The Adventure Starts Here

June 2009 Blog Posts (12)

Issue 40 now available

Issue 40 of Australia & New Zealand magazine is now available in the shops. Featuring a host of great down under coverage, including a trip down the margaret river, a look at the arty side of Adelaide, New Zealand's Arrowtown and an exclusive from top Aussie chef Bill Granger.

Get yours today - or even better get a subscription ! It'll save you time AND… Continue

Added by John on June 29, 2009 at 11:27 — 1 Comment

Published author .....

Was stunned and pleasantly surprised when the wife showed me the latest magazine and said my blog post was in it ...

If I'd know it'd be published I'd have polished it up a bit.

Anyway, work progressing on the house. Got a plasterer coming at the beginning of August to do some touch up and skimming work. A couple of windfalls have left us a bit flush so we'll be able to buy the wooden flooring for the kitchen sooner than expected so that will be finished… Continue

Added by John on June 29, 2009 at 9:30 — No Comments

Visa processing times

Apparently, despite a stern talking-to from the Australian government earlier this year, applications times for the processing of State and Territory sponsorships are increasing significantly.

The Australian government is keen to encourage the ststes to participate more fully in the skilled migration programme - so much so that Australia's Immigration Minister has directed that skilled visa applications that are sponsored by a State or Territory shall be processed as a priority over… Continue

Added by John on June 24, 2009 at 12:33 — 14 Comments

Horticulture course student visa

is there anyone who is studying Horticulture at nambour (sunshine coast)? How is it going? How is the 900 hours of work experience going? I am due to start my course July 2010 just starting to have a few doubts!!! Thanks'.

Added by Steve Barker on June 23, 2009 at 12:54 — No Comments

Australian visa application fees increase by 20%

The Australian government have just announced that the skilled migration visa application fee will increase by 20% as of the 1st July 2009.

As a result, the skilled migration application fee will stand at AU$2,525 from 1 July 2009; a full AU$420 increase from the previous fee. With this in place, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is estimated to pull in an extra $402.3 million over the next four years.

A full list of changes is available by downloading… Continue

Added by John on June 22, 2009 at 12:27 — No Comments

Will we ever be wanted down under ?

Hi everyone,
we're a family of four still waiting and getting very impatient for a visa. My partner is a bricklayer and has family in Brisbane who are sponsering him. We sent the visa application via an agent in August and are still waiting for a request for medicals, which were supposed to be within five months!!!
Is there anyone out there who has been through the process and can give us hope or we would also like to hear from anyone still waiting and getting fed up like us.

Added by Julie Durie on June 16, 2009 at 21:26 — 2 Comments

Lack of info

Hi every one,am new to this blogging thing but i am looking for info re emigrating for retired people.There appears to be lots of advise for people working in oz but very little if you are retired.Has anyone any tips advise etcWe might be old but still young at heart and full of life and cannot wait to be over there

Added by trevor frank faulkes on June 15, 2009 at 16:36 — 2 Comments

desperate to get visa granted!

hi everyone

new to this site - trying to get as much reassurance as possible that me and family will get granted visa soon! submitted in July - permanent sponsored skilled visa (hubby brickie) had medicals x-rays done in sep following our agents advice (Go Matilda) - police checks in Dec - removed from critical list March after being told we should have heard any day - not heard a thing since! medicals run out obviously in Sept - beginning to think our new life down under will never… Continue

Added by jennifer salter on June 14, 2009 at 23:33 — 7 Comments

can anyone help? I am going to oz on a temporary visa in november this year, have 2 children of school age, have looked in to sending tham to private school as cheaper than state school, but do i st…

can anyone help?

I am going to oz on a temporary visa in november this year, have 2 children of school age, have looked in to sending tham to private school as cheaper than state school, but do i still have to pay q/land government their fee as well as private school (hope not) just cant see it written down anywhere on any websites Continue

Added by Steve Barker on June 13, 2009 at 22:37 — No Comments

Skills assessment - Does a qualified accountant really need a degree?

Hi all,

I am planning to migrate in a year or two on a Skilled Independant Visa - subclass 157, and am at the very beginning of my visa process.

I thought I'd do as much reading as possible before deciding on a migration agent.

I am a qualified accountant , ACCA since year 2000. I am from and live in the UK currently aged 31.

It seems the first thing to do before applying for my visa is to have my skills assessed.

Being a qualified accountant I… Continue

Added by AndyH78 on June 10, 2009 at 12:31 — 5 Comments

Back safe and sound

Bah!

The adventure is all over .... back in UK. Only took one encounter with a Heathrow Airport worker for me to want to get on the plane straight back out. It really hits you just how bad the UK has become once you've been away for 5 weeks. So well done Maggie Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown for ripping the heart out of this country.

Upcoming plans, will be to get the work on the house finished, mainly the ceiling in the hall and flooring for the… Continue

Added by John on June 4, 2009 at 10:30 — 2 Comments

New places to go In Sydney

Anyone got any more ?

Cutler & Co. 55–57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy: Located in an old metal work factory, Cutler & Co’s interior harmoniously mixes layers old with new. Food that rewards in its balance and purity of flavour, slick service and a well-chosen wine list make this deservedly one of Melbourne's dining gems. The black metal bar next-door complements the restaurant with a full bar selection.

www.cutlerandco.com.au

Newtown Workers Club 51… Continue

Added by John on June 1, 2009 at 16:52 — No Comments