PetenLainy

Hi Steve. I'm a diesel mechanic and I shipped my tools over in our container. I made it through the last few weeks in the UK by borrowing tools to use. If you bring or send tools over the main thing is to make sure they are spotless, no dust,dirt, etc. A light coating of oil or WD40 is acceptable. Basically Quarantine are looking for any substances on the tools which could have anything living or growing in it. Peter

We got a mortgage from the NAB bank on just my salary and I was 46. We were originaly going with a broker but went in and had a chat with the bank who then gave us a better deal than the broker. Both had the requirement that I was in permanent employment, that is I had passed any trial period the work had imposed. Hope this helps. Peter

'CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES' are basically your photocopies which have been witnessed, stamped and signed by a Notary Public (lawyer) to say they are actual copies as per the original. Peter

Hi Dave, As far as I am aware there is no skills assessment required for a Diesel Mechanic, I know I didn't have one. My trade certificates and references were sent to the Trades Recognition Australia and if they are happy with them they will issue you a TRA number. Also when you get here there is no other body you have to join to be certified (unlike electricians,plumbers,etc). I think I might still have the PDF for the TRA requirements somewhere and will dig it out for you if you want. Cheers Peter

Best of luck for your new life over here, I'm sure you will love it. We arrived here on the 22nd of October 2 years ago and still have fond memories of the mattress being the focal point in an otherwise empty house after the container had gone . Peter

The UK one won't work but there are plenty PAYG ones available to buy, as usual it will come down to price and personal preference. The guys in the shop should be able to give you advice as to what network has the best coverage for where you are staying. Enjoy your stay Peter

Hi Kev, Golden Grove is nice and so are most of the surrounding areas and it's not that bad a commute to Wingfield along the Port expressway. Don't worry too much about advertised jobs as the best way is to go in to companies and hand your CV over personally. This is what I done and I had a start within a week of trying to find work, there are plenty jobs out there for diesel mechanics. Peter

I agree, get another couple of quotes. We used Anglo Pacific and they arranged everything door to door with no hassle. Peter

DVD region codes are controlled by business and not the law therefore there is nothing to stop you changing your DVD player to region 0, which means it will play any region. To do this you use your remote control supplied with your DVD player and it involves pressing the buttons in a certain sequence. To find the sequence for your DVD just go to this site http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks and put in the make and model of your player. Peter

Bringing a UK extension and fitting an Oz plug was one of the most useful tips we were given when coming over, remember phone chargers and other molded plugs can't be changed. If you want to set your DVD to play any region check-out this site http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks it's free and completely legal. Peter

Hi and welcome to PIA. It can be a long road and frustrating at times but in the end it will be worth it. Just keep telling yourself if they made it easy everyone would want to do it . Peter

If you decide to bring the bikes make sure they are spotless, otherwise you will be charged by Quarantine for them to do it.

It took us ages to find somewhere to play. We now play on a Friday night at the Burragah Recreation Center in Kelly Road, Tea Tree Gully if anyone fancies a hit-about. Peter

We have finally got our own place and got our stuff unpacked, so if anyone needs packing boxes just let us know.

We had the same dilema. We have been lucky enough to be staying with rellies since arriving in October but got fed-up waiting for the exchange rate to improve, so we bit the proverbial bullet and brought our money over to put towards a house (which we get the keys for on Friday ). Sometimes I think it's better to go with what you have just now rather than what you might have in the future. Good luck with whatever way you decide to go. Peter