elice_in_oz

Just to clarify, I mentioned chidcare rebate in my last post but that doesn't apply to 457 holders. As temporary residents, you will not be entitled to any government benefits. Luckily, in Victoria, state schools are completely free for temp residents, unlike NSW.

Are you able to negotiate flights, removal costs and other financial incentives? If not, I would at least start talking about Employer Nominated Sponsorship for Permanent Residency with the company so that you could put that in motion as soon as you get here to get PR quickly. Your OH would have to do the skills assessment with the Australian Computer Society so make sure you bring ALL his qualifications, references and any other career-related stuff with you as the ACS want A LOT of paperwork for skills assessments.

Even if you decide not to stay, PR means you have access to some benefits, and with 3 kids, they might come in handy.

You will most likely get Medicare via the Reciprocal Agreement so might choose not to take up private insurance, but the latter is an extra expense that might be negotiated.

Mummy3

Yes, we have discussed employer sponsored PR already and know about that. We have to take out medical insurance as a condition apparently. With Medicare? So much to go through and so little time!

Mummy3

Hey the only benefit we get here, child benefit stops in 9 months, so thats a significant amount a month lost...

elice_in_oz

If you are usually resident in the UK, you are entitled to Medicare for any immediate and urgent treatments, meaning that you are treated as an Australian (pretty much) for day to day medical needs. You will be entitled to bulk-billing (where the GP directly charges the fees to Medicare) and to all the rebates. You will also be treated as public patients in public facilities and your kids will get access to community health services for free or cheap. The only caveat is that if you have any chronic illness or ongoing need for treatment, they might ask you to pay or go home to get treated

We were on the RHA for years before we became PR and found that it was all we needed really. We did spend loads on private insurance before we wisened up. You do need to take up some form of PHI to cover you for the first few weeks while you travel here and apply for Medicare. A good travel insurance should be enough to satisfy DIAC requirements. You can also apply for insurance through Australian providers as they have insurance specific to temp residents. Just make sure you can cancel it once you have Medicare sorted out. I know the Australian companies accept cancellation even a few weeks into the policy at no charge, can't say the same for the Brits. Have a look at http://www.australianunity.com.au and http://www.medibank.com.au to get an idea.

If you decide to still take private insurance once here, bear in mind that it is very different to private health insurance in the UK. It does not pay gaps between Medicare and the fees, it just effectively replaces the Medicare rebates and gives you access to private care and specialists in private hospitals, often still with a gap fee.

Mummy3

We are now getting down to the nitty gritty, costs of things like phones, school fees, in public for uniforms stationary etc, tv packages, cars to buy, furniture to replace ( as not shipping our old sofas ) insurances, utilities, food, thank you elice_in_oz for your figures.
Just to compare how we will be there.
What did other 457 people do about UK life insurance, bank accounts etc?

Mummy3

My OH just said to me that if it was that he would work less hours and see more of the kids we would go in a flash (the hours are worrying him), so have read out comments from here, but any further work life balance comments would be appreciated!!

Bermudashorts

I know it isn't the comment you want, but it probably isn't realistic to assume that everyone gets a better work life balance the minute they move to Australia, we don't all knock off early and go to the beach every day. In fact I have not once been to the beach after work and it is only ten minute walk away; that is because by time I get home there is not much light left even in summer (don't get long light days here like in UK).

We are very happy with our move and work goes well, but it hasn't provided a better work life balance; less annual leave and I have never worked harder! Whether your husband get better work life balance will really depend upon his particular work place. He isn't going to get better work life balance because somebody else said they did, likewise he won't find it worse because I said that is my experience. Maybe he needs to talk to the employer about the working hours and leave entitlements?

Mummy3

He has, but is concerned that there is a rose tinted view to get him there!
we wouldnt be down the beach every night either just want more time as a unit.
I am not daft I know that each person's life is different, but its nice to hear positive comments about being there as its such a quick decision to make.
I appreciate all comments

itigo

To work as a teacher you will need to register with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and will require references from the UK that can vouch that you meet the same standards required here. The form is quite big and daunting but they process it much quicker than in QLD. Mine was processed at their busiest time and it only took a month.

I have just completed a first aid course and anaphylaxis training as I've found that it's required in schools so I figure even just as a CRT (supply is casual relief teacher here) it would be seen in a good light and might get me more work.

Good luck!

Mummy3

You are a gem, thank you

Buzzy--Bee

In Melbourne we do.....

BB

Mummy3

Bermudashorts

Not quite, but it is a longer day than Sydney of course.

The longest day (daylight hours) in London is approx 2 hours longer than the longest day in Melbourne, but partly because it gets lighter earlier in the morning.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...&afl=-11&day=1

Bermudashorts

You sound very enthusiastic, if the price is right (i.e. AUD is at least at 2-2.5 GBP equivalent) then you can expect your finances will feel about the same. I don't go in for the "what have you got to lose" cliches, but you have guaranteed income from the outset and it could be a great adventure and experience for you.

I was not trying to put you off earlier, I love Australia, I just try to keep it real for would be migrants.

Mummy3

Salary is better than the Uk and in dollars is 2 times more. Is that right?

I wanted to emigrate years ago but we didnt have jobs guarenteed and the children were babies. So this feels too good to miss.

I have the estate agents round tomorrow to value our place, which is a half finished project, so what they say has a fair bearing on things.

Now, can anyone point me in the direction of what you may not ship?

Bermuda, your comments do matter, and you wont put me off!!