erobertson

Hi Nic, I'm really surprised there's not more on this forum about the recent changes including the cancelling of the 457, the extended wait for PR and now the massively increased uni fees for those stuck on PR. I can only assume it's because it hasn't been in the media so much so maybe people aren't aware of the implications. My specific degree course is only available to Commonwealth Students - so I'm out of that completely as full fee paying isn't even an option. I work full time and the beauty of it was that it completely works around my job. My employer is also paying for it and the 34k a year fees for international students is more than I think I'm entitled to for the whole degree! Thats one less engineer for Australia, which I think is a bad thing in the grand scheme of things....

Has anyone else seen this? They're trying to withdraw holders of PR from being eligible for Commonwealth places at Uni, therefore incurring much larger fees. https://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ed17-0138_-_he_-_glossy_budget_report_acc.pdf Given that they also just changed the length of time we stay on PR before getting citizenship I imagine this will potentially affect a lot of people? Its certainly a massive kick in the guts for me. I'm doing a pathways course for an engineering degree that's ONLY available as Commonwealth Sponsored. We can apply for PR in August but it'll take them so long to grant it we won't have it before the proposed changes come in. sigh....

Hi guys, Yes, these are the things that I've been mulling over too. There's also the issue of capital gains tax which is calculated as a percentage of the house used to earn income for a percentage of time. For the sake of a bit of extra cash it all seems a bit hard and it does make me wonder whether people declare everything as it's rather complex! I think I might just leave it well alone.... Thanks Emma

Hi all, Just wondering whether anyone uses AirB&B to rent out a spare room? Ive been considering it but can't figure out the legal implications!! We own our home, as opposed to renting. Thanks

Hubby just informed me that Saturday is the 21st.... Doh! No no idea how to edit or delete a thread once it's started....

Anyone interested in Vance Joy tickets for Saturday 20th March at the Thebarton Theatre? I have 4 tickets - $200 for them all. Happy to split into two 2's

Hi Mark, What's the length/age/weight please? Thanks Emma

Thanks Ktee we'll take a look :-) Hubby is a Kiwi and grew up around the ocean fishing and cray diving etc, he's hoping to get back into it now we're back at this side of the world. Thanks for your help!

I got 9 somehow. Turns out I don't know my saladas from saos, not a huge surprise when there's no chocolate involved.....

Hey all, Just wondering if anyone is a member of/knows of any fishing clubs? We're in Henley so preferably local-ish would be good. Getting ourselves sorted with a boat is still a work in progress but would be good to meet other fisher-people :-) Thanks Em

Hi all, I wonder if anyone knows about issuing an emergency passport? My 88 year old gran was supposed to arrive with my parents today but it seems her passport got lost en-route to the airport somehow and she didn't make the flight :-( It seems that because she can't produce her passport for a renewal they won't issue one for 5-7 days. Emirates have offered to free her up a flight if we can resolve her passport issue but we're not having much luck! Has anyone come across this before? My poor Grans devastated as we lost her husband of 65 years only a few months ago and she was coming here so she didn't have to wake up on Christmas morning by herself :-( Any advise greatly appreciated Thanks Em

Don't forget about the lenders mortgage insurance if you have less than a 20% deposit. We put down 10% and got stung for $13,000 of LMI!

Hi there, When we first moved here we lived in Melbourne for a year and therefore registered for Medicare there, never made any difference when we moved to Adelaide. It's a federal thing rather than state so although it's best to check, I reckon you'll be ok. The only thing I can think is that they post the Medicare cards out to you, so might need an address you can rely on for a few weeks? It's the same with the TFN's. Good luck with the move! Emma

Thank you Tamara :-)

Hi Mel, He's a springer spaniel, so although he's not really big, he's not exactly little either! He's also crazy.... Lol!

Any electricians out there? Just a small job to fit a ceiling fan in a bedroom and a light fitting/pendant at the top of the stairs. Can anyone help or have any recommendations please? We're in Henley Thanks Em

Hi folks, Hubby and me were dumb enough to book a holiday between Christmas and new year and haven't booked our 4 legged beastie in anywhere yet. I'm really struggling to find anyway that can take him. Does anyone have any recommendations I could try? We're in Henley but at this stage I'm happy to take the poor fella just about anywhere! Thanks Em

Thanks guys, I wish we could get the old feed in tarrif some of you are on! It's really poor now and they're also talking about doing away with the grants for installing it. Im thinking we need a 3-4kw system as have a new house and appliances etc so well insulated and energy efficient. I'll have a with chat the inevitable sales guys who will no doubt come swooping round, was just trying to get an idea as don't want to pay for more than we need given that there's no money to be made from it these days. thanks heaps

Hi all, I wonder if I could pick some brains about solar panels?? We bought a house last year and have always planned to put solar panels on it. I'm a bit confused about sizes etc. we seem to have a low energy consumption with our highest in peak summer summer being 9kwh a day. We don't have kids so expect that will rise if we do, so I'm thinking of getting a 3kw system which should generate about 12kwh a day (apparently) My question is, will a system of this size run our AC unit? Does anyone have experiences of solar and running their AC?? We have a split ducted system servicing the whole house. Thanks Emma

We were in a rental when we got our dog and we suggested baby gates containing him in the non carpeted living area. They were happy with that and it was nice keeping him out of the bedrooms! If you keep the house clean etc they'll never know ;-) But do consider what you'll do during inspections or if he chews anything. Good luck :-)

At the risk of wishing I never got involved in this, isn't there more to Government assistance with child care than just paying for other peoples children? Surely it's as much about allowing mums to go back to work and contribute to the economy? So childcare workers are getting a fair wage, while mums are also able to do their bit in the workforce if they choose to? I would think that if the assistance was removed most mums would be forced to give up work and then what state would the workforce be in? It's a little narrow minded to think it's just about propping up people who choose to have kids.

Hey everyone, Theres a few of us heading to the West Lakes Hotel tomorrow to watch the showdown and get a Sunday roast. Prob indulge in some friendly banter too as we support both sides between us... if anyone fancies popping down drop me a PM and I'll send you my number. Age wise we range from 28 - 50, so any and all welcome! Em x

Speak for yourself Deb! ;-) Maybe we arrange a Henley/Grange meet up once we're both back then if people are interested? I Can't remember when you're actually back but I think you leave before we get back from NZ xx

Hey guys, We live in Henley and take our 4 legged beastie for long walks on the beach. We're late 20's/30's. Drop me a PM if you fancy meeting up. I love it down the beach this time of year with no pesky tourists around :-) Em

If you like Glenelg and Semaphore, check out the suburbs in between. Henley and Grange are lovely and although I don't have kids I hear good things about the schools, Henley High in particular has a good reputation. They're not the cheapest suburbs but the lifestyle so near the beautiful beaches is fab. Fulham Gardens is the next suburb back from Henley so a little cheaper, but still nice and close to the beach and not far from the city. Good luck and enjoy :-)