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Hi there, we have ss with the ACT but are still waiting for their SMP to come out. Has it come out yet? We have an ASCO code of 2231-11 Systems Manager and apparently its not on the new SOL and if its not on the ACT's SMP then we have very little chance of going to Australia. Is this true? I am waiting patiently as I am sure everyone else is. I know we need to wait for the ACT to release their SMP. Do you think they will be releasing their SMP soon? We applied years ago and it sure feels like we've been waiting for about 10 years! What happens if our code is not on their list? What must we do? Can my husband reapply for a new code to the ACS? Also, because my husbands skills were assessed by the ACS years back - about 3 yrs, do we need to get them re-assessed? Please could someone answer at least a few of these questions. I cannot sleep !! :arghh:

Hi Everyone, I thought I would do my little bit by posting some information on this site regarding shipping costs ets....I have got so much information from POI...I thought it was time to see if I can help others in return. I looked long and hard into shipping as it can be a considerable cost. I decided to get the following company's out to quote my removals: Pickfords =£4000.00 PSS International =£2860.00 White & Company =£2685.00 Excess International =£2877.00 John Mason =£ 2650.00 Doree Boner =£2613.00 Crown Relocation =£3779.00 Anglo Pacific =£3999.00 I used the same speech for every company that came round to quote as I wanted the best overall quote and estimate on cubic feet. I specified that I would flat pack as much of my furniture as possible as this can save you tens if not hundreds of cubic feet in your removals. My first quote was from Pickfords who decided that I would need sole use of a 20ft container and that it would cost me 4k....I was a little surprised at first as i thought in my own mind that we would only need part, due to the fact we had no fridge or freezer and our main bedroom wardrobes were built in. I was in fact glad on the next quote that I had other companies to price, as PSS said I was only part container at 597 cubic feet.....This excercise went on for the next two weeks...as you can see from above list the cost varies a little and most companies were close on cubic feet except for Anglo Pacific & Pickfords. As a note 5 of the companies came in at 592 - 620 cubic feet of each other!!!! I decided to get the closest 4 to re-evaluate there costs to see if I could lower the price...three of them did...inbox me for details on those and prices...I can also send you an inventory of exactly what we are sending so you can gauge a price on your own belongings. I hope this is of use to anyone seeking removals!...if you require any further information drop me a line! All the best! Si:biggrin:

Hi, my name is Kristy, mother of 3, and business owner (sort of lol), i work as a photographer and artist, mainly in the wedding industry and baby photography... My art work already has started to sell world wide and i'm hoping in the next 4 years to generate a business i can run from Australia as well as working as a photographer there too... My dreams not short term and it's going to take some time to achieve, i'm hoping when the day comes i'll have everything in place and will feel confidant to take on what needs to be done and do it well. I'm hoping to make some new friends here, get some advise and just see how things all work in a sense with other people as well as my self. At the moment, my 1st aim is to make a strong income for myself, after all no point in migrating without it, would love to get in touch with any other photographers?

My apologies if you have seen this before.... Sit in front of the computer and decide who the image is a photo of. Then stand up and move around 15 feet away from the computer and look again, who is it now. So would you make a good eye witness.

Just had to stand for 'God Save The Queen.' (But nothing will save the Governor General!) It's hard to believe that she's been on the throne since the year I was born, when she made her first trip to OZ too. I suppose this is the way it was for many Victorians? It's live on all the news channels, everyone glued to their sets, except for the leftie grouches who are all composing their letters of outrage to The Sydney Morning Herald, The Canberra Times, and The Age. (And even they have got their sets on so they can see what it is they want to whinge about!)

I dont know if anybody can remember me mentioning them a few weeks ago or if anybodys saw them on tv/internet but theres a family of bears that have been on tv, The mother is called Lily and her cub is called Hope. Researchers have been following them in minesota and we've watched hope grow up. Theres a few bears that have radio collars on them so the researches can track them etc. Sadly theres news that a hunter has killed Hope :cry: very upsetting for everyone who watched her grow up, you couldnt help but grow attached. anyway the non animal lovers on here will probably think im nuts for posting this lol but just thought id mention it and see if anybody else has watched the program or knows of them

Hi all me (30), my wife (30) and kids (7, 6 and 2) have recently moved from the UK (Hull - Yorkshire) and we are wondering how you actually start to build a friend network. Back home we have left some great friends behind but did expect to meet people here. The kids go to Coombabah school but the parents don't hang around the playground like back home so bonds are hard to build. We have had quick chats in supermarkets but that was when were at a friends in Robina. Any advise or even people who feel like they are in a similar boat could get in touch. PS - I feel like a total tw@t for having to do this haha Ginger......or just call me Rob

Diversity Expert – Brisbane – 457 sponsorship an option Supporting robust brand in diversity Focus on implementing key strategies & plans Lucrative package for the right talent The Client: My client is now pushing through new global initiatives and plans to ensure the continued success of the business, one area of which is diversity. Due to a new healthy restructure, you will be working as an expert in the world of diversity and will be working with and incredibly talented manager pushing out diversity strategies throughout the business. The Mission in Hand: The role of Diversity Expert would work in partnership with the HR business partners and all business units and stakeholders throughout the business. Reporting into a highly talented Diversity Manager, you would be here to bring on board new innovative strategies, interventions and create best practice across the board. Your Role Would Include: Creating strong comprehensive campaigns with HR to increase real awareness across the business in relation to understanding diversity and rolling out world class diversity initiatives. By analysing the relevant diversity metrics you will be able to set milestones to ensure that diversity strategies are rolled out within agreed timescales and budgets. With this, you will be constantly working on developing diversity metrics to ensure continuous improvement. Being a thought leader within the world of diversity and inspiring business leaders. Keeping abreast of external trends - being a world class expert in this piece. Being influential and persuasive in aligning diversity and inclusion with HR priorities and enterprise goals. Diagnosing situations and offering solutions. About You: Advanced communication skills with world class expertise in diversity and rolling out initiatives within businesses. You will be an expert in this subject with a track record of success. Strong respect with both internal and external contacts. Ability to understand the key financial drivers based around diversity. A thought provoker. Like it? Contact Mary Pratt FIRP on 07 3295 7416 or mary.pratt@talent2.com quoting reference 50294 for more details, or alternatively, apply online below.

Well just wanted to share the good news. My mum aged 53 has just had her residency approved It was for the ENS 856 with Aged exceptional circumstances as she is 53. Her area of work is Residential care officer. Its been very hard helping her put together her application but good things do come to those who wait ......... She has been in Australia since August 2008 and the nomination was sent by her employer last September (2010) it was approved in march this year and she submit her part of the application in July (the end of) TODAY she gets the phone call from the migration agent that her application has been approved Wanted to share this to hopefully put some positive thoughts back into those who are still waiting (like myself and my family) With her being over 50 even the migration agent had warned her to prepare herself for a possible negative result (being honest)

Hi everyone i am 45 years old and i have been offered a job in the mines (flyin..flyout ) from perth i have 2 friends out there that i used to work with ,both are in senior manager positions,i do not want to upsticks with my family to start with but only wish to go myself for the first year anyway,wife will come out on holiday but then go home,i have a trade (joiner) and also operate large plant,,,,what there crying out for in the mines ,,,,I can get conformation from the mine company that there is a job here from me,and i have a choice of 2 addresses to stay at ......where do i start to get myself out there,both my friends were sponsored and taken out by the company ,family ,container the lot ,but im afraid i have to do it myself Thanks in advance Jim

As most of you guys know me and dave are desperate to start 2012 in Australia and start a new life. We are having a bit of a hard time trying to make it possible to get into oz but things seem to be looking up. We were at glasgow expo and the man from skilledmigrantjobs.com was there, he was very helpful and told us he has lots of big companies back in oz telling him they are desperate for machine operators from the UK and theyre all trying to push for them to be put on the sponsorship list. Also in touch with a company called Blue tongue recruitment, they were at the leeds expo. they also say theres lots of companies looking for operators. I was a bit worried about using this company incase they were just after money but they say that the employer pays the placement fee, visa and flights. i just hope things change. Anyway sorry for rambling on im just excited and starting to have hope that one day i might get to oz!! :jiggy:

My ex "abandoned" me and our two young children (one was four months old) a year ago, to pursue a new life in Australia. We could have gone with him, but he had proved himself to be untrustworthy too many times and I decided not to take the risk of being a single mother in Australia and unable to return home with the children, due to the Hague Convention. But this post is not about the reasons for the split. I do not personally know anyone who has been left with young children so have no-one to share experiences with, but I have seen a few posts on PIO where people allude to this having happened to them or to someone they know, even many years ago. So my question is - what happened next? I am only a year into being a single parent. When the children’s father left, it was a terrible time. The last four months too have been particularly difficult. I have put this down to (apart from it being a sad situation to be in) there having been too many anniversaries; the baby turned one - that was very bittersweet - we had Mother's Day, Easter and May bank holidays (i.e. "family" days), my birthday, and then finally Father's Day, even the royal wedding was a tough day as we went to a party where I did not know many people and the baby was not happy being left with other people even for a few minutes each time I went to get food/drink for him or was looking after his sister. Perhaps there was a bit of delayed shock too. Anyway, hopefully things are starting to improve, albeit slowly. I am lucky to have some wonderful friends (my family do not live locally), some of whom I did not even know a year ago, who are supportive. I am starting to look into a career change as I realise I will need to earn a decent amount of money to afford to bring up our children on my own, plus cost of childcare etc. So there could be exciting as well as difficult times ahead. So to other 'abandoned' parents of children, what happened to you as I am guessing you will be a few years further down the line than me? How long did it take to "get over" it (and maybe some never do?), did you get a new job, did you move away, did you meet someone else/have more children, did you meet some amazing new friends, or have exciting new experiences that you would not have have had, had you stayed with your ex? Was it in the end the making of you as was does not kill you makes you stronger? (I have left out how did the children cope as feel that would be enough on its own for another thread). If too sensitive a subject for anyone, please pm me!

He is a Chief Master Sergeant in the USAF serving in Afghanistan, As high as you can go in enlisted ranks (E-9) Wouldn't it be fitting if this went completely around the world! John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John 's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing. He is a real Star of the war, and represents what the combined service is trying to do. This, my friends, is worth sharing. Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news. Please keep this going. Nothing will happen if you don't, but the world needs to see pictures like this and needs to realised that what we're doing over there is making a difference. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.

im just about to watch this but have my doubts , to save me time has anyone seen it and is it worth watching .........

I just wanted to share my time line to give some hope.. My application went to the RCB 4th April 2011, they requested a small change to my employment contract on 24th April. They approved my application on 3rd May 2011. My agent lodged my application 17th May 2011 & it was granted on 25th May!!! Very quick turn around, I have been very lucky, as my 457 only took 3 days before!! Wish you all luck!!:biggrin:

Hi Everybody, Just want to introduce myself. Ciara here, my husband and I (31 & 34) are hoping to move to Adelaide in 2012. We are just waiting on his skills assesment to come back to apply for our perm visa. He is an IT Manager and Adelaide seems to be where the jobs are for this type of work. I am currently completing my degree in Counselling and I am hoping to get some work using this degree over there. Does anybody know anything about practicing in OZ? Which are the best accreditation body? What level of ed do oyu need to work for EAPs etc. Any tips on visa application? I have been looking at some of the Adelaide threads and they look great. Any tips on where to look for accommadation etc.? Look forward to chatting to you all. Nervous and Excited Ciara:yes:

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Hi all, this is my first post, sorry it's a question or two OK, this is the situation. I went in aus in 05 for 3 months, loved every minute. Australia has been in my mind every day since, but as I approached my 31st birthday, time was running out to get a working holiday visa. I applied for it with 1 day to spare back in Oct 10 (and got it), and have until Oct 11 to use it. Now, recently I've been talking to a girl in aus and we're getting on good, hopefully something good could come of it. What I'm wondering is if it works out and we get into a relationship, what are my options at the end of my WHV ? I cant apply for the 2nd year as far as I know as I'll then be too old (as I am now), and unfortunately, I've made some bad decisions in the last 6 years meaning I've been unemployed out of choice, living off the proceeds of some property I bought and sold. I've recently become self employed building websites and providing IT support. However, I'm unqualified now, as the qualifications I did have, have expired. So, I'm fairly certain an employer sponsored visa is out of the question (isnt it?), so what options do I have to stay/move out permenently? I'd work in IT regardless, but as said before, I'm unqualified now so on paper not too good. I've read about defacto visas - do I still need to pass some sort of skills based exam etc? Any help appreciated Adam

Hi all! I have been looking into the possibility of migrating to Australia for better opportunities and lifestyle. I currently work in an office in the logistics industry and therefore am not on the SOL list. I am a university graduate with a batchelors degree but this is not in engineering and therefore I cannot migrate on that. Has anyone else been in this situation? I had thought about going over on a working holiday visa and maybe getting sponsored by an employer. As I understand that requires the role to be on the employer nominated sol list (ENSOL) which seem to have high salaries, i.e. jobs that would require alot of experience. Has anyone gone out on a working holiday visa and gained a sponsorship?? Or am I doomed to the UK lifestyle unless I get a skill on the list!! any help would be appriciated! Dave

Well after meeting all the requirements for the 165 provisonal and living here for more than 3 years, I am sending of our application for the 893 residency visa this morning. I cannot wait until we are actually permanent residents. No idea how long it takes but I hope its not long. Christine

It seems that professional experience means nothing and if you haven't got a degree you're buggered! It's looking like my only way to get out there is by having a job offer before I go................ Well that or finding my Bruce in shining armour   so do i start trawling round earls court now or try and get a job? Does anybody know of large Aussie organisations that have a reputation of taking on poms before they arrive in oz? Looking to go to Queensland. Any advice would be great, thanks. Feeling really gutted today!  Hoping for a move to oz in the coming year or two.......hoping not three!

My husband and i live in Nigeria, although i have lived in London for 2 years and we have a 6 year old daughter, we have been looking at migrating to Australia in the past few months, we have even agreed on an agent and started gathering docs. My OH is an experienced IT Manager with over 10 years experience, my fear is that it will take for ever with the delays in the processing times, our agent has recommended we apply for SS from Victoria, and i have been looking around this a lot! My question - what are the chances of getting a 457 for his position? we keep sending loads of his cv out there, some agencies have come back to us that he looks good, but he will need to be in the country first to get things moving. We know that life is definately a challenge, afterall judging from where we live, we couldnt be worse off taking the 'leap'if not for anything but for the future of our young daughter! Any IT agencies in Victoria that consider overseas CV? pls let me know ur thots! Ciao

Hi all i have just been advised by my Agent to apply for SA SS as Hairdressers is on their SMP. He also said that because its a PR Visa we can live anywhere we want in Australia even though its SA SS. It could take 9 -15 months to get SS granted, He also fully expects WA SMP list to be updated with Hairdressers on it but doesnt know when. Its not going to cost us a penny to apply for SA SS and we have got nothing to lose in applying. So whatever comes first either updated WA SMP or SA SS we could then move to Cat 2. I then spoke to a Hairdresser friend who is in exactly the same position as me with WA SS. She has been advised by her agent not to bother applying for SA SS as WA are going to honour all those sponsored before Sep 09 changes and that they are allready processing Cat 4,One example was a Cook who applied in Jan 09 and has now been granted a visa. The last thing i want to do is whip everybody concerned in to a frenzy but just wanted to share this info with you. Hope there is truth in all this.

Okay The Oh has sent me a challenge by Email from his Ship . Basically i have to find jobs with the skills he has :wacko: Now being a forces family his skills are a mixed bag so please bare with us . We have been assessed as an electrician ( special class) and passed .He believes his skills are a bit more complex than an electrician (special class). Right here is his qualifications and experiance ( i can't give all of it due to places and times but this is the jist Accomplished manager of large number of supervisory, skilled and junior staff members.Earning positions of increasing levels of supervisory responsibility since 1994.Highly trained engineer & armourer in environment where accuracy and quality are essential.Experienced diagnostic engineer, who is able to provide logical and workable solutions to a wide spectrum of problems· Skilled in design, modification and maintenance of broad range of heavy and precision equipment including hydraulics, winches, communications and navigational. Well versed in leading workplace health & safety and staff wellbeing programmes Educational Qualifications · University of Portsmouth Electronics Engineering Foundation Degree · Institute of Leadership & Management Level 3 Certificate in Leadership & Management · Royal Naval Armourer · City and Guilds Licentiateship Award in Engineering Management · City and Guilds Electronic Servicing Level 1 and 2 · General Certificate of Education: Physics, Maths, English Language, Geography, Human Biology, English Lit, Chemistry, History. Qualifications and Courses Teleprinter type TGN Maintainer Professional course for Leading Weapon Engineering Mechanic (Radio) RWA/TTM (1) Maintainer Digital Logic Integrated communications System (ICS) 3/2a, Maintainer Leading Rates Leadership Course Rapid Offline Crypto (Aroflex) RWE Equipment, maintainer Rank Xerox 5317, Maintainer DIMPS, Maintainer Ships Recreational TV / Flight deck CCTV, Maintainer Phalanx CIWS Loading and Operator maintainer course Coaching and Motivation Course DNA, Combat System Highway, maintainer Ship protection (Duty Senior Rate) Radar Type 1007, JQF / JQA Display, maintainer Type 23 LFC auto Extractor, maintainer Explosives Handling Internal Communications systems maintainer MTLS, torpedo delivery system, handler Senior Rates Command Course POET (WE) Career Course PC Systems and Data Communications Weapon Alignment / and testing and tuning techniques NBCD6-Junior Officer / Senior Rate Officer of the Day Course Officer of the Quarter Ship Husbandry – Section Supervisor (ME456C) Rapid Reaction & Metron Sprays, maintainer Ship Protection Organisation - Officer of the Day Course Mk 44 Gun System, maintainer (Mini Gun) Bmarc 20mm cannon, maintainer Tow Fish 2094, maintainer Advanced Small Arms Maintainer :biglaugh: i know by this people would say ah join the RAN , but we want civvieland :wubclub:or survey ship work but thats hard to come by . :wideeyed:We are stuck what jobs to apply for, we have and will be applying for supervisor or possibly higher electrician jobs in mining work ? Can anyone from this list think of any other's, because when i put in electrican ( special class) in job searches :wideeyed: it seems as though they are talking about something completely diff :biglaugh: :hug:Any ideas will be great and a great help ( i know i will also get some silly comments for jobs but i don't mind at all lol ) :notworthy:sorry for the long page Brides x

Hi, researching these forums and the interweb I have come to think we're in a good situation to buy. Please, a few questions and a little info: Recently started the 457, within my first month of getting regular pay checks (weekly) - I was working for them part time before the visa kicked in. 1) Will I need to be here longer to satisfy the banks/lenders? Was flatly turned down by Commonwealth bank as I'm not PR (my wife is also a foreigner to these parts) 2) can you recommend a good lender or two? We have money saved and are not looking to buy big, we hope to have 50-60% of the cash we need towards the house. 3) surely having 40-50% deposit is a great help(?) Would anyone recommend keeping some back for future, say kids, school or the like or is it wise to invest all we can afford in the house? I understand the process is: Find a lender, get approved, find a house, get the FIRB... 4) Can someone tell me if there is more to the early stages of the process, any pitfalls/caveats? I need to move cash from the UK at some point. I'm not desperate to move it yet and the exchange rate is painfully poor right now. 5) Recommend some methods of moving cash. Are any of these cash moving agents scams? (surely but I hope not the ones posting on these forums). Any wild guesses on when the exchange rate will improve and to what levels (I know we can only guess and hope here). That's all for now, more questions to come.