a second hand landcruiser. Do people think we would be best to try and buy whilst Brisbane way as there may be more options/choice? Or is there plenty of second hand vehicles available in Mackay? We arrive in Oz 3 weeks before I start work so pretty flexible and have yet to book any accommodation.

I am an RMN and applied to AHPRA in Sept 2013 and received an in-principle letter early 2014 and did not incur any complications. Flying for Manchester to Brisbane in a months time and just need to present in person at the Brisbane AHPRA office with my passport to obtain my registration number.

Thanks Bobj, good to hear Mackay is scenic and has good schools. Its a must! How do you find the summer weather wise? Is it like the constant rain we get in the UK but warmer? Hi Aorange, 'safe and friendly' is a very positive comment. May I ask why you left Mackay? Do you currently live on the Sunshine Coast? My partner and I travelled and worked in Australia for a year in 2008 (travelling from Darwin to Tasmania, returning a year later to Western Australia to get our residency visa's stamped). We fell in love with Queensland. We absolutely love the outdoors, beaches and national parks. Its the kind of life style we want for our boys, camping and fishing etc.

It may depend on where you are working. I am going off previous experience when I worked at Brisbane Royal (in mental health) in 2008. Where do you work xlornax?

Hi guys, When did the AHPRA changes occurred? I submitted my application on the 19th September 2013. I received an in-principle letter early 2014 that I met all the requirements for registration. I am flying out to Brisbane on the 28th April and need to present in person at the Brisbane AHPRA office to receive my registration number. I too am a registered mental health nurse. I did not experience any difficulties. Hope this offered some reassurance. I do know that on induction with QLD Health you are required to do a numeracy test as part of the induction (basic calculations).

In a dilemma of where to go. Flights booked from Manchester to Brisbane 28th April 2014. Destination uncertain! Offered jobs Sunshine Coast or Mackay? Two young boys under the age of 3 years. Anyone with experience of both area or who can advise pro or cons of either of the areas?