Ceebs-x

1 minute ago, Cobs_Ahoy said:

Good luck with it all @Ceebs-x hope you are feeling the sense of relief that I felt since booking our flights! And while it definitely is the end of our Australia story (I don’t think you could pay my husband to come back!), I hope you get a more fulfilling second shot at it! 

I’ve felt homesick since coming here. But I do also feel sad in a way that I’m leaving. But as I said, it’s okay. I’m happy to go now and I may return later. It’s all fine. I had to enter within a year to activate my visa anyway. I have it for five years before I have to apply for a resident return. That gives me five more years to come back and try and make it more successful if I want to. 
 

What I will say is, I have heard so many stories of people in your husbands position. Where they leave cause they don’t want to be here. They get back to the UK and they are hit with this regret, wondering why the hell they came back. My family friend did the same thing. Came over for a year, thought she wanted to leave with her child. Went home for 6 months and she felt it was a massive mistake. Came back and she’s been here since. Again, a friend of mine had the same problem. Was here for three months, went home for only three weeks and was back after it, as she realised it was a massive mistake. Has been back ever since. 
 

You never know, you might be in the same position one day! It could also be that Queensland maybe wasn’t for you. I’ve been in Sydney and I know it’s just not a place I would live permanently. And that’s okay! 
 

Migrating is a massive learning curve in so many different ways. I’ve never been this emotionally challenged, but it’s also given me a lot of learning and growth. I’m happy for the experience. 

4 minutes ago, Cobs_Ahoy said:

Hey @Ceebs-x

just wanted to send a quick message of solidarity- we arrived in Queensland at the start of November and by mid December I was contemplating getting on the next available flight home. It’s a horrible feeling when that loneliness and panic kicks in, I still remember how it felt.

We are currently in the final stages of our plans to return to the U.K, and will have been in Oz about 6months by the time we get back. I’ve got an active thread in Aussie Chat at the min “Having a Wobble” that might be worth a read, I found it helpful to talk through some of my feelings with people on this board , even if it was just figuring out that I disagreed with what was being suggested. I am glad we didn’t jump on the first flight home, but only you know long you can stick it out for. I probably could have held out here for 1-2 years, but my husband was having a rougher time than me and we also had other stuff to consider like what timings worked best for kids.

A good friend of mine and her partner moved from Barcelona to a small town in WA when we were in our twenties, she lasted three weeks before ending her relationship and moving back to Spain. She never regretted sacking it off so quickly,  sometimes you just know! Conversely, my sister hated moving to Melbourne from Bangkok, but she battled through it and now loves living here, so I guess sometimes you don’t actually know. Totally unhelpful ending to my post, but just giving you a variety of stories so I dont seem so biased!!!!

I hope things have improved for you since you last posted, whether that’s feeling less homesick or having booked a flight home. 

Thank you so much for your message. I have actually booked a flight home now, it’s in a couple of days. I’ve left Sydney and came to Perth to visit some family friends. I’m not saying this is goodbye forever, it’s definitely not. I just don’t think I’m quite ready yet. But I’ve learnt a lot since being here. One thing being I’d never live in Sydney, it’s good for a holiday though. And some things about how I want to advance/change my career. 
 

I do think I’m having a wobble, but it’s fine. I’ll do what my body is telling me to do and figure it out after. I’m more than happy to go home and realise I’ve made a big mistake, and fly out again a week later. It’s all good. I do have a couple of things pulling me back at the moment too, totally unrelated to my feelings about this move entirely. So I think I just want to, for my own peace of mind, be there to sort these things out. Be there in person to support those who need it, as you can’t tell how someone is actually doing without seeing their actual face. 
 

It is not the end of my Australia story! 

1 hour ago, 22B said:

Feel your pain, and hope it gets a little better. We left for a job and life change, as some family members had moved over. You would have thought it would make it easier. But I can't bare it here, all I want to do is go home and after many years there's absolutely no chance my relationship would survive.

I’m sorry to hear that. Seems like it’s a lot more complicated when more than just one person is involved. For some reason I thought it would be easier.  

It is reassuring to know that others feel this way. I’m looking into jobs both home and in Australia now just in case. I had to leave my old job cause it was so toxic, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I would never go back. Everyone who is still there now is trying to leave. It was a necessary change, even if it comes at a cost of unemployment for a while if I move back to the UK. 

Thanks to both of you. I am a girl though, who isn’t much into football/rugby (or sport generally haha). I wish I was, it would certainly be easier! 

Maybe it’s cause I’m seeing it from the other side, but I feel like being a guy makes it easier to make friends. 

15 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Sydney can be quite overwhelming I think, maybe try heading up the coast, or over to Melbourne or Adelaide?

Yes I can imagine it can feel pretty lonely.  hard enough coming with family to support.  

The CBD reminds me of London if I’m honest, so I’m happy to be out of the city centre. It’s a catch 22 for me because, I was sponsored by NSW on a 190 permanent residency visa. Therefore, I want to try and stay here, even if it’s only a moral obligation and not a legal one.  I think I’d feel a lot better if I knew someone here, anyone, family or friends. I don’t know a soul! 

11 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Where are you?  Australia is a pretty varied place, and I don't think in any of them are the best bits near the airport.  Maybe get out and about a bit, you might find somewhere you prefer.  It is pretty hard while you are not in work though to feel in any way established.

I’m in Sydney. Don’t get me wrong, I have been going out and doing things. I wouldn’t sit in and do nothing. I quite like being near the airport in Sydney. It’s only like 10-15 minutes on the train to the CBD and like 30-40 minutes to beaches. Location isn’t too bad. I came here on my own though, I never realised how hard that would be. Especially during the day when the UK are sleeping. 

5 minutes ago, jvb473 said:

I’ve been here 6 months and in the same boat.  I’m trying to stick it out and hope it gets better as my mrs (she’s an Australian and the reason I’m here ) does not want to go back to the UK so me going home would be the end of the relationship.

I’m sorry to hear that. It is tough. Sometimes I have really good days and then the bad days are really bad. It’s good you’ve managed six months, I think that’s a good amount of time to establish if you want to stay here or not. I appreciate it must be difficult if the decision would mean the end of a relationship though. I’m currently having to take it day by day, I’m not sure I’ll even make it three months let alone six. I haven’t found a job yet and my apartment is up on the 17th of March, so if I don’t have a job by then I might have to go home cause I’m gonna end up running out of money. Leaving it in the hands of fate. 
 

I’m currently staying close to the airport and I can’t tell if it’s a blessing or a curse. In a way I find comfort in knowing I’m so close to going home if I wanted to and other times I suppose it makes me sad. Think it’s more the initial than the latter. 

7 minutes ago, Nemesis said:

20 years ago I got off the plane, my then fiance met me at the airport and promptly complained that I had too much luggage. I calmly informed him I had brought my life 12,000 miles to be with him and "hello darling" might have been a better greeting.

I knew it was wrong then, and although I tried hard I have never fitted in here. I would have gone home years ago but by the time I was divorced and able to leave I was broke, but had a better job than I could wish for back home. So I stuck it out with the goal of going home when I retired. I'm now packed and ready to leave. Much turbulent water under the bridge in the meantime.

On the other hand I have many British friends who were unsettled at first but now wouldn't go home if you dragged them!

Hang in there, give it time, and try your best not to compare, but to accept the differences. That should help. 

Many people feel like this at first. Most of them settle, build a new life, and are happy here. Some bail at the earliest possible opportunity. Coming on your own, I would say you need to give yourself time to meet people, get that first job, and give yourself a goal at which point you will re-evaluate your feelings, and see whether you are settling. 

Have a read of this and other forums which will tell you that you feel the same as the majority of posters did. No-one can predict how you will feel in a few months, so take a deep breath and see how you go. Lots of support on here for people in your shoes.

Thank you I needed that. Your response was very kind. I’m quite sensitive right now so harshness is not well received! 

Hello,

Probably not the average post. I’ve only been here a few days and everything is really fresh. But, has anyone arrived and just instantly felt like they don’t belong here? For the last couple of days I’ve just been looking at flights home. I’m finding it really hard. I have come here on my own though, probably would have been easier with someone else. 
 

I‘m here on a PR visa and I fought for ages to get it. I know so many people fight for it too, I really don’t want to seem ungrateful cause I truly am. It’s such an opportunity. But I just can’t shake the “I should be going home feeling”. I don’t have massive ties back home, like I don’t have any property or job or anything. 
 

Suppose I’m just looking for someone who has felt like this, to explain if they got past it or if they went home themselves. Even if they went home and then came back at a later point. 

1 hour ago, Kheydz said:

I will be HCPC registered probably by the end of this month (just waiting to be verified). I just completed my portfolio and didn’t have to do any top up modules since my degree is IBMS accredited. So hopefully when I send my application I will be HCPC register and my degree is accredited. I work in a histology lab in the NHS and have done for over 2 years. I can get the letter from my employer done and will request my transcript from my university. What are module descriptors? Also are you saying that even after you did all that you were still asked to do top up modules? 
 

Okay. I think being HCPC registered does help. There is a description of what needs included in your work letter on the AIMS website, they look for specific things to be included. It’s part of the application pack for the skills assessment, so you should find it no problem. Module descriptors you should also be able to get from your university. They state what each module included, like the topics covered, how many credits each module was worth etc. If you have any other questions just let me know

3 hours ago, Kheydz said:

Hi Ceebs, 

Thank you for sharing your experience! I’ve been reading all your post as I find myself in a similar position to yourself a few months back. I am a biomedical scientist in the uk and am looking to send my AIMS application through. The thing I’m worried about is whether just a biomedical science degree will do? I didn’t do modules that were just specific to chemistry or statistics and I’m not sure I did a module on anatomy. Since you’ve already done this part of the application I was hoping you could tell me what qualifications you sent before being offered the exam. Thank you so much in advance! 
 

P.S- My degree is also accredited.

Are you HCPC registered or is your degree just IBMS recognised? You might be asked to do top up modules to include areas they think you are lacking in. I had to send module descriptors, my uni transcripts and a letter from my employer stating what my job role includes. I know a couple of people at my work have had issues getting their qualifications recognised, that’s two in total. I was the third. 

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew how real estate companies feel about a single person renting a two bedroom property, with the intention of finding someone to be added to the lease at a later date? I know in the UK this would seem a bit like subletting and therefore not allowed. But, I’d like to be in a position to choose my own flatmate having found a property I like first. 
 

Thanks! 

I know this won’t answer the question you’ve asked, but I just wanted to check if you managed better success with IELTS recently? Remember you saying you were having trouble getting superior English. 

Hello,

Just trying to get one step ahead, I’ve been invited to apply for a 190 visa. Does anyone have a checklist of forms I need to fill in and documents I have to provide? 

I am doing it through an agent, but they are 11 hours ahead, so I want to prevent delays as much as possible. I’m free to do things today, I’m working a 55 hour week next week so won’t have much in the way of time :(

I’ve already completed a form 80. 

Cheers! 

Hello,

Has anyone had any difficulty getting referees for a rental application, when they have just moved from another country and don’t yet have a job? 
 

I have been living in bought accommodation for a long time now, I think I’ll have difficulty getting any referees initially. Obviously I’ll need to sort accommodation ASAP when I arrive though. 
 

Has anyone found a way around it? Could you give like six months up front instead? 
 

Cheers! 

Medical technicians are being asked for in certain states, I’m assuming the job location is in a region that is not requesting from that occupation? Can I ask which state it’s in? 
 

I’m of the understanding that they don’t tend to add to skills lists, these only really change the next financial year. 

8 hours ago, rammygirl said:

Fast prior to medical if possible or restrict intake. 

I was considering fasting, I just have to try get an appointment in the morning in that case. Plus if there are any issues, at least they already have one fasting result anyway. 

Hello,

Has anyone ever had a visa application rejected for glucose in the urine when you are not a diagnosed diabetic? 
 

I’m worried this might come up in mine, as it has happened before. Not all the time though. I tried to complete the GGT but it made me vomit. My fasting glucose has always been fine. I feel it may be partly down to diet, I’m blessed with good genes. I’ve never had to watch what I eat. Can they do a creatinine/HbA1c instead to confirm or deny? I can’t face another GGT. 
 

Thanks! 

Interestingly, one of the IELTS employees was saying the likelihood of getting an 8.0 or above is so small that she wouldn’t fancy her chances herself. Seems like they might need to re-evaluate each section so they are all on the same level/standard. It is a bit unfair that the other sections (to a native English speaker) are extremely straight forward yet, it is extremely difficult to achieve a similar mark in the writing. The balance doesn’t seem quite right IMO. 

Just now, Raplin45 said:

Hiya,

Absolutely not advice to do the same, but just for info - I sat my IELTS earlier this year, got above 8 for everything other than writing for which I got a 7.5. Disappointed and a little bit grumpy I requested it be re-marked - you pay for the pleasure but if they amend your score you get that refunded. They re-marked mine within a couple of days, bumped me up to an 8 and refund processed straight way.

It's a gamble, but if your husband is confident in what he did for the writing section it might be worth a punt.

I asked for a remark the first time because I had 9.0 on everything else and within two hours they told me no (result remained unchanged). I was a little insulted they made that decision so quickly haha. 

Just now, OnTheFence said:

Thank you that’s really helpful but do you know if the Australian Government require us to have Academic or General as part of our application?

I’m going through the process of applying and there isn’t an issue with my general IELTS. Most people only do the general IELTS, unless they are in the academic professions. Not sure if anyone will have anything else to contribute to this though, as obviously I’m only one person. Hasn’t been an issue for me thus far!

20 minutes ago, OnTheFence said:

Can anyone advise, my husband had completed the IETLS academic exam twice but isn’t scoring the required 8 in each section for the maximum amount of points for migration. He’s scored 7.5 in writing twice, which gives him enough for professional registration in Aus if we make it there but not enough for migration. When he was at the test centre there was someone else there who said that the IELTS General is all that’s needed for migration and it’s much easier than the academic.
 

Can anyone confirm if we should book a resit for the Academic or General please? It’s very expensive to keep resitting so if he can do the General for migration it would be so much easier!

I’m of the understanding that the IELTS writing is the same in both general and academic, with the exception of part 1. Part 1 in general is to write a letter and within academic it is to report on data you are presented with. Part 2 should be the same for both (as far as I’m aware). Part 2 is worth more than part 1, you should allocate at least 40 minutes to complete it. 20 minutes at the most for part 1. 
 

The first time I sat the IELTS I got 9 in everything bar writing, which was 7.5. I did have to sit it again to get my 8.0. The key really is to meet their specific structuring and expectations. For example, with certain question types they expect a certain number of paragraphs. Mines the second time was an advantages, disadvantages and give your opinion question. This required five paragraphs in total, including introduction and conclusion. You also have to make a point, explain the point (“In other words” or “That is to say”), give an example of the point and then summarise it. It sounds like overkill, but it seems to be what they want, got me an 8.0. 
 

The introduction can be two or three sentences only. Do not waste time making it sound good, the main body is what matters. Same applies to the conclusion, you must have a conclusion or you will lose points. Do not introduce new points into the conclusion, it’s a summary of what’s already been stated. If it asks for your opinion, give it. 

2 minutes ago, Matt Barnish said:

Did you have to sit the Aims assessment exam in the end, I have an IBMS accredited degree so just asking as the exam looks tough and very broad as i work in biochemistry. 

I’ve been invited to sit the next exam, which would be March next year. Until that point I’m only classed as a MLT. I am in the same position as far as the exam is concerned, I worry I won’t pass it first time at least as my specialty is transfusion. 
 

My degree was also accredited and I’m HCPC registered too. Seems like there is no exception to the rule. I know someone with a masters in transfusion and they still have to sit the exam unfortunately. 
 

If you find an alternative route, please let me know! 

Just for anyone else waiting on AIMS assessment results, it’s taken approximately 17 weeks from submission of everything to getting an outcome. 

Just for anyone else waiting on AIMS assessment results, it’s taken approximately 17 weeks from submission of everything to getting an outcome.