Hello everyone,

This is my first post, so I hope it makes sense!

My wife, Hayley, and I moved to Bris in Nov '09 and after renting an apartment in Woolloongabba for six months, we moved nearly a year ago to our new home in Cleveland. We had decided some years ago to move out of the UK, but it has taken a while to find this small piece of paradise. We came on a reccie in March 2008, and met some people through a mutual friend. After showing us around, we were sold on Bris, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Hayley is a nurse and after she obtained a job at The Mater, our visa application was lodged in Jan '09. We went through that agonising turmoil that everyone seems to experience; countless number of documents, IELTS, and the 5am ritual of going online hoping, watching and waiting for THAT e-mail!! It came on her birthday, July '09. I managed to quit work at the end of August, she finished in September, sold the house in October and arrived here in November.

As I said, Hayley works at The Mater and loves it. So much more time off, no stress, pay is good, and then there's salary sacrifice! I have ventured into new horizons, bought a franchise and am now a fully accredited, licenced, insured and successful mortgage broker. And we live on the Bayside!!!! We used to live in Slough!!!

It all sounds so simple, but believe me it was a real rollercoaster of a ride. And having listened and talked to others that have done it, we weren't the only ones. This BIB/PIO forum was of extraordinary help to us in our application and subsequent move. And so we feel that is only right that we share our knowledge and experience with others that are now treading this well worn path. So we are happy to help in any way that we can with questions about the whole process, nursing, moving, mortgages and credit, and any of the general day to day living experiences.

Looking forward to the flood of questions!!!!!!!

 

hey mart ,heres the first is it possible you could tell me when you changed your job was that because you couldnt get work in the building trade ,the reason im asking is that im a bricklayer and visa permitting ill be looking for building work if and when i arrive ,by the way fair play to ye ,,,you new life sounds like a complete turn around compered to what it was .it sounds first class

 

Hi Hannash,

I wasn't previously in the building game, but I also wasn't in the finance sector either!! I had no idea what I was going to do when I got here.

The franchise industry is the largest industry in Australia and there are literally thousands of different franchises around, most not requiring any previous experience. I came across the one I've got and thought "I can do that". You do have to buy a franchise and they can range from $10k to $500k. I've never been my own boss before but I can tell you, it's a great feeling.

With regards to building trades, there will be plenty of work in SE QLD because of the flooding. However most trades require that you have some sort of Australian training or conversion; not sure how that applies to bricklayers. Even if you've been in the business for 20-30 years, a piece of paper issued in Australia that says you can do it, goes a long way.

Cheers

 

sorry must have got you mixed up with someone else ,weve applied for a 175 ind visa back in dec 08 and its only now that we are sending our police clearances away now ,can i ask you ,,,as i take a pause ,,,is it really really worth it do you think, in your own opinion looking back to uk and the good and bad it has ,and them comparing it to oz with the good and bad that it has ,its a question a bit outta the blue but ill ask anyway,bye for now,

 

Hi,

Thanks for making yourself available for questions.

I'm moving over with my wife and child later this year. I'm being sponsored by my employer who have a small branch near Brisbane airport. Predominantly I'll be working from the office, but I might have to work from home sometimes because I'll have to talk to the main office back in Europe.

I'm assuming you're working from home. Can you give any tips about what kind of comms setup you've got? Where I live now you basically get a choice of two or three companies offering almost identical standard deals which are further limited by what technology happens to be installed at your local cable exchange. From what I've read, the hardware infrastructure for internet, telephone and indeed TV in Australia is considerably more varied, with packages for "phone+internet", or "phone+TV with naked internet" etc, etc.

Browsing through the various offers makes my head spin. For example, when you started renting, did you have to pay for any installations? And when you moved, did you have to pay again, or could you keep the same deal/telephone number? Do you just give out a mobile number as your main contact details to potential customers?

That was my serious question. Here's my less serious question (although I'm very curious):

Do people entertain often enough to warrant the pools and built in bars? We've seen some great party pads on the real estate sites, but is building a mini pub look-a-like just a private hobby or are folks getting some public use of of it? (And why do some people have optics on the wall? Is it important to get an exact measure at home?)

And my cheeky question. Since you work in morgage finance(?), what's your take on the outlook for the housing market for the next couple of years? [Actually, if that's payable advice, or contravening your franchise agreement to give an opinion, then scrub that question]

 

Hi Hannash,

That's one of those impossible to answer questions. All I can say is that it has worked for us, but we put a lot of time and effort into the planning. My advice would be that if you don't plan it out, it probably won't work. I read your other post and have to say that a big part of the plan would be to have work sorted out before you arrive. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule. And this is a land of opportunities.

The only person that can answer your question is yourself; just make sure that you have all of the facts, figures and information.

Good luck

 

Hi Xenon,

Firstly, when we arrived and were renting, I got a mobile and a mobile broadband stick for the laptop. When we moved to our house, and the business was just being set up, we got full Foxtel (Sky) on a deal (gotta have my sports!!). Also on a package we have home wi-fi (ADSL+), Voip for the business, home landline which also serves the fax and another mobile was thrown in. But there are loads of deals out there and they are constantly changing, and generally, coming down in price. You can buy a SIM for $2, stick it in your mobile and add $ value (PAYG) whenever you want. The rates are incredibly cheap, inc international calls. And then there's Skype.

We have a pool, about 8.5m X 2.5m and it's great. But what they don't tell you about is the upkeep and maintainence. Aussies are born with this knowledge; us Poms have to learn all about it!!! Regular water testing, adding this chemical or that one inc. hydrochloric acid, backflushing and the daily scooping of floating debris. As for bars, that's probably a personal thing; how much space are you using up, how many friends do you have, how often will they be round, how often do you want them round???

The housing market is a little flat at the moment. There is plenty of housing stock out there, but people are generally not spending money at the moment. Refinance seems to be popular at the moment as lenders try do outdo one another. The official interest rate here is 4.75% and there are concerns that it may rise a little higher later in the year. However this does mean that there are bargains to be had. As with buying anywhere, you've got to do your research. Location, location, location; it's an old saying but a very real one. And as for my advice and my services, they're totally free. Anytime. Just check out the website to understand the Refund concept.

Hope this helps

Cheers

 

Hello! hope you can help? I am at the point of needing to have my skills assessment for a 176 QLD sponsored visa. Did your wife Hayley have a full skills assessment or a modified skills assessment?? (way cheaper) it seems you need to be registered in Oz already in order to apply for a modified skills assessment - as I see it this would need to be with APHRA now as there seems to be no more state nursing boards around (which looking at old threads people have done previously) I am a bit stuck at the first hurdle!! does anybody know if I can register with APHRA then apply for a cheaper modified skills assessment with the ANMC or if I have to go for the full $785 assessment with the ANMC ouch! thank you very much indeedy. Shelly Staff Nurse East Yorkshire - bit confused.....

 

i hear you mart

 

does anyone know how long it takes for a visa to come through after you send away police clearances for 175 visa

 

Hannash,

For us it was just about a month. We waited until asked by the case officer to apply for the police and medicals. Once they were sent off it was a matter of around 3-4 weeks. The police check has a shelf life of one year, so I wouldn't send it off until they are ready for it.

 

Hi Shelly,

Things have changed since we did it. As you say, her ANMC registration was sent off to the necessary state bodies. It was a full skills assessment which then cost $645. However we applied for a 175 permanent residency visa. Not sure if that makes a difference for you. As a general rule, if you want to come here, you do what they ask. There aren't usually any quick (or cheap) fixes. The way they see it is that this is their country and their rules, and that you have a choice; accept their procedures or don't apply. That may sound a bit blunt but it's the way it is. They are receiving applications from all over the world and they are all set at the same standard of requirements. However, in my opinion, the rewards for going through their hoops and hurdles are well worth it!! Let us know how you get on with your application.

Cheers

 

Just one more question, if I may.

Do you have many dealings with estate agents? We've spent quite a while on the websites reading through the blurb they write and trying to reconcile the text with the photos of the rental.

Do they actually speak in the same flowery way that they write?

 

OK. That's it! I officially throw down the gauntlet to any member of the forum to find a worse example of estate agency gobsh*te. Here it is, copied and pasted, link available on request:
---
This Beauty is well sort after in the who's who world be quick! So close to the convenience with style.

-3 Bedrooms
-2 Bathrooms
-Large Open living area's
-High/set with great workshops/space under
-Great environment to work/study from home
-Carport
-Star Gaze from your own back spacious outlook
-Quiet Seaside living with only a quick walk to the Train

ATTENTION FLOOD VICTIMS!!
We are offering $100 cash back to all genuine flood victims approved for rental properties of Simon’s Letting Agency for the next 2 months until March 31st 2011. The $100 is payable within 2 weeks of moving in.
---

So, please, my next question:
How often do you "Star Gaze" from your back outlook, do you require a permit and will it give you backache?
[BTW, at 450 per week, 100AUD cashback equates to about 1.5 days rent.]

 

Hi Xenon,

I think that real estate agents the world over are a breed onto themselves!! I find that if you come across one that can't write correctly (This Beauty is well "sort" after), you might consider avoiding them!!

As for the star gazing thing, you might be surprised. There is far less light pollution and the skies are so "big". On each of the three times that I have looked up, I've seen shooting stars.

 

Thanks very much, yep have already decided to go for the full assessment as it seems a bit more straight forward ish! just need to keep saving, work as many nurse bank shifts as poss and continue selling my life on ebay at rate of six items per week! - so even if I don't get in I will be living without clutter and have enough cash for a fab holiday will let you know if I meet the July 1st deadline.......

 

Hi Martyn,
You said your wife was a nurse, did she manage to get a job easily, I know they have the private and public hospital in Cleveland.
We moved to Australia in 2005 we live in Melbourne, but have decided the weather is just like U.K so fancy a change.
We have already brought a house in Cleveland which we are renting out until we can move at Christmas. I am looking at Thornlands primary school for our three kids, have you heard much about it ? I think it looks nice, my hubby had a look around when we were up in January.

I am sooooo excited for our move, we love living in Australia, I just hope I can get a job. My husband who is called Martyn too,( also spelt with a Y, unusual I know) is a paramedic and in the middle of his long winded application, fingers crossed he should get a job easy enough too.
Any info on Nursing and Cleveland would be great.
Many thanks Nic hope this makes sense, its my first post !!

 

Hi Nic,

Welcome to Cleveland, a little slice of paradise!

With regard to the hospitals, there is the Mater, which part of the Mater Group of seven in the Brisbane area, and next door is the Redlands, which is run by Queensland Health. They are no more than 5 minutes drive from Thornlands. Check out their websites for vacancies. I understand that as Cleveland, demographically, has an ageing population, a new School of Nursing is to be built so as to recruit, train and retain younger local nurses. We will be camping with a friend and her family over Easter, who is a NUM at the Mater, so I will try and get some up to date info on jobs. Do you have a nursing speciality?

Regarding primary schools, I am fairly devoid of knowledge. However Thornlands is very popular with Brits, so you are bound to come across someone who can help you more that I can.

Cleveland is just brill. With Straddie and Brissie to the east and west, and the Sunny and Gold coasts to the north and south, you'll be hard pushed to not find something to do or somewhere to go. It's not covered by Brisbane City, but by Redlandshire. It's about 30 minutes by car into the city, or an hour on the train. You can tell that winter is on the way. Last night it got down to 17c and I recall that one night last year, it reached 8c!!

Hope that this helps, but if you have any more questions just ask away.

Cheers

 

thanks

Thanks heaps,
Just can't wait to move now, my heart is so not in Melbourne any more, although I must say am not looking forward to the long interstate drive we have to plan with two cars, three kids and a dog!!!!!!.

I work in palliative care at present in the community and hospital. I also like surgery so if know of any such wards or hospitals, hospices in area would be a great heads up.

Thanks again
Nic

 

Hi Nic

Thornlands State school seems to be well spoken about. Also Star of the Sea, which is actually a Catholic school, but you don't HAVE to be Catholic to go there is well worth a look. I'd suggest Bayview in Thornlands. but I think if you have bought in Cleveland you will be outside the catchment.

It's a great area to live the Bayside is!!

Love

Rudi
x

PS we made the move from Sydney a few year ago......2 cars, a trailer, 3 kids, 2 dogs and 2 cats ;-) Can recommend Neds Bed and Dogotel for somewhere to stay on the way up!