Lucharmily

Hi, I just looked on the website and found this out. Seems you need access to an Australian residential and postal address if applying online, but can apply by post using a downloadable form if you don't meet said criteria. To lodge an online Working With Children Clearance application you will need access to: A valid credit/debit card for payment (MasterCard or Visa only). An email address for confirmation of submission and subsequent communication. A current Australian residential and postal address. The ability to scan documents into .GIF .JPG .PDF .PNG or .TIF formats with each file being no more than 4 megabytes in size. The documents you need to prepare and provide in this way are: Identification documents – you will be asked to upload valid ID Documents to meet the 100 point check requirement. Passport photo image – for use on the Ochre Card. Any submission documents that you wish to provide to the Screening Authority for consideration. Please note, word documents are not able to be attached. If you do not have the access to any of the above, you will need to apply via the post using the downloadable form (download hardcopy application here), or visit SAFE NT. Hope this helps!

Yes I did apply for the job before moving back to Darwin but not from UK, from a different state in Oz. I'd worked previously at the hospital so they knew me quite well but the ochre card had been brought in since then so I knew nothing about it until the recruitment officer told me. She basically gave me all the details and said I didn't need to wait for it, just show them the receipt for the application fee and could start work (which I did...the nest day)! All of the health jobs (unless private) are working for the NT government so the rules would probably be the same I would imagine. As to applying from the UK, I would probably contact SAFE NT and ask them. They have an email address on their website. That way, you would have the correct information with regards to approaching employers. Best wishes Helen

When I commenced work at the hospital here in Darwin, I didn't have the card, just showed employer the receipt I'd paid (which is tax deductable by the way) and was able to start work straightaway. The office is in the Darwin CBD, I applied online and took the relevant documents to the office. All fairly straightforward by Aussie standards who do like their paperwork!!

Can't believe you're discussing this on a public forum???

Congratulations! What a great start to the New Year!

What an inspirational Mum you are Rachel and what a lucky lad your son is to have you xx

First visited Townsville over 20 years ago. First impressions were not favourable. I most remember spending a Saturday morning looking at different suburbs and, when finished, waiting at the big bus stop at the end of Thurwingowa drive by the Kirwan shopping centre. Waited a couple of hours in the heat and not one person who passed me told me that the buses stop running at midday on a Saturday!

Totally agree. I've had the privilege of meeting some wonderful indigenous families in their communities through my work in the NT. Unfortunately, like many things in life, it's a troublesome few who give a whole group a bad name. The sort of drunken, abusive indigenous people you're likely to encounter loitering around smith street mall in Darwin are often people who have been thrown out of their community. So for many tourists or even locals for that matter, their only experience of indigenous Australians is not a particularly favourable one.

Love dilmah!

We did it the other way. Brought our Darwin cat to the UK...have a wonderful photo of him in the snow looking rather bewildered!

Hi Laura My childrens teeth have travelled from OZ-UK and UK-OZ. They went in the container, honestly never even gave it a second thought! And...also my wisdom teeth which I kept (what was I thinking)!!

Hi, not there at the moment but have a house in Leanyer.

Hi Emma Darwin is a great place for families. Darwin city itself has lots of apartments; most of the the northern surburbs are nice...Leanyer, Wulagi, Wanguri, Northlakes, Jingili all nice, also Lyons which is a newer suburb near the hospital but more expensive. Nightcliff is popular as it's near the sea. Down the track is Palmerston, a satellite city which has grown hugely in the last 20 years. Nice houses down there although stick to newer suburbs, some parts of the old ones like Gray and Moulden not so good. Good road link to Darwin, about a 20minute drive into the city from Palmo. Hope this helps! Helen

Hello and welcome to the forum. And congratulations on your new grandson.

Wiltshire is beautiful.

I remember buying our first machine years ago in Oz. They had 1 model of front loader, all the rest were top loaders. The salesman was amazed when we selected the front loader...think we were the first ones to buy it there! I think the top loaders have improved in that the agitator has been removed. My sister has defected to them and loves it....but she throws all the horse blankets in there!

Another vote for front loaders

Packing cubes are great

Hi. Reading your post I think you already know the answer deep down. I can't see that your friend would ever be allowed to live here. And I'd be really careful. I really doubt his social worker told him to come to Australia to see you and I think you think the same. Take care.

Well my 7 year old daughter Charlotte is thrilled to bits!

Go with your gut feeling. Make your decision and then forget about the other school. From what I've read, I'd choose school A. Your daughter is very lucky to have a Mummy who cares so much about this.

You could try campsites as they do cabins which are probably cheaper. Although they get quite booked up during the dry season. Darwin accomodation is notoriously expensive. We did stay at the City Gardens apartments which was nice and reasonable by Darwin standards although this is in the city. Again, during peak season, availability can be tight with visitors and a lot of mine workers use holiday accomodation too.

Hi! Palmerston is mainly a residential area hence the lack of holiday style accomodation compared to Darwin city. There is 1 hotel there, the Quest, which is fairly newish and does apartments as well as hotel rooms. You could also try the BP palms Freespirit resort. It's in Pinelands on the Stuart highway just a 5 min drive from Palmy. Nice resort style accomodation with family villas. Even if you stay in Darwin, it's not that difficult to drive round - not a big city like down south. Good luck with it and congratulations on your visa

Do you mean Palmerston, NT?

Yes! Well not right now, currently in UK! But...lived in Darwin for many years, first as a backpacker, then a permanent resident, bought my first house there, became a citizen there, and became a mother there!! A lot of firsts! It's a great place for families, don't be put off by the "Why Darwin"? comments. Sure, it's not for everyone but that's what makes it such a unique place to be.