mlbonner

Hi,

I've put together this list of thing that may help people at various stages of their visa process.

If anyone has anymore useful links etc please feel free to add them


Medical Information:
Medicals are extremely straight forward and nothing to worry about (and to be fair if you encounter a problem that prevents you from getting your visa, you probably have more important things to worry about anyway!)

All medicals seem to vary slightly in order and content but generally they are;
- Urine test
- Blood test for HIV (& Hep if you have tattoos/piercing)
- Weight & height (people with BMI’s up to 40 have got through so don’t worry if you’re overweight!)
- Eyes, ears, throat check
- Reactions test ie: knee jerk test
- Heart and chest listened to
- BP measured
- X-ray of chest taken

Bloods take a week for the results; if you don’t hear anything then they are normal.

All you need to take with you is two passport photos, the forms & yourself!

To get the forms you need to email the below address, stating name, postal address, type of visa applied for, how many copies of the forms you need & the age of each applicant.
[email protected]

Cost of medicals:
Again, these seem to vary but between about £140-£170 is a good average, about half the price for a child under 11.

Children’s medicals
Under 11 just the medical
11+ years medical & X-ray
15+ years full medical inc. HIV test


Police Checks:
- Apply at your local police station for a UK check. cost £10
- If you’ve been in Australia for over 12months (or close to) in total in the past ten years you’ll also need a check from there - http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1101.pdf cost 36AUD


Where to send your application forms into:
If you’re applying to AHC the address is

Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Strand London
WC2B 4LA




Useful links and websites:
AHC - http://www.australia.org.uk/vti/HTML/index.html
DIMIA - http://www.immi.gov.au
FORMS - http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/
FEES - http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i.htm
DOCTORS - http://www.australia.org.uk/vti/FORMS/DOCTORS.PDF
IARC - http://www.iarc.asn.au

AGENTS
- http://www.austimmigration.com.au/
- http://www.gomatilda.com.au/


MONEY TRANSFER
- http://www.tranzfers.com/
- http://www.hifx.com/

SHIPPING
- http://www.a1box.co.uk/acatalog/products.html#a15
- http://www.removalboxes.co.uk/index.php
- http://www.excessbaggage.co.uk/
- http://www.allied-pickfords.co.uk/
- http://www.pss.uk.com/movingoverseas.htm

AQIS (CUSTOMS) - http://www.affa.gov.au/index.cfm

TAX INFO - http://www.ato.com.au/

JOBS
- http://www.seek.com.au/
- http://www.michaelpage.com.au/
- http://careerone.com.au/

USEFUL OZ LINKS
- http://www.ourbrisbane.com.au/
- http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
- http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/
- http://www.visitmelbourne.com/
- http://www.adelaide.sa.gov.au/
- http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/
- http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
- http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/

- http://www.whereis.com.au/whereis/home.jsp

- http://www.movingdownunder.co.uk/files/start.php



Some useful things to do once you have your visa!
1) MAKE A LIST!!.
2) Cancel all contracts, telephone, utilities, mobile phone, house insurance, community charge etc. Always best to do it in writing and keep a copy.
3) Cancel standing orders, direct debits etc. for the above and make sure you cancel with the bank as well as the company. If you have yearly subscriptions to anything make sure they are cancelled as they are easy to overlook.
4) Driving licence - notify DVLC of address change, and cancel your car insurance, get letter confiming No Claims Bonus as you can use it in Australia.
5) Notify, tax office, insurance company (life insurance etc.) if you have shares notify company of change of address.
6) Send back as much junk mail with "moved and gone away return to sender" on them (cuts down on mail needing to be redirected) best to start this a few months in advance.
7) Sort out your mail redirection.
8) If you have bought a laptop to use while PC is transported, don't forget to copy across all your email addresses, contacts and favourite sites as well as copies of all documentation that you may require.
9) Arrange to ship your belongings, see shipping. for list of companies.
10) Book your flights, see travel for good deals on flights.
11) Mobile - should work in Australia but you may need to "unlock" it. Some Nokia Models can be unlocked for £3.50 BY EMAIL . See Phone Freedom or take a look at Unlocking Mobiles. Once unlocked you can buy a pay as you go SIM in Australia for about $25.
12) If you have children, get school reports, vaccination records. (medical notes if possible).
13) Decide on Australian Bank Account. If you going to open an offshore account do it before leaving UK.
14) Make a will. If you make a will in Australia it overides any UK will, its best to have a Uk one covering UK assetts and an Oz one covering Oz assetts but have reference in the Oz will referring to UK one..
15) Book your flight. Also get your accomodation arranged

Britishaussie

Thank you Michelle, we are at a very early stage getting my husband's visa sorted and will be looking to move soon after. It's nice to be able to take advice from those who've done it already, I think getting the visa is the easy bit!

How are your arrangements going?

mlbonner

No problem - figured I had all the info, may as well share it

Well I have a flight booked (26th July) which now leaves me with under 6 weeks to do everything :scared:

I'm running some training workshops this week, but when things go back to normal next week I shall be handing in my notice. Got some shipping quotes so will decide on that this weekend - I only have personal affects, so shouldn't be too difficult. Got a list of all the things I need to cancel before I go. Looked into transfering my reg details when I sell my car. Been in contact with Inland Revenue (still waiting to hear back) and thats about where I'm up to!! Have done all that since Saturday mind, so not too bad hey

threlly

what a top list, thanks, thanks, thanks - will use this when i get my visa
cheers

nosuchluck

Great list, thanks for sharing!
rach xxxx

Dreamaway 10

WOW thats agreat list !
What a lot we all have to do.
Thanks a bunch for finding the time to post this list I will be adding this one to my list of favourites
Cheers all the best hope you manage to get everything done in time.
Dreamaway

madsad

Hi,
wot a great help your list will be! nice of you to take the time & effort to share with us all! cheers!

mlbonner

My pleasure - hope it helps you all some