andrewajp002

Hi all I don't get on here as much as I would like, general life and work has taken over and its starting to feel like home now (after 4 years), I have just started my citizenship application and embarrassingly as an IT worker I fell for a stupid non government website to start the process and later found out it was not a registered site and charged me $160 just to download the forms, doh. Word of warning, the only 2 ways to apply for citizenship is either through a registered agent or through the government website (immi account) for $285, i learnt the hard way. OK, now for my real reason for the post I do not have access to a birth certificate, can you still complete the citizen application without one? I more then cover the minimum 100 points requirement without it, I have a UK passport and drivers licence, bank account, rental lease, medicare card, car insurance / rego etc. It would be a pain to have to get a birth certificate from the UK and would make life sooo much easier if I didn't have to Thanks in advance Andrew

Thanks for the reply, I thought it would be quick and easy if you have full PR and all the documents. Oh well.

Hi All I have been in Oz 3.5 years and was looking to do my Citizenship this year. My full PR Visa was granted in March 2015 but I didn't arrive in Melbourne until Aug 2015. I have been here ever since with small trips to the UK and meet all other requirements to proceed except actually being in Oz for 3.5 not the full 4 years. It is my understand I cannot apply until Aug this year and the wait can be up to 2 years, to process. Has anyone had any recent experience with this process, can this be done any quicker? Thanks Andrew

Cheers Alan, PM sent.

Good morning Alan I have been in Melbourne now for 2 years and loving it and this forum, I never knew you could claim anything for your UK property here in your tax return. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, I am thinking of selling my property next year, are there any restrictions on transferring the sale funds from the UK to here? Thanks Andrew Parker

I have been in oz now nearly 2 years working for 1.3 years, the market is fine but many companies will not touch expats that do not have any Australian experience. It took me 7 months to find work, had plenty of interviews / phone calls but even though I was qualified and perfect match for the job I never got any call backs. Good luck in everyone's search.

Thanks, I will check it out.

Hi I'm now settled in Oz but would like to start to transfer regular amounts of AUD back to my UK bank account. Can anyone advise the best way to do this with the least charges? Regards Andrew

It took me 7 months and close to running out of cash before I finally got a job in Melbourne, nice little company and no stress, pay could be better but not bad. It is a good start and hopefully a platform to better things. Little or no Australian work experience def works against you.

I think the No Oz experience is a typical response from recruiters, I have applied for numerous positions very close to a good fit but in 6 months have yet to secure anything to note and even basic work there is a very high candidate to position ratio so anyone with experience isnt going to get the basic roles either. Im bordering on returning due to no work, however I had a second interview for an IT admin role in Melbourne but this was the first interview I was able to secure, and the recruiters wont touch you until you are in OZ, meaning my first month or 2 were wasted. Good luck hunting everyone, hopefully you will be lucky.

Hi All, Ive been in Melbourne 7 weeks now and not even had a sniff of an interview, how long do you give it before you take temp work or work outside your specialised field just to stop spending your savings? (hypo question, I know each persons situation if different) BTW Im an IT Systems Analyst, SharePoint Developer (unfortunately in very low demand and they are requiring a very precise skillset), IT Business Analyst if anyone knows of anything going in the Melbourne are or inner suburbs

Hi Dave, I should shortly be moving in to St Kilda, also looking to meet new expats in the area, happy to go a few stops south to mordy if anyone is interested in meeting up at some point.

Hi, yes it is as wont have a perm place for a bit, but I realised I have my UK bank account still running and has travel insurance with them, all means if I lose more than a flight back I will claim off them whilst here, just tell them im on a 3 month travel trip to look in to work options

Many thanks

Hi all Has anyone any recommendations for good Migration Insurance? I dont have much stuff but I want to make sure Im covered. Thanks Andrew

Hi All I am flying out tomorrow to Melbourne to start my new life, does anyone know of any good luggage storage companies as I have a large suitcase that I need storing until I find a perm place for a few weeks? Regards Andrew

Hi Pom Queen Im single, that's why I looked at St Kilda. had a bit of a bad situation lately, my dad had an accident iN Greece and has been in hospital since, but finally got hIm back to the UK last week and is making progress. However this has all started making me reconsider moving, but plus side is he is almost going to be fully recovered by the time I go on 13th Aug, otherwise I may have pushed it back but money would have made the delay very tight. But good news is he is recovering (1 month ago he wasn't likely to have made it at all) and I will feel better getting on that flight. Hence me not being on here for the past 4-6 weeks.

Thats one way, £458 is good, I did see some for around 500 direct with 1 or 2 stops, however I dont think I could handle a direct flight.

I finally booked my flights yesterday direct with Singapore Airlines via Singapore leaving on 13/08 from Heathrow. Also having a 2 night stop over to see a friend and then heading on to Melbourne on 16/08. Total cost £626 all in which I was happy with. Then the adventure begins.

Ill be moving out in Aug so could be tempted, however my ankles are like glass these days so may be limited to the less active matches :ssign7:

I have been speaking to Singapore airline, I can get good time flights with a day stopover in Singapore with 40kg allowance per person for £600 on 11th Aug

Hi Kev I will also be in Melbourne if you know of any Service Management roles going

Hi all, to add I have the latest Cambridge IELTS book and CD that I got to get me through, happy to pass on for free. I can either post or if anyone in the London area I can meet in the next week. Otherwise if you are OK with paying for the postage I can post anywhere in the UK for free.

I now have a set landing date of 15th Aug in Melbourne, hopefully the agencies are not as bad as outlined above. If anyone knows of any good IT agencies that deal with ITIL, Service delivery, BA type roles it would be appreciated

Hi Leah, I'm bot biased as I have a friend in Singapore, however Singapore is a lovely city and plenty to do for 2-3 days. Also I think its only another 5 hours or so from there to Perth.