JenJen

Hi

Just wondering .... like ya do. We have 3 kids, (8,6 and 15months)

What would you say are the most important things to do in the first hours, days and weeks once you arrive in Australia?

Jen

Wendy

We stayed in a caravan park and had a little holiday before we dragged them round looking for houses, schools etc.

Seemed to do the trick as after 2 days they both said they loved it here (6 & 13)

hoots nan

First couple of hours - let them sleep!
First couple of days - enjoy the sights/parks
First couple of weeks - get them into school

Tuxtrip

Ditto

moneypenny20

Might be a bit tricky with the 15 month old though but agree for the other two.

breezeboylan

definitely agree that school as soon as possible is the way to go. You can do all the 'boring' stuff and the kids are making friends and settling in. IMHO if the kids are happy then thats half the battle won.
Tracie

hoots nan

I totally agree, our daughter was in school within 2 weeks, she made friends with other kids that she is still friends with 2 years on.

sme

Its amazing how much shopping can be done when they are at school

JenJen

Lol
we're quite lucky in that me and my husband went out earlier in the year to look at schools and areas to live, and have email contact with the school we want them to go to, technically should be no problem getting them in there unless we can't get anywhere to live in the catchment area.

What age does nursery start there here it is 3? What age does kindy start and how soon do you have to get their name down? Are there playgroups and how do you find out about those without just walking up to another mum on the street lol

I suppose i'm thinking of the silly mundane things really?

Errm like how soon do you have to register at the dr's is it like the NHS, do you go to the nearest dr's and shove everyone's name down? we have a NI here does that carry over to Australia or do we get a new one or is it something different.

Is there a list of things that you need to do pretty much as soon as you land?

Thanks

Jen

wavy_davy

Get to Centrelink
Get your Tax file no.
If you're in Perth, have a heart attack when you see the house prices
Go to the beach
Open a beer

JenJen

2 weeks, i was hoping to have them in the school the day after we land so we can get on with stuff

Jen

JenJen

LMAOOOOOO

Centrelink ???? whats that and tax file no ? do we all need one of those or just hubby as he'll be the only one working?
Nope won't be in Perth, we're heading to Melbourne.
Anyone recommend a nice beach near Melbourne?
nice one

Jen

wavy_davy

I would advise getting both asap, it makes things so much easier, and you'll need to register everyone with centrelink and your hubby will just need the TFn if you're not intending to work.

Oh, and register for Medicare too!!

JenJen

Is Medicare like the NHS? Oh god please tell me its better lol

Jen