SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

Have just made the big decision to move out to Sydney. Have visited twice this year and loved it.
Has been very stressful trying to persuade my ex husband to agree. Statutory declaration has just gone out to him.
Am a nurse so should be fairly straight forward.
Though have started to worry about just about everything! Mainly financial. Rent seems so much in Sydney. Is there any child benefit or assistance for single parents? Would just love to hear from anyone with any tips to calm my nerves! Thanks

Re: SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

Hi Jane,
Go for it!
Most hospitals have onsite living quarters that will suit you and your child.
Not sure if you can access any benefits but I am sure someone will be along shortly to advise you on this.
Good luck, you won't regret it.
Dennis

Re: SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

Thank you. Didnt cross my mind that I might be able to get hospital accomodation for both of us.
Jane

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No worries,
My Ex is an RN and has no trouble finding work and accomodation anywhere in Australia, you will be very sought after wherever you go.
Good luck.
Dennis

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Jane,
Not too sure if it'll help but we are looking to buy when we move to Sydney hopefully soon, if you go to the outer suburbs the prices aren't as steep. We're looking at wollengong and they seem reasonable but like i say we are looking at buying, not too sure if the rental market is the same.

In respect of actually going you go for it lass, if it doesn't work out you haven't lost anything, if you dont' go you will regret it later on.

When your ex signs your stat dec make sure you get a certified or colour electronic copy of his passport, a lot of people have applied on 136's and have been asked for this later on in the process in order to varify that it is your ex that has signed the stat dec.

good luck, take care
Vicky :)

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Just thought, try contacting 'daunted' she posts on here regularly and made the move as a single mother over to Oz from Lancashire late last year. She'll offer you loads of support she's fab:)

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Thank you Vicky. Will pass on your advice to my solicitor. Good luck with your move. Jane

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Thanks hun, If you need any help this side or over there once we are there please feel free to ask.

good luck
Vic's

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When it comes to claiming benefits, if you are on a sponsored visa (eg 457) then you are not entitled to any assistance. You may be able to get LAFHA though - do a search on here for this as it has cropeed up a lot.

If you come on a permanent visa then you should be eligable - although I am not sure if you have to be here a certain time before you can claim.

Re: SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

Hi jayne I have only just seen this thread. If you want to contact me feel free to email, I dont get on here as much anymore.
I came out in November 2007 with 2 kids and we havent looked back. It has been hard at times but nothing we havent been able to work through and the kids are in constant contact with their dad via msn/ web cam and phones etc, he is even coming to stay with us for 3 weeks in september :eek::blink::(:eek:
I am sure you will be good too, its just very very daunting (the user name!) having noone to talk to and share the concerns with whilst keeping smile on face for the kids.
I will pm you my website password then you can see some of what we have managed to get through all in one piece :rofl:
:wub:

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Hi Jane,
i too am a single mum of a 6 year old and we plan on making the move next year. I am a District nurse in the uk and my biggest fear is what do i do with my daughter if i have to get a job where i work nights: but i am kind of thinking i'll just cross that bridge when i get to it! Can i ask why you decided on Sydney. I am struggling to know where i want to live that offers my daughter the lifestyle i want for her but also gives me an active social life.

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Jane, come in to the Official Loners' Thread, we'll make you feel better!

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I am so in awe of women like you two... You are so brave to make this journey as single mums.... :)

I always think of myself as strong but I dont know if I could do what you have ( daunted) or are contemplating(jane) doing..

You both deserve:
1. A medal
2. A round of applause
3.The karma I have sent you...

I take my hat off to you both......:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

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You forgot to add that you have been a constant support to a heck of a lot of others in that speech too babe :)

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Hello. Have only been to Sydney and Adelaide. Visited a bloke (dont ever date Drs girls! nothing but trouble!!) in Jan and loved it. Beautiful city, loads to see and do, people friendly. But also surrounding countryside is amazing, mountains, rivers, national parks and beaches.
Went back to see him! with my 11year old at Easter to investigate further and could just see us having a great new lifestyle. If nothing else it is worth moving there for the fish market!
Of course I havent been to other places so cant compare. I know someone who has been in Perth sometime and loves it. Let me know where you decide on. xx
I am worried about child care too, tho of course Sam is a bit older. Am a recovery and surgical nurse so praying for a job in day surgery.

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OK Thanks. Will give you a look!

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Thanks.Am planning on applying for permanent residency. so thats reassuring even if I have to wait. Have had to forsake maintenance for my son in exchange for his dads permission! B******D! Janex

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Thank you Sarah and Vicky for your kind words and encouragement. This forum is making me feel SO much better. It is great to know I am not alone and my feelings and worries are normal. Jane xx

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Hi Jane

Just noticed your thread. I'm sure you will be fine, there is so much support on here, as you've already seen... :)

Re: SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

It's not all bad news though Jane, when i contacted the CSA about my payments they have told me that i would not be able to go through them once in Australia but the Australian family courts can do much the same job as the CSA. This is what i've been told from one representative from the CSA though so it may or may not be correct.

Good luck on your application though :)

Re: SCARED SINGLE MUM!
 

I moved to Townsville, Nth QLD in January as a single mum. Although as my "baby" turned 18 2 days before we left it's not like I have to worry about childcare but it was still daunting, as daunted said to be just me and him. Anyway although he's had a couple of wobbles in the last 6 months I can say it's the best decision I ever made.
I just wanted to say that even though he is 18 because he's at school (doing Y12) we get family assistance which has a single parent element too it. I get $154 a fortnight. I'm on a permanent resident visa. I know that if children under 18 they look at child support too and you get a child care payment but don't know much about it as I don't require it. I can get family assistance until he's 24 if he stays in education!
Hope this may help a little

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Oh Thanks. Thats great to know. Every little bit will help. You get to rely on the child benefit and child tax credit dont you. Glad to hear you have no regrets. Jane x

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How far have you got with the application process? I am just waiting to hear back from the ANMC re skills then hope to apply for my visa. i am not using an agent which i am now panicking about but i couldn't afford one.

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Am only just collecting papers for the ANMC, so not very far. Am using an agent cos I panicked too! But you are right it is costing a fortune, but she is being helpful. Where are you planning to go?

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Ah the big question. I was sure i wanted to go to Perth until i started looking a bit deeper into it and now it's wide open as melbourne and Brisbane also look good prospects. Not sure whether to find an area and then a job or get a job that suits me with regards to childcare etc and then choose an area locally. What about you.

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On the CSA subject I can confirm that the Australian CSA assess absent parent and the fact that you have moved to Oz DOES NOT affect your entitlement. I also have to say that the Oz CSA are nothing like my experience of them in the UK. They actually seem like human beings and were very very fair and efficient. You can also stick to any agreement you have come to with an ex but if you are to get the full entitlement of Family Assist you must give details and have an assessment done. THis happened to me. Me and the ex had come to an agreement of maintainence, the CSA insisted on an assessment but have still accepted our agreement of payment, with the knowledge that if he does not pay at anytime they are there with all the info in place to kick his butt :thumbsup:

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Hey Sals - was only talking about you today! hope all is going good :thumbsup:

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Did anyone have to courier documents to oz? Have been quoted £55 by DHL for one envelope. I will be bankrupt by the time I get there!

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Am heading to Sydney, have been there twice now and loved it. But if it doesnt work out have promised a nursing friend that I will try Perth before going home.

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That sounds like a good price to me, they quoted us £70 to couriers our medicals back in January (we actually sent them international signed for which was absolutely fine although we couldn't track them)

good luck

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:o oooooooooh you gonna make me cry! thanks f or all the lovely comment - helping others only serves to help me too so thankyou all very much too. I am more than happy to chat and talk to anyone who needs an ear to bash, having been there myself i understand completely where us single parents are all coming from :wub:

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Still feeling scared but so much better. Have sent off my application to nursing board now. As rental seems expensive now wondering about moving slightly further out of Sydney to Newcastle. Anyone know anything about it? esp re nursing jobs! :confused::confused:

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Sorry can't help re Newcastle but just wanted to say good luck :)

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Havent read the whole thread so sorry if I'm duplicating - but you will only be entitled to some benefits including the Childcare tax rebate, on some visas (mainly if you are PR). You might get here quicker on a 457 but you then arent entitled to benefits or support....

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Hi Jane, just read your initial thread, and thought I'd written it in my sleep as you sound like me!!
I'm a single mum of 2 boys, I'm a nurse and moving to Sydney in Jan!
My ex has just signed the consent that the immigration people wanted from him to allow the kids to come with me. Medicals are booked for next week and just sorting removals and lookin at rentals.
Luckily I have a great support network in Sydney as I lived there 9 years ago working in the same hospital I will be next year. I have about 4 really good friends all but one of them have kids and will be heping me sort schools and a home etc etc.
If you want to message me then feel free - we can do the single mum thing when we get there! (whatever that is!)
Good luck and if we can do this we can do ANYTHING!!
Helenxxx

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Think you have answered my prayers! Thanks for responding. everyone else on here seems to be going elsewhere in the country! Have sent in my nursing stuff but have not got any further yet. So will be a bit behind you. have so much to ask you dont know where to start! My son is 11. Where do you live now? Where you going to work? live? etc Jane xxx

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Thanks. Am applying for permanent residency. Others have told me I may be entitled to something. Will wait and see when I arrive. If it ever happens!
Am scared that some nursing papers are stuck in post. Posted them 2 weeks ago and not arrived with migration agent yet. If I wasnt blonde, think I would be grey by now!!

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:thumbsup: hello all us single mums - how you doing either over here or still over there waiting to get here :rofl: I have now been in my own house for 2 weeks and looooooooooving it!! :thumbsup: GIRL POWER!! my update and couple of pics are on my update thread if you need any reassurance that you will be A ok!! :wub:

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Glad it is going well. Thanks for all your support. It is still going to take ages. Just cant wait to get there now. The summer here has been awful. Am sure I will have more questions to ask later if thats ok. Just waiting for acceptance for registration by nursing council. Takes 10 weeks! xx

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Hi - thank you for all your encouraging words - i've only been on here a couple of times and there is a real mix of opinions - so thanks for the positive ones! Im going to Brisbane as a single parent on a 457 visa - got the visa and a job - strangely they seem to have been the easiest things to get! Just sorting out selling the house this end now, going to get an aupair for the first 6 months as I'll be working shifts (Im a Midwife). Beginning to feel as though I'm stalling the whole process now - its terrifying, so just wanted to say 'thanks' for being so positive!
While I'm here, are there any other single parents in, or heading to, Brisbane? If I pull myself together and stop panicking about all the potential problems (that will probably never happen) then I should be out early in the new year (2009). Also, whilst I'm here, does anyone know if you have to pay tax or some kind of equivalent for an aupair? I shall be using savings to pay for their wages so hopefully not. Im hoping that after 6 months I shall have sorted a better (and cheaper) form of childcare. Any hints or tips from anyone in Brisbane about schools, areas to live etc?
With many thanks, Helen