Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Welcome to Australia, land of milk, honey and ripoffs :lol: :ohmy:

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Dear All members,
I am Medical laboratory Scientist already registered with AIMS (Australian institue of Medical Laboratory Scientist). I think my profession is high in demand still in Adelaide. Anyway once we reach there we will go through for job but the current issue is that i don't want to spend extra ordinary money in start like i am searching sharing accomodation bcz i found short term rental accomodation too expensive as compared to separate room to sahre in hhouse or flat. The main issue is accomodation then obviously my husband can start any job availble temporarily. He has south african international license bcz he is south african citizen also so i think his license can work in Adelaide (Any guidance?).

I want to meet friendly people there who already passed that time which we are planning. So I hope it's helpful.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

What benefit we can claim as we go to oz as a permanent resident?

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Or you could always try not speeding or driving whilst drunk - that way your licence is safe! Only renewing for 3 years in case you lose it - sounds like you're the sort of person I would go miles out of my way to avoid on the road!

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

My main concern would be that a lot of people may not be interested in sharing with a small child.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Since you are from the same "cultural" and "economical" background as I am, here is the advise that I provided to my other friends who have recently moved to Australia on PR. Again, this is very subjective ... so it may appear to be funny to some ... tread with caution :). Its a merge of several emails, here goes:

1. Try to get as much utensils and crockery as possible. Pressure Cooker is a must!. one Dinner set at least, spoons etc. get as much as you can (unless you are willing to spend $5/spoon). Make sure *NO WOOD*. The electronics stuff (juicer/blender etc. is OK to bring, however, don't forget to bring "plug adapter". The electricity voltage is same i.e. 220-240v.

2. Try to get 8-10 bed sheets with you. They are *very* expensive here. Also, bring a quota of shaving blades (Gillete Max is $25 for a pack of 4 blades here - do the math) (for your husband....) .

3. Don't cancel/cut your debit cards (specially where your name is "embossed". Soneri doesn't have embossed names on their cards btw). These will be *very* helpful in appearing for driving tests later on (as you may not have your Australian bank card yet). These will serve as your "identity documents" along with your Passport.

4. Don't cancel your credit card if you want to rent a car in your early arrival days. (or better, pre-rent the card to be picked on airport if you are upto it). I cancelled my credit card - and I wan't able to rent a car because of it.

5. When you land on airport and get cleared from customs, pick your prepaid mobile phone SIM within Airport. Vodaphone is the most common one, get yourself a $35 package phone (free voda to voda).

6. Later on, get yourself a "Lebara" SIM which has cheaper calls to Pakistan. You can easily get it from any "Coles Express+Shell" patrol station. If you have telephone line and a valid Australian Debit/Credit card - go for localphones.com. They are the cheapest way to call to Pakistan. 2c/minute!

7. The minimum cash to bring with you is around 15000$ in order to survive first month (and some part of second month). The more the better. This amount is necessary if you are planning to buy a second hand car in the range of $3,500 to $5,000 (plus paying comprehensive insurance ($500-600) - don't drive car without it, plus buying a child seat or booster seat ($100-400), plus (may be) paying registration fees), paying rental bond and one month rent in advance ($300-$450/week + (rent x 4 week bond)) and purchasing furniture etc. (i.e. iron, iron-board, vacuum cleaner, fridge, bed+matters, TV, TV trolley, sofa set, dining table, cable service, phone service, internet service, laundry system, water filter jug, bottles). DO NOT go to Harvey Norman unless you are willing to pay huge amounts; go to "Fantastic Furniture" or "A Mart", they are cheaper. Get a hang of price from there, then buy the furniture. applianceonline.com.au is a good place to get household items (since they support cash-on-delivery). You may cut some of the cost by getting yourself a furnished apartment - but your rent will increase 2,3 folds).

8. Talk to your close friends (if you are lucky to have them in the city of your choice) to arrange for short term rental for 1-2 weeks.
In order to save as much money as possible later on, try to find rental in suburbs which has train stations (or train stations where the total car drive time is less then 10 minutes to station - and the travel time to CBD is in 30-40 minutes or lesser zone). Expect to spend $50-60 to fill your car's tanks. The rule for rentals is simple, the closer to CBD, the more expensive it gets.

9. Cargo: It's approx Rs. 200 to 300 per kg air cargo on your purchased ticket. It's higher if you want them to delivered to an address.

There are several agents in front of airport usually. Avoid agents standing outside and go to offices directly. Ask that you will accompany them to customs no matter how long it takes.

10. Driving License: Also, few weeks before your move, start reading your intended state's "driving rule book" (read it end-to-end), appear for web based tests etc., because once you are here, you won't be able to find time (and equipment) to go through it. This will help you to clear written test on first attempt.

Also, I heard that in NSW you need to have a letter from appropriate motor authority in Pakistan (verifying your license), attested by foreign office, and then attested by local Pakistan embassy in Sydney. Not sure about Victoria though and I haven't been asked to provide a letter here in Queensland as well (yet).

11. Budget Workout on estimated salary: keep in mind that 60-70 K is considered as a junior level salary, and it may prove to be lower than your expectations specially for Sydney. Use following tool to estimate your take-home salary:

http://www.paycalculator.com.au/

Assuming 65,000 package (excluding superannuation), your 4 week take-home salary will be approx. $4, 245

Depending on your life style, your major monthly expenditures will be:
- Apartment Rent: $1200-$2000 (depending upon how farther you are from city) <-- this is the area which is lower/higher in different cities
- Car Feul - $100-300
- Train - 200$ approx. depending how many zones your train travel. I travel 4 zones, one way ticket cause $4-5 peak time)
- TV/Cable - $70-$90
- Internet/DSL - 60$-90$
- Mobile - $70 ($35 x 2 mobiles)
- Telephone Bill - 30-40$ (+300$ one time connection fee)
- Food/Grocery - $500 approx. <-- this is the area which is lower/higher in different cities
- Other expenses - 50-200$

Approx. avg. monthly expenditure: $3,000 ish

The above does not include household item/vehicle purchases+tax/furniture/laundry (which I covered in previous email). If you include those items, there will be no savings what-so-ever in first few months. So, plan your budget accordingly :-). The ideal rent is 1/3rd (or lower) of your salary. If rent is going above 1/3rd of your salary, you budget will suffer.

Welcome to the hard life of Australia :D

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Hi,

Thanks alot for your detail msg really it works. Few questions more:

1) Kindly tell me about the stoves, is it gas or electricity in Adelaide.
2) Switch holders are same as in Pakistan?
3)My husband has south african International driving license, could he will be able to drive in start as we arrive on the same license or need to give any test first?
4) Unfortunately we dont know any body in Adelaide even in Australia. our main problem is to find cheap rental as we arrive. Is this possible we can arrange accomodation as we will be reach on airport?
What cooking grocery items are helpful in start like pulses or masala?
5) What about roti? wheat flour availble or not?
6)Most important thing what benefit I can claim as a permanent resident family in start? I read family tax A and child care cost because my daughter age is 3.5 it's not school going age in Australia.

Again thanks for your valuable information.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Hi,

Thanks alot for your detail msg really it works. Few questions more:

1) Kindly tell me about the stoves, is it gas or electricity in Adelaide.
Not sure about Adelaid specifically, but usually in apartments you will find Gas stoves

2) Switch holders are same as in Pakistan?
No. See here for details.

3)My husband has south african International driving license, could he will be able to drive in start as we arrive on the same license or need to give any test first?
See here for details. South Africa is not on the list. Your husband would need to sit for exam, but he will be allowed to drive for first 3 months on his existing overseas license.

4) Unfortunately we dont know any body in Adelaide even in Australia. our main problem is to find cheap rental as we arrive. Is this possible we can arrange accomodation as we will be reach on airport?
No, unless you wish to stay in a hotel (which will be very expensive). Try to go through gumtree to have an idea about shortterm rentals and possibly contact them as well ... but be cautious, usually you need someone on ground to do the dealings. Other options are to get a motel or similar booking for 1 week (via internet) and then arrange for a short term let while here.

What cooking grocery items are helpful in start like pulses or masala?
We didn't bring any. But you should be able to find in any nearby Indian store (and most spices in Coles/Wooly as well). I believe its a bit tedious to get these through customs ... they are very selective in the stuff that you can bring in to Australia

5) What about roti? wheat flour availble or not?
Yes, the flour is available from any nearby Indian store (or Halal store). Search on google for Indian and/or Halal shops in Adelaid to have an idea. The "Plain Flour" is maida here. You will find Wholemeal Flour or "Aata" (literally - it is often called Aata here as well) from Indian store as well. I've seen it in Coles and Woolsworth as well ... but they are usually in smaller quantity there.

6)Most important thing what benefit I can claim as a permanent resident family in start? I read family tax A and child care cost because my daughter age is 3.5 it's not school going age in Australia.

We just start claiming tax benefit (almost after three months), however, they are based on your estimated income. Your first step will be to apply for medicare once you arrive here. While you are at medicare office, ask for tax benefits and child care rebates. I personally find it is a good idea to claim tax benefit once you have your tax number and job sorted out ... but each individual circumstances are different.

Again thanks for your valuable information.

No problem.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Really it's very helpful. Thanks alot.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

we will land on Adelaide airport on tomorrow 23rd May. Still no arrangement of short term rental. Any guidence?

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Book something from Stayz to see you through a couple of days?

http://www.stayz.com.au/?s_cid=G:SEM...FWhLpgodGAj2nw

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

Have you not booked anything at all?? Is it just you or your partner and child too?

You could try a cheap hostel in the city. Private double rooms are $60 a night and dorm rooms (if you are on your own) are around $22-27 a night
:)

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

You'll need an address for immigration so try and get something booked ASAP!

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

I've never heard of anyone on a PR visa being asked for an address at immigration. Certainly we weren't.

Either way, it seems pretty foolish to get on a plan to a new country without booking someplace to stay in advance.

Re: Plan to move Adelaide in end of May
 

I thought we had to fill in an address on our landing card but it's been a while! Totally agree about arriving with nowhere to stay. Couldn't do it myself!!!!!