Geordie Lass

hey Debbie, I've sent you a PM

well done Debs, what a relief for you! I have my test in two weeks. Been practising like mad!

That sounds great. Will defo meet up when you come over. Hopefully I will be working by then!! I knew a couple of people when I moved over, but have made some great friends through uni and where I was working as casual staff at Rockingham hospital. It's a great life here, sometimes I do feel homesick and miss my family, but I think this life is definitely worth it! Take care, Michelle x

my visa application only took about 1 week! I am on a temp visa, international student visa. The process was very quick and I didn't have any issues with it at all.

Hi Debs. Yes, I moved to Perth with my daughter who is 8 now and my dog! I am a qualified social worker but could not practice in Oz due to not having sufficient PQ experience! So, I am studying here as an international student (not cheap!) doing a masters degree. I complete in October and hoping to work for DCP when finished. It's great here but very expensive, especially being alone with a child, a dog and no income!! All just outgoings for me! Wouldn't change anything though. When are you hoping to come out to Oz and where are you hoping to settle! Take care, Michelle x

Dunsborough rail carriages and cottages. It's a great place to stay for both kids and dogs. I have been a few times and booked in for the Anzac weekend. It's great. They have 2 standard cottages, about 6 rail carriages and 3 luxury cottages as well as a huge farmhouse. Check it out: http://www.dunsborough.com/

Good luck to you all with your visa process. I have been in Perth (SOR) for 15 months now and I love it! Never looked back. Keep us posted as to how you are getting on. What are your professions? Sorry, just being noses! Take care, Michelle x

No worries mad cow. It just made my heart palputate a bit as I am on a two year temp visa and didn't want to spend more time than necessary before applying for citizenship. Although I will still have to wait another two years anyway after this one!

It's actually four years with the last 12 months being as a permanent resident, not two years as you stated. Refer to link http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/how_to_apply/conferral_app_process/

Check this out on the diac website. http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/572-1/how-the-visa-works.htm this gives you information on length of course and visa validity. Hope this helps. Good luck with the process. Michelle.

I only pay for my course as and when I enrol for my units. So, when I accepted the uni only asked for part payment, which I didn't pay until just before I applied for my visa as I was in Oz at this time on a reccie. I think the visa will only last for as long as the course is for, but if the engineering course is at the same education facility and it is a natural progression from your initial course then this may be included, but as I understand from DIAC, the visa lasts the length of your course. Hope this helps. Michelle.

Hi Robert, i am currently living in Perth on a student visa from the UK. I applied myself for this visa (subclass 573). It is very easy and I was able to apply online. You will save a lot of money doing this yourself and it is pretty straightforward. I was only able to apply four months prior to my course starting and my visa took about 10 days to come through. Let me know how you get on. When you apply online you also need to scan and send certified documents too. Good luck. Michelle.

hi Shelley. It depends on whether you are doing an undergrad degree or postgrad. Which are you going to study? I am a post grad student and am exempt from school fees. I don't think this applies to undergrad, if that is what you are doing. Oh sorry if I got you excited over not paying school fees. That is a bummer if you have to pay on top of your international student fees also! That job will be well needed when you come over then. Take care, Michelle x

Hello again Shelley, have a look at http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf. This gives you the skilled occupation list with the ANZSCO codes listed. If you are looking for clinical psychologist, this appears under schedule 1, ANZSCO 272311. Hope that helps you. Take care, Michelle x

Hi Shelley, what student visa are you on. I am on the 573 visa and do not have to pay school fees for my daughter. Have a look at http://www.eti.wa.edu.au/studying-at-schools/policies-regarding-enrolling-the-dependents-of-students-exchange-programs-and-study-tours.html. This website will advise you on school fees for international students. Don't take the school's word on paying fees as I was told by my daughter's school that I would have to pay $8k per year as they didn't know I was exempt until I told them!! There are jobs around, depending on what you are looking for. I recently started a casual job which I got through being on placement at my local hospital. The pay is great and helps out a lot with my rent and bills. Don't worry, you will find something. PM me when you arrive here. Looking forward to meeting up. Take care, Michelle x

Hi Shelley, welcome to PP and congrats with your decision on coming to Perth. I too am a single parent who made the move nearly a year ago, having had all the negativism from family and friends telling my what a stupid thing to do on my own! Well, I came over on a student visa with my 7 year old daughter and have not regretted it one bit! I am loving every minute of every day and my daughter and dog have both settled very well. We are in Baldivis and feel this is the right suburb for us. It would be great to meet up with you when you arrive. We have quite a bit in common. What are you studying at ECU? I am at UWA, studying social work. It's a two year masters course and year one is finished already. Can't wait to finish and start work! I am qualified in the UK but did not have enough post qualifying years experience to practice in Oz! Having a ball here though! I am so glad I made the move. I have not regretted my decision one bit! Take care, Michelle x

I meant to say Airpets (sorry my iPad did not recognise the word and changed it. For me to airports! Dumb computer!!!

i used airports, based at Heathrow Airport. They were excellent and living in Newcastle at the time, they even collected my dog from home and took him to their kennels in readiness for his flight, and at no extra cost! They were very professional and I would recommend them to anyone. Hope you get sorted. Take care, Michelle.

hi Julie, Rivergums is a nice estate in Baldivis. They are building a new high school next to this estate also. I don't know much else about this part of Baldivis. Michelle.

Hi Julie, it's great to hear that you are moving to Baldivis. It is a nice suburb. The shops are ok but there is nearby Rockingham which has a much bigger shopping centre and Cinema, restaurants etc. depends what you are looking for. Congrats on celebrating your 12month anniversary of being in Oz. I have been here 10 months now and do not regret the move at all. I love it and my daughter and dog have settled really well. The mums at the school are friendly. Some aren't. But overall my experience of waiting outside the classroom at 3pm has been very positive. It would be great to meet up once you are in Baldivis. PM me once you have arrived. I used to live in Settlers Hills estate but have just moved to Baldivis Central. Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care, Michelle. x

Can I just say that this lady is lovely. She has an adorable family and I have seen how great she is with her three gorgeous children. She will be a fabulous minder for anyone out there needing their children looked after. Very trustworthy and honest. I hope anyone needing childcare will keep this lovely lady in mind! I have met this family only a couple of times and I can honestly say I was very impressed with how gorgeous they are as a family and how loving they are towards all their beautiful children. x

Hi Hope I am currently living in Baldivis. Settlers Primary School is great. My daughter is in year 2 and loves it. It is a very big school but I believe year 7 will be moving to Baldivis High School in 2015 so the student numbers will decrease then. The school is very open to visits. The office staff are very helpful. You need to live in the catchment area before enrolling your children though. I don't know much about Makeybe but I think they are only open up to year two at the moment. Good luck with your move to Baldivis. It is a lovely suburb although getting larger by the day! Take care, Michelle

Hi Derham, I am renting in Baldivis and breaking my lease, leaving on 3/11. It is a lovely 4x2, $425 pw, private landlord. If you are interested let me know and I can contact the landlord. The house is walking distance to Tranby College (private school) and Settlers primary. Take care, Michelle x

Hi Janice, just logged on and saw your post. I am currently renting in Baldivis and breaking my lease. It is available from 3/11, a 4x2, nice area in settlers hills. I have a dog and the rental is through a private landlord. Let me know if you are interested and I can connect you to the landlord. I am currently paying $425pw. Good luck. Michelle x

Hi Kate. I currently live in Settlers Hills and looking to break my lease. If you are interested the rent is$425pw. Its a lovely 4x2 with lovely views of the park. PM me if you would like more info. Take care. Michelle