sunshinedawn

Electricity bills are quarterly while Gas bills are every 2 months. That's standard no matter the company as while you can choose your own provider meter reading has a set schedule (although they'll all try to offer you the option of paying monthly which, just like in the UK, is a scam to get you to pay in advance since their estimate usage is always more than you're actually using and you'll end up with them owing you 6 months of Electricity or Gas). Because of the different timing of Electricity and Gas (assuming you haven't gone for a monthly plan) most months you have to pay one or the other but every 4 months both (but you won't pay either the following month).
Water bills where I am now are quarterly but was only once every 6 months at my old place (different water company). Too many factors to tell you how much any of your bills will ll be - but your water will be cheap because in a rental you don't pay the standing charge (that's the landlords responsibility). As a home owner I can tell you that adding the standing charges for water more than doubles the bill.

We've recently moved into our rental and was wondering if anyone can shed some light on how often and roughly how much the utilities the bills are. We are in a 3 bed unit in Frankston area

We've recently moved into our rental and was wondering if anyone can shed some light on how often and roughly how much the utilities the bills are. We are in a 3 bed unit.

Could the company who sponsored my husband's visa reapply again for it when it expires if he's still working for them

The Department has announced that applicants who lodged or held a subclass 457 visa prior to the announced changes on 18 April 2017 will only need to meet the current 2 years for TRT and the current age maximum of under 50 will apply. Applications lodged after 18 April 2017 will need to meet new 3 year TRT rules and be under 45.

I would. I’ve not bought my son anything school wise since we arrived until the teacher has asked. It’s usually things like a writing pen when they get their pen licence  .Or a yellow highlighter.
Each year we get given a short list in the first week. Gets sent home with child. We usually end up buying a pencil case (large as the small ones don’t cut it), a few A4 sleeves for workbooks and a highlighter and the pen. Oh a stapler and staples but we have been using the same one for 4 years now. Everything else is provided. Ruler, pencils, books. All given at school.
I’d not stress and wait and see what comes home or what he is asked to provide. If you want to send him with a pencil and pen to start chuck one in.  
Eta - I’ve written this going out from it’s a state school.

Reception class? (Or kindy in some places I think).
Tbh nothing else is needed. School fees cover books, pencils etc. I’d just send him along with a backpack (we use non school ones as don’t lime school ones) and just put his drinks bottle, lunch box (if needed from day 1) and sun hat in.
If it’s half days they often don’t have lunch at school. Once he is doing all day they usually ask for fruit and recess snack to be sent in also. 

My son is due to start school soon. I have a silly question to ask. What do I need to purchase for his first day or two at school. Do I need to buy writing books, etc, not too sure as the school have sent me info about the uniform required but not what to have in his backpack.

Our visas were lodged beg of august 2017 and granted 30 august. Both of us are 45

Our 2yr 457 visa was granted august 2017 is there any chance of residency. Or can the company apply again before it ends in august 2019?

Yeah we've got the coils and some citronella candles but my husband seems to get bitten even when they're lit

You can buy lemon essential oil here, though  I have never seen it in a spray.  You could always try putting some in a spray bottle with some water.  Spiders don't like lemon essential oil either.  [emoji5]
There's a comparison here of commercially available mossie repellents.   I haven't personally tested their recommendations as we don't have a mossie problem here ...but the Canstar site in general is very reliable.
https://www.canstarblue.com.au/health-beauty/body/insect-repellent/

When we were in Turkey a few years ago we used lemon oil spray and that helped. Would it do the same here and are you able to buy it here

Help!!

Does anyone know the best way to stop being bitten by mossies.

Any advice welcome [emoji3]

We bought a big one from Coles it does the trick, we haven't burnt yet!

Well we'll just enjoy our time whilst we are here, unless my husband's company extend his visa.

The majority of people on the forum have pr never haven any previous visa.
It will depend though on your occupation and ability to pass the skills assessment as there are a number of occupations eligible for a 457 but not eligible for any pr visa. Also depends on age.
if you can tell us the following:
Occupation
Qualifications and experience
Age

On a 457 you are not eligible for Child Care benefit, Child Care rebate or Family Tax benefit A&B:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/residence-rules-child-care-benefit
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/eligibility-child-care-rebate
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/residence-rules-family-tax-benefit

Thats because they probably want you to hang up and if you do get through baffle you with red tape.....same in the UK they really dont want to give you what is legally your right to claim, I had a friend who worked in a benifits office and they were urged to make it so difficult for people to claim that many gave up.

Probably best to pop into a centrelink branch and speak with them but as far as i know you can only claim child benefit (family tax benefit here) if you are on a PR visa or have PR status.
Cal x

Assuming that by "residency" you mean PR, then yes, you can apply for it whenever you are eligible.

We've been in Oz for over a month now on a 457 visa and several people have mentioned that we may be able to claim for child tax benefits as my husband is the only person working in our family. If I can this would be a great help. Can anyone advise.

Is there anyway that we can apply for residency while we're on a 457 visa. We've just recently arrived here and have been told we can apply for it. Is this true?

Its a big place. Can you be more specific as to cities or areas you are looking at? Might help people give some insight. 
 

Can anyone give me any advice on what areas to avoid when renting in Victoria.