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Hi there, we also used vacuum bags for duvets, towels and bed linen and had no problems. I would recommend though that you pack the vacuum bags about a week in advance so you see which ones will inflate (throw the bag away if this happens). Also make sure everything is absolutely dry going in the bags. We didn't use silica sachets (left it too late to order online) but think they can't hurt and prob would help! Enjoy packing! Don't envy you, it was the most stressful part of the whole process for me. It is worth it though : )

Hi sidestep, thanks for the advice, wow you must have been annoyed, to put it mildly! I'll go to Jun Solutions at the train station : )

Hi Snifter, good suggestion - I looked at a couple of the you tube tutorials and it looks like something I could mess up (fat fingers!). Would love to try it to save money but afraid I'd kill my poor phone!

Thanks for all your advice! $150 seems so reasonable, I was expecting way more. Here's hoping my phone will soon be all better (yes I'm buying a cover!!).

Hi there Have cracked the screen on my S3. Can anyone recommend where to get it fixed? Thanks : )

Hi Jill It's called Family Daycare here. Hopefully this link will give you some info. http://deewr.gov.au/family-day-care

You should consider ringing the ATO with your questions. I called them yesterday, was on hold for all of 2 mins and spent 2 hours on the phone to them! They were exceptionally (and unexpectedly! ) helpful. They are also sending out the "Tax pack", which apparently has all you need to use e-tax.

Hi Tamara, I logged on looking for this just this information! Thanks for putting it up. We may see you on Sunday! Sinead

I'm so sorry to read your sad news Gill, my very deepest sympathy. Sinead

This might give you some inspiration http://www.huf-haus.com/en/the-huf-house/huf-house-gallery.html

Hi all, For those of you who are madly packing, here are some tips! Put aside your important documents e.g. passports etc that you want to bring on the flight, so that they won't be packed accidentally - by you or the shippers! If you get a strong zip up folder to keep everything safe then it's handy for bringing on the flight. Pack cameras camcorders etc now while you aren't panicking. We lost our camera in the move - no idea where, it just didn't make it to Adelaide with us. I would recommend scanning important docs like passports, visa grant notice, birth certs etc and saving them on a USB or similar so that if something does happen to them you at least have copies. You'll be amazed how much you need those docs the first few days you are here! Kids toys - if your little ones can't bear to be parted from their toys, you can hold onto their favourites and post them the day before you fly, takes about a week for them to arrive, makes a big difference to them settling in. We packed ours in Ikea plastic boxes with lids, covered in parcel paper (well taped), and they arrived safe and sound. Let your bank and credit card company know you'll be travelling (and your stopovers) so your cards won't get declined. This is my opinion only - try not to have your final goodbyes to family at the airport - it's very stressful at the airport, worrying about flight, luggage allowance etc and you want to be able to concentrate on your goodbyes and say all the important stuff without the added pressure of making the flight! Plus if you have young kids they are already stressed about the whole thing enough without witnessing all the huge emotion just before they fly! As I said my opinion only, things work differently for everyone. Best of luck to you all with house selling, packing and travelling! Sinead

Hi Ali, Just to let you know you may be apply for your TFN online when you get here - here's the link - http://www.ato.gov.au/pathway.aspx?sid=42&ms=youth&pc=001/002/001 Not sure how it works on a 475 but may be worth a look! Enjoy all the planning! Not long to go now. Sinead

Hi there I don't know if it's still the same now but when we got our visa (pre July 1) the "Enter By" was based on the date of our police certs, or the medicals, whichever was earlier. So if there's any delay at all you may find yourself with quite a short window to get everything moving! As I said it may be different now. Best of luck Sinead

Congrats!!!!!!

Hi there, If you take it all one step at a time it's far less overwhelming. There's a good pre-departure checklist here that really helped us: http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/content/15-emigrating-checklist-departure.html Your priority at the moment is probably your husband getting the job, which would sort out visa, relocation and timeline for you. I don't know about pets & quarantine etc but there are lots of lovely people on here who know all about bringing pets over! Also if you're going to sell your house you may want to start looking at anything you need to do to the house before selling. One really good tip I read here was to get a notebook and write everything in it that you need to do/that occurs to you to do. Then look at it every day and tick off what you've done or remind yourself of what needs to be done. This really helped me, it stopped me worrying that I was forgetting to do things. The notebook went everywhere with me for months before we left and I'm still using it! Any tips I read on PIA that I thought might be useful I also wrote in. It really helps prevent those sleepless nights! Adelaide is a lovely place, and well worth the stress it takes to get here! Best of luck, Sinead

Aww thank you! We are so happy to have made the move, love it love it love it here!

Hi Chris, It will all be worth it! We arrived four weeks ago, we were so stressed before leaving as lots of things went haywire, but we are so happy to have gone through it all now, as it got us here! Sending you lots of empathy. Sinead

Hi there, It's quite easy, go online to http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.aspx?doc=/content/38760.htm You can do it all online! It's posted out in about 10 days. Sinead

Hi Karen, We haven't moved yet so maybe someone can give you better advice, but for us, I'm getting detailed referral letters from the specialists here and asking the exact title of the specialists we should see in Aus. When we arrive in August I'll make sure to find a good GP and explain the situation to them. I would expect them to be the first port of call, and to refer us onward. If this is the wrong approach I would be more than happy to be corrected! Sinead

Best of Luck Liz & Steven! There are members on here with furnished short term rentals so I'm sure you'll find something. We'll be staying with Tamara at Homes Down Under (http://www.homesdownunder.com.au) and she has been great to us even though we haven't met her yet! Good luck with your adventure

Hi Chris, My husband's company suddenly announced this week they are cutting all products and will be moving everything to the US by the end of the year. Other than that they can't give a time frame so all the employees are left in the lurch. Luckily for us, we are moving over to Aus in August so we are okay. This must have been coming for quite a while but no hint was ever given. My point is, companies only really care about the bottom line and as long as there is someone to take your place they will be okay. So don't stress about it, do exactly what suits you, and don't feel bad about it!! Leave on good terms by all means so you will get a good reference and your last few weeks will be easier. You sound like a really conscientious person (if you weren't you wouldn't even think of this) so I'm sure they will be sorry to lose you but they will wish you well if they are decent!!! I wish you the very best of luck!!

Thanks Sachertorte for that info on Lifetime Healthcare Loading - very good to know!!

Welcome to PIA Iron Chef! Having read your thread on PIO I'm looking forward to your words of wisdom here Sinead

Best of luck!! Enjoy the start of your new adventure!

Great post, made me look at my situation a completely different way! I was feeling dreadfully hurt but now I realise the way they are acting is just them coming to terms with it. Now I just have to figure out what stage my parents are at in the process - I'm afraid it's still denial though!!!! Thanks Jane & Clive Sinead