AliQ

On 24/03/2021 at 03:33, Robin’s Emigrating said:

Folks - have any you had experiences with variances in the final bill versus the original quote and payment made? This hasn’t happened to us yet, with the exception of the increases in freight rates which I know a number of people have experienced recently, but it has become clear that the amount we’ve paid so far is contingent both on freight, forex and other variable costs remaining the same, as well as the shipping companies virtual inventory being aligned with the cubic footage they encounter on the move date. I.e. your final bill could be significantly higher, or potentially lower too - assuming they pass any savings on which I’m told they do, but you won’t know until the final bill arrives. 

Our anxiety here comes from a feeling of lack of control, and perhaps a need for greater transparency, over the final bill. Sort of feels like we’ve signed a blank check and the final bill could be very difficult to challenge with the minimal transparency we have into the various sub costs. It’s sort of all baked in with an expectation of trusting the final bill.

We’ve raised this and they’re responsive and understand our concerns, but interested in others thoughts and experiences. We’re sort of used to agreeing a final price for something and then pulling a trigger. In this case we may end up agreeing on a price with one vendor, when another’s final bill would have ended up being lower in the long run. Perhaps that’s the risk of doing business in a game like this with so many moving parts, subcontractors and forex challenges, as companies don’t feel able to commit to fixed quotes, but interested in others opinions.

Hi, we've done two international moves, and each time those "possible" charges turned into mandatory charges. The "possible Quarantine Inspection", based on our experience, has had to be paid, could be our bad luck that they picked OUR container to inspect, but late last year that cost $275.00.

We paid for storage for about five weeks as well, that included a handling fee of $150.00 and storage was $24.00 a week. We had a shared container.

It's really hard to compare between companies, but I'd advise you, if you can, to get a set price of that quarantine inspection fee, and see if you can do a deal on storage this end, if you need it that it.

Hi Lou Gates, you say in your first post that you have "continued to pay .... for your registration"

Is that not the case then ?

If you have kept up your annual registration with AHPRA, then you don't need a skills assessment, as you have already been assessed when you initially registered.

5 hours ago, Lou Gates said:

I am a qualified nurse nurse working in the uk. I worked in Australia Perth as a registered nurse in 2010 on a holiday visa. I have continued to pay for my Australian registration every year just in case one day we decided to immigrate. 10 years later we have decided that we want a future in Australia. I just want to see if anyone know for sure if my hours I practise in the uk keep my registration valid in Australia I have contacted aphra but they take a long time to get in touch. I’ve tried searching the internet can’t seem to get a definite answer.

also what is the difference between skills assessment and modified skills assessment 

look forward to your responses 

Thanking  you in advance 

You say you already registered with AHPRA, so I must be missing something here.

Why do you need to know the difference in skills assessment ?

You declare your skills and current practice when you re register every year with AHPRA, so are you wanting to change your registration status after those ten years, to include something like midwifery ?

4 hours ago, Lou Gates said:

I am a qualified nurse nurse working in the uk. I worked in Australia Perth as a registered nurse in 2010 on a holiday visa. I have continued to pay for my Australian registration every year just in case one day we decided to immigrate. 10 years later we have decided that we want a future in Australia. I just want to see if anyone know for sure if my hours I practise in the uk keep my registration valid in Australia I have contacted aphra but they take a long time to get in touch. I’ve tried searching the internet can’t seem to get a definite answer.

also what is the difference between skills assessment and modified skills assessment 

look forward to your responses 

Thanking  you in advance 

Hi Lou Gates,

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking here.

You say you have paid to maintain your AHPRA registration for the past ten years, so, if you are answering all the criteria at EACH yearly renewal period accurately and honestly, and your payment is accepted, then you remain a AHPRA Registered Nurse, permitted to practice in Australia.

It's easy to check yourself. The register is open to the general public, just enter your name etc in the search facility on AHPRA website and that will confirm if you remain registered in Australia.

8 hours ago, tonks said:

Hi everyone, 

We told our family yesterday of our plans and were pleased everyone responded positively and even said they'd visit (still not convinced they will)! Husband's skills assessment goes off today to and he's booking his English test. I know that everything is so uncertain with Covid but it makes me feel better that we're actively doing what we can!

I have a few 'random questions' though if anyone would oblige, posting here as the topics are quite broad

• Beds - we have 2 double and a king size bed, can we ship our mattresses/bedding and is it worth it or are the bed sizes completely different? We are getting a container anyway as have just bought beautiful sofas so not worried about using the space, just practicalities. 
• Air B&B - anyone have success with a 4-6 week let whilst waiting for container to arrive/house hunting?
• Spiders (sorry!) - realistically, so I can prepare myself, are we likely to be encountering large/dangerous spiders on a daily basis/weekly/monthly? Do we need to sleep with one eye open? Are we going to have to inspect each room before we enter it for the rest of our lives? Basically, is it as bad as my UK friends are making out? 
• How you make it safe to leave furniture/play equipment outdoors? Is that not a spider trap? Will we need to bug spray/inspect whenever we want to use our outdoor items?
• Finally, clothing - as a fashion conscious 30 year old, am I better off stocking up on warm weather clothes and taking them across in the container? Or will I have access to enough up-to-date (English standard) shops? 

Is there anything else you wish you'd have thought of that we should be thinking of? 

Sorry, I know it's a few things at once, I'm a worrier! Thank you!!

Hi Tonks,

BEDS. Google bed sizes and compare, there is a difference in sizes, but it depends if that difference would irritate you long term, such as buying a new mattress to go onto a base that may not fit quite right. As for bed linen, for me, I think the quality of some bed linen from the UK is better than the most popular brand found over here.

AIRBNB. Realistically, your goods will take longer. More like 8 weeks plus. Clearing customs can also add on another week.

SPIDERS. Totally depends where you live and type of accomodation. You may see none, you may see lots.

CLOTHING. I'm on the Sunshine Coast, personally, I think clothes shopping here is poor. You will more than likely have to shop online or travel into Brisbane.

Good luck and enjoy your move

24 minutes ago, Heading4Tassie said:

Congratulations on making it to Sydney and into Quarantine. We are heading this way to in couple of months just re-booked the flights again with Qatar this time. Can I ask have you been  advised it is 14 nights in quarantine or do you leave on day 14? We are planning to head to tassie straight out of quarantine just not sure what date to book the onward flight if its 14 days so 13 nights or 14 nights.

Hope that quarantine passes quickly for you guys and you get to QLD easily to start your new adventure in Oz

We had "14" sleeps in the hotel.

Arrived very late on a Sunday night, allowed out two weeks later on a Sunday morning, after those14 sleeps, so, allowed out on what would be day 15.

8 hours ago, Nyxkat said:

Hi folks,

I've been a lurker here for a while now and you're all so very helpful.

We have a bit of time yet, as we're waiting until late August to move to Perth (bf has PR has til Nov to move. I will be applying defacto partner onshore).

We have 2 cats we're bringing with us (aware of area regs and already planning to have them indoors plus cattio so they cannot roam) and we have a crazy schedule to juggle with us flying, cats flying, everyone in quarrantine etc. This means we have a relatively short time period to secure a rental we can take the cats to. The areas we are looking at so far are Freo or close to it (we want to be close to rail transport) or possibly Aubin (bf is undecided, I'm happy to be in both places so he gets to choose ).

So I am asking you POI folks for some advice. Have you had a similar experience? Do you know a reputable housing agent that knows places that allow pets? Have you got a favourite agent that has dealt with you very well? Got any advice or info? Please help!

We have started the process with petair, we are aware of local regs on moggies and will be responsible with them. We are aware it is trickier to find a place thst allows pets and we are in the fortunate position to offer 6 months or even a year in advance. We have looked into it and while we can stretch we would prefer to stay around the $500 to $550 a week max. It us just us two and the two cats, no kids. Ideally we want a house rather than an apartment 2bed min with some outdoor space (enough for a cattio and to have a barbie without wedging people into a tiny space meant for 2)  and parking for 1 car off street.

TIA

Nix

Hi Nix, there are no "agents" as such who specialise renting out properties that allow pets. You need to do the legwork yourself by contacting all the estate agents in the area you wish to live, directly, and ask what they have available.

And speaking from experience, it can be very hard to find properties in popular areas that permit pets. You may have to stay further afield and settle for a "lesser" property.

And, and again based on our own experience, do NOT sign a contract for a property unseen. You may be lucky, but it's a huge risk and we would never do it again.

Good luck with your travels Nix.

8 hours ago, bicek said:

Thank you for replying! Did you have to pay the difference each time if flights were more expensive or did Singapore absorb any extra costs? That's good they just changed the dates rather then outright cancelled. A bit less stress, although still stressful. 

We had to pay the difference, and the price went up each time !

On 30/01/2021 at 20:48, bicek said:

Were you chasing refunds for the first 3 cancellations or did they just move you onto a new flight? 

Sorry for my late reply.

Our dates were changed each time free of charge, as they changed the dates, not us.

13 hours ago, bicek said:

That's good to know. Can I ask, did you find the level of cleaning/hygiene/social distancing on the plane reassuring? I have looked at different airlines, and it seems Singapore has a more strict set of protocols then Qantas for example. I'd prefer to fly with an airline that is doing everything it can to avoid transmission of the virus, and they all seem to have different protocols. 

We are looking to fly a bit later this year and Singapore flights are around £500 one way to Melbourne for economy, which seems pretty good. Hopefully we can book something soon, but it all feels a bit risky when we have no idea what the world will be like in 6 months when it comes to covid!

Hi bicek. Singapore Airlines were excellent with their infection control measures, during the flight and at Singapore Airport.  Cabin crew limit their interaction with passengers, and only came around when the main meal was due. There were no drink rounds, no snack rounds and no drinking water rounds. You could walk to the back of the plane though and request a drink / snack.

5 hours ago, psuwara said:

It would be interesting to hear experiences of people in Quarantine in Australia.

You basically cannot leave your room for two weeks, this is quite difficult! Especially if you or your partner are pregnant.

We recently completed a two week quarantine in Brisbane, and enjoyed it.

Our room was nice, lovely bathroom, food varied from really good to not so good, but overall we were happy to be fed & watered.

We were allowed out everyday, up on to the roof of the hotel for a good half hour. We were able to run / walk around up there and enjoy the view. 

I suppose it depends on what hotel you end up at, but we had no complaints and took the opportunity to wind down, relax and just enjoy the experience.

7 minutes ago, DUBtoBNE said:

I don't think agents will even allow it? Is it legal?

They did allow my sister in law to inspect on our behalf though. Maybe I'm too trusting. I bought a car in quazza that a mechanic mate had inspected for me. I've never even driven that model before.

Hi, yes you can accept a rental sight unseen, you sign paperwork stating "sight unseen".  We had a very unpleasant experience doing this, but at that time we needed to secure a property as we were shipping our pet (and very few properties would accept pets).

However, as you have relatives that are able to view a property for you, that's great and the way to do it !

1 hour ago, DUBtoBNE said:

Hi,

We're still in quazza at the Grand Chancellor. We'd applied for a property a few months back from Ireland but missed out on it. We've been keeping an eye out since but not much is coming up that's ticking our boxes. We're looking in Ashgrove/Newmarket area. What's the go generally? Is the interstate migration from down south having an impact?

TIA

Hi, sorry, can not help with your query, but NEVER rent a property unseen. 

15 hours ago, matre123 said:

think if she spent time out there she would realise how much better than the UK it is (at least that's what I think

We spent twenty plus years in Perth, this is my opinion, it's not better than than the UK, just a different environment and lifestyle, that's all.

13 hours ago, Alice M said:

Hello,

I am moving to London in 2 months and trying to find the best way to take my cat with me.  I have received a quote from Pettravelle for $5874.00 which is too expensive for me. I also am a first time pet owner and it is my first time planning to relocate a pet. I will appreciate any suggestion on how to relocate my cat in the most cost effective way.

Thank you,

Alice 

That price sounds right compared to what we paid two years ago, but get another couple of quotes just to compare.

It can be done a little cheaper if you arrange everything yourself, but personally, I would never take that risk.  It's a complicated procedure exporting an animal and best left to the experts. Even more so now due to covid.

So many things can go wrong, flight delays, missing paperwork, missed a date for a vaccination etc etc. It's a massive risk to do this yourself. 

20 minutes ago, Alice M said:

Hello AliQ,

 

I am moving to London in two months with my cat. Would you please let me know which company did you use for moving your pet?

Thank you,

Alice

Hi Alice, we used JetPets from Aus to Europe.

After a spell in Europe, we then moved onto the UK and used cfourpaws.co.uk. They were fantastic.  However, this was all pre covid.

49 minutes ago, Lynne shenfine said:

Hi everyone.  

Im not sure if anyone will remember me but it was just to let everyone know my husband secured a fantastic job in Jersey in the Channel islands in November.

We sold our house, cars, wrapped up life here and despite the Covid situation are flying home tomorrow from Adelaide.

I thought we would have some sadness but to be honest we just feel a sense of relief and that we are 'going home'

We are flying business class with Qatar. Flights and exemption were very straight forward. 

Have a safe and wonderful Christmas and New Year and I hope 2021 is a more peaceful and happier  year for everyone!

I will keep you posted...........

Much love XXXX

Good luck and enjoy the flight in business class.

New start for you in 2021 in lovely Jersey enjoy and stay safe.

X

8 hours ago, Dusty Plains said:

There are a number of dual citizens who regularly post here on PIO  who made the effort to return to Australia months ago. 

Everyone's individual circumstances were, and still are, vastly different.

This is a naive comment to make.

7 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Pay no attention to what people in the UK say.  Have they lived in Australia?    If not, they have no idea what it's like.  Most Brits think life is like Home & Away every day, and you're living in paradise. Of course they can't imagine you wanting to come home.   

This is so so true ! Life in Australia is NOT better, it's just different, and offers a different experience of "living on the other side of the world".

I would not let an 18 year old sway your thoughts either. At that age they could end up anywhere in the world in the future. You need to move now and I wish you well. 

38 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

I don't think someone with a job overseas counts as "stranded".  To be working over there means they have somewhere to live and an income.

Many Australians lost their jobs, so lost their income and possibly the roof over their head.

33 minutes ago, Quoll said:

Back in March, the message was very loud and clear - get home now or risk being stuck.  Cant say they weren't warned and sure, moving at the drop of a hat isnt easy but it was do-able back then.  As for dual citizens - I am one and I think that if you are living in the country of your other citizenship and (in some cases, have been for some long time) then, no, it's not the government's priority to return you to Australia.

Can you please tell me how it was "do able" back in March ?

We booked flights to return BEFORE covid struck. Those flights were then cancelled FOUR times between March and mid July.

AND, the UK shut down for months so it was impossible to organise a move when NO ONE WAS WORKING !

These type of comments are insensitive to all of us who tried to do the right thing at that time.

1 hour ago, Red Rose said:

Not a rival thread but what is the one word that separates the two countries for you?

As I was running today through some pretty tree lined English country lanes past some horse riders going for a hack, I thought the UK is sooooo quaint and that for me is the difference between the two countries that really stands out for me. Australia does have some character, but the UK oozes charm, even in 2020! 

Having recently spent 18 months back in the UK (in an area of total peaceful countryside) I totally agree. 

25 minutes ago, rammygirl said:

For a house purchase they should be able to send large amounts. There is a charge but it can be done. Ring the bank and explain. You won’t be able to do it on line but it should be possible. 

Based on our recent experience with large transfers, ask your bank for an International Transfer Form / RTGS. 

Our bank use these, they will transfer a large sum of money for you, in one transfer, and the transfer can be done in hours. Yes, there is a fee as rammygirl states, but it's only a nominal amount.

7 hours ago, Harty said:

Hello

We are a young family of 3 and are looking to make the move over from the uk once things have settled down a bit.

We have narrowed our search down to Perth or Brisbane. I dont mean living in the city but in the outskirts of the city

Has anyone lived in both or moved from one to another and can share their experiences with us

Which place in your opinion is best for families 

We like beaches etc but being by a beach isnt a necessity 

Thanks & Stay Safe 

Brisbane.

And I say that after working & living in Perth for a very very long time !

2 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Sometimes I think, when you spruik the benefits of living in Australia, that you're trying to convince yourself too,

So very true Marisawright, totally agree.

We love living over here, in fact we have just bought a new property, but I would not say that our life is better, it's different, that's all.

We've always enjoyed and appreciated the environment and experience of living here, but it's not always better than the UK, it's just different !