melbourne

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Simple things like trees - they may look the same but don't feel the same. Same goes for fields, roadways, and cathedrals. In fact, everything. In the UK, everything around you gives you a sense of something so much bigger than yourself. There is a sense of majesty. Nowhere else has that for me.

Thanks Charlie - please keep us posted!

Still nothing ... yet!

At least public transport is a reliable, safe option. Not so here. So hoping to save a lot on commuting.

I guess that's the thing. I will say that we pay a fortune in 'ordinary' monthly costs at the moment, that I'm looking forward to reducing in a new country. Things like electricity, water, sanitation, rates (house ownership tax), private medical insurance. These things have become ridiculously overpriced, never mind the normal mortgage, petrol (prices through the roof), food costs soaring.

Some good feedback here. I hadn't even considered a possible change in buying habits, or weekly specials. I'm going to go through the exercise anyway, just to get a rough feel for the same-same buying power in terms of cost to salary.

Thanks very much for the feedback all. I'll revise the food prices soon - I'm going to take a normal bill from home and cost out each item online at coles.com.au for an idea on monthly grocery and food costs, and then factor in a bit for bought meals now and again. At this point we could be talking French Francs for all these numbers mean to me. Trying to get a feel for the context.

This is a sobering thread, because until now I thought a salary of $140k would do the two of us pretty well. Apparently not, from what I've read here. I worked out that we'd end up getting out about $7500/month after tax. I calculated costs as follows: Rent: $800/week (need the space for pets) = $3200-$4000 depending on 4/5 weeks Food, travel, insurance, healthcare etc: $2000/month Savings then of around $1500-$2000 / month. Having I got things wrong? Please share honestly, as this will be very helpful in deciding how to move forward.

I saw this on another forum - any idea what this agent is referring to? "A new system implemented this month, allows one to request a decision when all the required documents are uploaded. I've done this twice and within a day had the visa decided. Before the case officer may only look at the case again after 28 days. See that there are no outstanding items on his visa lodgement, medicals done, etc."

Yes, very recent, and still waiting on a final answer after CO contacted us a month ago for 47a. However, you're right - I'm not from the UK, and a monthly pension payout here is the equivalent of 90 Pounds - nowhere near enough to live on.

Hi Jon I applied for a 190 visa and included my mom as a dependant. You're able to do that on 189 and 190 visas, by simply including her in your application and paying the fees for another applicant, as well as form 47a. There is a need for you to prove dependency though, and this is different for each applicant - give as much proof of income, expenditure, evidence of a shared home with you, and so on. My mom passed the medicals with no problems, so now it's just about waiting for the grant notice to come through. Good luck!

You too CLC! One of these days ...

Any news from anyone? I'm still waiting! Next week will be 3 months since submitting my application. Guess I'm one of the 25% who fall outside of the 75% service agreement.

I know the feeling! Hoping next week brings deliverance from purgatory

Hi clc! Yeah we received a CO, and I mailed that specific team address. Don't worry about it though, because there was nothing too specific in the info they sent back. No timelines or anything. All we can do is wait

So the three of us in the same boat, it seems! I didn't receive the delay mail, Charlie, so I'm hoping to hear back WAY before June. Hoping we all do! I also front loaded my docs. I mailed them about two weeks ago and they said I'd hear back in due course. I don't know why a 190 visa would take longer than a 189 lodged at the same time. It should be quicker, given that a state has assessed everything already and chosen to sponsor.

Charlie, your timeline is very similar to mine ... and I'm still waiting too! I applied on 23 Jan, was allocated a CO in early March, and have been waiting ever since. 189 applicants who applied in FEB are already receiving grants. And here we sit

True! Why don't COs work 24 hour shifts?!! :wink: Have a great Easter, eat loads of chocolate and hot cross buns, and keep an eye out next week. Hopefully they'll be back at their desks with renewed energy and we'll be receiving happy emails soon.

Seems we're both waiting for the same pot of gold at the end of a very long rainbow. Not as long as it used to take, I've heard, but the length of a piece of string only really matters when you're the one holding it

Thanks Leah! Maybe tomorrow

I know of a few other people also at the stage of waiting for a visa grant, after CO allocation, but they seem to check their IMMI account three times a night. I just keep an eye on my email for a visa grant mail confirmation. Am I wrong? Will it only appear in IMMI and not generate an email?

I've been thinking about this question myself, as we get closer to moving over. Would be very interested to know what a 2015 cost comparison looks like between DIY and pet shipper.

Also planning a move to Melbourne. In love with the place. Counting the days ... !