They may have got that 500pw figure from somewhere that quoted Settler and Resident Return Visa holders:

Actual DIMMIA quoted 2002/2003 Arrival figures for WA are:

Settler Arrival 12,279
Long Term Res Return 10,900
Short Term Resident Return 373,828
TOTAL 397,007: 9% of that number would be about 680 per week

On top of those figures were:
Long Term Visitor Arrival 19,436
Short Term Visitor Arrival 460,533

(9% being the UK % of all the nationalities arrived in the first 3 categories during 2002/2003)

[QUOTE=griffinfamily]Hi Bigmac31
Nicky[/Q
UOTE]
were also driving to Perth on friday 10th march its a long trip so get well prepared for the distance it wont be easy stopping of each night in hotel if possible in outback areas , looking at taking 4 days driving ,maybe we could meet up and drive to Perth together (SAFETY IN NUMBERS) as they don,t recomend you driving alone on the route

keep in touch

My lad who is 21 is a chef in Brisbane's northern suburbs and the shift patterns are the same up here so I'm not sure moving to Perth will resolve your probblem in that respect.

Hi

sounds good to drive together, we're just getting removal quotes but hoping to leave Wodonga on 9 march then down to Melbourne to take pets to jet pets so they can fly them over once we are in Perth! So should be 10 march leaving Melbourne what a coincidence!

Def keep in touch, going to start properly looking at the drive over next week, got mum, step dad and sister here at the mo, so a little hectic!

You can e-mail me at my address on here if you like!

Nicky

[QUOTE=bigmac31] Anyone would think that driving to Perth from Victoria is like the Paris/Dakar - there is a proper road - you're not driving across the Sahara, you know!

There are road-houses (with petrol, food and motel rooms) all along the route and thousands of other cars and trucks on the road. It might not be Piccadilly Circus but you really don't need to drive in a convoy!

We are just down the road from you in Wangaratta, it is a shame that you are moving on as it would have been good to meet up.
Good luck.
Nicky, Ian and the kids (16,11,7 and 4)

Hi Nicky

Thanks, what a shame we're moving on would of been good to meet up, typical find out these things when were about to leave never mind! How long have you been in Wangaratta?
Have your children settled well?

Nicky
X

We have been here since September and the kids are at the local catholic schools. We are getting settled although the kids were definitely the quickest on that front. There are a few families from the UK and Germany here but in general it hasn't really been an issue as everyone is so friendly. Ian is working in Benalla and his company brought us out and although we have struggled a bit with being in such a small place it has been OK so far. we were in Belgium for 3 years before this so it is still a relaxing experience after having language difficulties for such a long time.
Good luck with the move.
Nicky