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

I wouldn't worry too much, there are definitely still MH jobs in Scotland. I think your biggest issue might be whether going nhs or private sector, as you may find yourself down at the bottom of the nhs pay bands despite your experience. I left a job in private nursing home, dementia unit, which paid better than nhs, but pros and cons to both sectors. Good of luck with the move! Can I ask where you've been working in oz, as I'm in qld on Sunshine Coast and not much going about?

Hi Lorna, Are you MH? Looking for any info on job prospects in Melbourne, as moved to the sunny coast, qld and not many opportunities around. ta! Kymm

Hi Kerry, I had a slightly similar experience. I'm a mental health nurse but since I qualified in sept 2014 had been working in a nursing home, predominantly in a dementia unit. However ANMAC requested more evidence that this was mental health as over here in aus that type of role falls under aged care nursing. I basically wrote (and got supervisor to sign) a more detailed explanation highlighting the mental health side of my work, focusing on aspects of the role that promote mental health, which they accepted. So perhaps really focus on the fact (make it blindingly obvious) that you are still nursing children, in a more holistic way as opposed to medical. Go for it, and if they want more info or evidence they'll ask you for it. Good luck!

A hijack is better than nothing! Caloundra is lovely, loads of parks for little kids, feels very safe, beaches are great and very family-friendly. We live in meridan plains, lots of new building work going on. My daughter is really enjoying kindy, which is a 5 min walk, and heard lots of good reports about meridan state college, the closest school to us (although I think all the schools in the area have a pretty good rep). A drive to Brisbane takes around an hour when quiet but, as has been mentioned quite a bit on these forums, it would probably be a long commute as the Bruce highway gets very busy, and it usually seems to be recommended to live closer to the city if you are working there. Public transport isn't great here - would take me 2 buses and a train to get to Brisbane hitting around 3 hours - although I haven't bothered to attempt that yet! Obviously depends on how long you are prepared to commute. May be easier commuting to beaches at the weekend. My gut feeling is that we probably won't stay here long term - it is beautiful but a bit quiet, and job prospects for myself aren't looking great. Also wonder if it would get a bit boring (gasp!) for older kids and teenagers. It is also very hot and humid - sounds obvious but although great for the beach, it's not so good for everyday life (only my opinion!). Do do you have permanent visas? If so, there are benefits available for child care, family tax but they can take weeks to process so when you arrive I'd recommend getting down to the nearest centreline office asap to start the process. Also, bring your kids vaccination history/red books as you will need to provide all that before they can enrol in a school/kindy. They'll also need to start a course of hep B when you arrive if not had in the uk. It's compulsory and they'll get it free over here. Hope that is some help. Everyone is different, and although we may not stay here, it's been a great landing pad while we suss things out. Good luck with the move!

Hi all, Been here a couple of months with partner and daughter (4yrs) and hoping to make new friends/partners in crime. Anyone in this area for coffee/playdates? Cheers

Hi Nina, we are Kymm, Liam and Indi (4) from scotland, we've been here for 3 weeks, living in meridan plains (sort of north/west caloundra). We originally were thinking of Adelaide but decided on somewhere warmer. Getting used to driving around now but still use google maps - not always easy as lots of new developments aren't on the map yet! Always keen to meet new people

Hi, I know this is an old post, but just wanted to share my news in case it may be of help to others, as there's not much info out there! I am 30, completely deaf, lost my hearing about 4 years ago (unknown cause-probably genetic) and got a cochlear implant in 2012. I've also been on antidepressants for a few years. I have just been granted my 189 permanent residency visa for myself (main applicant - mental health nurse), partner and 3-year old girl, and are heading for the Sunshine Coast in December! At the medicals I was told as I've had my implant a few years and there are no problems with it, just on regular annual checks, it wouldn't be a problem. And they were right! I was very anxious about this as I decided to do the whole application myself, due to financial reasons - despite being told I was a complex case and should really go down the migration agent route. It took approx 8 weeks from EOI to a direct visa grant - obviously not so complex after all! I know everyone is different but thought this may give hope to some others in a similar situation. Kymm :cute:

Just wondering if anyone has experience of these guys? Cheers

Ahpra is a friggin nightmare! Can anyone please clarify - I have been granted my 189 visa - had to obtain police check certificates from the uk and oz as part of the process, now doing the paperwork to register with ahpra and it seems I can't just use a certified copy of these, I have to apply and pay for another check through that fit2work thing! Have I got this right??! Thanks, Kymm

Best of luck to you! I totally get you - we've had a 6-year struggle to get back to Oz, and like yourself a career change to mh nursing. Just been granted our PR visas and it now feels like sh!t has hit the fan! Now I have no idea where to go and all I seem to hear is doom and gloom recession talk! But still feels great to be living it. Hope it all goes fab for you and good luck in your new post