The Brand New PIO Parents Visa thread

[brummiebabies]

Hi Angie.

Yes, we are having Christmas on the Bayside again this year as we have another granddaughter due beginning November. We managed to get really cheap flights with Singapore back in May. We are nowhere near ready for going permanently just yet. We're not putting the house on the market till next spring. My husband works away most of the year (he's back at the mo) so all the decorating and garden jobs have had to wait until he's had time to do them. Nothing is selling nearby so I hope things start moving again next year.

Will be great to finally meet everyone and swap hints and tips on surviving the big move.

Cheers! Val x:wub:

 

Hi Val

 

Could well work out better for you selling next year if the housing market picks up. It has to change soon surely!! Bet you're looking forward to munching that new granddaughter when she arrives!!

 

We managed to get a good deal with Singapore Airlines too - never travelled with them before but we have heard good reports.

 

Look forward to meeting you soon. Angie xx

[tabitha10]

Hi Tab. If you come to the same area we will have to keep in touch for sure! Best wishes. Angie x

 

 

ooh would love to meet up at some point,even if we are just there for a holiday next year. How is everyone going to manage will you get jobs? or just retire there? what work do you all do now and will you also do that in Oz? What are your ideas if it doesnt work for you. Im sorry im hoping it works out for you all but its just whats going through my head at the moment, how did you work through it?

Im probably going through the same things you all did but im hoping you can help me get past it lol lol

Tab xx

[brummiebabies]

ooh would love to meet up at some point,even if we are just there for a holiday next year. How is everyone going to manage will you get jobs? or just retire there? what work do you all do now and will you also do that in Oz? What are your ideas if it doesnt work for you. Im sorry im hoping it works out for you all but its just whats going through my head at the moment, how did you work through it?

Im probably going through the same things you all did but im hoping you can help me get past it lol lol

Tab xx

 

Hi Tab. It's a date then. I will keep in touch via PIO - There are so many lovely people on this site and I feel I have already made good friends before we even get to Oz! How lovely is that!

We haven't quite retired. We are both 60 and would like to find some kind of work when we are there. I am a Book-Keeper and Ted is an Engineer although he took voluntary redundancy 10 years ago and has worked part time in a school ever since. It's difficult to judge how much money we are going to need to survive on until we receive our state pension so I think we are just going to wait and see how it goes. We are not even comtemplating that it won't work out - going back is not an option for us - well maybe for a holiday! Our only regret is that we are leaving our son, brothers, sistersand other family members but perhaps some will come and visit us - I hope so. We look on this as a brand new start and feel so lucky that at our time of life we have been given the chance to do it!! Yes I'm sure you are going through the same feelings and concerns that we have experienced but you know Tab sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith! Good luck with everything! Angie xx

Edited September 18, 2012 by brummiebabies

[ariomart]

Hi out there

it is good to hear everyones exciting news.

I wonder if anyone knows the answer to this question. A friend asked me - if she applies for the visa that takes years and then changes to a 143 or 173 at a later date, will the years that she has already been waiting be taken off of the wait for the 143?

Best wishes

Moira

[vava]

Hi Moira, Yes you are correct. The time already queued is taken onto consideration when changing to a 143 or 173.

 

Cheers Val x

[valandmatt]

Hi everyone, well the shippers arrive tomorrow to pack up all our wordly goods! Have been just a tad busy last few days, late night tonight and early start tomorrow, but by this time tomorrow it will all be over and I shall open a particularly nice bottle of champers I've been saving for such occasion! Well its not going in the container that's for sure! Mmmmm! I can taste it now.......roll on tomorrow night!

[brummiebabies]

Hi everyone, well the shippers arrive tomorrow to pack up all our wordly goods! Have been just a tad busy last few days, late night tonight and early start tomorrow, but by this time tomorrow it will all be over and I shall open a particularly nice bottle of champers I've been saving for such occasion! Well its not going in the container that's for sure! Mmmmm! I can taste it now.......roll on tomorrow night![/QUOT

 

Well I think you deserve that bottle of champers Val! Hope all goes well tomorrow. If it's anything like us the packers do everything - we didn't lift a finger .. oh except for making drinks and preparing lunch. Cheers!! Angie xx

[tabitha10]

Hi everyone, well the shippers arrive tomorrow to pack up all our wordly goods! Have been just a tad busy last few days, late night tonight and early start tomorrow, but by this time tomorrow it will all be over and I shall open a particularly nice bottle of champers I've been saving for such occasion! Well its not going in the container that's for sure! Mmmmm! I can taste it now.......roll on tomorrow night!

 

Whooooo good luck on you journey.....and best of luck.

Tab x

[Guest nutmeg]

Hi everyone, well the shippers arrive tomorrow to pack up all our wordly goods! Have been just a tad busy last few days, late night tonight and early start tomorrow, but by this time tomorrow it will all be over and I shall open a particularly nice bottle of champers I've been saving for such occasion! Well its not going in the container that's for sure! Mmmmm! I can taste it now.......roll on tomorrow night!

 

That's great news. We used crown relocations and they were great. We didn't have to do a thing!

We are really enjoying it living on the sunshine coast. We've been here a week now. The weather is just perfect.

We are going camping for a few nights tomorrow to Byron bay. We haven't tried it before. My OH has been left in no doubt that should I need the loo in the night he will be coming with me ha ha!

 

He starts work on Monday. I am hoping to get fixed up with something soon. I have sent my resume to lots of different employers.

 

What date are you coming out to oz?

 

best wishes

Nutmeg xx

[tabitha10]

oooohhhh im sooo excited for everyone who is making the journey very soon........i want to be excited for myself too !!!!!, but its a long way off yet........

xx

[vava]

OOOPS! What a complete plonker I am! I sent the cheque from my own personal ANZ account last week using an expensive courier. It arrived on Friday. This morning I get an email from our CO saying its not acceptable and he is returning it to me! So, I log on to ANZ to request a "bank" cheque and I can't have one of those either as my daily spending limit is only $10,000.

 

When I've calmed down I'm going to fire off an email to the said CO to ask for more time. Short of getting on a plane, I don't know what else to do! I've emailed our bank manager to see what she can do (not holding my breath though!) When we paid our CPV 173 last October they let my daughter pop in and pick up a cheque and she sent it to DIAC so fingers crossed, they'll do it again this time.

 

So glad my blood pressure appointment was last week..................................

 

Will keep you posted! Val x

Edited September 19, 2012 by vava

[valandmatt]

Hi everyone, well the shippers arrive tomorrow to pack up all our wordly goods! Have been just a tad busy last few days, late night tonight and early start tomorrow, but by this time tomorrow it will all be over and I shall open a particularly nice bottle of champers I've been saving for such occasion! Well its not going in the container that's for sure! Mmmmm! I can taste it now.......roll on tomorrow night![/QUOT

 

Well I think you deserve that bottle of champers Val! Hope all goes well tomorrow. If it's anything like us the packers do everything - we didn't lift a finger .. oh except for making drinks and preparing lunch. Cheers!! Angie xx

 

We survived! Yes the shippers were so lovely and so efficient - so much so that one of them packed the lead from my laptop - my fault for leaving it (i had unplugged it and then got distracted and left it) but easily found only four boxes opened!! That was the worst tragedy! We have now "moved in" with Matthew's sister and the only thing left to do now are the teary goodbyes - emotions, can't control them once one person starts I can't stop! But at the same time we're so excited.

 

Nutmeg - our flight is on Sunday 23rd Sept arriving Tuesday - so not long at all. Daughter texted to say that weather is 35 degrees and good summer predicted! We did camping when we were out last, and absolutely loved it! Byron Bay is a good place to start! And yes - escorted night time trips to the loo definitely required! Creepy crawlies I expected, but not the frogs! So many of them!!!!!

 

Val x

[PhoebeW]

WOW so much going on for so many people. :jiggy:

 

Good luck to you all :cool:

 

Phoebe

[brummiebabies]

 

We survived! Yes the shippers were so lovely and so efficient - so much so that one of them packed the lead from my laptop - my fault for leaving it (i had unplugged it and then got distracted and left it) but easily found only four boxes opened!! That was the worst tragedy! We have now "moved in" with Matthew's sister and the only thing left to do now are the teary goodbyes - emotions, can't control them once one person starts I can't stop! But at the same time we're so excited.

 

Nutmeg - our flight is on Sunday 23rd Sept arriving Tuesday - so not long at all. Daughter texted to say that weather is 35 degrees and good summer predicted! We did camping when we were out last, and absolutely loved it! Byron Bay is a good place to start! And yes - escorted night time trips to the loo definitely required! Creepy crawlies I expected, but not the frogs! So many of them!!!!!

 

Val x

 

Glad everything went okay with the packers Val. I would like to wish you Bon Voyage now as we are on holiday in Devon with my brother when you leave and I'm not sure we will have an internet connection. All the very best and see you on the other side of the pond! Angie xxx

[brummiebabies]

OOOPS! What a complete plonker I am! I sent the cheque from my own personal ANZ account last week using an expensive courier. It arrived on Friday. This morning I get an email from our CO saying its not acceptable and he is returning it to me! So, I log on to ANZ to request a "bank" cheque and I can't have one of those either as my daily spending limit is only $10,000.

 

When I've calmed down I'm going to fire off an email to the said CO to ask for more time. Short of getting on a plane, I don't know what else to do! I've emailed our bank manager to see what she can do (not holding my breath though!) When we paid our CPV 173 last October they let my daughter pop in and pick up a cheque and she sent it to DIAC so fingers crossed, they'll do it again this time.

 

So glad my blood pressure appointment was last week..................................

 

Will keep you posted! Val x

 

Oh No Val! What a shame. They don't make it easy do they? We moved money over to our daughter's account and she paid on our behalf with a bank cheque. It will work out fine I'm sure. Just the final hurdle now! Angie x

[valandmatt]

 

Glad everything went okay with the packers Val. I would like to wish you Bon Voyage now as we are on holiday in Devon with my brother when you leave and I'm not sure we will have an internet connection. All the very best and see you on the other side of the pond! Angie xxx

Thanks Angie, and enjoy Devon, lovely countryside. And then you'll be on your way too before you know it. See you "downunder"......ha ha! Val x

[brummiebabies]

WOW so much going on for so many people. :jiggy:

 

Good luck to you all :cool:

 

Phoebe[/quote

 

Thanks Phoebe. It will happen for you too soon I'm sure. Good luck with everything! Angie x

[vava]

Hi Val & Matt, Glad today went as planned. I don't know how you must be feeling right now and I guess between now and Sunday life will be seen through a blur of tears BUT just think of your new adventure and all those real live hugs rather than Skype!

 

We wish you both well and very much look forward to our Moreton Bay meet up (hopefully) in December.

 

Safe travels, Val xx

[vava]

Oh No Val! What a shame. They don't make it easy do they? We moved money over to our daughter's account and she paid on our behalf with a bank cheque. It will work out fine I'm sure. Just the final hurdle now! Angie x

 

Hi Angie,

I sent an email when I'd calmed myself down. I asked for a bit longer but pointed out that the cheque he had in his possession would be just as good as a "bank" cheque.

We did toy with the idea of putting the money in our daughters account BUT if we had, there would be nothing left! She loves spending and has a poor memory when it comes to paying it back. I know this because I lent her the money for new garden furniture last October and she swears she paid me back - she didn't.

We'll just have to see what the ANZ bank manager can come up with when she replies to the email I sent her this morning. If the worst happens, I can move the money to said daughters account at $10K per day then she can do the silly bank cheque. Gggrrrr!

Anyway, have a lovely break in Devon - hope the weather improves for you!

Val xx

[brummiebabies]

Hi Angie,

I sent an email when I'd calmed myself down. I asked for a bit longer but pointed out that the cheque he had in his possession would be just as good as a "bank" cheque.

We did toy with the idea of putting the money in our daughters account BUT if we had, there would be nothing left! She loves spending and has a poor memory when it comes to paying it back. I know this because I lent her the money for new garden furniture last October and she swears she paid me back - she didn't.

We'll just have to see what the ANZ bank manager can come up with when she replies to the email I sent her this morning. If the worst happens, I can move the money to said daughters account at $10K per day then she can do the silly bank cheque. Gggrrrr!

 

 

Anyway, have a lovely break in Devon - hope the weather improves for you!

Val xx

 

Isn't it crazy Val. Keep us posted and best of luck! Angie x

[valandmatt]

Hi Angie,

I sent an email when I'd calmed myself down. I asked for a bit longer but pointed out that the cheque he had in his possession would be just as good as a "bank" cheque.

We did toy with the idea of putting the money in our daughters account BUT if we had, there would be nothing left! She loves spending and has a poor memory when it comes to paying it back. I know this because I lent her the money for new garden furniture last October and she swears she paid me back - she didn't.

We'll just have to see what the ANZ bank manager can come up with when she replies to the email I sent her this morning. If the worst happens, I can move the money to said daughters account at $10K per day then she can do the silly bank cheque. Gggrrrr!

Anyway, have a lovely break in Devon - hope the weather improves for you!

Val x x

Hi Val, and thanks for your good wishes, and thanks to Phoebe too! It all really feels surreal now, but we're also cramming in visits to the dentist for a check-ups and hygenist and the doctors for a supply of statins and eye drops to see us through the next couple of months! This certainly brings us down to earth!

 

Would it be possible for your bank to do a CHAPS payment to your daughter's bank account????? Just a thought! Good Luck with getting it sorted soon - you'd think they would make it easier for parents to part with their hard earned cash!

 

All the best to everyone.

 

Val x

[ariomart]

OOOPS! What a complete plonker I am! I sent the cheque from my own personal ANZ account last week using an expensive courier. It arrived on Friday. This morning I get an email from our CO saying its not acceptable and he is returning it to me! So, I log on to ANZ to request a "bank" cheque and I can't have one of those either as my daily spending limit is only $10,000.

 

When I've calmed down I'm going to fire off an email to the said CO to ask for more time. Short of getting on a plane, I don't know what else to do! I've emailed our bank manager to see what she can do (not holding my breath though!) When we paid our CPV 173 last October they let my daughter pop in and pick up a cheque and she sent it to DIAC so fingers crossed, they'll do it again this time.

 

So glad my blood pressure appointment was last week..................................

 

Will keep you posted! Val x

Hi Val

I felt panic rising just reading about the cheque. So it seems they wont take a personal cheque, like you I have the money in my ANZ account so will be looking forward to hear how you get on. What is a bank cheque?

I hope it is soon sorted for you

Best wishes

Moira

[vava]

Hi Val

I felt panic rising just reading about the cheque. So it seems they wont take a personal cheque, like you I have the money in my ANZ account so will be looking forward to hear how you get on. What is a bank cheque?

I hope it is soon sorted for you

Best wishes

Moira

 

Hi Moira,

I thought about you when DIAC wrote and told me they won't accept my cheque. It seems that their definition of a "bank cheque" is the same as our "bank drafts" or "bankers order". In other words, a cheque which is issued by your branch.

Unfortunately, my daughter has no authorisation for our ANZ account and so she can't do the transaction and we can only spend $10,000 per day. I spoke to the manager today and she has caved in to my pleas and will allow my daughter to collect the "bank cheque" from her local ANZ branch provided she takes her passport and some stuff with her address printed on (utility bills etc). I have had to send the bank a scanned copy of my passport, my daughters passport and the invoice from DIAC along with a letter confirming that I give my permission to allow her to collect it.

 

Does your son/daughter have access to your account? If so, you will probably be ok. If not, check to see what your daily limit is. Ours was only $1000 per day but we upped it to $10,000 ages ago but it took a week for it to show online. I could have moved $10,000 per day to my daughters account until the £32,010 was in her account BUT she banks with ING and has no branch and we havent the time to wait for her bank to post it out to her.

 

If you start making your arrangements now, you wont be stuck like us when the time comes. How long do you think it will be before you have to pay for your visa?

 

DIAC have let me have a bit more time to get the cheque to them but it will probably get there by the end of next week.

 

Hope I've made sense of it all to you.

 

Good luck with yours, Val x

[DavidandGill]

Hi Gill

We have had our visa granted this morning and are going over to Melbourne in early Jan. Planning to live with our daughter for a time who has built a home down the Mornington Penninsula.

We however like the other side of the bay around Drysdale and note you are living in Torquay. Wondered what you think of the area having been there a year, all the good and Bad points would be welcome.

 

Carol

 

We have been to Drysdale a few times, mainly driving through on our way to Queenscliff, so I am not really very familiar with that area but I have found nothing particularly disadvantagous about living in Torquay - except the house prices and shopping prices are elevated due to it being a high demand holiday town. In the summer, particularly from around two weeks prior and six weeks post Christmas, the town is heaving and trying to find a parking space can be tiresome but fortunately we live only 600 metres from Whites Beach which is beautiful, the opposite end of the bay to Cosy Corner which is the most populated beach area because, as its name suggests, it is the safest beach area for children. All house prices close to the coast are relatively high, compared to more suburban areas so established towns on the Bellerine Peninsula are a bit like Torquay, maybe a little bit less (more house for your money). We love Torquay but we are lucky in that we live in the quiet end of town away from the centre. Within a few miles two new housing areas are being opened up - Armstrong Creek and Wariliy which are within very reasonable distance of Torquay but we fear that the size of these new towns will impact Torquay quite severely in that neither of these are actually on the coast so people will want to take advantage of the beach at weekends. These are big developments, and will include a hospital and huge shopping malls so there will be a lot of people moving in over the next few years. Look at RealEstate.com.au for properties on the Bellerine and you will get a good idea of what is around. I can't really think of any downsides to living here - even the short drive to the bowls club takes us along the esplanade looking out towards St Philip Bay and on a sunny day I swear there is no better view.

 

If you have any more specific questions I'll be happy to try and answer them for you - I don't log in everyday but will get to them eventually! Congratulations on the Visa Grant and hope we might get to meet up one day when you arrive down under!

 

Gill

[DavidandGill]

You are sooo lucky. When my girls and their families first moved downunder they lived in Melton of all places and we used to visit a beach in Torquay... think it's called Cosy Corner?... which is a really great spot!

 

Since then, thanks to the Oz Govt grants, they've both built new houses across the bay in Lakeside/Pakenham and Cranbourne/Berwick.

 

I'm WandrinAndy on the tracker... AckDate 2011-12-20... and can't wait for the big date to arrive. I'm 58 and have done a big move on my todd once before, moving from Jo'Burg to Blighty just over ten years ago, and that was one of the best things I've ever done... but sure it will be outdone by the move downunder. Will probably have to change career downunder, but hey ho it'll be exciting!

 

Meantime, I'm living in a touring caravan near Leeds, enjoying the remnants of our lovely summer...

 

Andy

 

Hi Andy,

 

Yes we live very close to Cosy Corner - actually the other end of town about 600 metres from Whites Beach which is where the waves crash. We love it here, even in the summer when the place is full of tourists (funny only a year ago I was a tourist!!) and Cosy is full of families its a lovely place to live. A bit more expensive that a non-coastal town, but we manage ok.

 

Sounds like your a seasoned long haul mover - hope it goes well for you, it's a very stressful experience but once finished its an amazing achievement and so worth it to be with family. Best wishes Gill