andrewajp002

Best flight I have managed is via IOM, they have found me a flight with Qantas via Dubai, 1hr 40 mins layover for £670 with 40kg baggage. That is 27th July though can cannot find anything reasonable. I would pay more as I want a stop over in Singapore, however the pricing info on their site is hard to understand as I think I will need more than 20kg of baggage

Cool, I quite liked the Bar, I think I will find it strange initially having to watch spurs at 5am etc., and with being in the EL meaning most games will be on a Sunday night / Monday morning. I wish I would have got my redundancy earlier then I would have come out for the match, however it got delayed and now I cant really get out until end of July, shame but I guess spurs will be back out there at some point, also I kept my ST on at WHL so I get to go back for a few games each year and I get to go to any finals

HI MR, do you go the triple aces to watch the spurs game? I was over last year and met up with some top spurs guys there and watched a couple of matches. Im heading to Melbourne this time so likely to catch up with the OzSpurs guys there at the Imperial Hotel Tevnod, I'm also heading over on my own, likely to be landing in Melbourne in July, same as you as no job lined up but I have my Resume with a couple of agencies so fingers cross. MR is correct, start off small, poss hostel and look for a house share, I see they are about the same as a hostel per week, but it will then be your home from home and can act as a starting point for your new life. Check out the meetups website, they have loads of groups for all sorts of activities. You'll be fine, I totally understand your fear, there is not 1 moment I don't try to talk myself out of it If you don't do it you will regret it for the rest of your life Good luck on your move.

Hi CG IT Contracting atm is very hit and miss in general, however I would say in the IT Security and risk area and these positions are very sought after. I have just been made redundant to allow for my move in the other direction, however I have been researching vacancies here and there are quite a few for that area. I would say if your husband decides to go contracting he most likely wont have any issues finding work.

Hi All I have finally set a departure date of last week July and will be heading to Melbourne. I havent really got a specific location in mind, however I have been thinking of St Kilda. Once I have settled in anyone any recommendations of events / meet ups in early Aug to socialise and meet new people? Im in to most of the normal stuff, eg soccer, AFL, cricket, music, films, drinks, etc. Also, when in a new country im willing to experience new things eg hiking, biking, surfing etc :smile: All advice welcome

Morning all I wasn't planning to go this early but things have changed as I got made redundant from my job so now moving in July :wink: I'm sure this has been posted else where, but I want to be selfish here :embarrassed: as it is a massive step and I don't want to miss anything if possible. Can anyone advise on the absolute essential things that need to be completed via to flying out for the final time? I already have visa, passport, money, and that's about it :arghh: I know I need bank account, accommodation, doctors / dentists records...... Is there a list anywhere? Any advice of good initial accom in Melbourne for a single guy is appreciated or sites for house shares etc. (don't mind hostel for a week or 2, however as I will have all my stuff advice on short term safe storage is maybe a good idea?) Thanks in advance. Andrew

Hi ihaynes, I will be moving over at some point this year, the idea of meeting other guys for a few beers and curry sound like a plan. I will maybe be based, Also if the guys like sports also that would be cool.

Chortlepuss, this could be said about most major cities, however if you are good then you will find work. There may be many BA's out there but are all that good? Most cities inc Sydney and Melbourne will have reasonable paid work if you are actually good and not that you just have a good Resume. Im not 100% confident of finding great paid work when I arrive, but I am good at what I do and I am fully expecting to find something decent within the first few months, or at least a reasonable one to start and then progress up.

apologies, I thought you was on a 190, what visa did you get, a 186? I have a few debts here I want to clear first if I can, I'm in negotiations with the current company to stay 1 more year at an extended rate, this way I can clear, pop over in Nov to validate and then make the final move with more cash in the bank next May.

OK, I don't think that's the case for all 190's, 190's are state sponsored not company sponsored, i could be wrong though. I had to pay the full wack myself which cost me in region of £4k.

The only diff between the 189 & 190 is that the 189 is not sponsored and I could get the visa with 60 points and my skill was on the SOL. With the 190 your role would have had to be on the CSOL and a state was willing to sponsor you to give you extra points (if needed), but you are required to stay in that state for 2 years (morally). When things are clear here with this company I can start to make clear decisions on when to make the final move, really looking for a min of $120k upwards, seen a few that fit me well going for $160k so fingers crossed.

Cheers, I have a 189 so I don't need sponsorship, im just wondering how hard it will be to get firms to take me seriously without being in OZ atm.

Hi Michael I think I have contacted you on LinkedIn previously, I now have my 189 Grant and looking to move out within the next few months or late this year at latest. If I emailed you my current CV can you advise if you know of any agencies in IT that could assist me in finding a position? Many thanks Andrew

Def sounds good, but agree its not equiv. to UK esp. London wage of £80k. Im moving over later this year and also in IT, did you get that through an agency?

Hi guys I'm from London and will be moving over to Melbourne later this year. Good to know there are other expats that enjoy sports and football. Im Spurs BTW. (for my sins). There are some good meet up sites and groups in Melbourne that I have seen also. Worst case I will be over to Validate in Oct / November and would be happy to meet for a few pints and get your feel on life in Melbourne, work, living, sports, tips etc.

I will hopefully be over this year in Nov and will def. be looking at re taking up golf. I was an 18 handicap in my 20's but havent played in about 7 years and now also has a dodgy knee now :smile: But one of the reasons for moving over was the nice weather and a more active outdoor lifestyle so I will def. be looking to take it back up again.

I was never told I had one, it went on for 8 weeks and got my grant letter direct. I guess you only know if you have a CO if they need more info.

I front loaded mine and still got the visa grant in 2 months I did however make sure that everything was 100% completed and even added more info than was asked eg old passports for the whole 10 years, all dates of past trips, etc. Good luck.

In Victoria the grant is 10k, I did not know this but sadly I wont be in a position when I move over to buy initially. Good to know though.

Know how you feel, congrats

WoooHooooo, got my grant through this morning :wink: Very surprised, I thought I might have had some medical questions, but no, Oz here I come :cool: I cant update the tracker from here but I'm happy if one of the mods wants to add my details :wink:

Why is it that even though I know im not going over to validate until later this year, I submitted my application for 189 on 24/01, why im so impatient that it hasnt been granted yet? :mad: I know it makes no real difference if I don't get it within the next month, I just want it now :laugh:

Many thanks for the reply, It just concerned me then that it took the clinic over a week to finalise the results and submit them.

I used a company called destination Oz, but not MARA registered. There are a few good ones around with reps on here, MARA registered and well recommended such as Go Matilda.

quick question guys, when all the medical sections are listed as completed on eMedical, does that mean the medical has passed and were successful or does that just mean that the results have been passed to the Oz health department for their review? I only ask as I did the medical last Monday and the last section on eMedical only changed to completed today.