Dancha85

The private school I might be working at have offered places but I wanted to keep my options open, however this may be a better route to stop this difficulty.

Thank you, yes it seems they haven't dealt with it before but do have people there who have so are calling on them. I am hoping to go for a 186 but we will see. Timings could be an issue here.

Yes at the moment, I have been offered a permanent job, well at least that’s what the contract states. However the school don’t know much about visa sponsorship so are currently looking in to it. I have asked if they would do 186 but not sure if that fits with the timeline? The other option is 482. Yes the private school are offering discount although it’s still a lot more than €6000, but I guess at least I’d know my children have a place close to where we will be. thank you

Great thank you! I will have a look at the relocation agent. yes I know we don’t have to go immediately but I didn’t want to secure a job before January as that’s the earliest we want to go.

Ok I’ll start looking for longer air b&bs. good to know about the agents. How long does it usually take to move in to a rental once you have found one? what is a relocation agent? Will they find us a property? we are hoping to be around Wilton/moss vale. But work in Wollongong so could go closer too especially if short term. yes seems slightly conflicting advice for visas at the moment, some people getting them in a few months, which is too soon for us. But then some take a long time. We will have to see on that front.

Yes sorry. I will get it booked as soon I accept the job offer and know which visa route we are doing.

It will be NSW. Yes you would think it would be the same. At the moment, all I have is a job offer, we are discussing visas. do you know the cost for senior schools in NSW? I know they have been offered places at the school I have the job offer for but that is private so has fees. Thank you

Hmm hadn't realised that. We might need another plan. Maybe we will have to set up camp on the beach

Ah thats a nightmare. I can't really come any other time, As i finish my current job before Christmas and start my new job end of January. I was initially thinking we will come over in an air B&B for a couple of weeks to allow us to get sorted, but that wont work too well will it. Can we start the rent process before we move over so it's ready not long after we get there? Or do we stay in an air B&B longer to give us more time?

Yes that's a great plan. I'm not sure how we will work it yet, but probably be winging it as always. planning to go straight after xmas then we can hopefully be settled before we start work/school end of Jan.

Ok, that's interesting. What do you plan to do with them until January. Yes I suppose the settling part is important. Thank You

Thank you, this is really helpful. My son will be 14 in the July, and my daughter 12 in the July. So would this make them the youngest in the year or a whole year younger? I am not planning to return however, I need it make sure I have thought of every avenue just in case it does happen. I like the Australian system for the lack of tests and stress but I don't want my kids to be bored academically, when they have already done that year and 1/3 of the year above. I don't think either would struggle being in their current UK years over there however the social side will be important.

Hi, I have a potential job offer so starting to look for schools for my children so we can get the right one. my children will be 13 year 9 and 11 year 7 when we go. The person I spoke to recommended they go into the year below their uk year, mainly for social reasons with them being with their own age groups. my concerns are -my children don’t struggle at all academically at the moment so moving them down a year may be boring for them. -if we did return to the uk they would be quite behind particularly as it would be very close to GCSEs -do I have the option to choose which year they go in or is it purely down to their age? I really need to get it right for the children and I’m so torn, my children socialise well with mixed ages and within a school year ages can vary a year anyway, so I’m not sure this part of it actually matters? thank you

I think it’s becoming quite clear that most places offer what we are looking for, or at least it is not isolated to a specific area. I am going to speak to a migration company this week and try and make a plan going forward. just good to know that there are plenty possibilities for us thank you

Thank you, got the websites etc and connected with a few yards in Sydney and some in vic too. I will have a look at Newcastle, I had been looking at moss vale, Hawkesbury and Kurrajong hills. No real reason, just a couple of recommendations. yes defintely need to think more about the job sitch, as having my children in a good school and area would be paramount!