BeckiBoo

Hello all, I just came across from UK with my aussie wife (Dec 2015). I am a Carpenter back in the UK with 12+ years experience (NVQ2) and I want to start work in QLD asap. In my research it seems I need to pay to get my skills transferred through to Australian by a RPL (recognition of prior leaning) through an agency and they cost $2000+. Is this correct? If anyone has any advice, suggestions very much appreciated. Many Thanks Richard

Hi Swann

Yes you will and a white card will need to be obtained too.

My Husband did his in the UK before we left but its roughly the same cost.

Good Luck with that

Hi again guys, I have another question for you.

 

I'm aware that Darwin can be a very expensive place to live. My starting annual salary will be $85,000. As a single guy with no family who will be renting an apartment, I'm curious to know if locals think this is a comfortable salary to survive in Darwin. I won't be living in a palace so I'm gonna find a cheaper place to live, fully furnished. Any comments and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers, and many thanks in advance!

Hi Canada2Australia

Myself and my family totaling of 6 are living on that wage but just about! It is expensive here but a single guy should live quite comfortably on that wage, i would have thought!

Becki

Hi everyone, I am planning to relocate to Darwin in February 15. But I have one daughter which will be in 7. So I am worried about public schools in Darwin. Some people says it is not good as we have in other major cities. Is it true....? Plz guide me, because I am so worried about education of my daughter.

Hi

We got here about a month ago and just enrolled my three boys into Wanguri primary school two weeks ago.

the school itself is nice but there are a lot of kids that are from rubbish lives

there are some unruly kids but that's in any school. Alcoholism is a massive problem up here so that has a knock on effect.

my boys have happily gone to school, enjoyed their day, want to participate in extra curriculum. They got buddies on their first day and their friendship group has grown everyday.

They come home and tell me what they did that day, their class sizes are 17 kids!

I too have a few concerns but more towards the next school (middle n high)

not sure if I helped at all

Becki

Well, I'm not a Pommy; just a Canadian

 

I'm being transferred with my company to our Darwin office in February and am very excited! I was in Darwin this past February and loved what I saw. I'm just looking for some info on reliable resources for rental units (preferably fully furnished). I'm also anxious to get involved in the community and meet locals. Any ideas on those kinds of options?

 

Cheers, and I look forward to living in your fine city soon!

Hi There

heres some local real estate agents u could check out!

http://www.eldersdarwin.com.au

http://www.completerealestatent.com.au

http://www.proffessionalsdarwin.com.au

have a peek at them, they are popular ones here, there's lots on offer

n the market is in ur favour so price are negotiable.

hope that helps

Becki

Good morning Everyone!

im back again to pick at ur brains! I have now secured an address and am desperate to get my kids into school before they break up again for yet another summer! GULP!

What is the best way to approach the school? Telephone, email or go in?

What is involved? What do I need? Can the school make the decision to allow my children in?

I look forward to hearing from you

Many many thanks

Becki

Hey Becki

 

PM me (I cant figure out how to do it) and I can give u my number x

I did it! Did you get it? Xx

That didn't seem right to me, as I know of backpackers who've bought an old banger to drive around in - but each state has its own little quirks. I just checked and NT requires you to change your driving licence within 3 months which is a bit rough IMO.

Think it's a NT thing but we have bought two cars from two different dealers n they both asked for NT licence but at the same time the more we get done now the less there will be for later!

I hope you guys are keeping all this information handy for when we arrive! It would be a fab idea if someone could put all that info on a sheet for newbies arriving, such as name address phone no and web address of places like where to get tax file number, centrelink, driving licence changed, and all the other stuff you need? Also a good place to buy new and second hand cars would be handy. It's always good to have recommended places to go to. Any thoughts?

 

Callie x

Happy to share all I have learnt so far with you! Just ask Xx

found driving licence place today called MVR on Goyder Road just a case of filling a form, payment and handing in the UK licence Xx

My biggest advice buy a big fold out map it's great shows u where to find shops schools etc and u get ur bearing better n quicker Xx Apply for tax number online if no postal address can use post office should be delivered within 28 days Xx or go to centrelines which is on Knuckey Street n use there computer if wifi is pants like ours!

lots of big car dealers Toyota Kia Mazda etc some have second hand cars all depends on what you want to spend Xx

if you can't find answer n stuck don't be afraid to ask people lots of what we know we just asked locals they have all so far been more than happy to help Xx sat sorting bank accounts with the bank manager picking his brain on areas not to live! Ha )

advice with where not to go karama, Malak, the Narrows, Bayveiw has nightmare with Mozzies and in Palmerston moulden, some parts of Grey.....pretty sure this will be continued! LolAlso sorting a rental has been so much easier than we thought n feared too although it is very expensive Xx

feel free to keep asking

Deeny4 u too need to read this it has ur list ! Lol

Becki Xx

You can drive on your UK licence for a year, so I suggest getting on with all the other million things you have to do, and worry about that later!

Thank you for your response but I'm trying to purchase a car n the dealer said we need a NT licence before it can be registered!! :0/

Hello Callie

 

I have been in Darwin for about 6 weeks. Would love to meet up!! I have a three year old boy. Would love to get a good group of us all together and a community going to all help eachother out. PM me if you want to exchange numbers and we can arrange a meet up when you arrive. Deeney4 and I have been chatting lots, she is really great and she is heading out end of November with her boys too. Looks like we have a good opportunity to create a strong network with all of these families arriving together. I live in Leanyer....but to be honest every where seems close here as traffic is easy no stress even at rush hour times!

 

Charlene x

Hi Charlene

We have been here about a week now and we would love to be part of your little group!

We have four children 9,10,11 & 14! But all still young and playful!

We are currently staying in Coconut Grove

look forward to hearing from you

Becki X

Hi NT Buddies

So we arrived about a week ago and the treadmill to organisation hasn't stopped or slowed!!

Could someone give me the address of where we go to change our licences please? Have been online but I just find

myself reading stuffs I don't need to know! Lol! And I'm not even blonde anymore! Hahaha

wow three years that's along time.....ours has taken just under two years. yes the housing situation is abit like us we want to buy but need see the areas first. were from burbage which is right near Stafford how bizarre! we have never really settle in the uk and really need a new start. yes it would be lovely to meet up and the kids meet. Are you on facebook?

 

Alex

Wow we were quiet close then!! We too have never settled in the UK either the house we just sold was our seventh!! We too are desperate for a new start a new adventure, and Darwin is going to be it, no matter what!!!

It would be great if we could meet and I'm sure we will!!!

I am on Facebook (Rebecca Beardsmore/Rodbaston College/ my profile pic I have blonde short hair and I'm sitting with a little boy with blonde hair)

Haha everyone thinks it's soon but after three years of visa processing it's a welcome relief to know we are on our way after all the talk but no walk! Lol We hope to find an area that we can rent in but still afford to buy to settle as we don't want to move the children out of school again! So yes once we move into the rental they will go to catchment school it's hard when children are a little older, my 13yr old is excited but wobbles occasionally at starting school and leaving her sister! But once in the swing of everyday life she will stop over thinking it all :0/

We came from Staffordshire (Tamworth) and are so relieved to be moving on!

i will definitely keep you updated! It will be interesting to see our journeys to the same place!

Becki

Hi Guys!

we land in Darwin on the 7th October 2015! We have never been to Darwin either! Researched like crazy via internet! We have five children, one 19yrs stayed in UK, three boys 9,10,11yrs and daughter 13yrs! Those coming are so excited as are myself and my husband. I too am keen to make friends! I will keep in contact with as much information as we tackle the settlement into Darwin. We are currently in Canada visiting my sister then we fly to Brisbane for a two week camper an holiday then on to Darwin where we have booked a holiday apartment (city gardens)for four weeks to give us some visual research into areas and try to secure a rental, as we found when we visited Perth a few years ago what seems good and nice on the Internet has a not so good feel in reality!

Hope I can help

Becki

Thank You for your speedy response Cal!! This helps loads :yes:

Yes your right the GP charges a lot of money indeed for each of us!

I will just get their immunizations then, as i'm sure you can imagine their red books are poor with the important information! :mad:

Thank you again

Becki Xx

Hi All! :smile:

I'm about to request hand over files from our GP. My question is 'How much information do i need from these files?'

I have four children 13,11,10,9, three of which are adopted and their files are huge but mostly will be LAC medicals not illnesses. I really don't want to pay

for what i don't need either :mad:

All the children are healthy,although the youngest has asthma and eczema so i know i need that kind of info, do i just ask for the last few years (since adoption order)?

Also what about myself, I'm healthy, haven't been to my GP for a long time, never had anything serous (touch wood and all that!) what would i be requesting for?

Sorry if this has already been asked!

Thanks in advance Xx

What happens if you have an old retro Raleigh Chopper that has rust on it, will they look at it in more in depth?

We purchased a cleaning product from tool station or screw fix that you paint on the rust then wire wool it off! It was only a fiver and our bikes look brand new!