Thank you

For anyone interested ... I used this site, found their practice tests quite good. http://www.canadavisa.com/ielts/free...ice-tests.html

Also got a book from the local library I think it was Step Up to IELTS - had 2 cassette tapes (I know! - one didn't work) but the practice papers inside were good, plenty of examples to work through, and tips. Have a look in your library before shelling out for something you'll (hopefully) only have to use once

Also used the Canadian web site, found it very useful.
Would still advise everyone to take the IELTS test before applying for 885, not sure about 886, was definately told by my agent to take it before lodgement, even though a British citizen. As a native English speaker and already qualifying for 15 points, it should be ok to take it later, but best to cover yourself. I don't know if there have been any changes to this since March.

Hi all,
Has anyone heard about the new changes? $4550 for Tra, four steps etc...
It makes harder for us...

Yep, look at the job ready test thread right at the top of the page.

Hi Mandy,

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. We're back in the UK now, we stayed 1 year and had a blast. We were doing fine in Aus, hubby got a permanant part time cabinet making job and got most of his work experience hours before we left and his employer also wanted him to work full time. I had a permanant part time job at Bunnings, we were both really lucky to get the jobs and for them to be permanant was great, especially when most jobs seemed to be casual. I just didn't want to blow the rest of our savings and have nothing left at the end of the student visa journey. We knew the cost etc before we came, but with all the changes being made by the government, we thought they were making it almost impossible and didn't think it was worth it. We know that we should have stayed in the UK and got everything in place to go to Aus as permanant residents. I will shortly be studying for a nursing degree and if we decide that we want to come back then we can, but as perm. residents. Hope everything goes well for you Mand, you deserve it and so do all the rest of you that are on the student route, good luck peeps xxx

So nice to hear from you. . .was wondering what had happened!!

You have obviously chosen what has been right for you and your family. It's also good for others to hear that you managed to get work and that you guys were happy here. The student visa is pretty hard and very risky. . .with the threats of changes last year and then the new 'Job Ready Program' coming in, it's a bit of a minefield!! yeah, our savings totally ran out last May when we paid the last of hubbies fees!! Good on ya with the nursing degree, I hope it goes well for you!

Cheers
Mandy

Bradman's,
Good to hear from you again. Hope all goes well with you all back in UK. As Mandy says the student route is a nightmare for everyone at the moment, just hope it works out for everyone, whatever decision anyone makes.

Sorry meant Bradburns!

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd update a little as havent been on here for ages!
We are now on a 457 visa, Hubbys work sponsored him and he is working as a team leader in the field he studied and loving it, even though he'd never been interested in horticulture in the uk! I guess to some its just as risky as the student visa as it temporary, but for us it was the 457 or return to UK as we had basically ran out of money, and now we have no school fees and hubbys working full time and I have no work restrictions, and were happy
Good Luck to everyone Im sure you will do it mandy and PB and everyone you have come this far!!! Chin up

Fab to hear from you guys too!!!

Thats great that you got on the 457, you sound very happy. Good luck to you and all the best for the new year!!

Cheers
Mandy

Thanks for the kind words peeps. It is good to hear how people are getting on and what choices they are making, i just hope you all the best and finish what we started. Oh and happy new year everyone xx