Karenbfam

I applied the end of January this year. I had lived here a total of 2 years. They didn't ask for any extra evidence. I applied on a Sunday and it was granted on the Monday for a further 5 years.

Hi We are breaking our lease in Christies Beach. It's a modern 3 bedroom 2 bathroom, open plan kitchen, lounge and dining room and another separate lounge. We have lived here for 16 months and loved it. Great area with everything on your doorstep. 10 mins walk to the beach. Great neighbours. We took it as a lease break when advertised on here. We are moving into our own home in Christies Beach just round the corner. Available from next week. It's with a great agent and we got it without having jobs, just after arriving in Oz. if you are interested please pm for further details. Karen

We have just had a house built. It was advertised as a house and land package but it turned out it wasn't as the builder did not own the land. We agreed we wanted to go ahead at the end of last September and we get our keys tomorrow, so just over 9 months. The builder had designed a house and we were able to make changes. We then agreed the price. We then had to purchase the land and wait for planning permission. When you go and choose extras we knew exactly what they were going to cost. We then had to pay in 6 stages and the last payment was approx $3000 less than quoted as we got credits for things that had come in cheaper than originally stated. We paid rent and the mortgage but as already stated it wasn't too bad as you pay interest only whilst building. We are thrilled with our new home and the builder was great. The $15000 first home buyers loan was also very handy. If you want any info please pm and I will try and help. Karen

Hi I have been looking on here for an end of lease cleaner who will also clean windows, oven and carpets. Can anyone recommend anyone? thanks Karen

Hi We are moving into our new home in the next couple of weeks. We didn't get the builder to do any of the outside so are looking for recommendations for ground levelling, patio or decking and eventually a pergola. We are in in the southern coastal suburbs. Thanks karen

My partner doesn't want to go either. If I get a ticket can i join you all? Karen

Hi my 22 year old daughter arrives in Adelaide 2 weeks tonight!!! Hurray!!! She has just finished a 4 year primary school teaching degree in the UK. She has loads of experience including nannying in France and 2 seasons with Eurocamp, one as a kids courier. She has a UK CRB check and could apply for a Oz police clearance. She has PR and will be looking for work whilst applying for her teaching registration. I am sure she would be interested. We are down South and she will be driving. Message if your interested or would like further info. thanks. Karen

I sent loads from the pound shop in my move cube and forgot to bring them in my luggage. We bought some from Dick Smiths but they weren't cheap. I must have sent a dozen but we are always searching for them as it wasn't enough.

I know we have only been here since February but I feel very lucky to live here. Especially when I drive over the hill down ocean boulevard and can see the sea across the city to hills. It is the most beautiful view and I have to pinch myself that I live in such a beautiful place.

Hi i arrived this February. I was really concerned about finding a job. I left my band 6 job in the community in the UK having been there for 10 years. You don't do it easily, even freezing my pension was a big concern. With the help of a friend on here I spent days writing my cv and covering letter. I applied for one job a couple of weeks before I left but got a rejection email straight away. I was terrified and one of my biggest concerns was interviews as I am hopeless at them. I left my job on the Thursday and we flew on the Sunday and I was still being paid for a month as I had saved my annual leave. We sorted out our long term rental and I then applied for a job that sounded perfect. It is in the community private sector. The interview went well and I was offered the job. I started 3 weeks after we arrived. Yes it is casual but a lot are. I have now been there 2 months. I love it. I work full time, for more money and no weekends. I have now been told they are offering me a permanent contract. It's the best move I have ever made. I don't think I could go back to my old stressful job within the NHS. Oh and we came as 3 adults, as my daughter is 23 and last week was the first week since we have been here when all 3 of us got paid!!! Good luck and can I add we love Adelaide.

Don't forget your travel plugs. I thought I was super organised and bought loads from the pound shop and packed them in my movecube. When we arrived I had forgotten we would need them for things like phone chargers etc. Spent a day trawling the shops for them and they cost a fortune here!!

Hi Niki we moved here in February 3 days before our 175 visa expired. My youngest daughter didn't come because she is at uni. Her visa therefore expired. 1 week after we arrived she put in an online application for a RRV. On the website it says it takes 14 days. She was due to fly out for a 3 week holiday 4 weeks after we arrived. 14 days went and she kept ringing and they said the 14 days was only a guideline. She didn't get anywhere so travelled on a tourist visa which I had read could cancel out her permanent residency. A couple of days after she arrived they asked for more info. We wrote an email and attached whatever we could to prove that we had moved here (her mum and only sibling), explained that she could only visit again at Christmas. Last week she was granted a RRV with a 1 year entry date, which she is thrilled about as she can now join us if she wishes after uni. She had only ever activated her original visa back in 2009 for a one week holiday. so you never know. If your son has a good reason why he never came with you, it may be possible. Karen

This post has made me chuckle!! We have been here a month. Stayed in Port Noarlunga for 3 weeks and now in Christies Beach. WE LOVE IT!!! This area has beautiful beaches, lovely people, both Brits and Aussies and the weather has been fab, even the cooler days!! Karen

Hi we have a samsung galexy ace and an iPhone 4S. Thanks

Hi All Does anyone know where we can get a phone unlocked? We have been asking around but with no success. We are in the south but don't mind traveling. Thanks Karen

Thanks everyone for your replies. Tracey would love to meet up after I have arrived and with anyone else who would be interested. thanks again karen

Hi everyone We arrive on Monday 17 Feb and we are just sorting out last minute things. I am a nurse and have just started looking at jobs to apply for. I have my CV ready but a lot of the jobs ask for a current police certificate. I had one in 2009 when I applied for my visa, and again in 2011 when I obtained my AHPRA registration so these are obviously not up to date. Would you suggest I apply for another one this week using ACRO's premium service? Thanks for your help Karen

Oh Mandi that is brilliant. One week after us as we leave on 16th!! Can't wait now as I am not coping very well with the 'goodbyes'. Karen

Hi Andy We arrive on 17 Feb and would be very interested in attending. I have an NHS pension that I don't know what to do with. thanks Karen

Thanks Mandi that would be great. Will pm you. Do you have a date in Feb and were are you staying when you arrive? We fly from Heathrow with Singapore airlines on 16th feb and have a holiday home in Port Noarlunga for 3 weeks. Karen

Hi Caz and Ian yes we had a large move cube. Just like snifter says we planned the large furniture. We bought vacuum bags (ordered on line from Asda) for clothes and bedding. We ordered large rolls of bubble wrap and 12 rolls of parcel tape (all of which we used) on line. We were lucky that we were given new boxes in 2 sizes so they stacked well. I bought sticky labels which I put on each item to correspond with paperwork and listed contents. We packed the vacuum bags into the furniture and again numbered the furniture and wrote down the contents. All shoes I cleaned with bleach wipes and the boxes of these together with the golf clubs were packed last so if needed could be inspected. We sent ours early so that if we couldn't fit it all in could have a small cube or boxes sent just before we leave. Don't think we will need it though as fitted in all what we needed. We didn't take out their insurance. We managed to get in a large 3 door sideboard, 2 king size bed frames and mattresses. 2 bedside drawers and 2 chest of drawers. Nest of tables and lamp table. 2 sets of golf clubs. Clothes shoes and bedding. Kitchen equipment including microwave. Large vases and pictures. Boxes of ornaments, photos and sentimental stuff. 6 lamps and shades. I think that's everything. We were concerned about weight as limit is 1500kg and with heavy wooden furniture we had no idea what it would weigh but on invoice it says 1380kg so all ok. Planning is the key and beware it gets a bit stressful. Good luck. Hopefully I have attached photos of the cube karen

Our move cube has just left. It took us 2.5 hours to pack. We were as organised as we could have been. Had taped the size off and planned most of where everything was to go. After 4 weeks of sorting and packing it's amazing how I can feel my stress levels going down lol. Can now sort out for Xmas and come January sell remainder of our stuff and rent out the house if not sold. Woohoo we arrive on 17th February. Karen

Hi We shall be arriving mid Feb and I am trying to compose an up to date CV as all of the jobs that I have been looking at seem to request one! Any tips on writing a suitable CV that wil be appropriate in Australia as I really want to get it right. thank you karen

I emailed them about certified id and they told me it had to be a JP or notary public. Perhaps someone who has had a successful assessment will reply, although due to the time it is taking I dont think there are many about:biglaugh: Like you say due to the the time it takes you dont want to get it wrong, but dont want to spend unneccessary money. On their website is a contact form which I have been using to email them. You get an initial reply telling you they have passed your query to an advisor, then the next morning I got a reply. Now I have this poor ladies name I must have sent her six or seven queries and she always replies overnight, so perhaps things are improving Karen

Hi Donna I also queried fees and the reply that I got was $220 assessment of application fee, so this is all that needs to be sent initially. Then when approved $115 application fee and $115 registration fee but please be aware that this needs to be paid in person at the ahpra office and you only have 12months to do this from receipt of your successful assessment letter. Dont get me started on this as I had got to this stage with what was NBSA and had my letter at home saying I had successfully been assessed. This letter was valid for 2 years and could be sent from the UK with the fee to become registered. When I contacted ahpra to ask where I sent this too (as mine had to be done by May) they told me that I had to present in person before May or start the whole process again!! We are hoping to emigrate in December. I can understand them wanting uptodate info, eg a current employment reference and NMC ref, but no they want the lot again including transcripts of diploma etc, all of which they have on their files. It is so frustrating! Karen