Judan

Thank you.

Thank you Snifter, our immigration agent has highlighted me as the risk factor to my husband's boss, so at least it won't be a total shock should if I fail it. I personally would not be heartbroken if we could not stay here,but my husband is enjoying his job and I would feel guilty if he had to quit because of me. We had intended to go for PR July 2019,by which time I had hoped to lose a lot more weight,however the visa laws changed and it is literally now or never as my husband is over 45, so need to submit all PR documents etc by July.

Hi Chrisbridge80 Just saw your post re:Medicals-ours are looming and I am dreading it!!!! Lost a couple of stone,but still got BMI of around 35. Just wondered how your husband went on,I also get anxiety high BP and suffer white coat syndrome,stressing hugely about the medical which is obviously not going to help BP reading on the day.

Hi,my husband's company have sponsored us to come over on a 4 year 457.... and yes we know the 90 day rule. Anyway we are finally settled enough for me to seek work in local schools,all was going well.......until the school called me on to say that their education office personnell say I am unable to work on the visa,unless I am of course working for my husband's company. Feeling flawed,lovely school and I need to get out of the house and most importantly earn some money! Anyone able to work for an independent company other than the one their spouse works for(and that has sponsored the 457)? Thanks in advance

Hi Platinum,I have already asked Father Christmas for a Fitbit,and yes once my swim suit comes with the shipping (now at port in Brisbane) I am to take my self to aqua aerobics.....and ditched the wine a week today. Your partner did really well!

Absolutely Marisawright,it all becomes a viscous circle! I have have done it before and will do it again.the move to Australia is motivation for me.

Thank you NicF, I shall let Hb go ahead then when he wishes.....just got to wait until the end of the probation period in Jan,by which time(minus the Xmas gain...which should not be as bad over here) In like easliy have lost a couple of stone!(with a few more left to go).

A little red faced to ask....but we are over on a temporary 457 and seriously thinking about PR, husband wants to apply asap (as I do). However,it will take me a good while to get to maximum healthy BMI of 25......of course this is my long term aim regardless of PR or not. Wondering if anyone passed medical Who is/was overweight with no other underlying health issues( and yes I completely get it that if I don't shift the weight I put on when my parents died then I am risking my health,and would be a potential strain on health care resources). It is not that I want to avoid losing weight,it is just I want to delay PR application until I have a good chance of passing the medical. Thanks in advance.

Thank you Loopylu,I have tried to,PM you,hope you get it.....I'm not the best with the forum controls.x

Thanks Loopylu, I rang Eaton Hills State school this morning,and sadly Warner Lakes out of catchment. We feel we have possibly rushed the housing choice,but we have good reason to and we say exactly as you do......only renting not committed. If we decide to go for permanent residency(and get it) then we will know what will work for us in time for our son to start high school in January 2019. We will get there eventually it's a big mountain to climb this moving to Oz,but we are a good way up and so far we love what we see.

Good idea about getting is shippers to show you customs invoiced Wan2go.

As life is so manic at the moment we have decided to go ahead and pay,one less thing to do.....but as I say lesson has been learned. Thank you for replies with this issue.

Thank you rammygirl, the husband in on the job now.....as ever all part of the learning curve!

We paid for a sole use 20ft container in the UK - supposedly including all costs associated with our belongings being shipped to Brisbane. we have been contacted by the Australian company who are receiving the goods and they say we need to pay $610 to progress the shipment through quarantine. Note that this is before any additional costs associated with cleaning/fumigating if the inspection turns up anything. also note, our ship is still en route (last seen in Singapore) and the company say they don't have our customs form (so they cannot have assessed what is in our container). is this legit?? Do we have to pay a random $610?? Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks Peachy, we both loved Ferny Grove/Hills but could not find the right house,got offer accepted on a gorgeous house in Arana Hills,but I could not justify paying $545 rent per week,when we are meant to trying to save in case we get a chance to settle and buy over here. Then due to husband trying to get into new job it was a matter of we need to get a house this weekend,no time to wait for right house in Ferny However,should we go for PR we would take our time to find 'the right house in the right place'....and who knows it could be Warner,Ferny or a hidden gem we have yet to discover. Jude X

Long story,but after setting our hearts in the Uk on Ferny Hills/Ferny Grove/Arana Hills (and looking at and even getting an Application accepted) we have ended up with a long term rental in Warner. The housing estate is lovely,local shopping area great,closer to sea, closer to husband's cousin but some people are negative when we mention it. Any tips re: primary schools(either Holy Spirit Catholic school or Bray Park state primary) very welcome ,as for any positive comments about Warner Lakes/Warner in general. Thanks in advance

We had a shock,my husband's only took 2 weeks and 2 days and that is with my son and I on as dependants! We are from the uk, his company had similar quick cases as they use a very good agent. It may have helped that my husband also submitted his skills assessment that he had paid for himself earlier in the year. Good luck! Ironically we would have liked ours to have taken a couple more weeks so that we had more time in Australia to find a suitable house, however we land next Wednesday and my husband has to start work on the following Monday. However, we are so grateful to the company for visas and husband excited about new job, so I should not complain!!!! I know we are very fortunate.

Thanks Peachy,fingers crossed we find somewhere around Ferny Grove, but this is really useful information. Train line is important. I am so grateful for all your help and advice Peachy,in this most surreal time in my life. X

Well here I am sat on garden furniture in my very empty house as most of our possessions are on their way to port! Anyway,sadly there do not appear to be many rentals in the Ferny Hills/Grove area at present,so would like to come armed with back up plan of nearby areas where there are decent state schools ,safe neighbourhoods and plenty of housing around the $500k mark,should we want/be able to buy in a few years. Husband would like to still be near Kep' golf course and near train line. Obviously hoping for a house that fits our needs(2 bathrooms) comes up in our desired Ferny/Arana Hills or Ferny Grove comes up but would appreciate any advice,yet again! Upper Kedron??? Albany Creek? Everton Hills or Kepperra(forgot how to spell sorry). Thanks in advance,just wish we had more than 5days from landing before husband starts new job,but to be fair if it were not for his new company,then we would not have this chance in life so I should not moan!

Head at Ferny Hills primary told me he thought we ok on 457, I read there was a fee waverer put in place in 2012 for Queensland.....which I thought meant up to the individual school....husband read as none to pay. Thanks for you reply Loopylou

Thanks Sammy1, really helpful advice.

Thanks Peachy, tried to pm you back,but couldn't manage.....but thanks for that advice re streets. Re school fees,have heard varying views,but as you and Sammy 1 have both mentioned it appears we may not. Head of Ferny Hills primary thought not,but was a possibility. Oh well at least I am now prepared for the school fee bombshell,was aware re: books and uniform though.

Hi, I am so confused as over in the UK 'state school' would suggest LEA run local primary/high school and public/independent would suggest 'private' schooling. Please note I am far from anti Private schooling,my husband went to private school. However,our finances will not allow us to even consider it. Therefore am I right in thinking that Ferny Hills primary and Patricks Road are NOT private schools, and similar to our LEA run schools? Next question where is the nearest High School that is not a 'private'school, as totally confused by status of Ferny Grove state High school, it classes itself as 'an independent public state school'.... We fly out to Toowong for 4 weeks this Monday,then hope to get long term rental in Ferny Grove in August(have viewings arranged next week when we arrive). Thanks in advance for any help....confused of uk!

I'm sure you'll be fine Minicooper,and that those 2 weeks will go quickly. Hope you can chill out on your flight and relax.x

Thanks for the reply IPP 77, apparently we haven't got enough time to go through the hep B schedule over here, so will do it in Oz. We have booked our flights for 2 weeks tomorrow(18th July!!!!!!). Just going straight to Australia with one short stop off in Dubai,a very quick move as husband starts job on 25th July!!!! Crazy here,it's all happened so suddenly.......but exciting too and blessed to have the opportunity to experience life in Australia.x