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Hi all, Has anyone got a copy of the latest Australia & New Zealand magazine? We had our copy delivered then it went walkabout before we had chance to read it. :arghh: It'll be here somewhere, so we will find it eventually, (we hope), but we wondered if anyone could give us some details of an advert in there. It was a boxed advertisement regarding transporting a car to Australia. There was a telephone number to ring for advice and questions. Please could someone reply with the name and contact number for us? Much appreciated, :yes: Jon & Trace

Hi, This week I was granted my permanent residence visa for Australia along with my girlfriend. We're both still bouncing off the walls, can't believe it finally came through. So I thought I'd post some of the timing details, I remember checking my application status daily and searching online for any clues of how long it might take, hopefully this will help others who are still waiting. Application lodged on 29/09/2010 Additional information requested 26/05/2011 - police checks, medicals and additional proof of my de facto relationship. Additional information sent 24/06/2011 (police check took around 2 weeks to be completed - UK) Visa granted 21/09/2011 Any questions let me know Andy

.... I'd be safe and warm, if I was in WA (or NSW/VIC/SA/QLD/TAS/NT/ACT/Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, even Xmas Island!) Australiana dreaming, on such a Pommy day!'

What, When and Where: Next Market Saturday, 3 September 2011 The Surry Hills Markets are an essential fundraiser for the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, specialising in handmade, second-hand and recycled goods. The Markets are held from 7:00am to 4:00pm on the first Saturday of every month, at the corner of Crown and Collins Sts, Surry Hills, in Shannon Reserve, Surry Hills, regardless of weather. In wet weather, the market may be restricted to the paved area. Over Christmas and New Year, the normal schedule is maintained. Come and enjoy!

HI all just wondering if anyone else is flying to adelaide ( via singapore) on the 15th of sept from manchester ???? x

Just thought I would let you know in case you didn't know already details of the next expo. Down Under Live is being held on 17th & 18th Sept at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London and 25th & 26th Sept at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. For tickets, Tel. 01179 323586 www.downunderlive.co.uk PS If you are a reader of the Australia and New Zealand Magazine, tickets are £10.00 per person. (Normally £15.00 each). Tracey

Hiya everyone. Well we have gone for it , flights booked a short holiday then jump into our new life !! If anyone out there is in or around Cairns and has any advise regarding where to rent for a short time we would really appreciate it guys !! We have no furniture and the stuff we have shipped wont arrive for a good few weeks after we get there. we were thinking of renting in a resort or something like that , again any advise would be great. Cant believe its actually happening !! woo hoooo

Hi, Looking for some help. Ideally, looking to rent a 3 bed house, preferably new build and modern. I have seen sanctuary lakes etc but was looking for something on the south east side of Melbourne. Have been looking online as far south as Mornington. Any thoughts appreciated cheers Alan

Hi There, My husband has accepted a job in Melbourne and so we are moving there from Nottingham in the UK in September this year. Although I am very excited about all the new opportunities that a life in Oz will bring us I am very nervous about leaving my family behind as we are very close and we are moving so far away- any tips on settling in As I mentioned before my husband has a job but I have free range as to what I can do when we get over there -thinking of doing a course. Also any advice on areas of Melbourne to live in - my husband will be working in Mulgrave which I believe is East of Melbourne city. I would love to hear from anyone with any advice for us as we start packing up our house and get ready to move out. Thanks -look forward to hearing back x

Hey everyone, Does anyone know what happened to the above group? I know the offshore ones were meant to be capped and ceased. From what I remember individuals from this group were meant to contact DIMIA asap. Did they get their visas, get capped and ceased or still waiting? Thanks

Hi everyone, Finally, after long wait of 2 years and 1 month. yesterday got my PR. Thank God and all the members here on this forum to guide me whenever I had questions in mind. Its been a tough ride for me and my wife and now looking to get my wife here as soon as possible. I fought hard for this day and I can say that it was worthwhile, 2 months back I had no hope as I had no CO assigned but before election I wrote few letters to Chris Evans, Ombudsman, Melbourne Mayor and other opposition leaders about my situation. And it worked out really well. Got the reply from Chris Evan office and they wrote that they looked into my long pending 885 application and assigned me a CO. After that CO asked me to do all the formalities again such as medical, ACS skill assessment, police clearance. Yesterday got my positive ACS skill assessment, and yesterday only CO finalised my case. Woohooooooo........ I can't express my feeling here in words but definitely it was lifetime experience for me and i can say last 2 years since I lodged my 885 application, was the toughest of my life. I would also like to say to all the ICT 885 applicants who are waiting for long about more than 1or 2 years due to stoopid ACS and DIAC mess, be there and keep fighting. Hopefully all pending cases will be cleared soon. Here is my quick time line. Application type: 885 ICT - Recent graduate NEC - non CSL Lodgment date: 1st Sept 2008 Skills: ICT recent graduate CO assigned: 17 Aug 2010 New ACS Skill assessment applied on: 21st Aug 2010 (2613-11 Analyst Programmer) Redone my Medical, AFP and overseas police clearance During Sept 2010 ACS Approval: 8th Oct 2010 PR Approval: 8th Oct 2010 Good Luck to all!

Well after 4 years since we started the ball rolling we are flying out on Thursday, PR's in our pockets, heading for the Gold Coast and we will be looking to rent on Pacific Pines, so anyone in that area it would be great to meet up in 2 or 3 weeks time. No jobs though so thats our main worry, oh's a nurse (Mental Health) & I am a ICI trained mechanical technician so any contacts would be great, nerves are going wild and emotions are running high but we will be rite. Flying with Singapore and have around 15 hrs there so have booked a 6 hr block at the airport hotel to catch some z's then we will have a mooch around and land at Brisbane 07.20 on Saturday. Staying at Bluewaters Appartments for 3 weeks & hopefully find somewhere to rent within that time. Just like to say thanks to all who post on Poms in Oz, although we havnt posted much, we have learnt loads, keep it up and it is something we will be doing, to offer our support ilke we have recieved Will do a arrival report when we catch up with ourselves Kids cant wait to get in the pool (11 & 3 year old lads) The Egans,

:rolleyes:I remember 23rd SEPTEMBER CHANGE WHICH WAS RETROSPECTIVE. Than the Christmas, than the newyear...Than the new fiscal year, than the before election, than after election and today its one year...... Lot of things have changed in my life. Exactly before a year I used to see hopes everywhere and now I doubt it. What about you, dear friends? Do you see any hopes??:GEEK:

Dear Pre September 2007 applicants, I have asked DIAC to stop processing my VAC refund on the Cap n Cease bill. I request all pre September applicants who have asked for a refund to write a email and also send your request by registered post as well. This advise was rendered to me by a migration agent and also by a Accredited Migration Lawyer. So, please come together. The bill of Cap and Cease has been lapsed in the parliament. Cheers

did anyone else apply to attend the Expo on 11 & 12 Sept in London hosted by Skills Australia? I remember there was a post on here a while ago but can't find it (well gave up searching after a few pages :err:) anyway we applied and were told by e-mail that we would find out the outcome late August...well i may seem impatient but it is now the last day in August and still no news - good or bad but the Expo is only 11 days away. has anyone else heard anything? would be interested to know... cheers Jo

Does anyone want to meet up next sunday for lunch or afternoon drinks? Was thinking in the city somewhere but open to suggestions. I always seem to be working when other meet ups are arranged so thought I'd try and organise one myself. I'm Jane (32) and my husband is David (28). All welcome!!!!

Hi all, Very excited, sad, nervous etc etc because we fly out to Melbourne (via Singapore for 3 days) tomorrow for good! We are leaving from Heathrow on Singapore Airlines at 10 in the evening. Anyone else going to be on the flight? Best wishes to you all and hope to see some of you on the plane or in Melbourne! Love Claire, Dave and Leonora

Hi All I learned late last night that DIAC are planning to hold an Expo in London next month - September 2010. It would seem that Australia now (suddenly) claims that it needs to attract immigrants with certain skills. The official information about it is here: DIAC Newsroom Information for Australia Needs Skills Expos held overseas DIAC have even put an advert for their show on YouTube, it seems: YouTube - ‪ImmiTV's Channel‬‎ It seems like quite a hard sell. I learned about it from a Registered Migration Agent called Sheelagh Blanckenburg, who looks after the Migration Help forum. The thread is below: UK Skilled workers in hot demand down under - Migration Help Cheers Gill

Hi Just wondering if anyone would like to meet for a coffee after checking in at Heathrow? Is there anyone flying with Cathay Pacific to Perth next Monday? Hope to hear from someone soon :biggrin:

Hi All Anyone wishing to join us for a meet on Friday 3rd September at 7pm is more than welcome. We are meeting in the Buderim Tavern (Burnett Street) and if you go in the right hand doors at the Tavern you will be in what they call the Sports Bar (not where pokies are) and straight out the back on the internal verandah, a table will be set up for us with menus for the bar food which I can definately recommend. So come along and meet some new friends. Thanks Annie for starting this meet off and sorry for interupting and finishing it off hahaha. Hope to see loads of you on Friday at 7pm. Caz and Barry Beckham

Hey just found this and thought it might be useful for some folks! Skills West Expo | 3rd - 5th September 2010 Emma :cute:

Well as promised here is our reccie report from our recent visa validating trip to WA. I am going to be as honest as possible, and anything I say is not intended to offend anyone at all It is just in my opinion and what me and my family thought of things we encountered on our trip - I know I have only been there for 3 weeks and I am no expert. Right here goes if anyone is interested...... It may be a long one ........ Saturday 12th September 5.30am - arrive 4 hours early at Heathrow airport for check in for our flight with Royal Brunei - told at check in there is a problem with our youngest sons visa and we couldn't be checked in until they telephoned Canberra - 1 hour later we asked what the problem was and we are told my youngest son has not been issued a visa WHAT ???? 2 hours later and only 1 hour before flight departs I am now distraught - no answer from Canberra and turns out that when our visa labels were put into our passports earlier that week at Australia House the lady had made a mistake and when entering both my sons passport numbers she used the same number for both my sons visas thus cancelling the first one out . OMG !!!!! Still no answer from Canberra we sat at the check in desk where we had been for 4 hours counting down the minutes until the flight was due to leave - 10 mins to go and finally we were told Australia had overridden the mistake and we could check in - More tears from me, then we had to run to catch the plane which was already boarding by this time. To be honest had only booked the flight as it was so cheap, only £2000 for the five of us - 3 adults (our son is 12) and 2 child seats - so wasn't expecting much in the way of service at all - how surprised were we. The plane was fab - had personal tv's with movies, games etc free headphones, staff were brilliant so friendly - as many drinks as you wanted - non alcholic but we could have taken our own alcohol on board if we had wished. Food was nice and they seemed to be continually feeding you. Staff loved the kids made a fuss of them which was nice. Only thing I wish I had done was order kids meals - the food choices mainly consisted of noodle based dishes and although they didn't starve by any means I think they would have preferred them after seeing someone behind us with one. On the Brunei Flight we stopped at Dubai - this is a quick 20 minute stop - just time to get off the plane stretch your legs - you walk a couple of minutes then go through a security check (which seems a bit daft) then get back on the plane, time for a very quick cigarette if you smoke but not much else. Then onto Brunei - this was the killer of our journey we landed at 8 am and didn't depart on our connecting flight til 01.40 am the next day. Upon arrival in Brunei airport you are directed to the transit lounge - here anyone with a transit time of 4 hours or more is eligible for a free meal in the restaurant or a free tour of the city - we decided upon the tour. It was basic but free and we had plenty of time to kill - you go on a mini bus into the city which takes you past a few landmarks then you are given about 30 mins at a shopping centre before you make your way back onto the bus. It was nice to see Brunei but it was so humid and we were so tired from travelling that we were happy to get back into the air conditioned airport lounge. We had intended to book ourselves onto one of the other sightseeing tours available which you pay for but instead we booked ourselves into the transit hotel room within the airport and although it was the most horrible room I have ever been in and I still can't believe I got into that bed !!! It was worth it though just to lie down and sleep. The flight from Brunei to Perth was on an older plane with no personal Tv's this time but the food and drinks were in constant supply and staff were again brilliant. Booked a 7 seater with Mindarie Car Hire over the internet and we were greeted on arrival at Perth Airport at 7am. The bloke was an expat himself and chatted all the way to the Mindarie Office where we completed the paperwork he then told us our vehicle was already waiting for us on the driveway of our rented villa and he dropped us off. I was amazed how efficient his service was - to be honest the last thing we wanted was looking for a house in a totally unkown area whilst jetlagged !!! I had booked a villa in Mindarie Keys for the first 2 weeks of our trip and it was lovely, on a lovely street and only 2 mins walk to the marina. To be honest our first impressions of Mindarie were that it was a bit too upmarket for us to live there - we felt like we had arrived on an Hollywood filmset. We spent lots of time driving around and decided - Clarkson is to be avoided, Merriwa too. We didn't like Butler - nothing wrong with it but just one huge housing estate with not a lot of character. Mindarie - lovely, Quinns Rocks nice area's and some not so nice parts - but on the whole okay. Iluka - we really liked, Hillarys - lovely, Connolly is really nice pretty much all of it is situated around a really exclusive Golf Club. We like Woodvale, older properties more space around the houses and we heard good comments about the school. Edgewater was also nice. To be honest we ended up finding it difficult to pin down a favourite it all depends on budget at the end of the day and if you prefer to be oceanside or not. One thing for sure is everywhere is so accessible - the roads are good and the train is cheap and excellent. We were surprised at car parking and how most of them are free and even in Perth City Centre and at the Airport the charges are still cheap. Gavin was so amazed at how much development is going on - housing estates and plots of land (many showing sold signs) everywhere. This was a welcome sight with him being a builder. He also went onto a few sites and everyone seemed friendly enough - most commenting that things have started to pick up again and even though work did slow down for a bit they had still been earning enough. The wet weather had caused them most grief losing days. Gav was a bit disappointed that the brickies all seemed to have heads down and grafting and probably bit more serious than he likes - no banter going on. He gets the impression he won't be having his laughs like he does here in the UK where he manages to work hard but still have the odd joke and giggle. We visited Caversham Wildlife Park - a must if you want to get up close to Kangaroos and Koalas. Kids loved it - we did too. Yanchep National Park was a good day out too. Kings Park is beautiful - amazing views over the Swan River and City. The third week of our reccie we moved South of Perth and stayed in Port Kennedy nice but must say the shark which keeps attacking people put us off living there - a number of residents said they wouldn't go in the water because of it) - here we found houses were cheaper than in the North, we visited Rockingham (lovely beach) and all down the coast to Mandurah, Halls Head & Dawesville. We liked Halls Head and felt for a while this is where we should be living - houses good value for money, good school, nice beaches and open spaces. Then we thought about Secret Harbour again lovely and good value for money. When speaking to people and asking their opinions there really is a North / South divide but no-one could actually give a definate reason why they chose to live in either place. For a while our heads were telling us South is for us but since we got back and really thought about things our hearts are definately telling us North. The funny thing is I can't really give an answer why either. To be honest everywhere we went, even the places we wouldn't choose to live were not half as bad as some of the places which can be found within an hour or us in the UK. So its all good. Even the chocolate was ok - I couldn't work out what all the fuss was about ?? Tastes okay to me. Found food shopping simple and not expensive (even with the dire exchange rate - meat very cheap, fruit and veg seems more expensive than UK and you can't really do your whole shop in one store - we found if you are prepared to visit a couple of different supermarkets for different things(example Woolworths and Coles) it works out cheaper and then there's the markets where you can get lovely fresh local produce at a fraction of the price of supermarkets. On the whole if you want to watch the pennies you just need to be prepared to spend more time visiting more places - pretty much like the UK a good few years ago. Cars are a lot more expensive than in the UK - we were shocked at how much second hand cars actually are. You dont get much for £5000 - Bikes seemed okay - don't think we'll be bothering taking ours now. Sofa's did seem pricey - think I going to change mine before we move - good old DFS!! . Bedding, sheets duvets etc - the ones I saw were stupid money - definately be stocking up on those also towels were expensive. Bedroom furniture packages were reasonable - ie. Bed, chest drawers, bedside cabinets - think I'll buy new when get there as ours are bulky old pine ones!! Anyone interested in camping - our friends we met there have really struggled to buy a tent - they said they aren't as big and really wished they'd bought one here and taken it with them. I don't really fancy camping after seeing all the beware of snakes signs !! Although I must say we didn't see any snakes or even a spider - and I was looking out for them. Now we just want to sell our house and get back to WA asap. :chatterbox:

Hi all, Please help! Ive been working as a nurse for the past 11 months and was told by my employer that it was a condition of employment and the dica that i was to hold health insurance and that the medicare agreement was not enough. So i took out health insurance for my family costing nearly $200 a month. Last week i got another job in melbourne and was told by them that as the sponser, they were liable for the health insurance for myself and my family - i am to send them my details and they will take over payments!! When i asked them about this and explained that i had always paid it they emailed me a link from the immigration site ....... I currently employ a Subclass 457 visa holder whose visa was granted before 14 September 2009. Do I still need to provide for their health cover? Yes, for Subclass 457 visa holders whose visas were granted prior to 14 September 2009, sponsors retain ultimate responsibility for the cost of treatment administered in a public hospital for the validity of the visa. Additionally, if you take on new workers that already have a subclass 457 visa that was granted prior to 14 September 2009, the responsibility for the cost of treatment administered in a public hospital for those workers and their dependants transfers to you. Sponsors who fail to meet the relevant costs may be subject to administrative sanctions. I just want to check with you guys before i march into HR !! I did call the DICA but my children started fighting and screaming whilst i was on the phone and the bloke put the phone down on me!!!!! Cant wait to move will be so much more better off, $200 for a start anyway!!!! Thanks for your help kris :notworthy: x

YES IT'S TRUE!!!:biglaugh: Up at stupid o'clock checking emails and there's only an email from our agent!!!!!! Hi David, Thanks for your email, which was very timely: I have today received notification from DIAC that your visas have been granted. Congratulations! We emailed her yesterday as all our docs changed to MET on Friday 26th 2010 so that looked promising..............NOWAY! did we think we'd get a visa grant so soon!!! It's dated 1st March 2010!!! Thanks to everyone for all their support and advice and to our agents Go Matilda! We have to enter Oz before Sept 24th 2010!! Wishing everyone around us much luck, it will happen soon, sit tight and keep the faith!! debs dave n the boyz xxxxx:jiggy:

Has anyone who had NOT been assigned a case officer before te 23rd sept announcment been granted a visa since that day? I know this could of gone in a different thread, but i didnt want it to get lost in a mound of replies to various other queries.