cheese n pickle

Hi Jodie, I don't blame you! I'm from Manchester, but lived fairly close to Oldham, and worked up there for a few years. It really is horrible and I imagine it's probably worse now since we left 5 years ago. If we hadn't have moved here (Melbourne) I would definitely have moved south. Good luck!

sounds wonderful. So jealous! Would love to live in Devon/Cornwall.

Hi Libby, What year group are your kids? I'm out of zone for Frankston High, but my eldest was going into year 10 at the time, so we called and asked if they had places, and she got in. If they have vacancies in a year group then they might take your son/daughter. Worth an ask. I think it's harder to get in if you're applying for year 7, but sometimes the higher years have spots. Good luck!

I'm sure a lot of people would like to move to Australia, whether they can or not is a different story!

Hi, I can't comment on Queensland as we're in Melbourne, but my hubby is a mechanic. He started by contacting a few places who had advertised on the jobsites but also contacting dealerships directly, stating the date we were arriving in Australia, sent CV etc. The majority replied to say contact them when we had arrived and they would be happy to see him. When we arrived, he set up a few interviews and had a few job offers in the first couple of weeks. With regards to tools, we shipped the majority in the container, but my hubby sorted out the necessities and made up a separate box, which we then shipped by UPS, just so he had tools to start off with. I think they arrived within 10 days. Good luck!

[h=3]Hi, Its not just family sponsored, You still need an occupation on the SOL. See below: Requirements[/h]Visa Summary Requirements Invited Pathway You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited. When we sent your letter of invitation, you must also have: been nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupations list a suitable skills assessment for that occupation not yet turned 50 years of age achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test at least competent English

Hi there, is your police certificate still valid? i.e. dated within last 12 months? I had the same request in an email, but the one I uploaded with my citizenship application was the one I had done for the visa application, so was out of date. Citizenship application went in on 10th May, received email on 15th June, with test date scheduled for 21 June. Had to change this and did it through the online booking system to 30 June. I still attended test/interview even without current police cert, just took my receipt to prove I'd applied for another one. Will still have to submit new police cert, but have 60 days to do this. I can either take up to the office and they will copy it or it can be posted in and they will send back. Hope this helps.

Hi, Ditto what Kevsan says. I live in Langwarrin too and both my girls are at Frankston High. As has been mentioned, I would avoid Frankston North. I also work in Frankston and never encountered any problems. I've seen a couple of, shall we say 'colourful' characters' but no worse than in Manchester! on the whole a good suburb. The beach is fantastic and location is great. Hope this helps x

Hi, we had this problem as well, and you have to select 'No' you don't have a current passport if it's expired. then another pop up box should appear where you can add your passport details including date of expiry. When I couldn't get past that page I called the helpline (ha what a joke that is!) and was advised to put in a 'future date" then add a note at the end of the form explaining this. Unfortunately that information was incorrect, and when I called them a second time, the girl I spoke to advised to select NO, then follow the prompts. We had no issues with our expired passports and sat the test/interview last week. Hope that helps!

I definitely agree with the working longer hours. I'm now working full time as opposed to part time in the UK just to maintain the same standard of living, and even now find there are things I can't afford! Whereas in the UK I could comfortably afford things like Buildings/contents insurance, now I'm struggling to find the money! I doubt your lifestyle will change dramatically, more a case of living the same life in a different country. With regards to opportunities, as others have said there are no better/different opportunities to the UK. If I had my time again I'd move within the UK and not to the other side of the world!

Thank you NickyNook! Great news, thought I had to wait until next year:)

Thanks Suzukiscottie, we have the 176 permanent residency visas so I've entered the date we first arrived in Oz, which was 9th Dec 2009, do I add this date as the lawful residence date as well? I'm really confused because when I enter the dates in the calculator, and leave the intended lodgement date as today's date, it says I've met the residency requirements. I just assumed that because we had a gap of 3 years then the clock would reset and we would have to count 4 years from January 2013?

I'm trying to work out my eligibility. What's the difference between permanent residence date and lawful residence date?? We arrived in Aus Dec 2009, went back to UK June 2010, returned to Aus Jan 2013, so I thought the four year clock would reset when we returned in Jan and we wouldn't be eligible until Jan 2017? Any advice? Thanks,

Hi Can't advise on work/wages but you'll need to do the Construction Induction (White card training) to work on construction sites. http://www.chisholm.edu.au/Courses/Short_course/Construction_Induction_White_Card

HI, No I don't think it will be revoked. The 175 visa is a permanent residence visa and you're not tied to any employer or state.

OP has stated that son has only just qualified so would have to wait and get the 5 years experience I would have thought????

Hi Dan, We also emigrated on my husband's trade, vehicle technician/mechanic. This was on the old 176 State sponsored visa and he was assessed through VETASSESS. Not sure if things have changed so could still be Vetassess. From what I can remember there are two parts to the assessment, firstly we had to submit evidence to VETASSESS, such as wageslips, work contracts, references, photos of him at work etc, then if this was passed, the second part is a practical day at the local college. On the practical day he was asked to do a few things, and every now and again the assessors would call him into the office and ask a few technical questions relating to different tasks. He passed the practical and was awarded the Australian Cert III qualification. As I say it could have changed as this was in 2009! But maybe check the VETASSESS website first. Good luck!

Please do listen to your children (if they are old enough to express feelings of returning). My youngest was 10 when we returned and she didn't want to. She constantly asks if we can go back (to UK) and is quite unhappy at times. I'm worried she's bordering on depression. There was a time when she was in tears constantly. My worry is when she gets a little bit older she'll want to return on her own.

HI, I don't know what the job market is like in Brisbane, I'm in Melbourne. Took me 12 months to finally get an Admin job, and that's with over 12 years experience! Employers prefer either experience or Cert III in Business Admin or both! Best of luck!

http://au.sportsdirect.com/ Hi Sarah, I've recently discovered that there is indeed a sportsdirect Australian website (see link) You can order from the UK site but I think delivery works out at around $40, but with the Oz one is only $9.99! Happy days! You can also order from Next (free delivery over $30) and they stock sports clothing and trainers. I prefer sportsdirect tho!

Hi Shane, Don't know if this will help?? http://www.chisholm.edu.au/Courses/Short_course/Plumbing_Registration_Training

Hi Michelle84, yes there are charges. I'm in Vic and a permanent resident. My daughter's previous primary school, I think charged $140 per year and called them Parental contributions, other things were also charged for such as school diary, portfolio, mathletics etc. Both my girls are now in high school and fees are charged per subject, such as $30 Maths, $25 English, school diary, locker etc. The most expensive is VCE Outdoor Ed which is around $600. If you don't pay, you don't do the subject. Voluntary charges only apply to Building fund and chaplaincy fund.

Hi KiwiKaye, Eldest is in Year 11, youngest in year 7. Very happy with the school. Staff are great, very helpful and approachable. Lots of activities for the kids. All the best!

Hi Simon, Frankston High has an excellent reputation and is one of the best state schools in Victoria. Many families move into the catchment area just to get in. My two girls go there. Admission is based on the zoned area, but it's not impossible if you're out of the zone. Can't comment on other schools on the Peninsula, sorry! Good luck with the move.

Hi RachelGreep, I'm in Langwarrin and have been for almost 3 years. Can't really think of any 'bad' areas, although the area known as 'Leafy' Langwarrin looks a little more tired to me. I'm just off Northgateway not far from the shopping centre and all seems pretty quiet. We like the area, and it's only a 10 minute drive from the beach at Frankston. Haven't really encountered any gangs of youths, although a new Macca's opened recently so may be a few more kids hanging around early evening. From what I've seen though, you don't tend to see gangs of kids, not like in Manchester! Still get a bit of graffiti and litter, but that could be said of anywhere. There was an article in the leader paper a few weeks ago about how Langwarrin and Skye properties have increased in value, and demand due to location and access to the peninsula freeway. I'd say it's a good place to buy, we bought about 18 months ago, but it's an older style which needed work. You could probably get a decent 3 bed within your budget, but I'd look around the top end of Langwarrin. Potts road/Woodlands area is quite popular and seems nice, we viewed a few over that way when we were looking and there are new units being built as well. Let me know if you need any more info. Good Luck