evojoan

My OH was advised that the online course was a waste of money so that's why he did a one day course. He has just received his CITB card from his employer, so he perhaps might benefit from a discount on another course in the future. Jo

Hi My OH did a one day white card course at CITC (Construction Industry Training Centre) in Regency Park, Adelaide and it only cost $100. Might be worth checking out their website. Jo

Hello All When we saw the information from Immigration SA advising us that we had the option to apply for a 190 permanent visa earlier than September 2015 we decided to put in an application, that was until I noted the cost ............. $3520 for the main applicant, $1760 for the second applicant and additional applicant under 18 $880. A total of $6160 which is on top of all the costs we have already paid for the 489 visa, skills assessment, IELTS tests, migration agent etc. We have decided to wait until next year and apply for the 887 visa at a cost of $650. Good luck to anyone that applies. Jo

Hello Can I just ask which school you enrolling them in ? Is it a private school ? This was not something we had to do for our son, so I am just curious ? Hope you mnage to sort it. Jo

Hi Blossom Every time I quote Scunthorpe on here it blanks out the swear word in the middle !?!? :biglaugh: Except this time !!?! Jo

Hi Claire'n'tel The jersey's were just what he asked for. Hubby ordered one for him tonight from the website and it should be here in 5 - 10 days time. We went to the Santos Tour Down Under and had a great time and managed to get some freebies for them to take back for him as he is a keen cyclist. Anyone from S****horpe watch out for a cyclist wearing an orange & blue santos jersey with Adelaide, Australia on it. Huge thanks x xzibit thanks aswell for you reply. Jo

To any keen cyclists My In-laws are over from the UK and are looking to buy a cycling top for my brother-in-law to take back to the UK for him. He has asked if they can buy one with Adelaide or Australia on it. Could anyone tell me if and where it would be possible to buy one. We have tried a couple of bike shops in and around Rundle street in Adelaide but so far have not had much luck. Thanks again in advance. Jo

Hi All Everyone has mentioned all the things we have been mulling over. Blossom that has been our thoughts about getting an SA DL, getting a permanent visa is not 100% guaranteed so is it worth paying out the extra costs of getting SA licences only then have to go back to the UK. We bought a second hand car, rented property, enrolled our son in school, picked up our bank cards, got a contract mobile, medicare cards & registered the car, all using our UK passports as ID. Something to consider Thanks again Jo

Hi All Could I please get everyone's advice. I read on Immigration SA that Permanent visa holders must get a South Australian drivers licence after three months of residence. Students, tourists and people working in South Australia on current temporary visas are allowed to drive on their UK licence only while their UK licence is current. If the UK licence expires you must get a South Australian driver's licence. I confirmed this with sa.gov.au today, so legally we are ok to drive on our UK licence until we get our permanent visas, as long as we take our UK licence and a copy of our visa confirmation with us when driving. Could you all help by letting us know what the benefits of getting an Australian driving licence could be i.e cheaper insurance, car rental costs etc. Thanks in advance Jo

Hello BHP Billiton are looking for a Procurement Officer Job number: 766292 CSG: Copper Site: Adelaide Corporate Centre Business / Project: Olympic Dam Job type: Full Time - Permanent Location: Australia - South Australia Not sure if this position fits in with what you are looking for job wise. Jo

Hi Bal67 & Pommiepattons Not long now ! Good luck with all your goodbyes x x If you go onto SA Immigration website there is all the information that you will need to settle into your new life in Adelaide. As you are a state nominated migrant it is condition of your visa that you register your arrival and complete five short surveys during your first two years in South Australia. We have just completed our 2nd survey at 6 month's. When you arrive if you do not receive your invitation perhaps cause you have changed your email address etc to register or complete a survey you just need to email DMITREImmigrationSARegistrations@sa.gov.au. with your details. It also tells you how to register for the information sessions that I mentioned in another post, the information is in the "once you've arrived" tab. Jo

Hi Daviesfamily The hardest part was leaving family, but we were lucky we had both sets of parents support. Is your Mum planning to visit, at least if she books her flight she has a date to count down to until she sees you again. My in-laws arrive in two weeks and time has flown so quickly since they booked their flights. We speak to our parents and our eldest son every weekend on Skype or FaceTime so this helps with the homesickness. What do I miss about the UK, family and .............. chocolate as over here it doesn't seem to taste the same. Good luck with the move and really hope your Mum comes round to the idea of your move. jo

Hi Bal When we arrived we attended a welcome meeting and various different people gave talks on matters to help you settle into your new life as a migrant. One discussion was on the 887 visa and it's requirements and another was courses for migrants at TAFE SA. It Might be worth going to one when you arrive so any un-answered questions you might have, you can ask in person. Jo

My my son is doing a VET course at school Level III Music Production running concurrently with his other subjects. It cost us $100 on top of his other school fees. Try having a look on TAFE SA website which is where I got the photo from (sorry admin if it's not allowed, wasn't sure) you should be able to email them for advice or which ever school your daughter is attending perhaps you could email them to see if they offer a VET course in beauty therapy, just a thought. Would love to meet up for coffee, have not yet had the chance to meet any of the lovely helpful people on PIA yet. Just recovered from a broken arm, still trying to settle in to our new life, job applications & UK visitors have all been using up my time. From Jo

Hi Bal67 No only one of you has to work the 12 months full time or two part time jobs but you all have to live in SA for 2 years. My Husband is the main visa holder so hopefully he will continue to work over 35 hours per week for 12 months and once we have lived in SA for 2 years we can apply for a permanent visa in September 2015. How old are your children ? To include a dependent child in your 887 visa application, the child must be: your child a stepchild from a current or a previous relationship (in certain circumstances). Acceptable documents that can show a parent-child relationship include: a certified copy of each child's birth certificate a certified copy of adoption papers. Your child or stepchild is considered to be dependent if any of the following apply: they are younger than 18 years of age they have turned 18 years of age and continue to be wholly or substantially reliant on you for their basic needs (food, clothing and shelter) they have a mental or physical disability that stops them from earning a living to support themselves (whether or not they migrate with the applicant). The child can be of any age. The child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement. A child of any age is not considered to be dependent if they are currently married, engaged to be married or in a de facto relationship. Some visas require that the child has never been married or in a de facto relationship. Hope that helps Jo

Hi Bal67 You can apply for a Skilled - Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887) visa after you have lived for at least two years and worked for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area. Work includes being self-employed. In that year you have to have worked over 35 hours per week for it to be classed as full-time. There can be breaks in employment but it has to total a full year. If you have been sponsored by the state of South Australia then the whole of South Australia is classed as regional including Adelaide. Can't answer the college question as our son is at a public secondary school but if you contact the SA education department they might be able to help. I spoke to the education department in Adelaide on our arrival and they confirmed on a 489 visa you only have to pay the same school fees as a permanent visa holder. I know some schools are pretty strict on catchment areas, we had to show a copy of our lease on enrolment to show that we would be living in the catchment area for a minimum of a year. Someone else will probably come along shortly and help with any unanswered questions you might still have. Good luck Jo

Hi Diane, after 10 years would you consider moving back or are you settled here ?

Hi All Just thought I would give an update 5 months into our new life in Australia. OH has continued to work on the same contract with the agency since September and on Wednesday was offered a permanent position, subject to a 6 month probation period, with the company he is contracted to. As for me, I start a volunteer position in the next week or so to give me some local work experience and meet people. We went through all the usual emotions and upset when moving a teenager to another country but I am pleased to say he has settled in well, has a good group of friends and if you ask him now if he wants to go home, the answer is a firm no. Our eldest son came out to visit for a month at Christmas and he now says he can see himself moving over here sometime in the future. Now looking forward to the in-laws arriving in 5 weeks time and the count down to hopefully being able to apply for a permanent visa in September 2015. Good luck to all those making the move x Jo

A family favourite ................. Yorkshire Puddings with Golden Syrup

Brilliant news Mandi, have a safe flight & to anyone else who has booked their flights for their new life in Adelaide.

Hi Diane, might be worth a visit, think we might go before the Adelaide show , to see a bull win a show and then see my OH tucking into it with his chips and salad Thanks Tyke, I will take a look. Jo

Hi All Could anyone recommend a nice steak restaurant in Adelaide CBD ? Thanks Jo

Hi Mandi What a small world, know Thorne well !! I will PM you, if you need anything let me know. Jo

Hi Mandi We moved from Doncaster to Adelaide in September and enjoying our new life here. We lived 5 minutes from the M18\M180 services. Hope the meet up goes ok J

It cost us $20 for a maxi cab from the airport to Henley £10.92 5.8km 9 minute drive. Just for an idea on price and distance. all the best