Carrianne

1ST TIME HOMEBUYERS

Does anyone know if its still possible to get the $7000 dollar first time home Hi,

The short answer is yes the A$7000 is still available to first time home buyers, for full details have a look at this website:

www.firsthome.gov.au
buyer grant

WHO YOU ARE TO INFORM YOU ARE LEAVING

......somthing that really is worth doing is telling your tax office that you do not intend to return (in this financial year at least).

You will most probably be due a pretty large tax rebate if you ask for it.

Say you only worked for 6 months of the financial year (from april). The IR will have been taxing you assuming that you would be around for the full 12 months. Tax is basically worked out from your final expected salary, and divided by 12.

KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH A WEBCAM

I would avoid netmeeting if i were you....its generally lot of hassle to get working and pants once your there (i have found anyway)

2 options for you.

If you have XP and the person u are talking to has XP u can use windows messenger. Works a treat and is really easy. My favorite of the options.

Or....if one of you does'nt use XP, i would reccomend yahoo messesnger for webcam use. Not too good in general though, other than for the webcams.

One thing.....expect it to be pretty slow (but DEFINATLY still worth doing and good fun) unless both ends are on broadband.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
www.paltalk.com There are also voice chat groups on here so you can chat to some real aussies
R
ENTAL HOME WEBSITE
www.rent-a-home.com.au

DRIVING IN QLD
I emailed QLD transport and they have told me the following (incase anyone else is in same 'boat' )

1. Upon arrival can drive on UK license for 3months.
2. Change over after 3 months to QLD license
- take passport / proof of residing in QLD
3. Take written test comprising of 30 questions
- Costs $15 (how cheap)
- No need to book it - just walk into office!
- book available 'Your keys to driving in Queensland'
- Book costs $9.75 (i think)!
MOBILE PHONES
We brought our Nokia 3210`s out here - just bought some Optus pre-paid vouchers - both work fine...

DON`T LEAVE YOUR PHONES BEHIND - they cost a fortune here!!!

Don`t go with Telstra - they`ll try and sign you up to a yearly contract, and there`s really no need. Our UK phones work fine on the Optus system

EMPLOYMENT AGENICES

Employment Services – Brisbane

ADECCO
www.adecco.com.au

Kelly Services
www.kellyservices.com.au

Sarina Russo
www.sarinarusso.com.au

Hays
www.hays.com.au

Brook Street
www.brookstreet.com.au

Recruitment Solutions
www.recruitment-solutions.com.au


Sunshine Coast

Dove Personnel
Nambour
www.ozemail.com.au/~dovnambo

East Coast HR
Maroochydore
e-mail: [email protected]

Steps Recruitment
Caloundra
Ph 5491 7511
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/

hevs

ahh, here it is!
Thanks once again, i'm off to read it all properly now

Carrianne

You are all very welcome, at the end of the day this is part of the site, to help isn't it.


If you can copy it int word then split page into 2 when printing saving paper and so you can take it with you

Pollyana

Thanks Carrieanne - good stuff esp about the first time homebuyers money - I asked the Bloke to find out ages ago, as he's there, but he's never done it!

mr mover

[

LEAVE YOUR PHONES BEHIND - they cost a fortune here!!!

Don`t go with Telstra - they`ll try and sign you up to a yearly contract, and there`s really no need. Our UK phones work fine on the Optus system
What you have neglected to tell every one here is that, outside of the major cities,its only TELSTRA that have any decent coverage,so alot of other companys phones are useless.....and CDMA phones are a better option..........



MM

Carrianne

Mr Mover I don't think I have neglected anything this is an amalgamation of other people's useful threads and posts. Any comments are greatly received.

rachels

Thanks Carrianne

your post was really helpful! We are arriving in Brisbane in 7 weeks (yikes!) and were going to get rid of our Nokia phones before we went - we'll certainly keep them now!

One thing I would add is that if you have a valid student visa, you are able to drive for an indefinite period of time if your licence:

Is in English or
Is accompanied by a certified English translation

Not sure there are many people on this forum going on a student visa (except me - 4 year temporary to start with) but I thought it was worth a mention just in case!

Cheers
Rachel

Teresa

Thanks Carrianne

this is the sort of stuff we want on this site, helpful advice, deciding to take majority of gear now, container getting bigger by the minute!!!

Teresa

Alan Collett

Yes, we retained our mobile phones when we moved to Australia, and are signed up on SIM only options with Vodafone.

I have also retained my UK Vodafone SIM card, but that's because I'm back in the UK fairly regularly and it helps to retain the same UK mobile number.

I'd include AAPT (with the delectable Effie's picture ... "Hello - Good Thanks" ...) when reviewing your options:
http://www.aaptmobile.com.au/cellone/home/index.jsp

Best regards.

rachels

Hi Alan

Thanks for the link. I hadn't even considered keeping my mobile, just assumed I'd have to buy a new one when I got there. Great to know I can keep my number too!

Cheers
Rachel

Carrianne

bounce to top for Tina J X

DavidT

Bounce

Sazzle

Just a little rubber post

teach

bump

Pollyana

Bouncing an ever useful thread to the top for the "newbies" (Part 2!)