Kymmbo

Hi, I'm a mental health nurse, but haven't worked yet since I came here last December (just had a baby). The massive new public hospital at kawana is set to open next april and Queensland Health are still recruiting for registered nurses I think, or they have an expression of interest online I think. However, beware, there are thousands of people going for these jobs. Where you are looking to stay? I'm in Caloundra at the southern end, and Caloundra Private Clinic (owned by Ramsay healthcare) were advertising not long ago. Good luck!

Hi, I've been living in Caloundra since last December. My girl is only 4 and starting school after the summer. Most of the public schools have a good reputation, we have just enrolled at Meridan state college. There are also plenty private or catholic schools to choose from too. With regards to the area, Caloundra is a really clean, safe town with great beaches and parks - it is made for families. It is also far less touristy than the northern parts of the coast, noosa etc. And closest town to Brisbane. I suppose it depends on what you are after as a family. I personally think it's a great base to start with

Thanks for your replies folks! Think I'll be safer getting a tax agent to do it and hopefully it won't be as confusing next time round once we've been here a full year. Cheers

Hi, please help, my tax return is killing me and going round in circles online! Myself and partner and child emigrated to aus in December. He has been working since we arrived, I have not. We both worked in the UK before we arrived. So, do I fill in the tax return for my partner and just put me on the spouse details. Or do I submit a non-lodgement for myself? Or, do I fill one in for us both? And, do we need to use the supplementary forms to declare our previous UK earnings? Or not, as already paid UK tax on this? I declared all previous uk income when we arrived so that I could apply for family tax/child benefits etc. We can't really afford to get someone to do the forms for us, and our situation isn't complicated anyways - just don't know where to begin with it! Any help greatly received! Cheers

Hi all, Just wondering has anyone changed careers/doing something completely different from what you were originally granted your visa for?? Probably not what the immigration department like to hear though :laugh:

Hi Lisa, I cant help with suburbs but just to let you know I was down in melbourne last month at a nursing expo and they are crying out for mental health nurses, so I really doubt you'll struggle to find work wherever you are

Thanks guys, have never really considered newcastle but will maybe look into it now. I visited years ago for a couple of days but that was different circumstances. I've lived in Sydney throughout the seasons so I know I can cope better with the weather in that area - loved it in fact! Nice to have daylight saving again too. Gets very dark up here! Definitely looking at the regional towns - its amazing how some priorities change from what you thought was most important while still in the UK. And I thought I knew Oz pretty well. No matter how much research you do before, things can be very different when you're on the ground living it. No regrets making the move though Thanks

Hi thanks for the advice! It's really surprised me how expensive the sunny coast is - we currently pay 375 for a small 2-bed, decent 3 beds start around 410, but I've just been staying with a mate in Melbourne who is paying 320 for a big newish 3-bed in a pretty decent suburb! Adelaide was originally on the cards but think it is pretty risky for jobs at the mo, so we decided against it for that reason. Lots to think about now

Thanks for your replies folks, will go and do some more digging into these places...

Hi all, looking for some info please! I've been living on the sunshine coast since December with partner, 4yo daughter and one on the way. Struggling to settle here, although it is beautiful I cannot deal with the humidity and also find the area quite expensive/overpriced. Thinking of a move further south at the end of the year before my daughter starts school next January. My partner is a landscape gardener and working for a company just now but hoping to start his own business soon (was self-employed in scotland) so would like to settle somewhere before he does that. I'm a mental health nurse (not working at the mo) but thinking of a change as feeling completely burned out by nursing, thinking of re-training possibly in another area of healthcare/alternative therapies or maybe just something totally different! So thinking of a move to NSW (considered Melbourne but maybe too cold, and worried my partner might lose work days due to the weather - as was the case in the uk). We've loved Sydney in the past but no way can we afford to live there. And I do like the smaller town/community vibe thats on the sunny coast. Can an anyone please give some ideas on any towns/areas in NSW that are great for young families but not too quiet, has access to hospitals/colleges etc. Budget around 370 for a 3-bed house. Any views on Illawarra region? Weather, schools etc... Any advice or comments appreciated! Thankyou lovelies :cute:

Something I've not thought about till now, hmmm unsure. Interested to see what others think...

Hi, where abouts on the coast are you? I'm not single but I am a mummy

Perhaps try another style of English exam - I think there's a couple that can be used rather than IELTS - Cambridge exam? Sorry, forgot the names. Good luck!

We moved to the Sunny Coast at the start of December and the humidity has not been fun. Don't get me wrong the heat is great at a weekend if we can get to the beach, but it has really got to me how many days I've spent through the week sitting in the house with the aircon on as it's just too hot to take my 4-year old outside. Think I spent more time outside during the Scottish winter before we came! Warmth was a top priority when deciding where we were going to live but now I'm realising at least if it's cooler you can put on some layers and still go out. I've lived in different areas of Oz in the past and really surprised how much I'm struggling here. Maybe it is just getting older! Anyways I'm off to melbourne for a wee recce trip this weekend - never thought I'd say that!

Hi Alex, Definitely get in touch with your case officer asap. I received my notice in principle in November and replied back straight away so got mine extended till November 2016. I left for oz in December and I've still not presented in person over here yet. Did your case officer not mention this specifically to you? Mine emailed me and made it clear that I had to reply back asap for the extension. Sounds like they didn't make you aware of it? Get on their case and good luck Kymm