AdR

Awsome info AdR, thank you so much. Yes we do love the beach but I do think instead of commuting another 40 mins daily, we'd better do this whenever we go to the beach. That is if really the temps are not that different, cause I saw last year they had a 5C max difference. I think that's a good move. Yeppoon may also be a little too much of a retirement village. It's close enough (and no traffic) so you can get up to the beach on a Saturday morning for a swim/surf and be back for lunch. I think you get used to the weather wherever you are, and no it's not that different, Rocky can be a bit more 'baking' without a breeze, whereas Yeppoon usually gets the offshore breeze. I'll look into the schools you proposed. I'd suggest having a look at http://www.myschool.edu.au - has statistics on all schools, so you can judge based on what's important to you (academic results, teacher student ratio, etc) rather than random people's opinions Is Yeppoon really noticeably more exp.? The only difference would be house/rent prices. http://www.realestate.com.au is the biggest real estate website in Australia so will tell you all you need to know. The 'wealthier' suburbs in Rockhampton are Rockyview, Glenlee, Alton Downs, Lammermoor and Gracemere. The lower socio suburbs are Depot Hill and Berseker.

There's a good group of Brits on http://www.meetup.com - the Brisbane British Club. They organise a lot of drinks and family days.

Broadbeach would be my #1 pick for you if your job is in that area. Beach, shops, transport, restaurants, central. Most reasonably priced accommodation is in apartment buildings, which will be fine until your first child is 2, after which you'll want to find a house and may need to move to a cheaper suburb. If you really want a house then Broadbeach is not for you (unless you have cash to burn ). My #2 pick would be Burleigh Heads (if you want to be close to the beach) or Robina (if you don't need the beach). My advice on commuting Gold Coast to Brisbane is: DON'T! I've been travelling (not commuting) between my place in Brisbane and my parents on the GC for 20+ years. There's nothing good about that commute. I love the GC but there's only three reasons I can see for living on the GC: 1. your job is there 2. you already have family/friends there and you see them every (or every other) day 3. you like to walk/swim/surf at the beach every (or every other) day If your job is in Brisbane, and you like the beach, I'd be much more inclined to live in Brisbane and go to the beach on the weekend.

Hi pk12 I think it comes down to whether you and the family prefer a small town (Yeppoon = 15,000 pop) or a larger city (Rockhampton = 60,000). The biggest plus for Yeppoon is the beach. If the family like to walk, surf or swim (or fish) every day then Yeppoon would be better. If they don't fancy the beach then they are probably about the same. Rockhampton has more shops, cinemas and general stuff to do as it's bigger. Surf Lifesaving Clubs in Australia (if the kids like to swim) are a great way for the whole family to make friends - they involve people from 5 to 95. I tend to think primary schools in Australia are - except perhaps poorer capital city areas - fairly similar. Both Yeppoon and Rockhampton have good high schools (St Brendans and St Ursula's in Yeppoon, and Rockhampton Grammar). Not sure on the 'good' state high schools if you don't want to pay fees but a google search would no doubt reveal. Recreation wise for the kids - most kids in regional Qld fill their outside school time with sport. Rockhampton will have more opportunities but Yeppoon will have enough. Rockhampton has a big cinema, Yeppoon you just about wouldn't bother. Neither town has restaurants to write home about. If they're more cultural and you're after music, singing etc lessons, the bigger city will have more opportunities. Weather wise, Yeppoon will be a touch cooler as they get a sea breeze, but not enough to make a decision on. 40 min each way is quite a commute for regional Qld. Would you rather be relaxing with a beer or playing with the kids for that extra hour a day? I think it comes down to: use the beach every (other) day? Yeppoon. not bothered about the beach, or just on a weekend? Rockhampton. Cheers AdR

Thanks very much. The July application is just a guess, as I've submitted my EOI with 75 points so am expecting to receive an invite in the next two rounds. Just considering all the worst case scenarios. Thanks again!

And another thought on my Q3 above. 3(a) I am hoping my 189 application is not withdrawn 90 days after my 457 is cancelled. In which case, I could just leave Australia until the 189 is granted. Does that sound right/possible? Thanks!

A little more info here for my Q1 above. You are considered to have ceased employment when either you or your employer gives notice ofintention to cease employment and the date of the notice of intention to cease employment haspassed. If more than 90 consecutive days have passed since the date in the notice of intention to ceaseemployment, you may be in breach of Condition 8107 and may have your visa cancelled. I'm still confused. I read it that the 'date of the notice of intention to cease employment' in my example above is 1 December, and the 'date in the notice of intention to cease employment' is 1 March. Which is the relevant date?

Hi All I am on a 457 visa, expiring May 2015. I will be applying for a 189 visa in late July, as a Priority 4 I'm estimating the visa will be granted in February or so. What happens if, in the meantime, my employer lets me go and therefore my 457 visa is cancelled, and I'm unable to find another employer sponsor? 1. What is the definition of ceases employment - is it the sacking date (if they walk me - lets say this is 1 Dec), or the day my notice period finishes (I'm on 3 months notice, so a sacking on 1 Dec would be an official final day of 1 March). 2. If it were the latter, would I need to work the notice period until 1 March for the cease employment date to be 1 March? 3. Is my 189 application automatically withdrawn 90 days after the cease employment date? 4. If yes, is there anything I can do to 'hold on' until my 189 is granted? Thanks in advance, ADR