Kane and Cara

On 12/02/2023 at 10:11, Ausvisitor said:

I missed this one when it was posted original.

The most important thing to note from a logistics point of view is that iGCSE have a different syllabus content to GCSE and for those that have coursework element the UK GCSE equivalent won't be relevant.

You could try sitting the iGCSE (but it would be as a private candidate and the entry fees are around £80 each time plus the fee to sit the exam in whatever centre you attend - this is not legislated so could be anything)

If you really are staying in OZ long term it really isn't worth bothering with GCSEs

Thank you

Thank you everyone.

Can I ask, if she sat yr 11 and 12 in Oz, then went back to UK (not that she will but just for my piece of mind!) - Would her Oz qualifications be recognized in the UK? for her to get a job etc... i mean

Thank you for your reply’s. Unfortunately We have already had our original visa PR of 5 years extended as it ran out during covid. We got 1 year extension which runs out in May. Therefore we are unable to apply for another extension. I would not want to run the risk of her entering Oz and going home to sit the exams and her then apply for another rrv and be denied. We are obviously not planning on returning but I just didn’t want her to miss out if there is a way she can sit IGCSE’s in Oz which are recognised in the UK should she ever want to return in later years. 
 

I find the difference between UK and Oz schooling very confusing. She’s in year 11 now but believe she would go into year 10 in Oz when we arrive? So will be at school for Oz year 11 and 12 which is what matters - is that correct? 
 

if you can’t sit GCSE’s in Oz - what is an IGCSE then please?

I have been in a lot of conversation with the school here in UK - they can’t help. 
 

thanks

Cara

Hello

Really need some advice please!!
 

My daughter Ella is due to sit her GCSE exams in May 2023 in the UK but due to visa restrictions, we have to be in Australia by May 17^th which is the week she is due to start the GCSE's here in the UK.

 

I am looking at the possibility of her sitting IGCSE’s instead in Australia. 

 

We will be based in or around Ormeau area of Brisbane. 

 

I am very confused as to what exams she can take so would be very very grateful if you could advise ?

 

In the UK, she would be due to sit the following exams:

 

English Language

English Literature

Mathematics

Tripple science - Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Geography

History

Sociology

 

We do not feel that she needs to do all of these exams so the main ones we are focusing on is the English ones, maths and triple sciences

 

I am looking for some information as to where in Brisbane she can sit them and when please? We would also like to know if there would be any material we can send to her current school in the UK that they can assist her in learning while we are still in the UK?

 

Sorry for so many questions, it is very unfortunately that our visa expires in May and not July as she would have had time to sit them here instead. 

 

We were due to begin the move to Brisbane in 2020 but obviously covid put a stop to that and now I am very stressed that she will miss out on exam qualifications that she has worked so hard for these last 2 years.

 

Anything you can advise would be so very much appreciated.

 

Kind regards

 

Cara

1 hour ago, Beffers said:

Depends on your budget and lifestyle too.  I was recommended Bayside as the must have area, and we hated it! We now live in the Dandenong Ranges, have been here for 18 months and have just bought a house. People say its too from CBD, one hour Belgrave line, but we don't work in the City. There are always massive assumptions that you need to be within reach of the CBD, but I go into the city once every couple months and that's all.  We've just bought a big 3 bed with a self contained studio below on 3000 square metres for 550K. Our rental was a 2/3 bed cottage on 2000 squ metres for $350/week.  I know we couldn't have done either closer to the CBD and the quality of life up here is far greater than anything down in the suburbs! 

My advice: think about your lifestyle and your budget. And start from there, if you don't mind a half hour drive from beach, then why pay a premium to live there? If you want green parks and open spaces then not all suburbs will offer this. Do you prefer modern housing areas, then this will give you options from Altona / Werribbee etc in the west or Officer etc in the East. Do you want a large garden for your kids to play? Lots of plots are small in the suburbs, so be mindful of it. And lastly, budget and proximity to schools - budget will dictate a lot and schools are generally zoned and will need research depending on how old your kids are.  Its a bit of a minefield! Also check out Facebook page UK Mums in Melbourne - lots of advice on there once you're further along in your research and/or once you've had your visa granted. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your message. It isn’t very hard when you haven’t been someone to know where to even begin looking. We actually already have visas. We lived in Brisbane for 7 months and although we know we want to come back to OZ, we are not sure about returning there, which is why we are researching Melbourne. There is  plenty of work, and it all looks lovely. It just seems the weather is a bit more varied that Brisbane where it is mainly hot and humid all the time. 

Thanks again

Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback about the travel distance / time. My husband would definitely be starting work as early as possible, here in the UK he mainly leaves the house at 4am or 5am to get to jobs (no always because of distance but to beat the London or motorway traffic) so early rising would never be a problem for him. 

Thank you also for the feedback regarding this suburb, it helps a lot to have comments from various people.

kind regards

Cara

13 hours ago, Alan Collett said:

But further from the Surf Coast beaches ...

Best regards.

Thank you

9 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Rough

That answers that then. Thank you!

Thank you everyone, you have given us great info. Does anyone know what Werribee is like? That’s quite a bit closer to Melbourne 

Thank you so much for everyone’s input. We are aware that housing is more expensive, but like I say we are only considering. Will take a look at Geelong, it’s nice to have a recommended area to start. 

An hour commute driving would be fine, my husband is a carpenter so would need to drive van rather than get public transport. 

Thanks again!

Hi

We are a family of 5 who emigrated to Brisbane in 2016. We lasted 7 months before returning to the UK, which was obviously never long enough. 

There were a lot of factors in this decision, which we have now come to regret. We think we have decided on Melbourne but don’t know a lot about the areas so was wondering if anyone could suggest some for young families, so we at least have a starting point for our research.

Many thanks in advance! Any help would be very much appreciated.

Cara and Kane

Yes, even fake berries need to go.

 

And re the kids car and scooter, its entirely plausible they need a permit. Personally, I'd not bother shipping that sort of thing but that is me.

Thanks snifter, I'm not sure it's worth it either but the kids love them! See what the cost is I suppose. Thanks again

Yes with the berries we had decorations like that taken from us plus Santa and his wand were confiscated ?

thanks Patphillips47 - Santa and his wand! What could he possibly have done ha ha. Thanks for the info!

Hi all

just a quick question, we are flying to Brisbane on 1st July and have had a shipping company come to quote our shipping costs. We have a kids electric car and also shooter both run on battery's but we're advised we need an import permit for both as aus class them an vehicles????

does anyone have any information about doing this please?

also we were advised to cut the Berry's off our fake Christmas tree - has anyone else had to do this?

thanks

Cara