Mazza

Thanks Hotrod, I am concerned that I also need to have met the 475 conditions in order to apply for the extended pathway visa - that's how I am reading it on the official website for IMMI which really defeats the point of my application. Do you know anything on this. I am wondering has anyone ever been in this position as finding it difficult to get a definitive answer.

Hi Has anyone traveled to Australia with less than 2 years remaining in your 475 or 489 visa? If so were you able to get around the residency condition and apply for 887 PR? Any advice most welcome. Thanks

So you guys that emigrated alone - how has it worked out. Was it difficult job wise and making friends - renting etc.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and information. I will certainly be approaching the entertainment/festival options as recommend. While that's ideally where I would like to get into I am by no means fussy. I need a job asap and take what is available with an open heart. My fear what that this too is going to be difficult - read a lot of posts about advertised jobs not existing unemployment rate rising and 475 visa being a temp visa a turn off for some employers. Would it be possible to contact Diane - sorry pretty new to this forum or at least posting on it. Her daughter might know of any positions coming up or the best person to submit my resume to! Thanks again guys - wish me luck :-)

Hi All I am travelling on a 475 visa with 2 years to meet conditions of living in SA and working 1 year. I need to secure employment asap. I am in admin and concerned that in such a common/popular occupation it will be difficult to secure full time employment. I have recently heard it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure full time or any administration positions in Adelaide at the moment. Has anyone experienced this and how successful have you been on 475 or otherwise. Is it determined by how fussy you are or is it just futile at the moment. I am hard working and committed but do not want to give up jobs here if it may be impossible to secure work in Adelaide. While I am hoping to secure something in the Leisure, entertainment, media, advertising industries I am also very open and adaptable to other positions/industries Any insight or advice, contacts welcome please.

Anybody know anything about baggage allowance on Singapore airlines?

Hi I am arriving in February and am highly qualified and experienced in office admin in a variety of industries. can i contact you on arrival and submit resume for any future vacancies? Thanks Mary

I live to hear the positive expat feedback its lifting for those about to make the move but I also value the stories from those whos experiences have not been so bright and cheery ... thats just reality. Having read a lot on numerous forums both good and bad have helped me no end. For one we thankfully decided on a two week recce in advance and this helped us make the next decision we have delayed our move by few mths to prepare bettet now we know what to expect having spoken to a few of you who already made the move. I think its correct to say that each persons curcumstances dictate to some degree wether you have a "positive" or "negative" experience. Those with children will have more urgency to couples in settling. If you have family and friends it may be easier than if not. If you have more money it means you can relax a little more than those coming less financially secure. Like everything its all relative. Now ive taken more time and taken on board all sides and commenrs on these forums I am more realistic and more sure it is definitely what I want. I can move armed with lots if advice knowing it may be tough but all what you put into it Dont berrate the less than positive posts as it is really relative to each and readers need to read all sides and take them for what they are ... other peoples experiences. At start reading ghe negatives terrified me but the more potive and negative I realised its impoertant to get all sides. Having said all that it great when you read the happy endings. To those whose endings are less than happy bet your delighted you tried. No regrets. Cant wait :-)

hi Is there anyone online that can professionally advise on urgent query on 475 visa. We were granted letter confirming 475 in may 2013. It states we had to validate by March 2014 which we done during a 2 week recce. Does this mean we have 3 years from now to meet the 2 year conditions of living in SA and working 1 year full time during this 2 years. Or did the 3 years start when we were granted the letter ie May 2013? And so have to meet the conditions by May 2016 meaning we must be back in Adelaide by May 2014. I am confused with the dates. If the 3 years only starts from March 2014 - I have up to a year to get over there to start meeting the conditions? If the 3 years starts from date of grant letter issue ie May 2013 then I need to get back over there in next 3 weeks to commencement meeting conditions so I have it done by May 2016 Please advise as this is very urgent and I can't seem to get an answer from any departments. Thanks Guys Mazza

My circumstances have changed and I now must decide in next day if I should emmigrate to Adelaide alone. Can anyone advise especially if anyone has done this alone?

Great to read a positive post, we plan on arriving around 9/10th May too - looking forward to it! Nervous but ready to put the work in. Not coming to make millions just enjoy a better lifestyle.

Fantastic news for you jules. I hope we are as lucky. All the best with new job and good luck to OH in his job hunt. Are ye in perm accom?

the best part is definitely striking tasks off your to do list - luv it!

We arrive on 10th march for our two week recce.very nervous now on the job front. Recce is cost we could do without but if it helps us decide I guess worth it in long run. I have a nice job il be giving up. Dreamed of this all my life now its here im not sure its wat I want. I guess im older and more nervous of the future. Scary hearing so many in run for admin jobs. Not sure how long we would survive with no work.

Have ye secured jobs as of yet prtrus. I will have to research the routes along train line.

Thanks john. Yes thats what I am going to do this weekend research recruitment agencied etc and maybe arrange to meet a few on recce. Thanks

Thanks jules. Sorry to hear ye are having no luck with jobs. Can imagine must be tough. Like everyone I guess we are hoping to be luvky and secure jobs in few weeks of arrival. Im glad we are doing a two week recce in advance of move. Best of luck with job hunting. Let us know how ye get on..

What are the essential things to do on a recce to help make the big decision?

Thanks guys. Re IOM. great service but reading what you sai.. its catch 22 really as you are right I dont need huge baggage allowance on recce but if I use recce to activate visa then I cant use IOM for extra baggage when traveling in may mire permanently.Re Skyscanner ... maybe im best to go to travel agent and book flight so I kmow if checked through and confirm baggage allowance. Just really trying to keep costs low on recce trip as more permanent mone in so soon after.Thanks again guys. Most helpful. If any of ye know of reasonably priced accom in city centre fo march please let me know. Or best website to use. Want to stay in city for first few says to get feel for city etc.Thanks

Has anyone used Skyscanner to book flights to Adelaide? If so do you know if bags are checked straight through and what are the baggage allowances - Aerlingus to Heathrow and Malaysian airlines there after Confused.

Can you use IOM if flying over to activate visa and just on a recce?

Cheers Claire, I will be checking that out. Thinking we should locate in City Cnetre on first week and maybe head out to Glenelg for second and hire car. If anyone can recommend what we should do on recce to make most and get the best feel for the city before we relocate permanently Thanks Mary

How long of a reccie did ye take Fluxta? We are heading for 2 weeks in March 2014 as we need to activate visa in March (short on time). Could not make up our minds whether it is what we now want. Did ye go over to contacts? What kind of things would you recommend setting up to get a full picture of how life might be?

Where would you recommend as central? - it's so difficult arriving so blind to a new city

Thanks Nat and Gaz, We have kind of left everything until the last minute. I have done a little research from home but not a lot. Did ye do much research before leaving or mostly when ye arrived. What do ye work at? Where did ye locate on arrival - can you recommend anywhere? Also how did ye secure work? How are ye finding Adelaide?