Kareng638

Did the OP ever decide to up and off? Intrigued as to what he did?

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all the guys at Pet Air. My beloved pooch is due to be flown out to Sydney on the 22nd July and I can't wait. As I have been in Australia since January and my fiance is in the UK with 'Colin' it would have potentially been very stressful trying to trust my other half to try to go through the import/export process without me there to guide him (and lets face it, I'd of been as much use as a chocolate fireguard myself!). From my first enquiry through to final blood tests today the staff have been absolutely fantastic and made everything so simple. Particular thanks to Catherine who has been my main point of contact throughout! Not long now on countdown!!! I also wanted to add I randomly bumped into a lady who had their black sharpei transported over from the UK last year and she couldn't sing your praises highly enough which really put my mind at rest all the more! Thank you for taking a weight off my mind at was and is an already a very stressful time. Karen

i didn't think they would to be honest, it was just a general question as not really had any advice from anyone, just that it needs to be completed.. sorry for asking stoopid questions.

Hi all, i am seeking some advice from previous holders of a 457 visa. I have only been here 4 months but I understand that I need to complete a tax return. Can I ask if any of the relocation costs are recoverable? For example, I have spent out of my own savings nearly $8k in buying new furniture for the new rental and over $1800 in fees to the quarantine station for my pooch coming over from the UK that the company I work for doesn't cover. Is it worth going to an accountant that specialises in 457 visa's? Feeling a bit lost with it all. Thanks K

I GOT A HOUSE!!!! Thanks everyone for your advice, house viewed, applied, secured and confirmed today and pick up keys on Friday!!!!! Found a fantastic agent, happy to pass on details to anyone else searching in Sydney! Took all the stress out of it for me!! Whoop, new house, dog arrives in 43 days, can get it all organised before he arrives! Excited, muchly!

Hey, thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice, will take a fresh approach and keep everyone in the loop! Fingers crossed for positive news in the next few weeks! have decided I am going to apply for a house that I am going to look at with a view to taking a house share until my fiance comes, at least that way I am in in some relative control (well as much as I would be in a rental) over who I share with. I am a property manager as well so hopefully that will go in my favour... work in student accommodation though so slightly different market... Keep you posted!

Hi, I suffer from Psorasis and have found that they have far more on the shelf choice over here for products that cater to different skin types. I use a range called QV which is affordable and great value for money.. hope this helps... Good luck

Been a while but wanted to say thanks to everyone for their advice, visa was granted within 4 weeks, so now just sorting out flights...once we've tied up a few things back in the YK... 6 months of peach and quiet for me lol!

Hi, my pooch is in the final stages of his export tests, due to fly out to land in Sydney on the 24th July!! It is very costly as it is also dependent on the size of the dog from transporting and then you factor the quarantine costs on top. Also bear in mind that all quarantine is being moved to Melbourne from about October so there will be the ontravel costs which I would think would be included in your quote, but just check it out and make sure that you are quoted for quarantine (10 days @ $149 + GST (tax to you and me). All in for Colin (2 year old Staffie), it has cost in the region of $7500 dollars to get him out here and thats before securing a rental property - I am going through this at the moment in Sydney so will keep you posted. He's my baby so non negotiable, but to put it in perspective never even spent that much on buying a car in the UK haha! I suppose it really does depend on what it going to make you happier in the long run and what is right for you? For me, Sydney won't feel like home until he is here so it is money well spent. However don't get me wrong, I have thought a few times that I must be crazy and that that money would have helped in other ways once I got here, particularly as my fiance has had to delay him coming until November (I've been here since end of January). I am also on a 457 visa so here for at least 4 years, I have said that he won't be leaving Australia though lol! Good luck, I know its a tough decision.

Hi all, Well have been here for 4 months and have been to countless viewings to be pipped at the post each time due to not having any rental history in Australia and living with my Fiance in the UK who owned his own property! Also can't get my head around what budget I need to set as we have now had to delay my fiance joining us until November. Some people have suggested renting a house and then advertising a room to rent but I am 39 years old and my dog is arriving from the UK at the beginning of August. On a salary of $110k + super, could anyone give me an idea of what i should be looking at realistically and head is spinning. Saw a lovely house for $650 per week in Lane Cove Sydney but I am not sure if I am going to be overstretching myself? I have been very fortunate in that i have lived on site (with my job) since I arrived so have saved approx $10k towards furniture etc. Please help! Driving me insane as I need to move and get settled before pooch arrives.

Hi Everyone, thank you so much for you advice, I have finally got everything together ready to get it submitted, I've set up an Immi Account but now that I am editing his application so that I can upload all the supporting docs but I am putting my visa grant number in and now it is saying it can't find me!!! Grrr getting so frustrated. I have tried the following:Application TRN, Sponsorship approval number, sponsorship TRN, Nomination approval number, nomination TRN... what am I missing??????? Aarrghh for anyone who has done it before, please help! I swear its been easier importing the dog, who's flight is already booked lol! Thanks K

Thanks guys, great advice, I have asked him to get his police certificate anyway. As everything was done for me by an agent employed by employer I haven't even looked at my immi account Sounds like the first place for me to start. Really appreciate all your advice. Ironically it is costing me more to get my dog to Oz than my fiance , but he's worth it!

Hi guys, Been a little while since I've been on, in fact I think the last time was the day my 457 was granted and I am now firmly ensconced in my new job. Can't believe I've been here 3 weeks today. My question is surrounding applying for my partner to be added to my 457. My employer has confirmed that they are happy for him to be added to it. (Unfortunately we couldn't do it at the same time as mine as he needed to get his passport renewed). This has now been done and I am trying to get to grips with how I apply for him and to get to grips with how much it will be. My application was dealt with by an immigration Agent supplied by the company, but it will cost a fortune for me to ask them to do it. Can anyone point me in the right direction as all the links I find return back to an initial 457 application... He is looking to come out in July (once the dog is on his flight). It seems easier to organise that than to add my fiance. Thanks in advance and hope everyone is well.

Woohoo! Mine too, got a call from my new employers last night to say it had come through..... pack pack pack and fly on Friday.... OMG it just got real!!!!! Congratulations and good luck to everyone who is waiting for theirs. Mine was lodged 17th December, so you shouldn't be waiting too long now!!x sydney in time for Australia Day! What a way to spend my birthday and start of the Oz adventure!!

Just had an update from my employer. Apparently they have another new starter from the states who lodged their application on the 10th December, they were approved last week so fingers crossed not long now. My employer said they paid extra for it to be processed quicker. Keeping everything crossed.