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.

Thanks Vicky, I will have a dig about, ironically I have binned wedding invites etc with clearing out in preparation to go. Never thought that could be evidence. We didn't have an engagement party but am sure I'll be able to sort something else out if that is the case. Am I right in thinking it is only 6 months I have to prove anyway? Thanks Karen

Hi, sorry it's been a delayed response, thank you for all the information. I am still waiting for confirmation of my 457 visa and was meant to be flying next Friday (tense is not the word, although I have not booked my flight yet - not that daft). My sponsored employer has now confirmed that they are happy for my OH to be added at a later stage as a dependant on my 457 visa and will provide me with a letter to confirm/submit at time of application. We will apply for this in March with a view to him joining me in July. My other concerns are the following: Although we have been together for six years and engaged for three, there is little evidence in terms of the usual things they ask for. We have joint Council Tax bills for the last 2 years, but all other bills go straight from his account and I just transfer money every month to him (even the phone bill/sky/water/gas/electric etc) He owns the house we currently live in so it was just easier than contacting each of the utility providers from the beginning of our relationship. The only other thing we have is a multi car insurance policy where we are both named and obviously at the same address. Because we have both been in relationships where we have been 'stung' before, it was mutually agreed at the start of our relationship that we would keep our financial affairs seperate. I am not named on the mortgage but have lived with him for 4 years as his common-law wife. We of course have the usual facebook evidence, if they care to check it, but I am worried that we will not have sufficient 'official' evidence to fulfil the evidence part of our relationship. Any advice gratefully received...this job offer came out of the blue and from interview to me leaving has literally been just over 3 months, otherwise I would have planned and got things changed previously. Also, I am trying to find costs to add him as a dependant on the immigration website but struggling, can anyone direct me to the right place. Help.... feel like I'm losing my marbles!

Hi, I'm hoping to hear something back early this week, but just one thought, my MA is Ernst & Young and has processed a number of 457 visas for the company I am to be employed for. Everything was lodged in early December, but the said they would let me know if I needed a medical, so not to organise one yet. From reading the threads, it appears that everyone else has submitted a medical. Officially my contract is due to start on the 27th Jan, but as the visa is being dealt with by their regular MA, they are happy to hold the job open for me. Problem is the site that I am opening opens beginning of feb, so ideally wanted to be flying on the 23rd. Packed everything, thrown 3/4 of my clothes in the bin and as I have family that live all over the UK, am having a leaving party on the 17th Jan, so could be interesting if I don't get the visa! Can anyone give guidance on why visa's are turned down, if at all? My Police Cert etc is all clear so can't see any reason for it be being but just getting a little nervous now

Hi, I'm fortunate that my MA is the company MA, so they are fully up to speed with where we are at in the process. Just frustrating as sitting on the money for the flight but don't want to book it before getting the final ok. Also the company want me to be there to celebrate Australia Day!! and so do I!!

Hi Blossom, Ah I see. No I am very aware that it is temporary, I am fortunate that i have worked in the past via third part links of the company who are sponsoring me when they had a base in England. I had to go through an extremely rigorous interview process that has taken 4 months in total to ensure that I was indeed the right candidate for the job. I am in a slightly unusual position of not coming over completely cold. We are renting our home out in the UK (when partner follow). Our kids are, Stepson, 17 (lives with his mum)and doing his A Levels and is just excited about holidays and my daughter, 19, who has just spent 13 months in Oz on a WHV and is spending 6 months in the UK with her dad and then activating her second year visa. The only shipping will be my dog, whom I refuse to leave behind and if need be will pay for him to get back to the UK when and/if we either a)choose or b) have to leave. My main thing at present was just getting an understanding of exactly what i could afford and where for now. Would be great to make it permanent but obviously time will only tell if we will like it and if it likes us!! Just grateful of getting a second opportunity in life (turned down the first one as ironically didn't want to take my daughter away from contact with her dad!) So grabbing this experience with both hands. Thanks again.

Hi Verystormy, Yes aware that it is temporary, albeit for potentially 4 years, not quite sure the relevance of your point as my query was with regards to rental and what I would realistically be able to afford? Any advice is gratefully received, your post just confused me a little

Hi Weller and Wellhead, thanks for coming back to me. At the minute I am just trying to get an idea of roughly how much I will be able to realistically afford to pay on rent, as from what I have seen, I would pay the same for a 1 bed nearer Ultimo (where I will be based) and could get something more akin to what I what I would like further out. Once I know roughly how much/what budget I could have, I can then look at what compromises can/need to be made. K

Hi All, I am due to move to Sydney in a few weeks and I am fortunate to have accommodation included in my offer for up to 6 months (I will be Opening new Student Accommodation Buildings). I will obviously be quite keen to move into somewhere away from work at the earliest opportunity. Due to everything happening very quickly, I don't have a huge amount of disposable income before arriving, so I am just trying to work out a few things in terms of realistic expectations when it comes to lifestyle. Having the accommodation will obviously help me to save for the deposit etc over that time. My partner is due to join me in July time, but when he arrives he (as yet) has no job to go to, therefore we will be living on a single income until such times as he does. I am trying to work out what my take home will be, and getting used to being paid fortnightly will be weird. I believe that I have a good salary ($95k with super on top), there is a bonus scheme, but I want that to be exactly that a Bonus. My question is, how much tax on a 457 visa do I pay, am I right in thinking that it is in the region of 40%? I also have IMAN Healthcare included in the package. I am trying to work out what my net income will be to begin with. I have spent hours scouring the internet at accommodation. Not particularly a city dweller so will be more than ready to move out to the suburbs at the first opportunity. Requirements for the house will be, pet friendly (my beloved pooch will be joining too in July), and preferably 3 bedrooms. Our semi-grown up kids will be coming to visit together on a regular basis and my parents are hoping to come for a few months at a time when they retire. I am after some help to work out what my budget is (based initially on just my salary) for rental so that I can narrow down the areas that I am looking in. Don't mind commute, ideally less than an hour. Once we know that we can afford on my salary, when my partner does find work (which due to his skills, I hope won't be too long) whatever he brings in too is a bonus and we can then think about other areas. I know about the rent up front and deposit etc so its not that it is just to get an idea of what I can realistically afford. Sorry for the longwinded thread but brain hurts with so much to think about in such a short amount of time. Just want to keep my expectations real and rather than spending hours looking at houses/areas that I might not be able to afford. Many thanks for any advice... Karen

Thank you so much, On my original application I listed him down as being included and my new employer knows that he is joining me (and the dog!). Following reading of this post, I looked on the DIPB and would his then be classed as a seperate 309 or as part of my 457... sorry, so confusing and my MA isn't back until 9th Jan to ask. Ernst & Young in Brisbane are dealing with my 457 as appointed by my nominated employer.

Hi Guys, Can I ask, I have been offered a 457 visa and am due to to move out on the 23rd. Because my fiance had to renew his passport, they advised me to go ahead with my application on a sole basis and then when he had his passport for his to then apply as my fiance. We were hoping that he would be able to come and join me in about 6 months time. Is this not the case? (subject to approval) as this would have played a major part of my decision to uproot and move to the other side of the world? Any advice gratefully received... everything has happened so fast... in a bit of a spin. For clarity we have been together 6 years and engaged for 3.