OZnewbie

Indeed you are right... I literally called them as the story broke so I don't think they properly knew themselves... What are your opinions on how this new process will impact the processing times of the applications which are currently in the queue? In my opinion, it could really go both ways.. either the still 'eligible' applications will be processed quicker as non eligible occupation applications will be easily refused, or each and every single application will be scrutinized in detail...

Hi All, I'm also looking to meet up a few girls late 20's - early 30s...(I'm 32). Have been in Sydney for about a month now ( in CBD) currently not working and there is only so much time I can spend at the gym and occupying myself with mundane household chores :). I'm a foodie, into health and fitness (although I drink!) and love the outdoors such as hiking, camping. I'm easy going and keep my conversations the same (although sometimes not very PC ) ...

I would take an extended trip to the UK, before making any major decisions. From experience, the ideology of being close to friends and family may sound great, but then reality hits and you realize you are suddenly surrounded by good energy people and baaaad energy people who are harder to avoid as they are family and live within 1km radius of you which you could of really gone without...I love my family, but in short visitation bursts... I've lived away from them for 15+ years so I'm no longer used to level of emotional involvement. I completely agree with Evandale and waiting around for a citizenship.. with the mess that is happening in the UK, you want your children to have options when they grow up and (potentially) need a visa to every single country they go and visit. Can you imagine your grown up kids finding out that they had the possibility to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in the world? It's happened to my husband and he still resents his parents to this day for not getting him a dual nationality (he's a UK citizen)..

Hi Emily, What have you chosen to do with your labrador? I'm in the same position as you. I have had my brown lab from when she was 5 weeks old. She is now 12,5 years old.... still full of energy, no health issues and is very adaptable to new environments. Australia would be her 4th country,( other ones were all within Europe) so she's never been on a long haul flight.. We had to leave Australia earlier than when she was allowed to enter the country under the quarantine rules so she is currently staying with friends of ours who have a young lab themselves and two small children. She is absolutely delighted. I get videos and photos all the time and it's almost like she has a new lease on life staying with them. She's so playful like I've never seen her before.. She has grown up with just two adults, no dogs and no kids so a pretty subdued existence, and although we are very active and take her for frequent and long walks, at home she pretty much just lazed around and slept or spent hours cuddled next to me. We have always worked full-time and therefore she always had a doggy-day care arrangement so she was hardly ever alone... I feel like taking the decision to bringing her over would be purely for selfish reasons but the thought of leaving her with friends and me not being there during her retirement years and the feeling of abandoning her is heartbreaking for me.. I love her so much. Even as a puppy, I said to my ex he can have the house but I take the dog ..

I've spoken to the Immigration office yesterday.. 59th caller but managed to get through within an hour.. Apparently the new changes are coming into effect as of March 2018 so I think if you've lodged your application already, this should not be effected. I'm also relieved that Elliot is also waiting on his 457 since January. We've lodged ours beginning of Jan when we thought it the process would be 2 months max ( low risk country)... now we are aiming for the 6 month processing time...hopefully we don't get stuck as being the 10% of applications that don't get approved within this period.