mmck33

I'm glad it helped! Im not sure if Toowoomba is classified as regional but it's worth checking out. Another option would maybe be enrolling in a course as an International student...the Australians love an Australian qualification!!! They also publish the qualifications of their staff & a Masters is looked upon favourably!!! I looked at this, it costs about $28000 annually, which is costly but can be paid per credit! You can also work as a teacher while undertaking. I'm just not sure if you can bring spouse with you on an International Student visa. Good luck! Marie

Hi, Im currently in Queensland & have just submitted my application for registration to QCT. It does ask for D.O.B, which surprised me, surely if there was no age discrimination then they shouldn't need to know this information! I don't have facts but would assume that as you are under 50 (seems to be the magic number here!!!) then you should be fine. Another unadvertised aspect of your application is the fact that you are male! Gender discrimination shouldn't exist, sadly it does, the good news for you is that you are a male. If you have anything that makes you stand out from the crowd then I would say you are in with a very good chance!!! Check out 'wootube', this guy is currently taking Australia by storm (Maths teacher from Sydney!). You may also want to consider rural Queensland to get your foot in the door if that's a possibility? Hope this helps! Marie

Thank you VERYSTORMY...it's not often I'm right, but love it when I am....lol!!!

Looking for some (more!) advice as there doesn't seem to be a black & white answer (or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places!). We are on a 457 visa, we pay private health insurance with Medibank & have basic cover at the moment. My partner seem is under the impression that we need this basic (hospital) cover as part of the conditions of the 457. I have been researching this & I believe (though may be wrong), that we are entitled to Medicare cover as we are from the UK??? If so, would mean we could use the money we pay for basic to upgrade for other cover, which we need to organise! If anyone could shed some light, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...our next few weekends are sorted! ))) fisho.01, you are a legend...love the effort...much appreciated! ))

I'm looking for some advice....please! I'm a UK qualified primary teacher living in Brisbane. I'm waiting for paperwork to come through from the UK in order to have qualifications assessed by QCT. In the meantime, I really need to find some work...is there any point pursuing job opportunities in any private Early Years establishments, or will they all want an Australian qualification? Has anyone been in the same/similar situation? If so, what type of work did you do until qualifications were assessed? Any help/ words of advice would be greatly appreciated!

It is completely different, actually feels like we are living in a different country! I wouldn't have believed it until we'd experienced it ourselves.

It is a beautiful city...thanks for that article lastonealive, I would agree with it all!

To be honest, I couldn't see myself settling in Perth. That may be to do with the suburb that we were in though. We did a lot of travelling/exploring when we could & it is stunning but I just didn't find Perth itself very friendly. I also felt that it was fantastically geared towards young families, young clubbers or diners but there wasn't much variety (apart from Fremantle!). Over here, there is something for everyone & it's so lush & green! I love it...I just got a really good feeling about it when we arrived. People are much friendler & it's much more vibrant. It all depends what you are looking for, though! Hope this helps (& doesn't offend!!!)

Thanks for that...I like all of these, will def give them a try! :wink:

No idea where Dakabin is...still using the Sat Nav to get me from A to B! We're getting there...much prefer it to WA but will feel much happier when I'm working. How have you settled? Can't believe you have friends from Bonhill...small world! You need to watch those Bonhill folk...lol! :wink: How long have they been here?

So, things are starting to settle down for us & we really want to get out & explore more. Moving somewhere new is so overwhelming...where do you start? What/where are your favourite Brisbane highlights? This can be anything from parks to pubs.... Thanks :laugh:

Hi Kellyjamie, We are in Chelmer. Where are you? I'm originally from Dumbarton, my other half is from Helensburgh? How long have you been here? Marie

Hey charjack5676! We recently moved to Brisbane after spending 15 months in Perth, WA (due to work relocation!) Choosing a school/suburb is the most overwhelming experience...ever!!!!! We have done it twice now & I can give you a few tips that we have learned (the hard way!!!). Firstly, be true to yourself & what you consider to be important....we spent weeks trawling around suburbs in Perth, WA looking at houses & suburbs that I would never dream of living in the UK (think Truman show then multiply by 10!). Secondly, houses out in the sticks, can be beautiful, but very isolating! Thirdly, when choosing a school, I would start at secondary level & work backwards! Schools here have a very strict catchment policy & to avoid too much disruption, I would choose a primary school that feeds into desired secondary school. (I would strongly recommend you read a book called "Free Schools" by David Gillespie...a very insightful/petrifying look at the history of Australian Education system & honest advice about choosing a school...the author is based in Brisbane, can't rate it highly enough!). When we moved over here, I home schooled for a couple of months so I could get a good feel for various suburbs & schools. We eventually decided on Chelmer/Graceville area & love it...close to city but with a village feel. Cafe/restaurant culture. Various good schools. Kids/families everywhere! Hope this helps...good luck !

Hi all:smile: We are a family of 3 who moved to Brisbane from Perth, WA in November. It's been a whirlwind of suburb hunting, house hunting, school hunting, Christmas, New Year, starting new school & job hunting! (Don't envy anyone who has yet to do this!!!!) Things are beginning to settle down, partner (41) loving new job, son (10) enjoying new school & friends (thank God!), me (33)...primary teacher going through process of having qualifications assessed & desperate to get back to work! Now things are beginning to resemble normality, looking to meet like minded people who are here, or offer, honest advice about suburbs etc. to anyone who is planning the big move. Looking forward to hearing from some of you soon! Have a good day...Marie