MiniCooper

I have just recieved a quote from a company which states: 'Rate Excludes: Australian PHC, THC, LO/LO, Shipping line documentation fees and any other ancillary charges incurred by the shipping lines; Customs duties or taxes; Quarantine inspection fees;' What does this mean? Is this customs clearance? Does it mean we will likely incur huge fees on top of our shipping? Thanks

Hi there. After many months fretting about not finding work, I have managed to secure employment before arrival. I land in Rockhampton late on the 5th July, likely two weeks before my hubby. It'd be great to get recent points of view on Rocky and maybe meet up with anyone in the area. I'm 29 play netball and rugby and enjoy cycling and circuit training. Hubby is 39 and into his cycling. We're not fitness freaks though, we do like drinking wine...lots of wine and love going out for dinner...as long as there is wine! I'll be staying in temporary accommodation in Gracemere to begin with. Thanks

Will do Skani, thank you.

thanks dxboz :smile:

Anyone?? :err:

Hi there. After many months fretting about not finding work, I have managed to secure employment before arrival. I land in Rockhampton late on the 5th July, likely two weeks before my hubby. It'd be great to get recent points of view on Rocky and maybe meet up with anyone in the area. I'm 29 play netball and rugby and enjoy cycling and circuit training. Hubby is 39 and into his cycling. We're not fitness freaks though, we do like drinking wine...lots of wine and love going out for dinner...as long as there is wine! I'll be staying in temporary accommodation in Gracemere to begin with. Thanks

Hello, I have found this thread incredibly helpful and insightful. I have used it many times throughout our visa process and have been given advice and guidance by kind individuals. It also made me realistic. Some posts did make me worry and resign myself to the fact that i may have to do my time as a relief teacher in the first instance (forever maybe?). I have spent a considerable amount of time questioning my decision to move to Australia due to the fact I might not get a job. Although I saw others found employment, human nature made me lean toward the more 'negative' posts. I'll admit I was terrified! However, fear not teachers. There is hope yet! I have spent the last couple of months adapting my CV and every single cover letter to each individual school after copious amounts of research. I have trawled the web for jobs all over QLD, willing to go where the work is. I have spent late nights and early mornings on Skype interviews with agencies and schools. I have done my research and alas...I have a job. In fact I've had two job offers out of two interviews. I was offered a third interview this morning. Now, my job is not right in the city, in fact its probably classed as remote and the other job was rural but if you put in enough hours and are willing to move away from the cities you might just strike lucky. Yes my subject is a shortage subject and I am still relatively cheap but with a fair amount of experience, however I have been teaching supply for 3 years. So don't get disheartened just be aware you will have to work your socks off to get noticed. So huge thanks to all of the helpful responses to all of my questions over the last few months.

Thanks Sammy, although I have applied for QCT I do plan to go through the private schools but sign up for both avenues just incase...you never know. Perhaps I could do a couple of years rural, get some Oz teaching experience and them move on. You never know, I might love it??? I have noticed a lot of 'contract' jobs but there are a few 'permanent' roles being advertised just now. Anyway thanks for the info. Much appreciated.:cute:

I have done my research and I am aware of the current situation regarding teaching posts, however I am a shortage subject and there are many many teachers on this forum who have found positions once in Australia, Queensland too. When I started teaching in the UK, jobs were hard to come by, I did pretty well then so I'm not overly worried. Besides i've always fancied being a country bumpkin. As long as the spiders and snakes stay away I reckon i'll be fine

Thank you Bobj. You have been most helpful.

Thanks for the info Bobj. Have you lived there? I'm a little worried about my husband sourcing employment should we end up there. He is an engineer by trade and is also a qualified high school engineering teacher.

So I've had an interview for a job prior to arriving. If I get it it will be a foot in the door. It's not necessarily where we want to live long term but would it be totally stupid to turn out on offer of employment? Sods law though if i do get it we'll get loads of offers of employment in the locale we want and if I turned it down we'll not even get a call back. What would you do? Emerald is 3 hours west of Rockhampton, old mining town in the middle of nowhere. It does have amenities and I assume it will have a real community feel. So do we take a confirmed offer of employment (if it happens) or do we risk it, move to the place we want and hope for some casual/relief work that turns into something long term?

This is really informative thanks ever so much.

Hi again, Does anybody have an Skype interview tips for a teaching post? Researched some potential interview questions, got a whole load of QLD curriculum info etc, but just after some personal experiences. Many thanks

Wow Kirsty, this is so informative. Thank you so much.I really appreciate it.

Captain C, always on hand to answer my queries. Thanks ever so much. That sounds great.

Hi there, so I am currently trying to get quotes for shipping our home contents. We don't have much so wouldn't even need half a container. The problem is we live in Cyprus and Move Cube don't ship from here. I have just had a quote from a company which seemed pretty awesome until I discovered the cost doesn't include any of the fee's at the other end...is this normally included? And if so how do I go about finding out the cost of customs clearance and duty and taxes once in OZ - Oh and I'll need someone to transport it all to our new address. My god, how do people do this? :arghh:

Some jobs state 'eligible for QLD teacher registration' which I have sent off. I am applying for jobs but don't really anticipate getting anything until I arrive...even if its just relief work. But it can't harm to try right? Not all jobs specify a need for first aid quali either. of course the ideal situation would be one us to get a job before arrival but I am also being realistic about the prospect of this and we do realise it could be months after arrival before we actually secure work.

Many thanks Quoll, we absolutely will be looking for roles that we are qualified for. I have worked as a graphic designer and visual merchandiser in the past and the hubby was a senior engineer way back when so we are open to other options. Yes I think we will keep our pensions. Many thanks.

Very Stormy this is brill, thank you. Will get right onto the 'money' stuff. Yeah I've spoken with Teachers on the Teacher thread... suppose i'm just trying to gather as much info as possible. I'm now going to check those threads you have suggested. Honestly - LOVE PIO!!:smile:

Hi, me again. So we finally have our visa, I have applied for Teacher Registration in QLD and we have both started applying for jobs. I have the 'to do list' that has been posted on here and i am in the process of collating documents for evidence for rentals etc. We are intending to finish this school year and fly out at the end of July/beginning of August. So questions: 1. Do we need to wait until we are out there to get a bank account? 2. How do you transfer money? Is it as straightforward as just going online and moving it? 3. Pension - should we withdraw the private pension we have accumulated in the UK? (its not a huge amount as I've only been paying in 6 years) Or do you recommend leaving it there until further down the line? 4. Areas - Gosh this is the hard one as I've done quite a bit of research and taken onboard peoples suggestions here and keep changing my mind. So Now torn between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and leaning a little more toward the Sunshine Coast. I'd like to be near to a nice beach say 20 mins drive. I want to live somewhere reasonably near to amenities like coffee shops, a bar, restaurant and shop preferably. Maybe an hour commute to the city, nice area, but not super expensive. 5. The scary one - Jobs. I'm a tech teacher hubby's a teacher / engineer. I know jobs aren't super easy to come by at the minute but any tips/advice for securing one? I have loads more but I'm conscious this is a pretty long post so apologies and thanks in advance. :cute:

Oh sorry, obviously misread it. Didn't realise it was the BA in education

That's odd - I only have a 3 year degree but a PGCE too and have been granted. Yes I have an MA but I thought a 4 year degree could include the 1 year PGCE???

Thanks everyone..Kylie after application it was rather quick but that bloody skills assessment drove me crazy. No champagne breakfast but I'll definitely be having something special a little later on

I will pray. Fingers crossed yours comes in soon