SimonandSian

Hi, Wonder if anyone can help/advise. We arrived a year ago on a 189 visa and are planning on getting citizenship when the time comes. We are looking into getting a credit card for frequent flier points but wondering if there is a waiting period before we should apply for a credit card. I don't want to apply and get rejected - it says that I should be a permanent resident which I am, but wondered if anyone had experiences they could share? Thanks S+S

Hi guys, so our container arrived in Fremantle this week and we have been contacted by the WA agent to say that there is $480 owing which is a "Quarantine Examination Fee" and PSS have said that quarantine fee is something that they specifically do not cover. Just wanted to check that this sounds right to everyone who has been through the process? I wasn't expecting such a large fee to be honest and it seems it is not because an item has been identified, just a standard fee from what that are saying. The firm in WA are 'KENT removals' just for info Thanks in advance

That’s perfect! Didn’t know about VEVO but have just downloaded it and saw that it solves the problem! Many thanks

Hi everyone. We finally arrived in Perth this week, super excited to start setting everything up etc one thing that we have discussed is that we have no ‘proof’ that we have a 189 visa in our passport - not even an arrival stamp!. Nothing was mentioned at the customs desk about a permanent stay. We presumed that we would need proof of visa for things like Medicare / tax and we have our email notification from our immi account but nothing else Can anyone shed any light for us please?

Thank you. Will look into both!

THAnk you - I ended up getting it one way with insure and go. Bit pricey and had to get it worldwide as we are stopping in Singapore but another thing ticked off the list!!

I have had a quick scan of the topics and although I think I have seen this discussed before, I couldn't find an answer sorry. We are making the trip to Oz (finally) this weekend and with the last minute packing etc I have had a panic about travel insurance. We are stopping in Singapore for a few days but as it is a one way trip regular travel insurance won't do because we need to be repatriated to Oz if anyone gets ill rather than the uk. Has anyone got any advice on which companies offer insurance for a trip with the purpose of migration? Many thanks Simon and Sian

Does anyone have any recommendations for parcel companies that are reliable but do not charge over the odds for 1-2 boxes that we will need to send in addition to our shipment and luggage allowance. Christmas got a bit bit out of hand so would like to send a few things but no bothered about it taking quite a few weeks! Has anyone used a service from the uk to Aus (Perth) preciously? Thanks

Hey all, we we are on the final countdown and fly out to Australia on the 7th Jan. all the big stuff is done (we hope)! Just wondering if if there is anything anyone forgot or wished they had done before leaving the uk. Thinking more about little stuff rather than big things! Hoping we can learn from others experiences and avoid the “why didn’t we think to do that” chat! many thanks simon and sian (plus 2 young ones!)

That’s really helpful and reassuring. Thank you very much!

Hi all, Apologies if this has been discussed a lot previously but I couldn’t find it in a search. We are packing up our stuff for shipment and starting to clean shoes / bikes / vacuum etc. Would just like some advice on how worried we should be about this... is every single box/item checked the other side? I’m not looking to cut corners and will be using a heap of jeyesfluid on the bikes and outdoor stuff, but i have just spent an hour trying to clean the dyson internally and have done the best i can, but i’m Sure there are still specs of dust etc inside. If it is inspected and expected to be spotless I’m a bit concerned it might be an issue!? If an issue is identified in customs - are we looking at a fine and confiscation of the item? Has anyone got any experience of issues the other side, or are there some good news stories of it all being ok in the end?! Many thanks Simon and Sian

Thank you all

Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ?

Thanks John - all set up now. Are there any charges at all when transferring money into an Australian bank account? Do you publish your exchange rates daily?

Sorry to hijack! Just wondering if there are any logistical issues / unforeseen charges when transferring money. We have set up an account with moneycorp and am in the process of sorting an account with Commonwealth at the moment. I know moneycorp say they waive any charges for forum members but wondered if there are any taxes or anything to pay to the Australian government? We will be transferring a large sum while the pound has strengthened to keep as a house deposit in perth Many thanks

Hi John. I tried to open a moneycorp account earlier earlier in the week but it said there is a 'delay with the systems' and I haven't had a confirmation of the account being open yet. Is there a timescale on the delay? I was hoping to take advantage of the stronger pound soon (ish) many thanks simon

That does sound confusing! Our 4 year old just started reception, born in march, so she will start reception again in Feb??

Thank you so much. That's very reassuring. Hadnt really thought about uniforms but presume we will we will be able to buy when we have enrolled as we arrive 11th Jan (a few weeks before school starts) out of interest, with the school years being slightly out of sync - do children generally resit the first term of the school year they are in?

Hi all, having read a few threads about pensions I am still none the wiser! We are migrating in January on a skilled independent visa (my wife and I are both 32) with two young children. At this stage we cannot be sure if we will be in Australia to draw our pension in 30+ years!! Any advice or guidance on what everyone else has done with their pensions (if anything would be greatly appreciated) I have an NHS pension (plus private as I only work NHS part time) and my wife has a teachers pension -- if that makes any difference Thank you in advance Simon and Sian

Hi all, So first of all I know this is a purely subjective question but we are heading to perth in January and will look to secure a rental ASAP on arrival (we can stay with family for a few weeks). We have been in perth on a working holiday visa a few years ago and loved the Fremantle vibe, and have friends in beaconsfield so were going to aim for this area (beaconsfield / Hamilton hill / white gum / south freo probably in our budget). But we do not have a recent experience of these suburbs, do they have a good reputation within perth? We have young children so schooling is important and also being close (ish) to the beach. Thanks in advance Simon and sian

Hi unzippy- thanks for getting in touch! We had a very positive experience you'll be glad to know! I presume you have booked with PSS also? First of all the crew were very friendly and helpful - I was concerned they may be grumpy and cause issues as the inventory had changed a bit from when the survey was taken. They packed all our clothes from the wardrobes, all the kitchen stuff, dismantled the beds/dining tables etc. They also gave advice on what was ok to take and what probably wasn't worth the risk. Our pack is slightly different as they were packing the house that we have just sold, but we are then storing in self storage until November when they will return, add some stuff that we have needed between now and then and ship aiming for the container to be in perth mid-late January 2018. we were pretty stressed and felt very underprepared but it was fairly stress free in the end. Are you packing and shipping straight away? When do you fly and where to? Best of luck!

Thanks snifter, just wanted the reassurance really! not doubting our choice to go with letton at all now. Insurance in place and packing begins tomorrow!

Hi James, Just came across your post as don't see many fellow physios on here! we have our visas and are heading to Perth in January. Just wondering how far along you are with the process? and what you have done about your registration etc? Best of luck Simon

Thank you! I have just had the disclaimer to sign for our shipping company as we are going to go with Letton too - bit daunting as it reads like they absolve themselves of any blame! Presume its standard

Thanks all for the input - like you've all said getting clarity and reading the fine print is the only way to go! Thanks for the info regarding the policy that can be attached the the super too - preferably we would not take out another policy as we are a few years older etc but will get clarity form our provider first